Module 7_Activity 11: New Learning Spaces

Transforming the learning environment into a 21st ccentury learning environment and embedding technology into the learning and teaching is an evolutionary process that will take place over time.  The fascinating aspects of this concept is the use of the wide plethora of technological devices to devise new learning stragegies and pedagogy in oder make learning more fun and child centered.

   

Module 7_Activity 9: Learning and Collaboration Online

"In the working world, many employers do expect their employees to solve problems in teams. It only makes sense that multiple minds are better than one. Therefore, I believe instructors who have their students work in teams better prepare them for the working world."

~Brian Goff, RIT Student

 Collaborative learning occurs when students are working together on a common goal for mutual benefit. Collaboration online takes place using a variety of tools which create meeting spaces for students and opens up possibilities for those students to learn wherever they are as they participate in discussions, share ideas and information for assignments and projects as well as offering and receiving feedback and solutions.

Collaboration online may be done in two ways: Synchronously where students work together in real-time or Asynchronously where collaboration takes place over a longer period of time with each member contributing to the group at different times.

Engaging in both types fosters the development of a number of skills such as critical thinking, communication, listening and respecting the ideas, views and opinions of each other as well as problem solving skills. These are skills which can be taken beyond the classroom into the workplace.

 

Module 7_Activity 8: Communicating Online (Reflection)

Communication tools used for learning are or can be powerful and engaging once used properly in the teaching and learning process. They can tremendously enhance communication between student and student;  student and teacher and student and the community beyond the classroom.
These tools capture and hold the attention of studetns and help them to use their literary and creative skills to help create their learning experiences as they use the tools to communciate and share information with  each other not only in their communicty but globally.

For this activity I was involved in  online communication with my group members Jackie, Esther and Vernon. The discussion was  engaging and  I learnt alot as I felt very comfortable to share and to ask questions of everyone. I now have to go back and look at those communicating tools and to see which are the most effective and user friendly ones which I can use with my students.

Module 7_Activity 7: Learning Through Social Media

Sharing PERSONAL EXPERIENCES with SOCIAL MEDIA IN  TEACHING AND LEARNING.

1. Several months ago I was having a class and was introducing a very important topic which I didn't want any of my students to miss. One student was absent and I was told that he had a serious back problem and was bedridden. I  sighed and asked the class what should I do.One student jokingly suggested "Lets skype with him because he have skype". I immediately thought is was a good idea  since I want him to miss the session. So I asked her to call him and asked him if he was willing to and was able to join the class via skype. He consented, she logged  on to her account  and   he was invited into the class from his bed and was able to not only be a part of the class  viewing the  lecture but was able to participate in the discussion being held in the class and making a valuable contribution from his bedroom. This activity was special in that not only was a new form of teaching included and everyone learnt but it brought the class closer together and removed  that barrier between teacher and students. I was so intrigued and  excited that  I, being involved in this CCTI course was able to integrate another aspect of technology into my teaching  and that it was all initiated by a student. I AM EMBRACING AND ADAPTING TO THE CHANGE...

2. As recently as this month several students have been using Whatsapp application on their smart phones to communicate with me while they are doing their assignments. They would begin their work and share  photographs of their work in progress with me at different stages asking me to give feedback as they proceed. I have found this to be very effective in that I am able to see the development of their work and to guide the process so that the end result is the best desired outcome. Also, it allows the students  and myself to use art language and terms thus developing their art vocabulary and understanding of Art and how to critique Art work. Also their literary skills overall are being developed as they write.

As Educators of the 21st Century learners we must continue to adapt our teaching methods to work with the new and emerging technologies. We need to think differently about our Education System and our capabilities and begin to embrace and implement the new changes. Those changes that create a stimulating learning environment which allows students to express their knowledge and to gain new knowledge through creative means. 

 SOCIAL MEDIA is the emerging technology which can be used as an excellent tool to stimulate and facilitate the development of 21st century learning skills (knowledge building, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and communication). 

SOCIAL MEDIA  supports communication and collaboration. It is an avenue for improving teacher-student relationship and communication and it enhances students' engagement and motivation, improve writing and digital media skills and all these are experienced  in the two personal experiences shared above.

Teachers let us join or jump onto the use of Social Media in the classroom Bandwagon. It will sure help to make teaching and learning more exciting and motivating for our students.

Begin to use it in our classrooms