Students would absolutely adore this resource and I could definately implement this tool in a number of Home Economic lessons. Students could draw virtual fashion designs and other textile items and express their individuality throgh the selection of colours and patterns.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Reflective Synopsis
What is e-learning and how can ITC transformed, support and enhance learning?
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow,” (Dewey, 2009). For the first time in history, our job as educators is to prepare students for a future that we cannot clearly describe. The challenge of maintaining the enthusiasm of adolescents in the schooling experience has been an issue facing education professionals for many years. Learning environments which are dull, boring and lifeless cause students to have diminutive engagement. By encompassing a range of digital devices into teaching and learning, my classroom will provide students with the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and innovative. As authentically stated by Prensky (2001), “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach”. Today’s students are smart, connected and have a desire to express themselves creatively and meaningfully. E-learning caters for these students!
We need to create collaborative environments and encourage critical thinking using 21st century tools to achieve deeper knowledge and co-operation. It is our job as Learning Managers to help them develop skills with these new technologies so that they can effectively, efficiently and productively learn, work, and create new knowledge.
Managing E-learning provides us with confidence to use technology as a tool to enhance what they are already doing with curriculum. Using these tools to help reach out beyond the classroom walls to broaden lessons. Teachers play a vital role in the type of environment that will be created in the classroom. My classroom will work to build critical and creative thinking skills, as well as encouraging collaboration and communication, using ICT’s such as blogs, glogs, wikis and online toolboxes.
“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time, “(Proverb, 2009). Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event. E-learning encourages social constructivism, by allow students to makes their own meaning through activities and tasks and learning from and with others. A teacher needs to embrace qualities that establish an engaging learning environment. We need to become computer-Savvy, creative, critical, constructive, connective and communicative and exploit e-learning to its fullest, in all its glory.
A learning environment supported by continuously evolving collaborative processes focused on increasing individual and organizational performance. One which focuses on engaging students in a classroom which is not just about what we learn, but how we learn. Social networking media provides the opportunity to take the social interaction to deeper levels as well as address learning styles by embedding digital technologies. Students need to be given a clear rationale for using the tools and educators need to pay close attention to scaffolding learning activities. All learners are different with diverse learning styles so we need to use e-learning tools carefully, and explain the purpose.
Engagement Theory
The Engagement theory developed by Kearsley and Schneiderman (1999) was created to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged in learning activities that are technology based for both teaching and learning. While in principle, such engagement of students could possibly occur without the use of technology, this framework believes that technology can facilitate engagement in ways which are difficult to achieve otherwise (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999). The basic principle of this framework involves active cognitive processes such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, and evaluation. Therefore, students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities. Engagement theory is based upon three components; Relate-Create-Donate, which I have explored using bubbl.us on my blog. I consider this framework to be highly appropriate to use within my discipline areas and in a secondary school environment. In order for these students to learn, they must be engaged in their course of work which requires creative, meaningful, and authentic methods.
During my e-learning journey I have explored, experienced and used a range of diverse digital devises and tools, with a majority of these tools purposeful and relevant to my discipline areas. Detailed below are tools which I believe are most pertinent and constructive to my subject areas; Home Economics and Hospitality.
