THANKS AND CONGRATS

Oooops! I forgot to say thanks to COL and to UNESCO for sponsoring this initiative and for allowing me to be a participant.  Thanks also to Mr. Roos for supporting the initiative and working out the logistics. It must have been a tough job.

Congrats to all my fellow participants who successfully completed the course. 

1B4 Activity 9 School Readiness

At this point in time, in my country we are just getting ready for ICT. Therefore when we look at what we have and what we need with regards to technology presentation and technology integration, we cannot really use this scale to measure accurately where we are with regards to technology in our schools. If we compare ourselves to the developed nations we are still so far behind and so we have not yet had the opportunities to develop the right skills and attitudes needed for the integration of ICT.  I believe that we will get there in the near future though.

The other tool mentioned, the Star Chart is also not for our use as yet because technology integration really has not gotten off the ground, especially in primary schools.  Since we are generally in a process of preparation, I believe that maybe three to five years down the road, this tool could be used.  It would also be good at that time because by then , we should be assessing how the integration process is progressing and how it is affecting attitudes and skills and teaching and learning and teaching in our schools.

Group 1B4: Activity 8A and 8B

Group 1B4: Activity 8B

Why wait for ICT before examining our teaching methods?

We do not need to wait for ICT before examining teacher methods. I agree wholeheartedly with this view and actually think that teachers just rely too heavily on traditional chalk and talk method. I believe that even without the introduction of ICT, we really need to look at the way we are teaching and if we are being effective in reaching our students or if we are losing some of them because of this. We must remember that children have different learning styles, so we must vary our strategies to ensure that we reach all our learners and none is left behind.  Our goal as teachers must be to reach every learner.  

To be honest, teaching with traditional approach is the easiest way for me to deliver a lesson; but I think that in this century that method just does not cut it anymore.  Consequently, even without the introduction of ICT, we have to begin to adjust our strategies, keeping mind that all our students not homogenous in their learning styles.  

ICT will bring new ways of teaching, but what if it does not come soon?  We need to look and how we are teaching now and how we are doing it and what it effect it is having on student learning outcomes.  If these are not effective and positive, then we must change, even without ICT.

Group Activity 8A: Teaching Spaces

These are my views about teaching spaces with regards to my school.  You can look at them with a critical eye and see what you can apply to your setting and see ways in which they apply to yours.

Teaching spaces Some of the advantages that I see are as follows: 1.The classroom furniture can be rearranged to free up space to set up technological tools. With classrooms so arranged there are greater opportunities for students to interact and collaborate. 2.Students can learn at their own pace because the new space allows the individual student to interact on a one on one basis with the technology. 3 Classrooms can be arranged in a more flexible manner in which there is no longer any specific back or front of the classroom. 4. Classrooms that are organized to accommodate ICT integration tends to be more motivating and captures and holds the learners attention. 5. Schools can be linked to share classrooms and teachers. Through this, best practices can also be shared. 6. Software can also be shared.

Disadvantages: Cost: Financing the change from classroom spaces that cater for traditional curriculum delivery to more modern idealistic classrooms will require a great deal of finance. Will the schools and/Ministries of Education be able to afford these classrooms: and if so, how soon? Another aspect of the cost factor that must be kept in the forefront is security. It will also be expensive to set up and maintain the kind of secure classrooms that these expensive technological tools will need. As we know, theft and vandalism are realities that we live with everyday. Furnishings: The type of furniture in the classroom may not be ideal for shifting and moving around and so it makes it difficult to adjust the available space for using the technology. Internet: Unavailability of Internet access or if available, only a specific location.

we have not done much in implementing the ideas outlined in the Churchill Report. This is because the school is just beginning to plan for ways of integrating ICT across the curriculum. We have begun by training teachers to use the few technological tools available. We have a small lab, but the way it is set up is so that almost everything is fixed. This means that we will have to do a great deal of adjustments to 'make it work.' We are however willing to try, but I believe that what we will have in the beginning is reconfigure what we already have to make our one room a more accommodating learning space.

