Collaborative Learning: Just because it is there???

I want to climb “mount Everest because it’s there” that is basically the message of Terry Freedman’s article on collaborative learning. He comes out and says that the reliance on, collaborative tools such as blogs, podcasts and wikis isn’t the way children should be heading solely for their research. Now to a certain degree I do see his point he raises the point of the reliability of these sources, and it is true anyone can change the information in these sources. And shouldn’t we be teaching children to treat these sources just like they would any other way. We encourage children to cross check information, basically this new way of presenting information is not only a new source of information for children but it also allows them to develop their skills in questioning and comparing sources. Freedman states that teachers shouldn’t be using this technology just because it is there, which is true if we do use it just because it is there it loses its effect, but it is like anything if it used properly it can be quite a good thing. As teachers we shouldn’t be rejecting this new technology, rather we should be encouraging it, it allows for new perspectives, questioning skills. Freedman leaves us with the thought that these activities are useful for children to set up. And it is it involves research, writing and editing and they are easy to set up. So if they are useful for children to use why can’t they be a valuable source of information to children?

Reference: http://www.terry-freedman.org.uk/artman/publish/article_420.php accessed 13/05/08

Sand Castles Go Digital!!!

I just read a thought provoking article on constructionism “Sand Castles Go Digital” By Idit Harel.

The ways in which we learn are quite complex and has been at the heart of teaching for many years, and this is what I loved about this article it took a simple sand castle, something that everyone has a child has constructed and turned into a metaphor for learning.

It is a common belief that play is good for children, and the reason why this play is good is because it allows children to drive their own learning experience. And this is what Contructionism, a theory pioneered by Seymour Papert holds that children learn best when they are in the active roles of designer and constructor.

So whilst these sand castles offer the greatest unplanned learning in the moment, they offer limitations this includes a child can’t revisit their creation the next day, add to their creation or simply show a friend. So what does this sand castle offer technology? Quite a lot really we are taking this idea of the children being in these active roles of designer and creator, giving them the web, the computer or technology which offers these children a wide-open learning environment in which children can explore the world, express themselves, save their work, revise, add or even re-create their work. I guess the most important part of technology is not necessarily the technology that we do use it is rather how we use this technology. This unplanned learning with children in control allows for the best learning experience to take place.

Reference: http://www.mamamedia.com/areas/grownups/new/21_learning/sand_castles.html accessed 11/04/08

my amazingly random podcast

This is my podcast

Three X’s vs the Three R’s

The 3 x’S being placed on the same level as the 3R’s is an interesting topic..but I guess that is the changing way of the future. Idit Harel “ The Three Xs” talks about this ever changing world and skills children will need to have.

Everybody has heard of the Three R’s these being Reading, wRiting and Rithmetic but Harel states these aren’t the only skills that children will need now and in the future and to be honest I quite agree with her. We do live in a fast paced world where skills and knowledge are always being updated or we are always finding a better way to do something.

Harel believes children should be imbedded with the three Xs these include exploring, expressing and exchanging. Now with a first glance at these one will choose to believe that it’s no where near as important as reading, writing and arithmetic, however after reading this article I choose to differ.

The Three X’s is going to be the future. Exploring here we take children’s natural drive and passion for learning as they explore things on their own and at their own pace. And it is true learning does take place when a child can discover for themselves without being told the answer. Harel suggests the net as this open ended discovery place, and the net does create a discovery world all of it’s own and the more children discover the more resourceful they become.

Expressing, or rather learning how to use a vast range of tools helps build children’s own ideas. Harel suggests that the net allows children to create like they have never created before. With all the colour, sounds and motions children are artists they are learning to express themselves and their ideas.

The remaining X is Exchanging of ideas. Real learning occurs when we are working in a social context with the ability to share and gain other points of view. Through this exchanging of ideas Harel has a valid point children become active not passive in their learning, this is vital if we want children to remember what they are learning. Children also learn the value of teamwork an important life skill.

So do these Three X’s replace the Three R’s quite a difficult question to answer both do have their positives. We need to know our content but we also need to be able to adapt to a changing world and this is exactly what the Three X’s are doing, they are adapting to this ever changing world and giving children skills today which are going to be used today and in the future.

Blogging!

I was intrigued by Laurens Blog on Blogging! She describes the benefits of blogging in the classroom. And I couldn’t agree more children will jump at the opportunity to type rather than write. And that is the way that society is heading. Blogging also allows children to have a wider audience rather than just the teacher reading their work, parents and friends can read their work, and in fact the whole world can read their work. Children can also read other children’s work enhancing and furthering their own ideas. Lauren is right when she points out that what teacher wouldn’t want their children to enjoy reading and writing and maybe blogging is the way to do this. I also like how she leaves us on an interesting note about would the introduction of this blogging solve all literacy problems in the classroom? In response to this question I will say yes it is exciting to begin with but like most things the novelty may wear off and then there Is the no side literacy is something you have to love to want to do, whilst we can place a computer in front of the child the child has to like what they are writing about.

