While both Freire and Papert hold a negative view of the institution of school, they each reach different conclusions about the future of school. Freire sees that death of school as we know it to be an opportunity to re-invent it, modify it completely, to work alongside the technological world. Papert sees the death of school as being the result of emerging technologies, where technology will replace school. One has to agree that school can be stiffling due to curricular constraints on what can be taught, in what order and when. Obviously, one of the biggest factors affecting learning is motivation. Whether you are in a classroom listening to a stand and deliver lecture or at a computer working through a software game programmed for you, if you are not interested, you are not engaged in your learning. A teacher could allow me the choice between a game on the computer and an assignment. If the purpose of that game is to provide opportunities for learning how to operate a business and it is presented as a diesel engine repair business, I am unlikely to be motivated to play the game and may well choose an assignment over that game. To me it seems as if the key is choice, whether it be in a traditional school setting or in a virtual school online. I tend to agree with Papert, technology may change the face of school and be the impetus for changing the very structure and nature of school, but I don't see the idea of school becoming extinct. Even when we are learning on our own, we have questions and seek clarificati0ns. The role of school may shift to a more consultive guiding role rather than that of a dispenser of specific bits of knowledge.
Arguing that school is needed in order to socialize children is absurd. There are many other means and opportunites for children to learn social norms. School is not like real life in the sense that at no other time in your life do you spend such a good deal of time with a group of people who are the same age as you. In the real world, we interact with people of all ages. Can you imagine your work place if it was only for 42 year olds? A more realistic socialization process might include activities where mixed age groupings (like that of a family) are the norm. Yes there might be two seven year olds, but there may also be tweens and teens as well as adults. Perhaps re-thinking the outdated notion of same age groupings will be part of modifications that will take place.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Educational Blogging
I have two brief comments to make about educational blogging or blogging in general.
I see the biggest benefit of educational blogging as giving students a voice. Blogs can empower and therefore, motivate and engage students to participate in discussions and reflective thought that may not occur in the regular classroom. I think of the students who are so hesitant to contribute in class - for many reasons ranging from fear of ridicule from peers to boredom to distractions. I think particularly of the "Invisible" kids who do not want to express themselves orally in a class discussion, the ones who do not necessarily think clearly when on the spot. Or they don't get a turn because the "dominators" always have the floor. With the use of a blog, they have time to think and respond without the pressure of an audience in front of them. I have also experienced, just in this past week or two, the power a response to your own blog can have and how those responses can deepen or extend your thinking on the subject. Certainly blogging in it's very nature builds those higher order thinking skills of applying, analysing and evaluating.
I see one of the draw backs of blogging as time. It can become quite consuming to keep up with (in terms of following blogs and responding to them, depending on your passion for the topic of course). Perhaps that just means a shift away from other activities that may be less effective in developing higher order thinking skills. From what I have been reading, it seems as if people are shifting from the more traditional sources for news and information to blogs, wikis, etc. as they feel they are a more accurate version of reality! We do need to continue to teach our students about reading & viewing critically as it is not just the news broadcasts that can have a particular slant.
Susan
I see the biggest benefit of educational blogging as giving students a voice. Blogs can empower and therefore, motivate and engage students to participate in discussions and reflective thought that may not occur in the regular classroom. I think of the students who are so hesitant to contribute in class - for many reasons ranging from fear of ridicule from peers to boredom to distractions. I think particularly of the "Invisible" kids who do not want to express themselves orally in a class discussion, the ones who do not necessarily think clearly when on the spot. Or they don't get a turn because the "dominators" always have the floor. With the use of a blog, they have time to think and respond without the pressure of an audience in front of them. I have also experienced, just in this past week or two, the power a response to your own blog can have and how those responses can deepen or extend your thinking on the subject. Certainly blogging in it's very nature builds those higher order thinking skills of applying, analysing and evaluating.
