Avatar's and their role in ICTs

The Internet and indeed ICTs are the first mediums to honour multiple intelligences in the classroom (Brown, 2000). If we look at the visual vs. verbal unity, we see students either favour one or the other learner styles (Felder & Soloman) . If you look at one of my previous posts I have posted an avatar. This is a great form of ICT in which students on both sides of spectrum can embrace either a learning experience introduction or small lecture in the form of an avatar. Both forms of learning styles are embraced: visual and verbal, as students can focus on the ICT itself in all its colourful glory and what is being said. If this was to be published on a mahara learning experience; text will be incorporated situated next to it (using a 'text box') so students don't have to take notes directly from the avatar (causing a stop-start effect). Scot has used this effectively in the lecture modules for this course.

How to make an avatar.

Children now engage in multi-literacies and are always 'multi-processing', they engage in several technologies at the same time: they might surf the net while listening to music or talking on the mobile phone (Brown, 2000). Learning today, not only involves textbooks, blackboard and writing pads, but image and computerised screen literacy. Brown (2000) believes the ability to read new multiple media genres is nontrivial but people still think that to watch a film (even a sensationalist hollywood blockbuster) requires no 'thinking'. But it does... it confirms what we know. If we've been secluded from society for 10 years and come back and watch one of these films; we'll find it confusing and jarring (Brown, 2000). Mature age people think children who engage in multi-processing are not concentrating, but this is not true (Brown, 2000).

If the learning theory of connectivism is utilised by the teacher, connections can be made between the curriculum and the shifts in juvenile behaviour towards technological use. Learning is focused on connecting these shifts and specialised information sets and the connections that enable us to learn about our current state of knowing (Siemens, 2004). If this new information is ignored, then the teacher and student will be left behind and even more disadvantaged when new information is dispersed.

References

- Brown, J. S. (2002). Growing up digital: how the web changes work, education and the ways people learn, United States Distance Learning Association. Retrieved from http://www.unt.edu/benchmarks/archives/2004/september04/eis.htm

- Felder, R. & Soloman, B. Learning Styles and strategies. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm

- Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: a learning theory for the digital age, elearnspace. Retrieved from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm

Mahara reflection and it's relationship with the wiki

Mahara is very new to me and I am still trying to figure out things. I have just left a query on the 'Ask Scot' forum as evidence of my initial confusion. I'm sure I will get my head around it eventually.

I think Mahara is certainly be a good way to let students interact with curriculum materials in their own and particularly at home. It could work as a collaborating tool for a wiki. Mahara could work as a visual guide for students who are working on an ongoing project. Students might not necessarily physically add material to the mahara 'view' (I guess this is what the wikis are for) but it could be shaped as a daily reminder for students on what they have learned in the particular day or in my case a particular day (primary school). Each view would comprise of a particular Unit of Work and be added to every time something new is learned so the students have a resource to fall back on if something is forgotten or not noted in class.

This is a particularly student-centered idea as students aren't expected to remember everything they have been made to digest in a 60 minute setting. Details on the project or Unit of Work will be readily available for students to engage in the project when they get home. Students can attain content from mahara which will not only have information, videos and visuals but suggested websites in order to encourage students to extend their reading by locating and allocating other secondary sources of information. The mahara will publish what is expected of the student in relation to criteria. This saves students from flicking through the pages of writing pads and text books to find this criteria, sometimes resulting in the student not being able to find the criteria anyway. This type of work is considered project orientated learning according to Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999). Kearsley and Shneiderman talk about meaningful engaged learning and project orientated learning is one of three aspects that fulfills this type of learning management theory. The other two aspects are group context and authentic focus which can easily be embedded into the collaboration between mahara and wiki.

I think the wiki and the mahara portfolio could coincide very well in this respect as students have the opportunity to use the wiki to record the information they have found on materials extending from mahara and create a working and finished product. In this sense the use of the two forms of computer mediated communication provides the opportunity for the teacher to assess the applicability of the mahara content from what information the students are actively participating in from what they have published on the wiki. Teachers can also 'check up' on what students are posting on the wikis.

References

- G, Kearsley & B, Shneiderman 1999, Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning, http://home.sprynet.com/%7Egkearsley/engage.htm

Really cool video on meaningful engaged learning! The underlying theme or message is that if students are to learn they need to feel a connection to the teacher.

vokis

Get a Voki now!

wiki excersise and engaged learning

The wiki concept is terrific and a certain proponent of engaged learning. I previously attempted to devise an engaged learning activity and was stuck with what kind of database students could employ to interact with each other. I suggested email. Looking back and watching the video within the lecture module, email now seems like a total waste in organisation. When I was thinking about the database to employ for students, little did I realise that there were presentation databases out there that not only lets students interact on a personal basis electronically but ones that also let students contribute to the presentation project simultaneously.