Computers transforming the way we learn…

Can computer games transform learning? Interesting question isn’t it? I just read an article by Keri Fracer titles “Could computer games help to transform the way we learn?

Now computer games are fun and engaging and children absolutely adore them. I know for a fact my sister comes home from school and the first thing she is on is the computer, and not doing her homework. This only highlights that children much rather be playing a game then doing their homework. So it only makes sense that we should be making classrooms this engaging so children will want to learn.

Most people would rather disagree with this statement and I can see why learning is always put down to writing essays and so forth, so children will turn to books in protest and this is one of Keri Fracer arguments she also points out a very good point this being does the game actually meet the syllabus requirements. And that is a very good point, children just can’t be playing computer games and not learning anything it defeats the purpose of education. Another point that was nicely raised was the issue of violence, now computer games have been at the heart of the “violence” issue debate for as long as I remember with people that believe it is because of these computer games that children are becoming violent, and it’s true a lot of games do have violence in them. However Keri points out that we are teaching them attack strategies. And I guess that largely becomes the teacher’s role as to what games are implemented in the classroom.

I suppose a lot of us focus on the negatives that we are forgetting about the positives games are interactive and children love interactive, but more so games offer this new world to explore fuelling children’s imaginations, they teach literacy, complex variables and problem solving how many times do we play a computer game and have to think about where to go next and what will happen if we do? This proves that games can be used to educate in an exciting way but it is the content of the game we need to worry about…we have to make sure that the content matches what the children should be learning

The article exposes us to some games that highlight the educational aspects these include sim city- suitable for H.S.I.E, DoomEd students learn about radiations and chemistry and racing academy this includes making, designing and racing cars using engineering principles. Maybe if games like these could be introduced in the classroom children may feel motivated to complete their work. The great thing is that games are hands on and interactive catering for children’s interests and also learning styles.

Facer,K. (2005) Could computer games transform the way we learn?Is the future of learning playful? Vision,1, pp1-4

Technology is cool

I was crusing around teacher tube and came across a great little clip which talked about the uses of technology, and I thought what a great way to open my blog!.

“ Technology is cool” really opened my eyes to the benefits of using technology in the classroom. It was refreshing to see such a fun way to present something that most technophobia people such as me would dread to do in the class.

Kristy and John described the four main categories that technology is used in, this included communication, demonstration, organization and also classroom presentation.

Communication included parents communicating with websites, schools interacting with other schools, it also had communication through pod casts. It was interesting to note just how much of a communication tool technology has become and how much of a great learning tool it can be as children discuss points in a fun way. Children can discover websites and alternately learn new things at their own pace.

Classroom presentation was one thing that caught my eye the most. I never really stopped to think about the exciting ways technology can be used to demonstrate information; I guess it is becoming quite a tool considering the introduction of smart boards. How many times have we used a power point presentation for an assignment? Very intriguing. Kristy and John also pointed out pod casts are a great way to demonstrate information; I guess it allows children to communicate and demonstrate what they know. Demonstrating using technology is a fantastic idea, considering children are fascinated with computers and anything they really can interact with I guess it gives learning a lot more of an edge and really motivate children, on the plus side for teachers it caters for a whole new learning style.

Demonstration was interesting I suppose it also gives children motivation to learn, this however leads to self discovery as children learn at their own pace, anything like a vod cast, pod cast or even i-movie allows children to be interactive and explore information in a new way.

Organization was different when I first heard this I was a little confused as to what to think. But giving it more time I realised technology doesn’t only have to be about researching or presenting information it can be about organizing your own thoughts, in such a way that is easy to understand and also quite fun. It can be about organizing things into categories for an assignment as well. I know a lot of children who would rather do that then write down their every thought.

Kristy and John emphasised how important it was to use technology in the classroom, it motivates, stimulates and encourages children to explore and adapt information and present information in a variety of ways.

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a59e32fad80cb0b65b9d

About me

Hey,

Don’t really know what to say, but my name is Jana…live out west. 21 this year ( yay!!!) I’m in second year quite liking the course, but still can’t wait to finish so i can teach.

I work at Bunnings and also am a tutor, i guess they are fun in certain ways well have their little moments anyway.

Going to Thailand after first semester so that is really exciting, maybe because i have never left the state let alone the country.

Things i like doing include reading, hanging out with friends that is usually a weekly requirement. I love the beach and surfing..well trying to surf anyway. I love the colour green and pink is pretty cool too. Love my family and friends they are both have such a huge impact on my life.

There is really not much to say except i’m just an ordinary teenager who loves a good laugh and a great night out.

Until next time..have fun

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