E-Learning
Synopsis
Casey Williams
Engaging students is a necessary task asMark Prensky states in the article “Engage Me or Enrage me” What Today’s Learners demand, “These (“tune us out”)
students are convinced that school is totally devoid of interest and totally
irrelevant to their life…. these student’s truly resent their time being
wasted. In more and more of our schools, this group is quickly becoming the
majority. The motto of this group?
“Engage Me or Enrage Me.” (Prensky, M, 2005). So how as a teacher is it
possible to advance into the 21st century and instead of enraging
students, to engage them and give them a thirst for lifelong learning? I
believe this is where E-learning has the ability to transform learning by using
many different styles and technology tools. Learning managers now have the proficiencies
to engage students and unlock the ability to have all their students learning
successfully. My own e-learning journey will help me show the importance technology
has on the future. In my e-learning journey, I
accessed a wiki on deBono’s six thinking hats and four groups of tools that I
had the opportunity to access and learn about.
A
great scaffolding tool I was introduced to was deBono’s hats; these are six
different thinking hats (See appendix A) to use to get away from your own rigid
views and changing to being open to a wide range of ideas and possibilities. As
I stated in my own blog, “I believe the scaffold supported the collection of a
range of perspectives by allowing students the room to think for themselves and
being allowed to choose where they could join in and it was a place to write
your opinion not discuss the opinions of others, so you could write freely
without feeling like you would be judged.” (See Appendix B, March 3).
Even though I had a lot of difficulty
understanding the six thinking hats to start off with, I continued my journey
by using other resources to seek out the information I needed. This was very
successful but also made me realise that when I begin teaching with
technologies I need to be aware of the age appropriateness, the interests of my
students and the learning theories I need to use behind it. Also keeping in
mind the pedagogy, the content knowledge and if I am using the right tool for
what I am teaching. The deBono’s hat wiki did all of this successfully by using
the appropriate learning theories as I stated in my blog “For this particular wiki though I believe the learning
styles used are connectivism and social constructivism . Connectivism is linked
through the mobile phone wiki as I believe it uses different connections
(links) to relay the information needed. Also it relies heavily on students
communicating between each other and sharing their thoughts and opinions and
information they have found. This also leads me to believe that the learning
style social constructivism is used.” (see Appendix B, March 3). I also stated in my blog, “The benefit of this wiki is
that it has a lot of information and you have other students to read on what
they have to say about the topic at hand. The possible issues would be the
links not working, but this can be overcome by using the links provided by
other students. Another issue could be a student not willing to try and do the
research and just giving up after a simple set back, and not being able to help
that student to overcome their setback and continue their learning journey.”
(See Appendix B, March 3). Showing that
there are hardly any setbacks for the use of this tool, and it is something I definitely
will be using in my teaching career.
Group one tools were content-free online spaces that could be
filled by students or my own content. I found these tools to be very
informative but I was not sure on the actual use in the classroom because of
the safe, legal and ethical considerations. How can a blog or wiki be
controlled enough to be used in the classroom, how will online bullying be
prevented or the students being subject to unsafe people or stopping students
posting inappropriate information or having my students being aware of
copyright laws? These questions were continually running through my head as I
continued to learn and enjoy using the freedom of being able to write my
thoughts and the thought that I was helping someone else while on my journey
and connecting with others. ! So I came to the conclusion maybe a blog or wiki
wasn’t as bad as I first thought and that it could help with a students
learning and any negatives could be prevented by educating the students to be
safe online. As I say in creating a wiki-reflection, “The
legal, safe and ethical requirements are something that really needs to be
discussed with learners to create a safe environment for students. I think
teaching them openly and honestly about these requirements, and teaching them
so they are aware of the risks while even though a wiki is fun, it can turn
into an unsafe environment for all. I would go through the requirements, have
students be involved in the discussion and doing activities on safe learning.
Rewarding students for good behaviour and not tolerating behaviour that
jeopardises other student’s safety.” (Appendix C, March, 18).