I see one of the draw backs of blogging as time. It can become quite consuming to keep up with (in terms of following blogs and responding to them, depending on your passion for the topic of course). Perhaps that just means a shift away from other activities that may be less effective in developing higher order thinking skills. From what I have been reading, it seems as if people are shifting from the more traditional sources for news and information to blogs, wikis, etc. as they feel they are a more accurate version of reality! We do need to continue to teach our students about reading & viewing critically as it is not just the news broadcasts that can have a particular slant.
Susan
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Intro to E-learning: General population to Special Needs
10 years ago the field of e-learning might have included CAI(computer-assisted instruction), CBT (computer based training), and DL (distance learning). In referring to e-learning today, the field includes a multitude of technologies from video conferencing to DVD course ware, from email to chatrooms. Koper's e-learning definition of "developing new technological knowledge, methods and artifacts specifically with the aim of improving "learning, training, and teaching"" covers this broad range and includes both communications and information technologies.
I found it interesting that research into the difference technology has made in improving student performance tends to show there are negligible results. For the general student population, I see this to be true in many cases. Often times, students do not take advantage of the tools before them and tend to use them on a superficial basis. Some of this can be overcome with engaging instruction to pique interest. However, in my experience as a special ed teacher, I have seen the difference assistive technology can make for some of our special needs students. For example, the use of a DynaVox EyeMax that allows a student to communicate wants or needs with eye tracking can also allow the student to have a "voice" in class discussions. No longer a passive onlooker, this student's learning improves dramatically. In another instance, a student who struggles to read and respond to text, is introduced to Kurzweil 3000 which reads the text to the student. By scanning the response sheet, Kurzweil will read the questions to her and then provide a format for her to respond in a legible manner with the keyboard. The Dragon Speaking Naturally Program allows the student to dictate their story or research project transforming it into written form. Assistive technology might then be included as a form of e-learning as it makes learning more efficient, effective and accessible for these students.
Susan
I found it interesting that research into the difference technology has made in improving student performance tends to show there are negligible results. For the general student population, I see this to be true in many cases. Often times, students do not take advantage of the tools before them and tend to use them on a superficial basis. Some of this can be overcome with engaging instruction to pique interest. However, in my experience as a special ed teacher, I have seen the difference assistive technology can make for some of our special needs students. For example, the use of a DynaVox EyeMax that allows a student to communicate wants or needs with eye tracking can also allow the student to have a "voice" in class discussions. No longer a passive onlooker, this student's learning improves dramatically. In another instance, a student who struggles to read and respond to text, is introduced to Kurzweil 3000 which reads the text to the student. By scanning the response sheet, Kurzweil will read the questions to her and then provide a format for her to respond in a legible manner with the keyboard. The Dragon Speaking Naturally Program allows the student to dictate their story or research project transforming it into written form. Assistive technology might then be included as a form of e-learning as it makes learning more efficient, effective and accessible for these students.
Susan
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Response to "E-learning Myths"
The Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime Myth:
While claims of learning "anytime, anywhere for anyone" have some merit, there are certainly a number of factors that are ignored or not considered in making such a statement. Yes, learning is available but it does not mean that learning will take place which is the assumption made from reading the phrase anyone can learn anywhere, anytime. "You too will learn in the magical online world!" smacks of the old snake oil salesmen. Many times e-learning just means that paper and pencil tasks have been packaged up and presented online in a worksheet-like format: read this, then answer these. In this format, there is no engagement, no interaction, and many times no feedback. In a classroom, there is at least the likelihood of engagement, interaction and timely feedback. When participating in e-learning, what happens when the participant doesn't understand and needs clarification? Technology such as Elluminate does address this by providing an environment where participants are connected with sound so explanations can be made as long as you are online at the same time. There is also a white board where diagrams and examples can be written. Without such technology, you would be posting a message then waiting for a response. I have also watched as students have simply clicked their way through a program with incorrect answers as the program corrects or ignores the incorrect responses, allowing the student to move on. Has the student been engaged and learning?
