Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Synopsis

Throughout this synopsis I endeavour to provide an insight on how information communication and technology (ICT’s) can be used to transform, engage, facilitate, support and enhance learning at school regardless of the context. I have investigated a range of e-learning tools and blogged about my findings. Throughout this synopsis I will refer back to my blog and comments made to me and from peers to help support what I am saying. A direct connection will also be made to the style of learning that best suits the e-learning tools. As future learning managers and residents of the 21st century and the digital age our view is often to work faster but throughout this synopsis the Big 6 (2001) view will be taken with the aim to use these e-learning tools to work smarter not necessarily faster (Eisenberg, 2001).

The following tools will be explored: Prezi used for presentation of a product, Google Earth to demonstrate knowledge acquisition, Wiki to show use of knowledge integration and blogs to extend and refine knowledge.

After reading and being apart of a posting on the Managing E-Learning forum it allowed me to develop a greater insight into what Prezi can offer. My first thoughts were that it was a similar and new version of a Powerpoint. After being part of collaborative learning, offered by the use of a forum, I was able to gain an insight into how other people viewed this tool in a similar context. This lead to me having a deeper understanding and being directed to links to further my learning.

In a classroom context Prezi can be used by the teacher and or students for the purpose of instruction, presenting, stimulus for a lesson or topic, evaluating and reflecting.

There are some clear benefits to using Prezi as a presenting/teaching tool. Its methodology is supported by the cognitivist learning theory, as it allows information to be displayed in sections, which supports information to be transferred to long term memory (Good and Brophy, 1990). In addition, Prezi appeals to visual and spatial learners as images and text appear on the screen in an animated way (Silverman, 2010).

A Prezi presentation is not so effective if it runs for too long as it may become a distraction rather than a learning tool. After viewing a sample Prezi presentation that went for 7 minutes, I found myself following the direction and position of the text and images rather than taking in the content of the presentation. Depending on the age and type of learners would depend how long the Prezi should run for. I would aim for a presentation that is straight to the point to avoid losing the interest of the cohort. I would also ensure the information is displayed differently throughout the presentation to keep the audience engaged.

To engage students with Prezi, they could be asked to construct a presentation as part of a formative or summative task. This could be a group task to incorporate collaborative learning so the students have to work together and overcome issues to best achieve the task and provide opportunities for them to trouble shoot and learn from each other (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999).

Prezi could be an alternate and interesting way of interactively introducing myself as the student teacher or new learning manager which I would like to trial. This link takes you to a blog posting which shows a screen shot of me creating my first prezi and a PMI analysis expanding on how Prezi could be used in the classroom.


Google Earth is a virtual globe accessed via the internet and satellites that makes images of parts of the world including your own house, maps and astronomical and ocean images available (Google Earth, 2010). Google Earth is a tool that has an interdisciplinary approach in the classroom. It can be used for a range of purposes across all key learning areas.


This tool appeals to kinaesthetic and visual learners, as they can manually explore and discover information (Gardner, 1993). It is visually displayed on your screen and you control the outcome.

Using this e-learning tool helps make learning meaningful and relevant for the students. It is giving students a real life example. For instance if students were learning about another country or culture, they can actually bring it up on screen and see what it looks like, explore it and get an insight into what it may be like there. It allows students to connect to the real world and enhance their learning.

Google Earth is supported by the constructivists learning theory and knowledge acquisition if used according to a set criteria or purpose (Jonnassen & McAlleese, n.d). For example when the students are using this tool they might be following a list of things to do that are relevant to the topic they are learning about. The students might be doing a topic about themselves, so for an introductory lesson using Google Earth they could take a screen shot of their home, then they could find the location of where they have been on a holiday. They might answer questions like: What looks the same? What has changed? What is the population of your hometown? What oceans surround your town or state?

As this tool has a real life aspect and endless uses it helps to engage and keep the students engaged. Prensky (2005) noted that there are real challenges and decisions to be made when planning how to teach in the 21st century. Using a tool such as Google Earth that has a good reputation and that is often used recreationally allows the learning manager the edge when teaching. When I have observed Google Earth used in the classroom the general consensuses from students is they want to use this tool, it is interesting, fun, it does not feel like learning and they want to share their findings with peers and family when they get home. When using this tool the main problem is to ensure students remain on task. A way of ensuring this is to limit the temptation to self explore, allow time at the beginning of the lesson for this time, so that they can focus on the learning when it is time.