With
so many positives such as; having the students connect globally, wikis allow
the different use of learning theories, helps with students different learning
styles by being able to add items for visual, audio and kinaesthetic learners and that so
many resources can be added. While keeping in mind of an appropriate learning
theory and an appropriate framework, such as the TPACK framework, this tool can
be used to engage students learn successfully.
Simply educating students on online safety and being aware of technology
pedagogy and content knowledge, teachers can open the door to connecting
globally and having a range of resources at a click of a computer mouse. With the use of group one tools, we have the
opportunity to enhance students learning and change the way learning takes
place.
Group
two tools were the different types of multimedia that could be used to enhance
students learning. I found these a great way to enhance students learning, by
adding an extra resource for students to learn. I doubt you could make a lesson
solely on one of these tools, but they are a great way to reaffirm what is
being taught. The tools are a great wait
to get the learning journey stared as I indicated in my blog, resize images, “Furthermore I would link the use of images to many
different learning theories. For example cognitivism, a picture could be the
link between sensory memory and long term memory. Or a picture could start the
journey of connectivism or social constructivism theories.” (Appendix D, March, 23). Being aware of copyright
laws and a safe online environment, gives the students the chance to enjoy
these tools safely. These tools do not only have to be used only online these
can also be used without computers, with the teacher showing a slideshow of photos
to begin a discussion, or to finish a lesson with a video. But being aware of
appropriate content as I specified in resize images blog posting, “I
personally think the use of pictures is a great tool for learning managers, as
long as they know how to choose an age appropriate picture, and a picture that
actually links to the learning. For example a picture of a cow will be no help
when teaching children about dogs.” (Appendix
D, March, 23).
Group
three tools were based on presentation tools with a range of multimedia
resources. This was my favourite group of tools as I was introduced to prezi, a
new way to make a presentation. I found this tool absolutely astonishing. As I stated in my prezi reflection blog, “This is an amazing learning tool and has so much
potential in being used in the classroom. Especially that is something
relevantly new so I could just imagine the reaction learners would have instead
of using a basic slideshow. (Appendix E, March, 24). Teachers have the ability
to completely engage the student as I specify in the prezi reflection blog, “I
like the idea teachers have complete control on the learning experience, by
simply zooming in and out and having the students complete attention on
one thing at a time or looking at the whole picture. You can put pictures in
without the student’s knowledge until you zoom in and give them that complete
understanding, without having them focus on the picture the whole time because
they are not interested in what you are saying.” (Appendix E, March 24). The
way prezi can transform learning leaves me amazed, as I continue in the prezi
reflection blog, “A Learning manager
also has the opportunity to step back and allow students to make their own
prezi, which could open up so many more pedagogical opportunities and learning
experience for learners.” (Appendix E, March,
24).
Finally group 4 tools
were open-ended. This showed me that
there are so many other technologies only a computer mouse click away. Going
into the 21st century shows that even though students have the
thought pattern of engage me or enrage me, teachers now are nearly limitless on
what is possible in the classroom. This was shown to me as I explored Google
maps and as I state in my Google earth- group 4 tools reflection, “This tool can be
used to unlock many doors for students by going anywhere in the world without
leaving the classroom. The opportunities to turn the written content into an
adventure of real life… learning about Egypt can lead to a trip to Egypt with a
few clicks of a computer mouse. Allowing the students to explore with street
view. This is such an amazing opportunity for teachers and students and is a
closer step to ensure all students learn in the 21st century…This completely
changes how students learn and where their learning takes place, as technology
is giving them the chance to literally explore the world, every day in a
classroom environment.” (Appendix F, April, 8). This is such an amazing
advancement for teachers and students and shows just how amazing technology is
and how it can be used in the classroom to support and enhance students
learning. While being aware of the safe, legal and ethical considerations,
students now have such amazing opportunities.
