Assessment Item 2 Learning e.journal

And the so the journey began. Eight weeks ago I never would have believed that so much e learning was actively taking place within the educational system. E-learning provides opportunities that interest and engage the students in a diverse range of topics and encourage learning. McInerney & McInerney (2006, p. 10) state "before any learning can take place, the attention and interest of the learner must be gained." Neale (2001, p. 15) also suggests “e-learning, when done well, can be as good or better, than being in the classroom. http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/skype.html

Today’s students are continually demanding to be engaged within the 21st Century. They are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of learning that teachers are now providing (Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999)).ICT within the workplace is has no boundaries. My Learning Placement has confirmed the Engagement Theory (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/engagement-theory.html) in that by stretching the skill levels of the students in which we teach not only extends their knowledge in their class topics but also allows and encourages the students to actively participate within the classroom.

The 8 Learning Management Questions mentioned in my blog (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/wikimania.html) suggest that learning managers should firstly consider LMQ 345 How does my learner best learn? What resources do I have at my disposal? And what will constitute an authentic learning journey? before students are engaged in learning. Many if not all students have had exposure to computers. Like myself the amount of exposure varies.

The engagement theory (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/engagement-theory.html) suggests that students learn best through group interaction and communication with computerised tools. Students often collaborate by using computers and electronic devices in order to distribute and source information in relation to any given topic.

Blog and Wiki’s (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/wikimania.html) are multimodal tools that can include written text, pictures, photographs, audio and video or any combination of all these. http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/blogs.html.Dales Cone concludes that the most effective kind of learning in the modern era is from hands on experience. A blog or Wiki could be used as 'hooks' that links the class too many weeks of class work within the classroom and remotely. This kind of active learning will assist in teacher - student, student - teacher and student - student learning and will assist not to restrict discussions to the classroom. George Seimens also suggests “Blogs alone provide a different tool and the potential to reinvent how we work in classrooms, challenging teachers and students to think about learning in authentic ways”

Blogs could be used to facilitate class assignments and discussions on researched topics that could be peer reviewed and monitored. Wikis could be set up for students use to document procedures when using New ICTS so that next lesson they would as a class be able to reinvent the wheel as such. A Wiki also allows students to work collaboratively. Students would be able to actively plan and manage the wiki (RELATE) collaboratively. Students would be able to have control over the way the project is presented (CREATE) and students would allow restricted viewing from students outside the classroom (DONATE).

Skype (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/.html) however allows us to dream and travel to classrooms far away by means of virtual tours in just about any country in the world. Virtual field trips would allow students to explore such locations as the beach or famous landmarks that, they otherwise read about in books. Google Earth is another tool at the ready to assist and enrapture students and teachers alike. Depending on your KLA this tool could be used extensively.

During the course of my learning placement, I have been able to participate in making PowerPoint slides (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/powerpoint-is-not-only-for-teacher.html) for maths classes some have been teacher student centred and others have been student - student centred. Power point is used extensively throughout the school system. Used for the simplicity of a hook to settle students or as an assignment to extend students beyond paper based assignments.

I have assisted students to make Brochures (http://www.mybrochuremaker.com) for Business assignments incorporating Flickr photos, modifying them in Picknik. Students have enjoyed participating in Authentic and meaningful learning experiences (LMQ5) .I have become an active Skype (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/skype.html) user conversing with family and friends all over the world. You could now call me a virtual tourist (or cheapskate).

Interactive White Boards (IWB’s) (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/interactive-white-boards.html) when implemented will be the virtual tool that assists teachers to stimulate interaction. Teachers will be able to foster positive attitudes and perceptions from their learners (DOL1) the student centred learners enjoy the transformative capabilities of the IWB. The IWB has the potential to involve students in practical hands on design techniques. Encouraging students to expand their skills and align their learning with real life. The IWB could be used in every classroom and in most circumstances.

A Voki (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/children-and-vokis.html) is another fantastic tool that actively engages all ages. Students are instantly hooked as was I when Scott Aldred (2010) provided my first an avatar on moodle. A Voki could be extensively used in a composite 11/12 class a voki could be used to facilitate the beginning of the lesson and the processes to be followed until the teacher is available.

By the means of RSS connections teachers would be able to support, monitor (LMQ8) and edit projects online. The use of online communication would assist to facilitate the transfer of knowledge. This tool could be used to monitor assignments in progress. The use of the RSS has assisted me to enjoy reading my peers blogs through my Google reader account .http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-set-up-your-blog.html

Email has also allowed contact between mentor teachers and myself over the course of my Learning placement. Moodle provides a forum in which I am able to actively or passively engage in conversations.

Finally for my own personal and professional development a wonderful virtual filing cabinet called Mahara (http://newkrisblog.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html) This site will be a lifelong work in progress. This tool will store files, resources, and personal and employment details. The use is endless. Students also would be able to use this tool in the same manner allowing them to collate in the one place a continual portfolio of their learning journey.

Some of the peers that I have commented on:

I have enjoyed viewing many blogs but I am unable to direct you to those in which I have participated. These are the blogs that I have actively followed through Google Reader

http://eplumb10a2.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://miriamsblogonprimaryedu.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://cindywilson2010.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://e-learning-engagement.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://learningjourneycaro.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/103/feed
http://emmaeborn2010.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://emmateachingjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://anjalidatar.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://kyliegupwell.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

http://michaelhensonsgdltblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://missmollenhagen.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://samanthasjourney-gdlt.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default












Reference:
Aldred, S. (2010). EDED20491 - ICTs for learning design: Study guide. Rockhampton, Qld: CQUniversity Australia.

Elearning viewed 29 April 2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning

Felder, R & Solomon, B,. (2004). Learning styles and strategies. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-course, EDED20491 ICTs for learning design, http://e-courses.cqu.edu.au.

Lucas, G. (2007). George Lucas: Sharing his hope for education at dreamforce. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/george-lucas-education-dreamforce-2007.

Marzano, R., & Pickering, D. (2006). Dimensions of learning: Teachers manual (2nd ed.). Victoria, Australia: Hawker Brownlow Education.

Children and Voki's

The Voki has been a wonderful tool. It has brought joy to myself as well as my children. This Voki was on You tube I have watched it manytimes and each time I start to dream about different ways to use it to engage students .