With regards to my school is that we have not done much in implementing the ideas outlined in the Churchill Report. This is because the school is just beginning to plan for ways of integrating ICT across the curriculum. We have begun by training teachers to use the few technological tools available. We have a small lab, but the way it is set up is so that almost everything is fixed. This means that we will have to do a great deal of adjustments to 'make it work.' We are however willing to try, but I believe that what we will have in the beginning is reconfigure what we already have to make our one room a more accommodating learning space.

Group Members of 1B4 and 2A5

Completing these two modules was exciting and challenging.  I had to put in some long hard hours, but it was worth it.  I learnt a lot and now have my personal learning network where I can interact with other educators.  Had it not been for this course, I doubt that I would ever have done that.  The two modules presented excellent learning opportunities for me.

Thanks to my tutors and group members.  Thanks for all the guidance, sharing and interaction.  At first, I was struggling because it took a little while for me to find my way around the site and to understand how to blog, but now all these things are second nature.  Thanks all and I await and look forward to the next challenge.

Group 2A5: Activity 11

I became so excited about setting up your own PLN that I actually set up two different ones.  I wanted to get other educators’ ideas about what is happening with technology in their schools so that was the reason I gave for establishing a PLN. Actually I named one of them ICT for 21st Century Primary School Teachers. The second PLN that I set up was on Classroom 2.0.  I chose this one from among all the other educational ones that I visited because it had a lot of current activities.  I really like the idea of being able to get as well as to share ideas.

http://www.classroom20.com/profile/JoycelynGDHenry

http://joycelynhenry.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/joyhen9

Please join my PLN and follow me on Twitter. 

I must also admit that I like the idea of being able to publish my thoughts, views and ideas in a meaningful context and in a way that people can learn from me and I from the.   I also think that it is great that I can start a discussion and have others make their contribution. Just today I was able to comment on a discussion concerning cursive writing, a topic that is dear to my heart, because I hate to see the bad handwriting that people have today.

Before this activity, I never saw social networking as an educational resource, so this is quite a novel idea and I like it; I think that it's just great!!!

Group 2A5 Activity 10 

Social media as a professional development resource

I have learnt quite a lot from going through this activity.  The idea of using social media for learning and teaching is relatively new, but it is rapidly growing; in fact, it has been described as a revolutionary way to learn.  Previously, learning in the workplace was done mainly through training initiative organized on the job site; but with social networking, the principle of workplace learning is not just restricted to learning at the workplace but indicates that it is social and informal and can happen anywhere and at any time. Further, it happens everyday; it is not structured and is continuous providing a powerful means by which people can connect, share, collaborate and learn at or off the workplace.  The interaction can be local or across the globe and is a useful method of promoting continuous learning and performance improvement in the workplace and thus helping us to become smart workers.

The use of social networking for teaching and learning is not widespread in my country, although it has been catching on.  The Ministry of Education has been providing training and this has been one aspect of the training.  From this though, I am seeing that the island wide ban on cell phones in schools will have to be lifted to allow for their use as a tool in teaching and learning with social media.

I however feel that there are so many different types of social networking, that educators will need to choose which ones will best help them to be smart workers. 

Group 1B4 Activity 7- Staff Development

Another activity completed!! Great!! Again this was a tremendous learning opportunity for me.
 

This activity was very informative.  The literature provided information of the importance of ICT integration in changing the landscape of teaching.  It reiterates and emphasizes that teachers must be willing to change the style of teaching from the humdrum traditional chalk and talk lecture method but the more dynamic learner oriented pedagogy that will be more accommodating of the different learning styles found in any class.  

I especially liked the fact that we were told of past experiences that we could learn from so that in the effort to integrate ICT into teaching and learning, we do not make the same mistakes.  Additionally, the literature included guiding principles that could be followed.  Consequently, we have a base from which to launch our ICT integration efforts and thus we do not have to reinvent the wheel of ICT integration.

I also liked the idea of sharing our presentation because it helped me to see whether or not, I am interpreting the literature in the same way that others are doing and also to determine what is taking place in ICT integration in schools in my country.