While exploring these groups of technologies I also came very aware of Blooms
Digital Taxonomy and that it is a great framework to help me to choose what is
the most appropriate tool to use. Showing me that it isn't about the tools or technologies rather it is about
using these to facilitate learning. Also that it will help support me in
making the decision about the competency and level of thinking my students will
need to engage in the lesson. To work towards my students using higher order
thinking and understanding the content. I
also found the importance using the TPACK framework and that I need to link
technology, pedagogy and content knowledge simultaneously and that without the
appropriate use of all then my students can not engage or learn. So even though
there is so much access to different tools if I do not use them appropriately
then I cannot gain from the advancements of the 21st century.
Also while on my journey I became very aware of
some of the learning theories that could be used with these tools. Some of
these theories were social constructivism, connectivism, cognitivism and
behaviourism. I feel all four groups of tools could be able to link to each of
these learning theories. I feel behaviourism is out of date and society is past
this theory and that it no longer should be relevant in the 21st
century, because it is now about engaging students to learn successfully and
that rewards and discipline are no longer enough. Each of these different tools
gives the teacher the ability to engage not enrage their students. Each tool
can be used to connect students globally or they could be used for the
cognitivism theory and each tool could be the link from information going to
the long term memory instead of staying then being forgotten in the sensory
memory. Finally they can be used to begin the journey of social constructivism,
beginning the student’s journey like they did for me.
In conclusion, e-learning is an amazing
advancement for the 21st century. My own e-learning journey lead me
to a whole new range of ideas and possibilities and revealed to me the
advantages technology has in the classroom and the advantages it can have for
students. All I need to do is be aware of the safe, legal and ethical
considerations and being aware of appropriate scaffolds and frameworks and I
have the opportunity to engage my students. As Prensky specified, “engage me or
enrage me.” (Prensky, M, 2005).
References
·
Prensky, M. (2005). “Engage Me or Enrage
me” What Today’s Learners Demand. Retrieved from http://cff.wiki.elanco.net/file/view/Engage+Me+or+Enrage+Me.pdf/84842561/Engage+Me+or+Enrage+Me.pdf
·
DeBono, E. & Markland, J. (1999).
Edward deBono Six Thinking Hats (Grand ica Edition). Retrieved from http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/20621977/200928453/name/Edward+De+Bono+-+Six+Thinking+Hats.pdf
·
A Simple little Blog (2013). Retrieved
from http://caseycqu.blogspot.com.au/
Appendix
A
Edward
deBono – Six thinking hats
Chapter
7 – six hats, six colours
In addition, color of each hat is related to his
fundón.
Hat Target: The target is neutral and objective. The
white hat takes care of objective facts and
numbers
Hat Red: The red one suggests wrath, (to see red),
fury and emotions. red hat gives the
emotional point of view.
Hat Black: The black is sad and negative. The black
hat covers negative aspects -- why
something cannot be done.
Hat Yellow: The yellow is glad and positive. The
yellow hat is optimist and covers the hope y the
positive thought
Hat Green: The green one is turf, vegetation and
fertile growth, abundant. The green hat
indicates new creativity and ideas.
Hat Blue: The blue one is cold, and is also the
color of the sky, that is in favor of upon everything.
The blue hat takes care of the control and the
organization of process of the thought. Also of the use of the other hats.
(deBono, 1999, Chapter 7)
Appendix B
Sunday, 3 March 2013
At first I found the mobile phone
wiki slightly confusing.I was not sure on where to go or where the right
information was and after finding the link to the information I needed, to join
in, I found it did not work and would not take me to the right page. So
instead of using the link provided by the wiki team I used the links provided
by other students and did a little research on my own to find exactly what the
six thinking hats were. Even though I had some difficulty to begin with I found
this to be a really great learning tool.
I do believe this learning tool can be linked and used in relation to behaviourism, constructivism, cognitivism and connectivism, because even those all these learning styles are different in many way a wiki does not have to be the exact same thing over and over again. A wiki can be created in different ways to link to these types of learning styles.