There are many possible uses of Google Earth and it is up to the learning manager to find imaginative ways to utilise this tool to its full potential. Google does offer an education page which gives ideas on lessons and tips on how to use this tool for those that may not be confident in using this tool or incorporating it into the curriculum. I have used my blog as a way to expand on ideas of how to use Google Earth in the classroom. I have invited my followers to think outside the square and come up with real life ways of incorporating the use of Google Earth into the curriculum and ways of utilising this tool to work smarter and to get to that higher order thinking level. By clicking here you will be taken to what we have come up with so far.


Another e-learning tool is a Wiki which allows for collaborative knowledge creation and integration. This type of website allows new information to be added to existing information which leads to a decision on how the new and existing information interact (McInerney & McInerney, 2006). For example, this term I have been involved in two group assignments. As we all live in different areas and have different information and ideas on the topic we are covering, we set up a Wiki after learning about it in this subject. This Wiki has been used to add relevant research and presentation ideas in the one spot. We then went through all the information and could add, swap, delete and move the information to make it relevant and fit with our presentation. It then provided everybody access to the one lot of information to ensure we were all on the same and right track. This is a good example of using a Wiki to work through the Big6 skills to problem solve and to work smarter (Eisenberg, 2001). This concept can be transferred into the classroom and incorporated into group work and research. This link will take you to more ideas on how Wikis can be used in the classroom.

This tool encourages the learning manager, students and parents to transform the way in which they think learning, teaching and communicating is done. Using a class Wiki allows unlimited access to the content, as long as there is internet access and students/parents have permission to add to the Wiki. This allows for flexibility in the classroom and for students to share information with a wider audience. The teacher can upload notices for parents, student homework and students can share their work and ideas on the Wiki. Therefore students, school staff and parents can stay informed wherever they are. From the perspective of a parent who works full time and is not involved in the school much, it enhances their knowledge and involvement in what their child is doing at school.

Using and contributing to a Wiki is collaborative work. This means appropriate scaffolding will need to occur in order for the members to be able to appropriately use and add to the Wiki (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999). It also means that what appears on the Wiki needs to be safe and relevant. If student work is being displayed on the Wiki it may encourage the student to take more time and pride in their work as they know it will be on show to to a wider audience can view it.


The final tool being discussed in this synopsis is the blog. A blog is an on-line entry and comment based form of communicating. It is the mode in which I have communicated this synopsis. In the context of the classroom it is incorporating a modern tool to facilitate students, staff and parents to be reflective and exchange information, ideas and views. A blog is a way to extend knowledge beyond the classroom. It allows a broad range of information and perspectives to be shared which can lead to refining one’s own knowledge. This process that Marzano and Pickering (2006) call “refining knowledge” is an important way for students to remember new information, refine what they know and gain deeper understandings.

According to Vygotsky constructivism learning theory support the approach to learning that a blog can offer, as it is learning through social interaction (Merrill, 1991). Participating in a blog is a social practice and therefore engages students. Students in this generation have become accustomed to a certain amount of stimulating activity and are spending more of their time on-line. Using a blog allows the learning manager to enhance an on-line tool for learning purposes and give students the time and skills they require on-line (Prensky, 2005).

As I have learnt firsthand through constructing my own blog for this course, students can learn from each other in a collaborative way using this type of e-learning tool, for an example click here. Students could start a blog of their own learning journey or for a particular task. The learning manager could set guidelines to ensure postings are appropriate and happen regularly. In order for it to be collaborative and learn from each other, a student needs to engage in other people’s blogs and make comments to stimulate the conversation and get to the higher level of thinking (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999).

Safe practices and netiquette would need to be understood and moderated by learning managers. Accessing the appropriate policies and standards will ensure the most up to date safe practices are being used. This information needs to be transferred to students and families to ensure appropriate behaviour is happening when on-line. Another thing to take into account is that in some schools there may be limited access to these sort of websites on the school network. An earlier blog comment will list and explain more about this.