Glog
What is a glog, don’t you mean blog? No, a glog is a 21st century multimedia tool for educators that is absolutely fantastic! I have chosen this tool to allow students to access and gain information while embracing ICTs. Glogs relate to the “Create” component of the engagement theory (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999) by making learning a creative, purposeful activity. This can be achieved by allow students to conduct their own projects which gives them a sense of control over their learning (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1997). A Glog is a great way to engage students through colourful and animated graphics which you can link to other online resources such as; websites, toolboxes and even a Voki for instruction. Glogs are an interactive multimedia image that look similar to a poster (only better), with readers able to interact with the content. In a secondary context glogs allow students to create an online poster using photographs, images, graphics, video files, sound files, and hyperlinks. This highly engaging tool is web-based and easily incorporates student research and educational content. It addresses multiple learning styles and it can be accessed from any location with an internet connection. With our current environment issues Glogs are also economically friendly. Overall, Glogs are an awesome resource that I could definitely use for both of my disciplines areas and for any year level. I found this e-learning tool highly enjoyable to use, as it is a creative expression of knowledge and skills. I have explored and created my own glog which relates to a textile topic: Trashion. View Glog at edu.glogster.com
Concept Mapping
To gain the “Big Picture” of my topics I have decided to explore concept maps as a strategy to consolidate and refine information. To link concept mapping to the engagement theory I have explored bubbl.us which connects to the “Relate” component. This component emphasizes team efforts that involve communication, planning, management and social skills. In order to encourage my students to brainstorm, I will use the e-learning tool bubbl.us to have them create and collaborate via virtual word webs. This site is easy to use and allows students to network and link to each others mind maps, where they can collaborate on different topics. In my classroom I would establish an account so that my students could network with me and that way I could check their word webs from home and use it as a strategy to check knowledge and understanding. View example
Animoto.com – Video Slideshow
There are many different e-learning tools that emphasize the concept of transforming information to inturn develop new understandings. Through scaffolded learning, students can develop new understands from tools such as podcasts, movies and virtual case studies. These tools relate to the “Donate” component of the engagement theory which stresses the value of making a useful contribution while learning (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1997). During my e-learning journey I explore the digital video program animoto.com. Animoto provides an array of tools for creating videos in your classroom. Relating to my subject areas, students could create their own video slideshow that requires them to persuade peers on the positives of using recycled materials to create textile items. This concept encompasses critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. The authentic of this program increases student’s motivation and satisfaction by connecting it to an outside “customer” that the project is being conducted for (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999). Animoto makes it easy to share videos via e-mail, blogs/websites or downloaded to computer for use in presentations. I created a video slideshow to be used to develop new understanding for a textile technique. View Video Slideshow
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow,” (Dewey, 2009). For the first time in history, our job as educators is to prepare students for a future that we cannot clearly describe. The challenge of maintaining the enthusiasm of adolescents in the schooling experience has been an issue facing education professionals for many years. Learning environments which are dull, boring and lifeless cause students to have diminutive engagement. By encompassing a range of digital devices into teaching and learning, my classroom will provide students with the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and innovative. As authentically stated by Prensky (2001), “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach”. Today’s students are smart, connected and have a desire to express themselves creatively and meaningfully. E-learning caters for these students!
We need to create collaborative environments and encourage critical thinking using 21st century tools to achieve deeper knowledge and co-operation. It is our job as Learning Managers to help them develop skills with these new technologies so that they can effectively, efficiently and productively learn, work, and create new knowledge.
Managing E-learning provides us with confidence to use technology as a tool to enhance what they are already doing with curriculum. Using these tools to help reach out beyond the classroom walls to broaden lessons. Teachers play a vital role in the type of environment that will be created in the classroom. My classroom will work to build critical and creative thinking skills, as well as encouraging collaboration and communication, using ICT’s such as blogs, glogs, wikis and online toolboxes.
“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time, “(Proverb, 2009). Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event. E-learning encourages social constructivism, by allow students to makes their own meaning through activities and tasks and learning from and with others. A teacher needs to embrace qualities that establish an engaging learning environment. We need to become computer-Savvy, creative, critical, constructive, connective and communicative and exploit e-learning to its fullest, in all its glory.
A learning environment supported by continuously evolving collaborative processes focused on increasing individual and organizational performance. One which focuses on engaging students in a classroom which is not just about what we learn, but how we learn. Social networking media provides the opportunity to take the social interaction to deeper levels as well as address learning styles by embedding digital technologies. Students need to be given a clear rationale for using the tools and educators need to pay close attention to scaffolding learning activities. All learners are different with diverse learning styles so we need to use e-learning tools carefully, and explain the purpose.
Engagement Theory
The Engagement theory developed by Kearsley and Schneiderman (1999) was created to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged in learning activities that are technology based for both teaching and learning. While in principle, such engagement of students could possibly occur without the use of technology, this framework believes that technology can facilitate engagement in ways which are difficult to achieve otherwise (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999). The basic principle of this framework involves active cognitive processes such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, and evaluation. Therefore, students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities. Engagement theory is based upon three components; Relate-Create-Donate, which I have explored using bubbl.us on my blog. I consider this framework to be highly appropriate to use within my discipline areas and in a secondary school environment. In order for these students to learn, they must be engaged in their course of work which requires creative, meaningful, and authentic methods.
