- Kearsley, G & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement theory: a framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved 28 July, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
- Ten Principles to Active Learning (http://www.idecorp.com/teacher/documents/dowling_002.pdf)
Wow, what a week to begin in. At the beginning everything that Wendy was talking about was going "wwwooooshhhh" straight over my head. But that was mainly due to AT1 being talked about even though we hadn't started any content. As we progressed and moved into some content this is where I begun to become interested in what i was learning. I still stand by the real problem will be when I start to relate the content being learned to the assessment task.
This week we were introduced to 3 new applications, 2 of which I had not see/understood before. They were, Blogger (what I'm typing on now), Delicious (bookmarking tool) and Google Reader (way to follow what friends are creating).
Starting with Blogger. This is something I had some knowledge about. The ability to post your thought on the web with the ability for others to read and comment upon. By quite frankly this is where my knowledge stopped. I am now assuming that there are many more handy application within this program that will be helpful for this process that we are in for E-learning. But let's talk about what we already know.
I believe this blogging system is very handy when creating "scholarly" pieces. Not only do you have your own opinion placed on a public stage, you have the ability to become familiar with everyone else's beliefs through the comment system (providing people actually comment you). You can also comment on someone elses blog posting. This allows you as someone with strong ideas to identify the other side of an argument and research you side further to stake your case. This forces you as a "philospher" to use complex thinking processes to stake your theory correctly; which is something that Kearsley & Schneiderman believe to be important in their engagement theory (1999). Alternatively, the other person may stake their claim so well that you research their side of the argument further and totally change your opinions on the subject.
In summary of this program, I believe that it is an effective way in communicating ideas or arguments in an environment that is quite stable (providing the correct netiquette is applied).
The second application explored was Delicious. This is one of the programs that I had not previously explored. It allows people too bookmark web sites and place them on show for others to view through a handy key search term. Although I have limited knowledge with this, I believe at this stage, Delicious is just and updated version of "My Favourites" with the difference in providing the ability to share what is bookmarked rather than just keep them to yourself. This allows you as a learner to become connected to other learner's ideas and resources and therefore thecnically participate in long distance collaborative teams (Kearsley & Schneiderman, 1999).
Although I believe in this, I do think that Delicious would be helpful in a classroom. I see that students can place their research sites onto Delicious which can give other students the ability to locate them and use them effectively if they were completing an assignment. This resource can be put in place to force students to "challenge themsleves to learn utilizing teachers, peers and other resources to meet with success" (Ten Principles to Active Learning). The tecahers and peers side of this argument can be online and are not restricted to those in their immediate classroom. Although younger students may be able to use this program, I believe that to be effectively used, upper primary and secondary students who have the cognitive skills would be able to use this.
Finally, we were introduced to Google Reader. At this stage for me, it has been a tool in which I can follow other peoples blogs. So pretty my an inbox in which i can track blogs. I still need further research with this tool to make a better opinion upon this.
Anyways guys thanks for reading this installment of my E-learning adventure (wow that sounded so corny). Lodge those insightful comments about what I have written and if you haven't yet, become a "follower" of my blog so you are able to catch many more insightful blogs from me.
Adios
To Dare Is To Do
Hey there
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with what you have stated above although I believe that there are many other uses for blogging then just posting your scholarly articles/opinions. I believe that this could be used in the classroom for many reasons from simply students using it to work on assignments together (even when they are not at school) to having an additional way of asking their teacher a question. This way all students would be able to access blogger and effectively use it within the classroom on a weekly or even daily basis. Blogger has an endless capacity for uses within the classroom.
Now for Delicious, I agree with how you have said to use this within a classroom. Like yourself I had never heard of delicious before but after our first tute think that it is a fantastic tool. I believe that Delicious could also be used within the whole school context with all teachers having an account. This will ensure professional collaboration and sharing of resources for every teacher within the entire school. By doing this every teacher in the school would be able to advantage from this site and resources banks would be overflowing (and you can never have too many resources).
As for reader I still am in the same boat as you. I have not yet really seen much of a use but I am still yet to further explore the site. It can however be used for a group of students (all from their own homes) work on one assignment/project together. Giving them more time to work together, not just while they are at school.
I too am looking forward to further exploration and learning through this course and urge everyone out there too, not only follow this blog but, follow my blogging and e-learning adventures.
Regards
My Curious Dangerous Mind
ICT and all the new 'gadgets' coming on the market are setting us up to be life long learners. The changes are fast and furious but with tenacity we can stay abreast with new technology and incorporate it into our pedagogy. Art has some interesting uses for student's visual art diary, instead of writting in the diary progress made for the day, students can add to a blog and other students and teacher can access the students thoughts of the process
ReplyDeleteOn Friday I listened to three motivational speakers and their success within their chosen field. The underlying theme was leadership and how we as teachers are leaders within the classroom. Every day I am thankful for being the person I am because I have become a leader and am proud of my role in life. I was given gifts to share and a mission to help others. This journey is ever evolving and ICT is just one area. Ours is not to be scared of the changes but to embrace them so we can share with others. What a wonderful reason to get up in the morning.
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed and changed us. There is now no reason to use I don't have time to ring or write letters... almost everyone has a mobile fone or interne...keeping in touch is easier.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew about the Delicious site a long time ago. It would have saved all those web sites I lost when my computer died. Rest it's soul....it was over worked :)...Thinking that I can store stuff in cyber space is amazing.
So much to learn, I love it.
Caroline