For my personal Wiki I chose what I thought was a feasible research topic that students could engage in: Australian explorers. This was something I was taught in middle school and one that I enjoyed. It was the first thing I thought of and yes, it wouldn't be universally authentic (some students would be interested who have an inclination for humanitarian and historical studies, others would be more interested in other more practical vocations), my future ideas for other Wikis will be better suited. Re-evaluating my choice, Australian Explorers probably wasn't the best choice, what kind of outsider would come in and assess the presentations? I could as the teacher be the assessor, but students would realise that I am not an authentic historian.

'Engagement theory is based upon the idea of creating successful collaborative teams that work on ambitious projects that are meaningful to someone outside the classroom. These three components, summarized by Relate-Create-Donate, imply that learning activities:

1. occur in a group context (i.e., collaborative teams)
2. are project-based
3. have an outside (authentic) focus'

(Kearsley & Shneiderman 1999)

I think Wikis have been formulated for engaged learning activities as they provide opportunities for collaborative working (class is split up into teams and given a research issue, or asked to present a solution to something like global warming). 'Teachers will need practice in organizing and conducting collaborative activities, particularly the facilitative role that is needed. A lot of attention has to be devoted to ways in which student teams can most effectively present and share their results with each other. And both students and teachers will need training and support in the use of all online communication tools' (Kearsley & Shneiderman 1999). The online communication tools referred to here can be sufficed by Wikis.

G, Kearsley & B, Shneiderman 1999, 'Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning', http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Experience setting up a blog

I had set up the 'blog thing' approximately a week ago merely to keep up with the other GDLT students. I was concerned so I asked Scott (my lecturer) sometime ago about the 'RSS' (what the hell was an RSS?) and he gave me a cryptic answer (which is fair enough and consequential, it was an impulsive outburst of mine... apologies!) along the lines of: 'Be patient and all will be revealed' or something to that effect. I should have checked some of the other posting as this was already clarified. What I have just discovered is that my colleagues are just getting ahead with the weekly modules, hence why I feel a bit stupid now.

Prior to this class I have never desired or needed to acquire and maintain a blog. I have always thought them to be lame and used by those who have too much time on their hands. To some extent I still do. If it has purpose and enhances educational stimulation, then I can see the advantages of maintaining and following blogs. I will definitely embrace this form of Computer Mediated Communication and hopefully implement it into the classroom effectively. As to how I am going to do this, I am still unsure. By the end of this course, hopefully I know the answer to this anxiety.

I have been following other blogs for awhile now apparently. I watched the video on working an RSS feed and logged onto the Google Reader and I am already following a few blogs. So clicking on the funny little orange icon on so many of my colleagues' blogs wasn't a complete waste time!

Carl Burrell and his gnashing giblets!

This week has really got my mental giblets going! I am watching the video on Clay Burrell's speech in Australia (he conducted it in Mooloolabah I think? Yes proximity is an amazing thing). This guys is really amazing, if there is anyone I would like to emulate in terms of aura, visions and infinite charisma, it is certainly this amazing man. He has really got me thinking in an abstract realm of why ICTs should be implemented.

We have entered the information age and children are technology savvy. There is no qualms in acknowledging this fact, children do not care for paper and illegible handwriting (since when do 'teachers' think they are doctors anyway?). Patients don't even need to read doctor's writing, last time I checked students do need to read feedback teachers give to their students. I have encountered these pesky sorts since high school and they have bugged me.

Students will zone out if meaningful engaged learning activities are not incorporated into the classroom. Learning Managers have to 'keep up with the times' and if they don't, then the ones to suffer educationally will be the students. ICTs must be employed to not only make education enjoyable but for students to realise that education is meaningful and has purpose. The challenge faced by learning managers is to create a balance between curriculum requirements and engaged learning techniques. I think it would be easy for engaged learning to sway side tracked and exclusively rely on the technology itself for learning. It is good to offer ICTs but it is also imperative that it accommodates the stimuli as well.

OK week 4! Lets learn about technologies

Blog posted before I engage in the week's work that really gets down to the nitty gritty of implementing Information Computer Technologies into the classroom. Just listening to George Lucas' talk on engaged learning, this is an interesting concept. I like authentic task aspect, there were some instances in my own education that embraced this; more so primary school ironically. I think to really make an engaged learning task facilitate in an positive way is to bridge that authenticity... bring a specialist to assess the work students have attempted.