During my e-learning journey I have explored, experienced and used a range of diverse digital devises and tools, with a majority of these tools purposeful and relevant to my discipline areas. Detailed below are tools which I believe are most pertinent and constructive to my subject areas; Home Economics and Hospitality.
Glog
What is a glog, don’t you mean blog? No, a glog is a 21st century multimedia tool for educators that is absolutely fantastic! I have chosen this tool to allow students to access and gain information while embracing ICTs. Glogs relate to the “Create” component of the engagement theory (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999) by making learning a creative, purposeful activity. This can be achieved by allow students to conduct their own projects which gives them a sense of control over their learning (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1997). A Glog is a great way to engage students through colourful and animated graphics which you can link to other online resources such as; websites, toolboxes and even a Voki for instruction. Glogs are an interactive multimedia image that look similar to a poster (only better), with readers able to interact with the content. In a secondary context glogs allow students to create an online poster using photographs, images, graphics, video files, sound files, and hyperlinks. This highly engaging tool is web-based and easily incorporates student research and educational content. It addresses multiple learning styles and it can be accessed from any location with an internet connection. With our current environment issues Glogs are also economically friendly. Overall, Glogs are an awesome resource that I could definitely use for both of my disciplines areas and for any year level. I found this e-learning tool highly enjoyable to use, as it is a creative expression of knowledge and skills. I have explored and created my own glog which relates to a textile topic: Trashion. View Glog at edu.glogster.com
Concept Mapping
To gain the “Big Picture” of my topics I have decided to explore concept maps as a strategy to consolidate and refine information. To link concept mapping to the engagement theory I have explored bubbl.us which connects to the “Relate” component. This component emphasizes team efforts that involve communication, planning, management and social skills. In order to encourage my students to brainstorm, I will use the e-learning tool bubbl.us to have them create and collaborate via virtual word webs. This site is easy to use and allows students to network and link to each others mind maps, where they can collaborate on different topics. In my classroom I would establish an account so that my students could network with me and that way I could check their word webs from home and use it as a strategy to check knowledge and understanding. View example
Animoto.com – Video Slideshow
There are many different e-learning tools that emphasize the concept of transforming information to inturn develop new understandings. Through scaffolded learning, students can develop new understands from tools such as podcasts, movies and virtual case studies. These tools relate to the “Donate” component of the engagement theory which stresses the value of making a useful contribution while learning (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1997). During my e-learning journey I explore the digital video program animoto.com. Animoto provides an array of tools for creating videos in your classroom. Relating to my subject areas, students could create their own video slideshow that requires them to persuade peers on the positives of using recycled materials to create textile items. This concept encompasses critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. The authentic of this program increases student’s motivation and satisfaction by connecting it to an outside “customer” that the project is being conducted for (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999). Animoto makes it easy to share videos via e-mail, blogs/websites or downloaded to computer for use in presentations. I created a video slideshow to be used to develop new understanding for a textile technique. View Video Slideshow
Voki
Movies, images, blogs, wikis and digital books are all e-learning tools which present knowledge to an audience; however I have chosen to explore Voki.com. I believe that students would be immediately engaged and enthused by the prospect of using Voki’s in the classroom. Therefore, this strategy falls under the “Create” component of the engagement theory, where they have to define the project and focus their efforts on application of ideas to a specific context, emphasizing a creative, purposeful activity (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1999). Voki.com allows you to develop personalised characters. It enables users to express themselves and is highly motivational, nourishing creativity. In my classroom students could create their own Eco-Fashionista, which would articulate current environmental issues in the fashion industry. These Voki’s would be inspirational and highly engaging for the students. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating numerous Voki’s and I will also use this tool for instructions on glogs, blogs and wikis. View examples
Conclusion
“E-learning is the future and the future is now,” (Sexton, 2010). E-learning is the use of multimedia technologies, devices and the internet to improve the quality of learning. Our job, as Learning Managers is to facilitate access to these resources and services, as well as remote exchanges and collaboration. It is an integral part of education to effectively and engagingly provide information to my learners. In order for e-learning to be effective it must be easy to access, cost effective, fulfilling its purpose, accurate and I too must have the knowledge. E-learning has provided me with the experience to explore and use a variety of unique and highly engaging tools, which inturn will allow me to make a difference to the engagement of my students by adopting 21st Century pedagogy.