This synopsis has outlined how ICT’s can be used to transform, engage, facilitate, support and enhance learning at school in the 21st century. Adopting the use of these tools helps support different learning styles and allows students to develop skills and knowledge of ICT and internet based tools that will help move them towards the digital age. As a learning manager it also provides a range of alternate resources to use when presenting information and when wanting the students to acquire, integrate, extend and refine knowledge.

B

References
Eisenberg, M. (2001). Big6 Skills Overview.

Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

Good, T. L., Brophy, J. E. (1990). Educational psychology: A realistic approach. (4th ed.).White Plains, NY: Longman

Google Earth. (2010). Google Earth for Educators. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from Google Earth:
http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/Home

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning.

Jonassen, D. H., McAleese, T.M.R. (Undated). A Manifesto for a constructivist approach to technology in higher education. [Last Retrieved December 12, 2005]. http://apu.gcal.ac.uk/clti/papers/TMPaper11.html

Marzano, R. J., & Pickering, D. J. (2006). Dimensions of learning. Heatherton: Hawker Brownlow Education.

McInerney, D. M., & McInerney. (2006). Educational Psychology Constructing Learning. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.

Merrill, M. D. (1991). Constructivism and instructional design. Educational Technology, May, 45-53

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Vol 9, No 5 .

Prensky, M. (2005). Engage or enrage me - what learners of today demand. Retrieved July 23, 2010, from EDUCAUSE review:
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0553.pdf

Silverman, L. (2010). Visual-Spatial Learners. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from Gifted Development Centre: http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Visual_Spatial_Learner/vsl.htm


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Achors

Has anybody had a go at using anchors in their blog to link back to other posts?

I have attempted with the help of the notes from our lecturer but still can not seem to get it to work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

B

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Images




Useful learning resource - image used as stimulus for topic about force. Image retrieved from www.flickr.com







Image from personal collection that I have resized to be able to upload onto this blog. I also cropped a bystander out of this image.




Using picresize.com to change the size of an image, crop it, add effects and choose how you want it saved.

Having people around me that know how to resize images and are generally tech savy is great but it also made me reliant on them. Instead of learning for myself I find myself just getting someone else to do it for me. But by having to resize images for the purpose of this task, it gave me a reason to do it myself...and how easy is it!

After attempting to use the recommended site and not being able to access it I searched for other similar sites. I did not realise how many sites there were on-line that do this for you as well, one that I found really user friendly was called pic resize. I especially liked this site because it was free and you did not have to sign up as a member. You simply upload any or multiple images you want to adjust, choose how you want to adjust them and hit the complete button. Then you can preview it, re-adjust, publish it straight onto a website, email it, save it or upload more images.
I also utilise paint to save something as a jpeg, it has been the quickest and most efficient way to save the screen shots I have been taking in order to upload them to this blog.


Images I find are a great way to start a lesson or to get students to think outside the square and develop higher order thinking. Images are also a nice way to share information. When students have input and ownership in presenting and displaying things they seem to take more pride and their peers are more engaged as it is relevant and they can relate it to something.

Pod/Vodcasts are yet another way to communicate, share and present anything we want to. In a classroom context podcasts allow you to embed or save them so you do not have to view them live, which prevents the risk of exposing students to unappropriate content and needing internet access or having to wait for it to download. It also allows you to view/listen to these casts anywhere as they can be downloaded to your ipod or mp3 player. For homework you could have students listen to or view a podcast on your particular unit. For example you can have them watch the latest Behind the News episode and complete a comprehension activity relating to it or then have them make their own podcast reflecting on the main stories and what impacted them, the possibilities are endless.
I though was unable to create my own podcast or I do not have the appropriate resources to be able to. Therefore this is something that needs to be taken into account when setting such things for homework, not everybody had a microphone for example.

I also like having access to podcasts as it means I do not have to be home to view a particular show or to listen to what I want to at a certain time, I can just download it and view it at my convenience and then listen to it on the run while travelling instead of wasting time on the couch.

I encourage you to search through what is available and download something that may interest you. Experience the convenience!

B

RSS

Ok so as someone who is a bit time poor at the moment I did not allow myself to spend too much time exploring this feature as I know myself and knew that I would end up wasting a lot of time finding things that may interest me and end up being sucked in and following them regularly!

However I can definatley see the benefit of such a tool. It is like having a favourites for your websites or a bookshelf full of the books you want to read, this application allows you to save time and have all the info come to you.