For example in conjunction with behaviourism a wiki can be created so the student is led through a series of steps in programed education, with a pre-defined end result at each stage. Hence using behaviourism as the learning style.
For this particular wiki though I believe the learning styles used are connectivism and social constructivism . Connectivism is linked through the mobile phone wiki as I believe it uses different connections (links) to relay the information needed. Also it relies heavily on students communicating between each other and sharing their thoughts and opinions and information they have found. Which also leads me to believe that the learning style social constructivism is used.
Like I said even though I had a bumpy ride to begin with I really enjoyed participating in the wiki and learnt quite a lot of information on the subject and the six thinking hats technique and the other students opinions helped me to come across my opinion that they mobile phones are only bad.
The benefits of this wiki is that it has a lot of information and you have other students to read on what they have to say about the topic at hand. The possible issues would be the links not working, but this can be overcome by using the links provided by other students. Another issue could be a student not willing to try and do the research and just giving up after a simple set back, and not being able to help that student to overcome their setback and continue their learning journey.
I believe this could contribute to the learning of my students by giving them another resource to continue their learning experience and could be used instead of normal (sit at home with a pen and paper) homework and get them interacting and interested in the topics given and wanting to continue their learning not only in the classroom but also at home.
I believe the scaffold supported the collection of a range of perspectives by allowing students the room to think for themselves and being allowed to choose where they could join in and it was a place to write your opinion not discuss the opinions of others, so you could write freely without feeling like you would be judged.
A really great learning experience that I enjoyed.
Casey Williams
I do believe this learning tool can be linked and used in relation to behaviourism, constructivism, cognitivism and connectivism, because even those all these learning styles are different in many way a wiki does not have to be the exact same thing over and over again. A wiki can be created in different ways to link to these types of learning styles.
For example in conjunction with behaviourism a wiki can be created so the student is led through a series of steps in programed education, with a pre-defined end result at each stage. Hence using behaviourism as the learning style.
For this particular wiki though I believe the learning styles used are connectivism and social constructivism . Connectivism is linked through the mobile phone wiki as I believe it uses different connections (links) to relay the information needed. Also it relies heavily on students communicating between each other and sharing their thoughts and opinions and information they have found. Which also leads me to believe that the learning style social constructivism is used.
Like I said even though I had a bumpy ride to begin with I really enjoyed participating in the wiki and learnt quite a lot of information on the subject and the six thinking hats technique and the other students opinions helped me to come across my opinion that they mobile phones are only bad.
The benefits of this wiki is that it has a lot of information and you have other students to read on what they have to say about the topic at hand. The possible issues would be the links not working, but this can be overcome by using the links provided by other students. Another issue could be a student not willing to try and do the research and just giving up after a simple set back, and not being able to help that student to overcome their setback and continue their learning journey.
I believe this could contribute to the learning of my students by giving them another resource to continue their learning experience and could be used instead of normal (sit at home with a pen and paper) homework and get them interacting and interested in the topics given and wanting to continue their learning not only in the classroom but also at home.
I believe the scaffold supported the collection of a range of perspectives by allowing students the room to think for themselves and being allowed to choose where they could join in and it was a place to write your opinion not discuss the opinions of others, so you could write freely without feeling like you would be judged.
A really great learning experience that I enjoyed.