1B4 Assignment 2

A tough assignment to say the least! It was however, very useful because it made us look at the stage of ICT integration in our schools.  As a result of this, I believe that we are able to see that there is a great deal to be done regarding the integration of ICT into teaching and learning across the curriculum. It should have made us aware that whatever we have to do needs to be done sooner rather than later or we will find ourselves lagging behind and that digital divide that we are seeking to narrow will again start to widen.  The training session done is almost like dust on a scale; there is so much more to do!  However, completing this assignment should be a motivating factor that will further propel us into more action and develop in us a greater passion for ICT in teaching and learning across the curriculum.

2A5 Activity 9


This activity has broadened my perspective regarding information on the Net.  Caution and careful evaluation are the key elements, especially when looking for information and activities to use in a school setting.  It is also necessary for us, as educators to help our students to understand that although the internet is a vast storehouse of very good and useful information, there are some sites that are hoaxes.  We therefore have to teach students how to check to see if the information that they are getting from the web is authentic.


Completing the assignment also revealed to me that there are lots of resources for teachers and learners and even parents that can be used to enhance teaching and learning and student performance. 

Group 2A5 Activity 8 Lesson_Plan_Draft

The principal of 'just in time learning' is one that I learnt from doing this activity.  I believe that it makes a lot of sense to teach whatever skills in the context in which it will be used.  As was shown, this is the same for learning to teach with ICT.

I learnt a lot from having to produce a lesson plan with this principle in mind.  I also believe the idea of sharing our plans is an excellent one as it allows us to collaborate and learn from each other.  I found the lesson plans to be quite interesting, but I was most impressed with Bernard Richardson's and Shelly Galloway's plans.

What was especially appealing to me about this activity was the requirement to integrate aspects of ICT (spreadsheets) into our lesson. It forced us not only to think of ways that this could be done, but also how to teach the skills in context.  I also appreciate the fact that I was required to use a tool that I had previously not used very often and also felt that it was too difficult for me to learn; so what I did was use WORD for everything, as that is one of the two programs that I was most efficient and comfortable with.

Group 1B4 Activity 6: Role of the teacher

This activity contained quite a lot of new ideas for how ICT is changing the teaching learning process. It is clear that the introduction of ICT into the teaching learning process has brought widespread changes to the way teachers teach and how children learn.  Old ways of teaching and learning have lost their relevance and students are now becoming more autonomous and are using technology to do independent and collaborative learning; and this is happening even at a very young age.

Teachers are now therefore forced to change not only the way they teach and engage their students, but also the way they monitor and assess them. Truly ICT is changing the face of teaching and learning and teachers have to adjust to the new roles of facilitator, moderator and guide rather than conductor or director of learning.

With the introduction of ICT into the teaching learning process the role of the teacher will undoubtedly change.   The teacher in an ICT saturated classroom will not be the main constructor or director of learning but instead will assume the role of moderator/facilitator, guiding students to use the technology to construct their own knowledge. In this setting, teachers will no longer be using a computer for the sake of the novelty, but instead will be using it as a tool for teaching and learning. e.g. networked computers where several groups of students can be instructed at the same time and students and teachers can collaborate with each other.Because traditional methods of teaching and learning are becoming outmoded teachers have to ensure that they remain up to date with the new and emerging ICT especially since classrooms are changing.  Teachers can no longer be purveyors of knowledge, but instead will have to allow students to use the resources of ICT, such as the internet to gather information for projects, to connect and collaborate with other students and teachers in and outside their geographical sphere and  avail themselves of other and learning and research opportunities

Group 1B4 Activity 5: Myth of Computer Literacy

Let me start my reflections on this activity by stating that I much prefer to do my discussion on the Partners in Learning page than using e-mail.  The reason for my preference is that because of the way the discussions are set up on the PIL site, it is easier and quicker to see at the same time the discussions that are ongoing and also respond to them at that time.   It also saves time that would be needed to search for and open e-mails that sometimes won't even open. 


Perusing the literature tied to this activity has made my thinking about computer literacy completely different. The section that discussed what computer literacy is and what it is not was especially illuminating to me. Now I am brought to the realisation that computer literacy is so much more than knowing how to use a computer.

