Written on 20:25 by Unknown
Marc Prensky
Marc is one of my digital legends/heroes.
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, and innovator in the field of education and learning. He offers deep experience and insight into educating today’s youth and into using technology — including social media, virtual worlds, programming, games and apps — in powerful ways for learning.
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Written on 20:59 by Unknown
3 Levels Of Blended Learning
Blended learning is a term that is thrown around a lot in e-learning these days. Teachers may see it as an effective pedagogy for delivery wheras many others see it as this cool approach that is fashionable and the 'hip' way to learn today. Perhaps they are both right but I believe that blended learning is not really that new but has the potential to provide a grewt opportunity to support a learners educational journey. Ever since technology has invaded the home from the humble radio to fibre optic Internet there has been an opportunity to explore a blended approach. How often would you watch or hear something at home from one of these technologies and then continue a discussion at school or work the next day?
This has been made much easier by the accessibility that is brought from the Internet as well as the advancement of new online technologies such as Web 2.0. So blended learning can be summed up as a combination of technology or online assisted learning supported by traditional face to face methods or a way to digitise the learning environment.
I consider that there can be three levels of blended learning
1. Integrating technology in lessons
This approach is very basic but considers Learners using a range of online or technology resources within traditional tasks to help develop learning and in some cases help provide evidence for assessment. On a basic level this is digitising the learning and requires more teacher direction and little reliance on learners taking a lead. It can include using certain websites as a vehicle for traditional tasks such as discussions or brainstorming or using digital cameras within teamwork activities.
2. Using online technology to teach and assess
With this level teachers sre expected to deliver most learning within the classroom which is supported by online materials to extend and in some cases assess the learning. This can be done using a VLE or even encouraging learenrs to use blogs or social media. This is the middle ground where there is less reliance on self driven learners but still offers a range of support for learners outside the classroom.
3. Flipped classroom approach
This is where the majority of the learning is done online in pre prepared activities from the tutor. The theories and knowledge can be delivered by video lectures, assignments, revision tasks etc which would lay the foundation for the follow up practical session. In this way the tutor can spend more time in the session providing formative support and can differentiate easier offering greater opportunity for stretch and challenge of learners. This model requires a tutor that can meet the learner needs in a competent way and learners that are very self driven.
Blended Learning can be used very effectively to support and drive learners forward and with these levels, can be implemented quite easily. I would expect higher level learners to have more input and ownership by level 3 but perhaps also the levels can be considered as a stepped approach to find where your learner are best situated.
Posted in
Blended learning,
e-learning,
Technology
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Written on 20:58 by Unknown
So anyone who is reading this must have an idea about e-learning and thus perception is a defining factor when discussing this and being able to agree. Electronic learning has many formats. It's online, technology based, computer based, interactive and creative amongst many others. In my jobs over the years I have chatted to many people about the uses and benefits of e-learning. It's interesting to hear other people's views on what e-learning is and I am still not surprised that some people I have spoken to over the years consider it just to be some sort of online course or just a Virtual Learning Environment. Also some educationalists i have spoken to consider it boring and not appropriate for their Learners. Who am I to tell them that they are wrong but I would urge these people to hold conversations with their Learners to see if these assumptions are founded. After all a teachers job is to meet a learners needs and in the most effective and sometimes efficient way possible. But i am concerned that some people have never considered e-learning, e-assessment or e-teaching as justifiable methods for teaching and learning. I wonder how many of these people use some form of technology in their everyday life?
When I go to conferences or training events I get great opportunities to share in the good e-learning practice of others. What I can tell you is that these experiences are rich and diverse and showcase a broad range of e-learning practice. Seriously go out there and check them out to make up your own mind. Very rarely do I see just presentations about 'online courses' or projects centred around e-learning that did not have some learner impact. It's interesting to speak to these people as they can help you make up your own mind. Never have I had an idea forced on me nor have I been told 'this' is the only way. Instead I meet passionate, creative and forward thinking people that openly share their experiences and ask for nothing in return. Oh and they share their failings too in a bid to help others learn from their mistakes. They are essentially 'open source techies' that are willing to 'beta' test e-learning and then share the good practice. I am proud to be involved with such people and know the future of electronic learning is safe in their hands.
So what about jam? I love analogies so what I really want to say is these people and the e-learning they practice and deliver is the 'Jam' in the education sandwich. Its the filling that makes it all worthwhile. Jam comes in many varieties and flavours, colours and textures. Some of us prefer Strawberry others Raspberry and some people even like Pineapple jam! This is the same for learners too, and we need to accommodate their tastes if we hope to deliver effective learning. Give them a menu and see what happens!
So next time you talk to someone who has fixed views on how e-learning doesn't work stop them and ask what type of jam their learners eat and perhaps you can persuade them to question their perceptions.
Posted in
education,
elearning,
jam,
Technology Education
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