Thank you for reading my reflective synopsis!
Kindest regards,
Mandy =)
.
.
Links to Comments:
.
.
References
Kearsley, G. and Schneiderman, G. (1999). Engagement theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives: Digital immigrants.
Retrieved on August 16, 2010, from
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%2 0Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Scribd. (2009). Quote by Chinese Proverb.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18226490/Ed-Tech-Quote-Slideshow
Scribd. (2009). Quote by John Dewey.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18226490/Ed-Tech-Quote-Slideshow
Sexton, M. (2010). E-Learning is the future and the future is now.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from Trump insider newsletter:
http://www.trumpinitiative.com/mynetwork/inside-trump-tower/issue44.cfm
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives: Digital immigrants.
Retrieved on August 16, 2010, from
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%2 0Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Scribd. (2009). Quote by Chinese Proverb.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18226490/Ed-Tech-Quote-Slideshow
Scribd. (2009). Quote by John Dewey.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18226490/Ed-Tech-Quote-Slideshow
Sexton, M. (2010). E-Learning is the future and the future is now.
Retrieved on August 26, 2010, from Trump insider newsletter:
http://www.trumpinitiative.com/mynetwork/inside-trump-tower/issue44.cfm
Exploring the Frame Work: Engagement Theory
The engagement theory was created by Greg Kearsley and Ben Shneiderman (1999) to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged in learning activities that are technology based for both teaching and learning. While in principle, such engagement of students could possibly occur without the use of technology, however this framework believes that technology can facilitate engagement in ways which are difficult to achieve otherwise (Shneiderman & Kearsley, 1997). So engagement theory is intended to be a conceptual framework for technology-based learning and teaching. To express the underlining elements of this theory I will demonstrate it by using an e-learning tool, mind mapping on bubbl.us
Thursday, August 26, 2010
GLOG
Hi Everyone,
The following link explores a glog I have created. edu.glogster.com is a 21st century multimedia tool for educators. I have found this e-learning tool fantastic!! It is a great way to engage students through colourful and animated graphics which you can link to other online resources. It is a great resource that I could definately use for secondary students in both Hospitality and Home Ec. I found it highly enjoyable using it as it is a creative expression of knowledge and skills. I have created this glog for a unit on Trashion which is a blend of Trash and Fashion and encompasses environmentalism.
In future I will add to this glog as I beleive that it would be highly engaging for all students. I would like to add links to bubbl.com for brainstorming activities and a number of other tools we have explored in E-learning.
This is an awesome resource and I will definately use this, you must check it out!!
http://mandy0206.edu.glogster.com/e-learning-trashion/
The following link explores a glog I have created. edu.glogster.com is a 21st century multimedia tool for educators. I have found this e-learning tool fantastic!! It is a great way to engage students through colourful and animated graphics which you can link to other online resources. It is a great resource that I could definately use for secondary students in both Hospitality and Home Ec. I found it highly enjoyable using it as it is a creative expression of knowledge and skills. I have created this glog for a unit on Trashion which is a blend of Trash and Fashion and encompasses environmentalism.
WHY USE GLOGSTER?
In future I will add to this glog as I beleive that it would be highly engaging for all students. I would like to add links to bubbl.com for brainstorming activities and a number of other tools we have explored in E-learning.
This is an awesome resource and I will definately use this, you must check it out!!
http://mandy0206.edu.glogster.com/e-learning-trashion/
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2oPhGiRhGU&feature=player_embedded
Students would absolutely adore this and I could definately implement this tool in a number of textile areas. Students could draw virual designs of clothing and other textile items and express their individuality with the colours and patterns available.