When I am a learning manager, this tool will allow me to find what I am looking for or an educator, author or a leader in a topic I am covering and receive all the latest info without having to search and be able to view it at my pleasure.

I used Google Reader to set up my RSS Reader and when I have the time to wander and explore, I will go back and start following!

B

Saturday, July 17, 2010

DID YOU KNOW - Dr Howie DiBlasi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRRKiRYzA_o

Above is a link to a youtube I discovered that I highly recommend us (as future learning managers) view. It is very powerful and gives insight into moving towards the 21st century as teachers and people of society. It is American based but the key points can be transferred to anybody no matter where they are located.

Please watch it (runs for aprox 9min) and comment wht your thoughts are after viewing it.

I felt empowered and that I have an obligation as a learning manager to give my students the best possible opportunities to learn and be ready for the real world, it is upto me how I prepare them, so why not to it properly!

Check it out.

B

Friday, July 16, 2010

More on Prezi

Ok So I have learnt that you can not upload photos in blog comments, just on blog posts. I have been discussing Prezi under the post heading, 'Powerpoint' but this pic is a screen shot of me creating my first Prezi!
I have also used the PMI analysis to review the use of Prezi in the classroom for presenting.
Plus
-Interactive
-Can be used to zoom in on an image or diagram, such as particular parts of the human body.
-Digital way of creating and presenting a mind map and diagrams.
-Easy to embed and show a youtube.
-Stimulus for a topic, present what will be learnt and what needs to be done.
-Have a vocab wall running while the students are working that they can refer to.
-Way of introducing yourself.
-Used for reflecting.
-Provides help for you to use the tool.
-Provides another presentation option for students to use.
-Caters for visual and spatial learners.
Minus
-Like anything it needs to be balanced, do not over use this tool or it will not be as effective.
-School may not have access to this program.
-Could become a distraction because of the movement and direction of content.
-Found it tricky to upload sound to cater for auditor learners as well.
-Time consuming to create, need internet access.
Interesting
-Should not be used entirely instead of powerpoint as they both offer different things and have pros and cons, use each tool where and when appropriate.
-It is on-line, can be viewed by anyone.
-Best displayed on an interactive whiteboard or projector, not all classes may have these.
B

Friday, July 9, 2010

Google Earth & Maps


Anything Google is sure to spark interest in the classroom. When the students are using google earth & maps, they don't even think of it as learning because it is interactive, fun, meaningful to them and allows you to explore.

I did not realise that Google offered an educational site targeted towards teachers to give ideas and information for use in the classroom. This is a fantastic tool, it even has lesson plans and tuturials if you are unsure.

Exploring this tool has made me think outside the square. Google Earth offers a lot more than just locating a town and showing a live visual representation, in a classroom you could explore:


  • effects of natural disasters

  • geography

  • animal kingdom

  • earthquakes

  • climate change & global warming

  • maps

  • own town/house

  • how google offers this service

  • astronomy

  • growth of cities

  • other areas of the world

  • maths and scale

  • flight simulation

  • 3D buildings

  • Oceans

Google maps is very similar to earth but you do not have to download specific software to use this application, so it maybe more user friendly in a school.

As a learning manager I would even let the students lead this topic and decide what they want to investigate using earth or maps as a main tool, they may come up with something exciting and different that you would not have thought of but possible due to using such technology.

Go, look up your house and see what you find!

B

Animations and Stimulations

Wow! Even as an adult you can get sucked into these things and before you know it...time has passed by!
As a learning manager it is important to choose these tools wisely and that they have a purpose.
Having the curriculum exchange takes a lot of the hard work out as a teacher and allows a refined search to be taken place. You know the things on the site are safe and secure for use in a classroom. It allows you to save time on researching and finding such things, a great site to have access to.
These sort of animations and stimulations are good hooks to engage the learners and good to break up work. As this generation of students are use to having interactive stimulation, a purposeful and topic related learning object combined with the general content of the topic is a good balance for student and teacher.
B

Movie Maker


In a classroom context how can you use video to create, present, communicate, summarise or evaluate?

  • To make a video you have to go through each of the above steps in order to complete it.


  • Have students present homemade video for show & tell instead of talking infront of class.


  • Set a task/topic, have students plan and create the video to present to class then evaluate the movie afterwards.


