Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
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.
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
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:
- occur in a group context (i.e., collaborative teams)
- are project-based
- have an outside (authentic) focus'
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
Sunday, March 21, 2010
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!
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.
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)
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)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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.
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