8 posts tagged “blended learning”
Just wanted to jot a couple of thoughts down in response
to this podcast "Teaching outside the limits of space and time" which I listened to while running along the waterfront
in Auckland a couple of days ago. The podcast features the EdTech Posse who pretty regularly have entertaining discussions around a whole heap of aspects of ICT enhanced learning and teaching. (They have a laid-back, pretty unstructured approach, sometimes featuring pub-settings, and often with guest appearances by the dogs...you just have to listen :-) )
In this particular podcast a lot of what they were saying hit a
note of accord and I found myself grinning like an idiot (not a good
look at the best of times). Some of the key topics they covered were designing programmes and what (if any) is the optimum duration for a course for effective learning, and aligning assessment (types as well as content with course design) - i.e. if you have a course that encourages open learning, then more traditional forms of assessment are unlikely to measure the effectiveness of the learning that has taken place. They also mulled over the importance of building learning networks, but that these too need time to develop, and that it is hopeless to try to force a community to develop. The final point was about podcasting - taking offline conversations and putting them online...but in a forum where futher discussion from disparate voices from around the globe is encouraged.
I did think there were a couple of points I'd like to add into the mix. For example, when they discussed the optimum length of a course, one aspect that I don't think was mentioned directly was motivation (extrinsic or intrinsic), although there was discussion about how interest in a subject can shape the learning experience (irrespective of duration). Alongside this factor is the notion of whether a learner is 'ready'...if they have developed the necessary cognitive framework that can be built upon with this next set of thinking and/or skills. If the learner is in just the right spot then an hour may be all it takes to turn the tide; something that just falls into place that makes sense of everything else. I think that this may be the case irrespective of whether it's a content based or process based course.
The other thing that really struck my imagination was the embedding of one discipline with in another that really 'smokes the tyres' of the learner. The example was the art class with embedded math. Awesome. We did something similar (but not as sophisticated) at Dubai Men's College where we had a project-based ICT enhanced blended-learning programme over 40 weeks. Math, English, academic literacies, ICT literacies, and Arabic were all integrated into the incremental, experiential learning course. Students would gradually produce one artefact over 10 weeks, building cumulatively another 'bit' each week, and the focus was very much on the process - the learning journey - rather than the end product.
I reckon I've drivelled on for long enough. I'd highly recommend the podcasts as thought-provoking and entertaining.
This video is
an extract from a workshop that was facilitated by Diana Ayling and
Hazel Owen with the Business Department at Unitec NZ. The workshop was
part of an initiative initiated by the Business Department to revisit
the programmes that they offer students, and the learning experience.
Formal and informal sessions focussed on aspects such as:
A sense of the dynamic discussions that have been ongoing is captured, as well as a feelings of excitement, seeing potential, anxiety, and concerns around pragmatic issues.
The extract features discussion around the results of the ICTELT survey that participants had completed before the session, as well as dialogue around blended learning in general, and what a course that uses the ICTELT design mindmap as a foundation may feature.
(If
you would like to find out more about the work that underpins some of
the workshop and the ICTELT mindmap, please feel free to visit the ICT Enhanced Learning and Teaching wiki.
The
Learning Light literature road map (pictured above) is an interactive
format where the user selects an area they are interested in from
drop-down lists. This takes them to a bank of literature around that
subject. The review of literature has particular relevance to
e-Learning research in the workplace.
The University of Sheffield Dept of Information Studies (2007). Saber Professional Solutions Ltd & Learning Light. Retrieved 18th March 2009 from http://ogma.shef.ac.uk/learning_light/index.html
I have previously included a link to this Slideshare presentation, but now it comes with sound! :-)
This session starts by exploring the learning and teaching value ICT can add to curricula, and then describes a process model and framework that I have adapted from existing examples. The accessible, scaffolded approach described is appropriate for very small teams or individuals working with few resources to develop resources ideal for instructors interested in blended learning and/or distance approaches.
The pedagogical underpinnings of a design process are outlined, in which practitioners identify a teaching and learning problem and assess whether ICT could enhance learners’ experience of new or existing programmes, modules, units, sessions, or learning objects. Guiding questions are posed to help support the process, and an iterative practice is encouraged whereby a design is developed, piloted, evaluated, revisited, modified and re-evaluated over time, with recognition that the practitioner’s experience, skills and attitudes are likely to shift.
The practical application of the model and framework is illustrated through an example developed for use in Moodle at UnitecNZ.
The model and framework have yet to be piloted and MoodleMoot will offer a hands-on opportunity for participants to experiment and evaluate the tools in this session by identifying a resource or session that they would like to adapt. Then, working collaboratively, in Moodle they will work through the first part of the process model by completing the framework. Feedback and comments will be gladly accepted."
Associated site: http://efest2008collaboratingbydesign.pbwiki.com/
Please cite as: Owen, H. (2008, October 8-10). Where do I Start? Integration of ICTELT into blended curricula. Paper presented at the MoodleMoot NZ 08, Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
This is a link to the presentation (Using online tools to provide relevant, authentic and timely assessment) on Slideshare that Helen Martin and I gave at the Symposium on Tertiary Assessment and Higher Education at Victoria University, Wellington - 17h - 20th Nov 2008. I recorded the session and will podcast it as soon as I have the opportunity :-)
Abstract: "Assessment practice is at its most rich when assessment events are relevant, authentic and timely. Relevant assessment is that which is inextricably linked to learning outcomes designed to meet an agreed graduate profile (Biggs, 1999). Authentic assessment requires students to perform real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential skills and knowledge. Timely assessment provides students with the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge gained as they learn. Teaching and learning in a blended format enables relevant, authentic and timely assessment that is greatly facilitated by the use of online tools, including self-grading, simulation and problem-based approaches, activities that require reflection and peer-review and the electronic delivery of assessment tasks. Drawing on Bloom’s extended taxonomy of cognitive development (Anderson, Krathwohl, & Bloom, 2001) and sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1934) this paper will demonstrate the value of designing and using e-assessments to enhance student learning. Examples will be explored that illustrate some of the benefits to teaching and learning offered by moving toward assessments based in flexible, mobile, collaborative learning technologies."
Please cite as: Owen, H., & Martin, H. (2008 , November 17-19). Using online tools to provide relevant, authentic and timely assessment. Paper presented at the Symposium on Tertiary Assessment and Higher Education Student Outcomes: Policy, Practice, and Research, Rutherford House, Wellington, New Zealand.
I've been making podcasts and vodcasts - a lot from the training sessions that have been underway and Unitec New Zealand. Please feel free to go and listen, watch and comment.
ICT Enhanced learning on Podomatic
This is a link to the ICT Enhanced Wiki that I have put together - partly to demonstrate the sorts of things that you can do with Wikis, and partly to host interesting videos, audio, links and files. Please enjoy.