Students would absolutely adore this and I could definately implement this tool in a number of textile areas. Students could draw virual designs of clothing and other textile items and express their individuality with the colours and patterns available.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. It is a great e-learning tool and the end product looks effective. The only down fall is you only get 30 seconds to create a video, if you want longer you need to pay for it, however the result of the video slideshow is highly engaging. It incorporates elements of the engagement theory through creative purpose and usefulness. I have used the video slideshow maker to demonstrate a Trashion technique for a Textiles class and if I had more time on the program I could have demonstrated each technique in detail.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Voki
The website voki.com allows you to develop personalised charactrs. This is a really cool resource and I'm sure High School students would enjoy making their own characters. Voki enables users to express them selves and they can even hind behind an animal identity. The website allows you to voice information using your talking character. This would be effective for students to give presentations, especially how often students refuse to do speeches in High School situations. This way teachers could play it back whenever necessary, which would help with marking and easily accessed through blogs and wiki spaces as evidence.
Podomatic
Podomatic.com is a website where you can find and create a variety of podcasts. This tool can be used for audio sharing of information and skills, audio/video assesment, and as a teaching resource to publish tutorial podcasts directly to the web, where students could download this to their iPods. This site would be effective for art and textile lessons. Students could explore virtual museums and gain inspiration. We made our own podcasting using an MPS player and a camera. This teaching strategy would be interesting for students to use as a project or when reflecting.
Picnik
Picnik.com is a creative website that goes by the sogan- photo editoring made fun, which is exactly how I would describe it. Students would have so much fun editoring photos for digital artworks and multi-media, which are relevant to my discipline areas. I found this program to be more engaging than MobaPhoto as it has endless opportunities for creativity; however some applications require you to pay.
MobaPhoto
MobaPhoto_v1.42 is an application that encompasses everything from size reducations to uploading them to a website. It is time efficient, allowing you to change and edit several photos at once and in a varirty of ways. I think it is excellent for beginners and students would be able to use this application quite easily. The handiest thing about it is that it fits on a USB stick and requires no prior installation.
Tute
I learnt a great deal from Wendy's tute today. I found the photo editoring programs fantastic and I know I will definately use these; not only for school, but also personally. Effective e-Learning comes from using information and communication technologies to broaden educational opportunities. The audio programs are effective for students to give speeches and help them develop their skills. The applications detailed bellow will enable students to be engaged and able to develop in the 21st century world. On the other hand, e-Learning encourages teachers to have positive attitudes towards their work and the opportunity to provide creative and personalized learning.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
First Lesson
Hi Guys!
Techology has become a necessary element of the 21st century world. Everything and everyone is getting online. We probably all agree that learning through informal ways always has a higher retention and recall then the formal learning sessions. This is why there is a growing popularity on making learning experiences more informal through the use of various fun games, online live interactions, blogs and wiki's.
In my first managing e-Learning lesson, Wendy helped us all create our very own blog. This seemed daunting at the beginning, but it is surprisingly easy. We learnt how to save pages to an online bookmarking site, delicious.com which allows you to access web pages on any computer and they will always be there. We used a Wiki space that Wendy created for this course http://today5.wikispaces.com. Here we were able to visit a mind mapping website http://bubbl.us/ and brainstorm e-Learning.
I believe that e-Learning opens up a new world of studying that is creative and with better results, when used appropriately. I hope everyone succeeds with this course and I will enjoy reading your blogs.
Kindest regards,
Mandy :)
.jpg)
Techology has become a necessary element of the 21st century world. Everything and everyone is getting online. We probably all agree that learning through informal ways always has a higher retention and recall then the formal learning sessions. This is why there is a growing popularity on making learning experiences more informal through the use of various fun games, online live interactions, blogs and wiki's.
In my first managing e-Learning lesson, Wendy helped us all create our very own blog. This seemed daunting at the beginning, but it is surprisingly easy. We learnt how to save pages to an online bookmarking site, delicious.com which allows you to access web pages on any computer and they will always be there. We used a Wiki space that Wendy created for this course http://today5.wikispaces.com. Here we were able to visit a mind mapping website http://bubbl.us/ and brainstorm e-Learning.
I believe that e-Learning opens up a new world of studying that is creative and with better results, when used appropriately. I hope everyone succeeds with this course and I will enjoy reading your blogs.
Kindest regards,
Mandy :)
.jpg)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)