  • Make and send movies to pen pals.


  • Introduce yourself using a movie.


  • Re-inact a scene or movie, then review the movie making process and compare the two movies.

I used the microsoft movie maker. The screen shot above is when I was using this program to make a quick slide show movie for a presentation of images. After playing a bit I decided to use powerpoint to best display the images as the presentation we are using is already using powerpoint, it just makes it easy to only have to open one program when performing infront of an audience. Also when using images, you really do need to make sure they are good quality and big enough to best produce a quality movie.

I did however quite enjoy fiddling around with the different apps in the movie maker process. I could see that children qould really enjoy making a movie. If it could be incorporated into what they are learning about and used as a way to document their learning or present their information it would also provide their peers something they could engage with.

B

Powerpoint


Benefits of using a powerpoint presentation in a classroom (if correctly made):
  • Engaging for students.


  • Interactive.


  • Short, sharp facts.


  • Holds student attention through appropriate use of graphics, sound effects, music and video clips.

Using powerpoint as part of your pedogogy allows for students to become workplace ready and familiar with presentation tools that they will use for life or be able to transfer to other programs.

This prac I used an interactive powerpoint with lots of photos, music and dot points to introduce myself as a student teacher in their class. I found it was a better way of introducing myself rather than just talking. I found that the students were engaged and remembered what was in the powerpoint, therefore meaning that they had a clear idea of who I was and what I was doing in their classroom right from the start.

B

Website


http://jessbreanna.weebly.com/ (my website created using weebly-as I had no purpose for a site at the moment, this was just created for the purpose to be able to know how to upload a pic, make new pages and add titles etc, so the content is not there but it shows I know how to make one)

Using weebly to create a website was very user friendly and free!

In a classroom context this site could easily be used by students. If they are quite tech savy they may become a bit frustrated with the limiatations and set templates it has but as a basic starting point it is a good site to use.

A student created website provides another option for the student to present information or for the learning manager to set a task. The student can continue to check the website to gather information on the task they are completing. As a learning manager it is a way of integrating ICT into a summative task.

Being a tech savy learning manager allows for your class to grow and learn together in a highly growing economy and provides greater opportunity for them to expand their on-line and computer skills.

B

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Wiki


http://melassignment.wikispaces.com/ (wiki I started to create ) http://alyboyce.wikispaces.com/ (wiki we actually used for group presentations)

A blog is like an on-line diary/journal and is operated and added to by the author. The owner of the blog can determine the audience and followers of the blog can post comments. A wiki can be added to by anyone, it is an on-line editable website. The most commonly known wiki would have to be wikipedia.

Designing a wiki reminded me of designing a webquest, quite similar.

The idea behind a wiki is great. It would be so good being able to access a 'uni based wiki' that focuses on our assignments. One topic/question that includes ideas, answers and information from people that can help, often talking in a similar language that makes it easy to understand and very useful.

In a school classroom context I can see the benefit of a wiki but as with all wikis the information that is published needs to be accurate. Some ways a Wiki may be used in the classroom are:
-For group projects.
-Reading groups and reviews.
-Presenting work for peers to review and give feedback on.
-Glossary/word walls.
-Exam revision.
-Study guides.
-Organising ideas.
-Virtual field trips.
-Giving and displaying teacher instructions.
-Offering information to parents, providing school notices etc.
-Reflecting on and showcasing work
More ideas can be found by visiting the Smart Teacher website and viewing the article, 50 ways to use wikis for a more collaborative and interactive classroom, (2008).

Wikis in an educational context are starting to be recognised as having potential in leading the way into a knowledge economy and becoming lifelong learners (Grant, L; Using Wikis in a School:a case study; (2006); retrieved from http://rhazen.edublogs.org/files/2008/01/wikis_in_schools_futurelab.pdf on 10/07/10). Having a class wiki could help bring the students close together as a cummunity. They are all working together to build a website full of information. As a teacher it would be important to know your students as some maybe immigrants to this concept and to the use of computers/internet. Therefore scaffolded learning would need to take place for this tool to be used successfully in the classroom, which also means as a learning manager your skills would have to be upto scratch.
B

Mind Mapping


A very simple to use on-line tool to organise information. i must say, having instructions and web addresses does take a lot of the hard work out of finding these tools.
Concept/mind mapping, bubbles, clouds what ever they are called in your class, this tool can be used to create them on-line. It produces a professional end result and you can change the colour and layout to suit you.
Simple and easy, I like it!
B

Blogs

I have created my first blog!