Celebrating the "death of distance" and making "prejudices like race and gender a thing of the past" were premature and optimisitc statements. As others have also pointed out, in order to be online, one does need to have access. No computer, no phone/cable means no access. The assumption that everyone has computer equipment and Internet access ignores the socio-economic factors of our world today. "Anyone, anytime, anywhere" implies there is a system of equity in place; some goodwill group working on behalf on the impoverished silently in the background. In reality, poverty is still an issue for a significant percentage of our population in Canada , never mind in developing countries. As well, people living in rural areas often have limited access because companies developing the technology invest in high population areas where a high return on their investment is likely. Small populations in more remote areas may have to solicit the backing of local industry or government in order to build the infastructure needed to gain access. Often there are added expenses and extra time required because of the remoteness of a location. Smaller populations living in remote areas are at a disadvantage.
On the more abstract side, I agree with Norm's comments about being able to be identified while online. The whole "big brother is watching you" theory is true to some extent. Our activities are being tracked while we are online. Websites use cookies to track visits to their sites. We respond to surveys. We add desktop features and toolbars. We shop online and our preferences are recorded. You are no longer anonymous - you have just established an identity through your everyday online activities!
Susan
While claims of learning "anytime, anywhere for anyone" have some merit, there are certainly a number of factors that are ignored or not considered in making such a statement. Yes, learning is available but it does not mean that learning will take place which is the assumption made from reading the phrase anyone can learn anywhere, anytime. "You too will learn in the magical online world!" smacks of the old snake oil salesmen. Many times e-learning just means that paper and pencil tasks have been packaged up and presented online in a worksheet-like format: read this, then answer these. In this format, there is no engagement, no interaction, and many times no feedback. In a classroom, there is at least the likelihood of engagement, interaction and timely feedback. When participating in e-learning, what happens when the participant doesn't understand and needs clarification? Technology such as Elluminate does address this by providing an environment where participants are connected with sound so explanations can be made as long as you are online at the same time. There is also a white board where diagrams and examples can be written. Without such technology, you would be posting a message then waiting for a response. I have also watched as students have simply clicked their way through a program with incorrect answers as the program corrects or ignores the incorrect responses, allowing the student to move on. Has the student been engaged and learning?
Celebrating the "death of distance" and making "prejudices like race and gender a thing of the past" were premature and optimisitc statements. As others have also pointed out, in order to be online, one does need to have access. No computer, no phone/cable means no access. The assumption that everyone has computer equipment and Internet access ignores the socio-economic factors of our world today. "Anyone, anytime, anywhere" implies there is a system of equity in place; some goodwill group working on behalf on the impoverished silently in the background. In reality, poverty is still an issue for a significant percentage of our population in Canada , never mind in developing countries. As well, people living in rural areas often have limited access because companies developing the technology invest in high population areas where a high return on their investment is likely. Small populations in more remote areas may have to solicit the backing of local industry or government in order to build the infastructure needed to gain access. Often there are added expenses and extra time required because of the remoteness of a location. Smaller populations living in remote areas are at a disadvantage.
On the more abstract side, I agree with Norm's comments about being able to be identified while online. The whole "big brother is watching you" theory is true to some extent. Our activities are being tracked while we are online. Websites use cookies to track visits to their sites. We respond to surveys. We add desktop features and toolbars. We shop online and our preferences are recorded. You are no longer anonymous - you have just established an identity through your everyday online activities!
Susan
Monday, January 12, 2009
Welcome to E-Learning
Greetings to all from Susan:
I am using my mantra " I am 4 summer" as my blogging name. You can guess how I feel about winter! Yes, I prefer the heat of the summer sun when I don't have to bundle up against the cold.
I am very pleased that our group is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and interests. I always appreciate more than one perspective.
Setting up this blog was quick and easy using the tools provided! Now that I have the basics I will work to add the content, my responses to the readings in the next day or two. Looking forward to seeing what each of you develops as your blog and to reading your posts.
I am using my mantra " I am 4 summer" as my blogging name. You can guess how I feel about winter! Yes, I prefer the heat of the summer sun when I don't have to bundle up against the cold.
I am very pleased that our group is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and interests. I always appreciate more than one perspective.
Setting up this blog was quick and easy using the tools provided! Now that I have the basics I will work to add the content, my responses to the readings in the next day or two. Looking forward to seeing what each of you develops as your blog and to reading your posts.
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