Casey Williams
Appendix C
Monday, 18 March 2013
·
open to change
·
connect globally
·
allows students to participate
·
fun for students
·
allows the use of different learning theories
·
helps with children's different learning styles, by being able to
add items for visual, audio and kinaesthetic learners
·
lots of resources can be added on one wiki
Weaknesses
open and can be changed by anyone
students getting confused on how to work a wiki
Opportunities
connecting globally
great tool to use connectivism and a wide range of learning theories
have all students learn
lots of links and resources can be used to help students
Weaknesses
open and can be changed by anyone
students getting confused on how to work a wiki
Opportunities
connecting globally
great tool to use connectivism and a wide range of learning theories
have all students learn
lots of links and resources can be used to help students
Threats
Hackers
Having students being subject to strangers online
students misusing the wiki
students feeling isolated if they do not understand
I find wikis a very interesting tool to use in the classroom, and I loved using them for my own learning with week one and two. Wikis have a wide range of advantages for students, teachers and the whole community. A wiki can be used with any learning theories you wish and can help students learn in their best environment. Achieving all learners being able to learn. The amount of things a wiki can do really surprises me, adding text, youtube videos, pictures and being able to add on hands on activities, grasping all students with their different learning style, (audio, visual and kinaesthetic). Doing this can really be able to support each and every student and allowing them the advantage of adding in and creating their own piece. Transforming learning from a simple classroom to a virtual learning environment that has different items for each student.
The legal, safe and ethical requirements is something that really needs to be discussed with learners to create a safe environment for students. I think teaching them openly and honestly about these requirements, and teaching them so they are aware of the risks while even though a wiki is fun, it can turn into a unsafe environment for all. I would go through the requirements, have students be involved in the discussion and doing activities on safe learning. Rewarding students for good behaviour and not tolerating behaviour that jeopardises other students safety.
Here is a link to my very first wiki
http://justasimplelittlewiki.cquniversityschoolofeducation.wikispaces.net/home
Appendix D
Saturday, 23 March 2013
I find the use of images as a
wonderful tool for learning for all and a great support for great learning.
The tool of resizing gives the learning manager the opportunity to upload plenty of photos/ art work for the learners in a short amount of time.
Furthermore I would link the use of images to many different learning theories. For example cognitivism, a picture could be the link between sensory memory and long term memory. Or a picture could start the journey of connectivism or social constructivism theories.
There is really no limit in which a photo can be used, keeping in mind safety and legal issues and copyright laws. A picture can be a students link from not understanding to having a great understanding of the topic. Or it could be the link needed for a learner to understand how the written format can be portrayed in real life.
I personally think the use of pictures is a great tool for learning managers, as long as they know how to choose an age appropriate picture, and a picture that actually links to the learning. For example a picture of a cow will be no help when teaching children about dogs.
For my own teaching context I would use the use of pictures and the use of resizing images as much as possible, because it adds another way to learn for students especially those students who are visual learners. Using resizing would help keep the time it took to plan and implement my ideas on images to only a small amount of time and time is something teachers rarely have any to spare.
There really are hardly any negatives for the use of images as long as they are used in the right way they really can be a great support for great learning and help the journey of being able to have all learners learn.
The tool of resizing gives the learning manager the opportunity to upload plenty of photos/ art work for the learners in a short amount of time.
Furthermore I would link the use of images to many different learning theories. For example cognitivism, a picture could be the link between sensory memory and long term memory. Or a picture could start the journey of connectivism or social constructivism theories.
There is really no limit in which a photo can be used, keeping in mind safety and legal issues and copyright laws. A picture can be a students link from not understanding to having a great understanding of the topic. Or it could be the link needed for a learner to understand how the written format can be portrayed in real life.
I personally think the use of pictures is a great tool for learning managers, as long as they know how to choose an age appropriate picture, and a picture that actually links to the learning. For example a picture of a cow will be no help when teaching children about dogs.
For my own teaching context I would use the use of pictures and the use of resizing images as much as possible, because it adds another way to learn for students especially those students who are visual learners. Using resizing would help keep the time it took to plan and implement my ideas on images to only a small amount of time and time is something teachers rarely have any to spare.
There really are hardly any negatives for the use of images as long as they are used in the right way they really can be a great support for great learning and help the journey of being able to have all learners learn.
Appendix E
Sunday, 24 March 2013
I have never heard of prezi until today and I am quite amazed at the technology we have at our fingertips. This is an amazing learning tool and has so much potential in being used in the classroom. Especially that is something relevantly new so I could just imagine the reaction learners would have instead of using a basic slideshow.