I found the creation process quite self explainatory, once I knew what site to use. I have never used a blog before as have preferred to just bulk email the people I wish to contact but I can see the benefit of blogging. My only reservation would be that it needs to be private and only available to the people I allow.

A blog is a one stop place, you publish what needs publishing and then you are done. You do not have to worry about sending it to seperate people or re-writing things, you only have to do it once and make sure the people you wish to follow your blog are receiving it.

In a school context I can see the benefit and some downfalls of using a blog in a classroom.

Creating a class blog is a way of capturing the interests of the students, it is on-line and getting updated often which captivates them. In order for it to be successful, strict rules need to be enforced. The teacher would have to monitor the posting and address any inappropriate postings. As well as the members of the class, I would open it up to the school community and parents of the students but not to the public. Instead of the students being on or wanting to check their facebook or twitter, they would move towards checking and participating in their school blog. In order for it to work well, it does need to be updated often with information that is relevant to the audience and that will spark conversation.

When seetting up a class blog I would profile and survey the audience to find out what they would like to read about on the blog. Therefore it would consist of relevant and informative data that keeps the students coming back and adding posts.

From a students point of view, it could really help with their learning. If someone is struggling with an aspect of their work, they can blog about it and their peers can post back to help not only the student that published their problem but also the ones that did not publish the problem but may also need help or benefit from an idea.

With their being millions and millions of blogs being created and followed in the world and even educational blogs available on secure and private sites such as The Learning Place, it is another form of communicating in the 21st century which is easy to use and easy to follow. As a learning manager this tool of communication should be considered if it fits with your intended audience and purpose (save paper and sending notes home, just blog about what you want them to know!)

B

PS- Information on on-line safety can be found in the third comment.

21st Century Learners

As time goes on I believe parents, education facilities and kids are heading to a place that is quite unkown for all.
Technology is moving at such a rapid speed, who can keep up?
As teachers we are expected to entertain, engage and educate students but this is no easy task for the generation of students we will be teaching. They have certain expectations and their own definition as to what it means to be entertained, engaged and educated and we as teachers are the ones who are having to conform.
After reading the article, Engage or Enrage Me, Prensky, (2005) it highlighted to me there are real challenges and decisions to be made when planning how to teach in the 21st century.
My first thoughts were, yes kids these days expect flashing lights, cool graphics and interactive games in order to pay attention but then I thought, hang on, what about years ago when all this stuff wasn't about, kids were just happy to hang out, use their creativity and PLAY not just be sucked into a screen.

I think like with everything there needs to be a balance.

This article also pointed out to me that this generation of kids can stay on task and engaged in something. As we know it is often a struggle to get them off msn, their ds or ipod but why and what is it that makes them turn off in a classroom?
On a computer they can be downloading music, bidding on something on ebay, uploading photos on their facebook page, googling something, listening to their ipod and watching tv and this is just normal but ask them to copy what is written on the whiteboard in silence or complete a comprehension sheet while listening to audio and they struggle to do it.
Is it their attitude towards learning or school, the tools used when teaching and learning, the person informing the learning or because it isn't stimulating and interactive enough for what they have become accustomed too............

I am about to learn and engage is some new elearning tools that I hope will aid in my delivery as a learning manager and help keep those kids stimulated...so stay tuned to find out what tools i'm discovering!

B

The beggining

Hi there
My name is Breanna and I will be adding to this blog regulary, mainly for the purpose of a uni assignment focused on elearning tools. I do hope to learn some personal technological things along the way both for myself and for the classroom.
At the moment my head is still a bit overwhelmed and spinning with information. First week back at uni and it was information overload!
Each different subject is going through my head and slightly getting mixed together with the others. For example, Ensuring Student Success discussed the option of taking away the option of failure when completing work at school. This got me thinking, if I could complete each activity in this course and continue to blog about my learning without having to conform to a criteria sheet, I think I would enjoy it a lot more and learn a lot more because I could step outside the box and not be afraid of failing and really embrace it.
So that's my welcome over and done with and now it is time to get back to the books!
B