The Integrated Approach brings purpose to learning ICT skills and is a better way to teach the skills as learners acquire concepts even while they are learning the skills.


 

Group 2A-5 

Activity 7: Spreadsheets as a learning resource

I must confess that I had never heard of the principle of 'just in time learning'.  I think it really makes a lot of sense especially in relation to the use of the computer. I have often heard the saying, "if you don't use it, you lose it" and this is so true when you link it to learning about how to use the computer, rather than learning with the computer.  I have attended courses that taught me how to use Excel and how to use databases, but because I have not been using these tools on a regular basis, my skill in using them is at best minimal.  In comparison, I am now forced, in this course to learn more about and use Excel and now my competence level has improved tremendously, while the database skill level is as low as it has ever been.

I like to work with the computer, but this course is presenting me with so many new ways of  working and learning with the computer; it's like venturing out into a whole new world. 

This way of teaching and learning with the computer has implications for the teaching of IT skills. It suggests that IT should not be regarded as a subject on its own but rather integrated into teaching and learning as a tool to enhance the teaching/learning process.

Group 1B-4 


Activity 4b: Minimally Invasive Education

I see this type of education becoming the norm as children are now learning to be less dependent on teaches to construct knowledge for them.  They are now more eager to explore and experience learning concepts in a new way.  It clearly demonstrates that:

• we cannot continue to use a one-size fits-all approach to teaching.
• We will be forced to find new strategies to produce more independent and innovative learners.
• We must understand that teachers will no longer take centre- stage in classrooms.
• ICT is a key factor in promoting this kind of learning; however, students do not need to be taught the how of using the computer as much as they need to know the why and when.

I have learnt quite a lot from doing this activity and as a result, I am more keenly aware of how students learn and how they should be taught.  I was especially fascinated with Dr. Mitra's work, because I, (and I believe that there are many others like me) held the view that children must be taught how to use the computer before actually using it to do anything.  His work has reawakened in me the idea that children, left to explore can and will construct their own knowledge and make their own discoveries about a wide array of new knowledge and concepts.

Group1B-4
Activity 4a: Spontaneous Learning

I found this discussion on spontaneous learning very informative.  I know that learners do not really come to school not knowing anything.  However, I do not think that most teachers really try to bridge the gap between school (scientific) learning and spontaneous learning.  What we tend to do is to teach from the curriculum, making sure that all the relevant topics are covered and not considering that learners already have something in them that we should build on. 

Educators now have a challenge, that is, to be translators of scientific concepts into language which learners understand, decide when to teach the concepts; and continuous monitoring and communicating with learners to ensure that they are linking what they already to know to what they are learning.  This indicates that teaching is becoming more learner centered. 

It is also important to note that even though we are trying to facilitate teaching and learning with ICT, it does not mean that there is no need for teachers in the classroom.  What it suggests to me is that classrooms will become more learner-centered where teachers act as facilitators to guide students' learning as they discover more and more new concepts and build upon those concepts that they have already acquired.

Group 2A-5

Activity 6B: Symbol Distribution

I like when I have to discover things on my own when working on the computer.  It stays with me more too.  I especially enjoyed activity 6B- Symbol Distribution.  Just completing the activity, taught me so many things about working with graphs, e.g. formatting the plot area, or the background, changing the line colour and writing in the the chart and axes titles.

Again, in doing this activity, I see how helpful the collaborative approach is, especially in learning new concepts. For example, I submitted my graph without naming the axes and it was one of my other group members who brought that too my attention.  I was then forced to go back to decide how to label these axes and by exploring the tool bar, I was able to locate and find the icon that would allow me to drop down the menu to label the axes.  I then went further to reformat my chart even more and could have done even more, if I were willing to spend more time doing so.

When I put the students in my place, it demonstrates the joy that they will feel when they are able to have like accomplishments and also assist their peers in reaching these milestones.  We, as educators, must therefore seek to afford our students these opportunities for discovery and exploration in using ICT in their learning experiences.