The pedagogical implications that could be linked to this learning tool is almost limitless. It is a teaching tool that can grab the attention of a visual and audio learner on a whole new level. A kinaesthetic learner could also be engaged, as I found a prezi just wraps you in and you just want to know what could be hiding or what the bigger picture is, even though they are not in control of the prezi the can be gulped up by the experience.
I like the idea teachers have complete control on the learning experience, by simply zooming in and out and having the students complete attention on one thing at a time or looking at the whole picture. You can put pictures in without the students knowledge until you zoom in and give them that complete understanding, without having them focus on the picture the whole time because they are not interested in what you are saying.
I believe the learning theories that could be linked to this tool are: cognitivism, constructivism and connectivism.
Cognitivism can be linked because the main points of this theory is to get the student to learn and place the information in their long term memory and not just storing it in their sensory memory and forgetting it. Prezi gives the learner the means to fully understand the topic, with audio and visual capabilities, giving the student the power to completely understand and in turn storing the information in their long term memory.
Constructivism can be linked as the learner can learn through linking the pictures, videos, text shown to their own personal perceptions and knowledge. Prezi allows you to link different pictures and different item to the same topic, so each student can construct the links to the topics and in turn learning.
Connectivism can be linked because a prezi can be placed on a wiki, blog, internet and gives the students the chance to connect between each other and people around the world. A prezi can be the start of a students connectivism journey.
The best part though is that I am only discussing the opportunities that can be given if a learning manager creates a prezi for their students. A Learning manager also has the opportunity to step back and allow students to make their own prezi, which could open up so many more pedagogical opportunities and learning experience for learners.
It is a perfect tool to be used with a TPACK framework. The prezi as the technology, the appropriate content put in place in the prezi. Knowledge and the right use pedagogy with an appropriate learning theory.
I can't think of any negatives that this tool could possibly have. Possible threats is not following copyright laws, or being aware of students safety and personal information online.
Overall I think this is an amazing learning tool that should be used in teaching contexts
is the link to a prezi I created in case the above one doesn't work
http://prezi.com/p1rxg39y00vl/bentley/
Casey Williams
Appendix F
Monday, 8 April 2013
I believe Google maps is a fantastic tool to support and
enhance what students learn. This tool can be used to unlock many doors for
students by going any where in the world without leaving the classroom. The
opportunities to turn the written content into an adventure of real life. I
feel very passionate in using this tool in the classroom, as learning about
Egypt can lead to a trip to Egypt with a few clicks of a computer mouse.
Allowing the students to explore with street view. This is such an amazing opportunity
for teachers and students and is a closer step to ensure all students learn in
the 21st century.
This completely changes how students learn and where their learning
takes place, as technology is giving them the chance to literally explore the
world, everyday in a classroom environment.
I would use google maps in a range of ways in the classroom, by linking
the content with real life situations, and the real world. Instead of students
just seeing pictures of what a country is like, or how rain forests in
other places are, I would allow the students to log on and explore using street
view, seeing the environment in its true form. Developing and expanding on
students higher order thinking and their creativity.
With this one tool you can teach Biology, Ecology, Environmental
Science, Geology, Global Awareness, History, Humanities, Literature and Math,
but no longer with just simple pedagogy or with textbooks, but taking the
students on a journey, that could not of been possible, if this tool was not
available.
I think this is a fantastic example of the use of TPACK in the
classroom. Linking together the technology, pedagogy and content. In turn
allowing students to gain the knowledge in an engaging learning environment.
This also allows students of kinesthetic style learning to be able to be
engaged in the classroom, without having to organise extremely timing
activities. It also engages visual learners and I also feel you could link this
tool into many different learning styles, such as connectivism. As it can be
the beginning of not only connecting the students together but
connecting to students to people all over the globe.
I can not come up with any negatives with the use of this tool, but so
many positives It is such an extremely great tool that I
highly recommend.
Casey :)