Check out this video, this is something I would like to show this to my potential classroom students! (Having trouble using 'Keepvid' website, will rectify as soon as possible)

mind map

A great website to use for mind mapping can be found here

this is only one website amongst many that offers great resources for graphic organisers which were mentioned in week 3 of ICTs readings.

This is a mind map I came up with in order to convey an issue that would be hard to organise for students. I found my attempt to be fairly simple and perhaps an effective way to demonstrate the process of reproduction.

Engagement Learning Activity

Here is an attempt to plan an activity that embraced learning engagement:

For an explanation on how engaged learning work click here

An activity that embraces the academic side of employment. Could role play the workplace? A workplace where the emphasis is on intranets and collaborating databases. Research
would need to be taken to find out what databases are available for late primary students or even if creating a group page on something like facebook would work (from what i have seen even though it is currently more popular with young adults than teens, late primary school students are using it and more will continue to use it.) It is risky but I guess research will determine a more viable option. I could just use hotmail... for the moment
I will use hotmail as an example.


This could be a week to term long activity. It could take up an integrated unit of work encompassing perhaps SOSE and English or Science. I could turn the library (wherever there are ample pc's with Internet access) into a mock research laboratory with props and interior design appropriately situated to give the activity that authentic feel.

(student profiling will determine whether i will let the students pick their own groups or I will designate the groups myself. If it comprises a Unit of Work, then the groups should be altered, therefore roles switched as well which could cause problems as students will gain a sense of ownership with their work. Seen as though this is the case, changing the groups around might be resisted)


1. each group is given an issue to research and ideas on websites for research.

2. each groups breaks off and determines what needs to be discovered about the issue. the group will delegate a
focus question for each group member. (relate principle 1)

3. perhaps each group will designate a type of moderator, a group leader... each group will respect a student more than others. I am attempting to balance inclusion and diversity here. Each group member is given a 'position title', the title can relate to what aspect they are researching. For example a group member might be researching for 'what are the consequences of such an action?', that student could be called the 'consequences person' perhaps. It will be
emphasised that the moderator/leader is of no more importance than each group member. It will be emphasised that a group is not a group when a member is missing. I think this is a good social practice for the students to see the diversity of some of the other students. It also
gives me as the learning manager the opportunity to witness some of the social dynamics the students engage in and how they relate to
eachother. (relate principle 2)

Depending on the issue, students will be provided with the opportunity to do physical research outside or within the school ground. I will use the example of the issue of plants as the research topic(i know a bland one, but one that's easily applied as an example), students can do the research and have a look around the school gardens perhaps or a local garden establishment, for instance a national park, to take photos and note findings.

4. Each group member will be seated at a computer and proceed to research their focus question. They will each send moderator their info they have found via email over the next few days (this activity might entail two 40-60 minute lessons a day as it is an integrated unit of work). The moderator will attempt to come up with a plan that informs the rest of the class what comprises this particular issue. This kind of work will give the students a sense of responsibility and can think they are actually part of a research team; a team 'researching cutting edge information that can help generations to come!' (Create principle). Students have to feel excited about participating in this activity for them to act out the desired outcomes.

5.The donate part of the engagement process will consist of group members working with the moderator after all research has been done.

The plan mentioned before could come in the form of a 'showand tell' presentation where each student stands in front of the class (or somewhere more ideal that stresses the relevance of the issue, going back to the plants topic, the students can offer the presentationoutside somewhere where there might be some particular plants that are associated with their research.


What are some issues or topics that could be employed for the students to research?
This is for around grade 6-7 perhaps.

week 2 catch up synopsis

Week 2 was literally information overload as I attempted to grasp an array of key terms for my glossary. Again we were required to reflect on our own formal education like in week 1 but with a little bit more theory embedded into our conscious concerning teacher centric and student centered styles of teaching. Some of the reflections I came up with:

teacher centric:

1. First memory that springs to mind is memorised rehearsals of the times tables in math. I'm not sure if this still occurs (could someone with children in primary school help me out?), my assumption would be that it still does. For those not mathematically savvy like myself, this task was treacherous and really hacked at my self-esteem as I'm sure it did others. So yes, eventually I did know my times tables but as it turned we were only required to memorise up to the set of 12. Any multiplication equations that necessitated sets above 12, I could not equate without a calculator (and still really can't). Learners may have been more inspired to participate in more abstract multiplication (without a calculator) equations if an interactive approach was employed.

2. I mentioned in the first week how my grade 1 teacher assumed I was slow and advised my parents that I should be kept down. Little did she realise I only maintained a hearing level of 30% capacity. I had gromits inserted and went onto grade 2 with no qualms. Teacher centric learning? It is pretty obvious she observed very little of my social interactions, I mean how hard is it to realise a child has little hearing? She had little or no respect for students with diverse needs.

3. Dictation: when the teacher reads aloud and students write to the best of their ability (depending on how fast the teacher reads) what he/she is saying. The epitome of teacher-centric learning. The teacher is metaphorically the 'god' figure. I don't recall this happening consistently, but it did take place.

student centred:

1. Going to again refer to week 1's version of this question. My grade 5 teacher employed an ICT which us students thought was pretty cool in that of a camera. We were required to take stills of events and construct a story out of them. The Unit of Work's theme was story telling and how student understand the steps of conventional linear narrative. All students enjoyed this UoW.

2. The next memory from the same teacher (this 'learning manager' was definitely the best teacher I have ever had) was when he was implementing an integrated unit of work for history. He covered Greek history and mythology. What he did was very effective as students learnt about all major subjects and geographical areas of ancient Greece. What we participated in was an Olympics day reminiscent of the ancient Greek Olympics. It was a day long event and something he did every year with his particular class. He built it up so that we knew this day was coming. Prior this we learnt about Greek history and were encouraged to make input concerning what should happen on the day of activities.

The thing that particularly interested me the most about this week was the Individual Leaning Styles which can be found here. Through this website you can discover your own personal learning style and general insights into the social and psychological dynamics of your personality type. My particular learning style was INFJ (Introverted Intuitive Feeling and Judging). For a thorough explanation on this learning type check out this link.

week 1 catch-up synopsis

week 1

Looking back I can really see how much I have progressed in a mere 3 weeks. By looking at everyone else's blogs, I figured I should get started on my own (are we not supposed to start doing this next week being week 4?). The first week consisted of us as potential learning managers taking a step back and reminiscing on our own formal education and figuring whether it was teacher centric or student centered, or as the first week of readings initially described it: 21st century thinking (mode 2) or traditional (mode 1).

I could think of one example that was quintessential traditional and if it wasn't for the persistence of my parents I could have been kept down. I began primary school in 1992 and reflecting on my experience within the context of my current understanding of traditional and knowledge based working systems, I can say that both Primary and Secondary schooling embraced both, not necessarily equally. The first thing that came to mind when thinking about traditional/industrial styles of teaching was my grade 1 teacher. She particularly stands out in my mind due to the fact I found it difficult to comprehend a lot of the set tasks and in my 6-year-old perspective, she just seemed brutal. My grade 1 teacher actually wanted me to be kept down because she thought i was intellectually behind the other students. My father has told me on occasion of some of the conversations he had with my grade 1 teacher and he
distinctly remembers her telling him (in so many words) that she didn't like me. The ironic thing, and what most exposes this 'teacher is all' attitude is that I, in actual fact had a mere 30 per cent of my hearing. My grade 1 teacher failed to acknowledge this in the absence of effective learning management teaching strategies. I had gromits inserted into my ears not long after that and went onto grade 2 with the rest of my class mates.

The next integral part of this week consisted of really distinguishing mode 1 and mode 2 styles of teaching. I found this part particularly interesting due to clear cut definitions of difference between the two. Prior to reading this I felt slightly anxious and really wanted to clarify for myself what these differences consisted of.

The first thing I thought when i was reading the characteristics of Mode 1 was the empiricist concept which is a literature term. It believes in the infinite genius of one and that context really plays no part. This was particularly evident when Heath said that 'an individual creates the knowledge' (2001).I read a little further and my thoughts were confirmed as Heath said 'Teachers in these system were regarded as special people and were most often individuals with particular qualities and ability' (2001). Even though a lesson plans is developed by the one person, it should borrow ideas from other forms and should be the result of peer inclusion.

I think what the author is basically trying to say is that mode 1 is objective, that there is only one way to do things (Heath 2001). Mode 1 knowledge takes things at face value insinuating that all students will react the same and when one or a few don't, well that's there problem... if they want to keep up with the rest they will have to either do it in their own time (seek tutors) or be set out special working schedules separate from the rest of the class (Heath 2001). This is where the gap between the more intellectual to the less is widened and there is a much more objective distinction between the 'the blue collared workers' and 'the white collared thinkers'.

The difference between mode 1 and 2 can detrimentally effect my own teaching practices. I have always been a firm believer in creativity and delving into thinking via subjectivity. Students are different and are typified by their respective ideologies. Incorporating Pragmatism can encourage communication in the classroom in identifying the differences in students and how they should be taught. All students' differences must be incorporated, it might seem daunting
but to me it is very possible through learning management thus effective pedagogy, that all the students' needs in a classroom can be considered in either an integrated unit of work or a lesson plan.

References

Heath, G 2001, Teacher Education and the New Knowledge Environment, http://www.aare.edu.au/01pap/hea01582.htm