AssessmentThere were four components of the assessment process for this
test case of the Networked Student Model: (1) Ongoing performance
assessment in the form of weekly assignments to facilitate the construction and
maintenance of the personal learning environment, (2) rubric-based assessment of
the personal learning environment at the end of the project, (3) written essay,
and (4) multimedia synthesis of topic content.
Points were earned for meeting the following requirements:
Identify ten reliable resources and post to social bookmarking account. At
least three new resources should be added each week.
Subscribe and respond to at least 3 new blogs each week. Follow these blogs
and news alerts using the reader.
Subscribe to and listen to at least two podcasts (if available).
Respectfully contact and request a video conference from a subject matter
expert recognised in the field.
Maintain daily notes and highlight resources as needed in digital notebook.
Post at least a one-paragraph reflection in personal blog each day.
At the end of the project, the personal learning environment was
assessed with a rubric that encompassed each of the items listed above.
The student's ability to synthesise the research was further evaluated with a
reflective essay. Writing shapes thinking (Langer & Applebee, 1987), and the
essay requirement was one more avenue through which the students demonstrated
higher order learning. The personal blog provided an opportunity for regular
reflection during the course of the project. The essay was the culmination of
the reflections along with a thoughtful synthesis of the learning experience.
Students were instructed to articulate what was learned about the selected topic
and why others should care or be concerned. The essay provided an overview of
everything learned about the contemporary issue. It was well organised,
detailed, and long enough to serve as a resource for others who wished to learn
from the work. As part of a final exam, the students were required to access the
final projects of their classmates and reflect on what they learned from this
exposure. The purpose of this activity was to give the students an additional
opportunity to share and learn from each other.
Creativity is considered a key 21st century skill (Partnership for 21st
Century Skills, 2009). A number of emerging web applications support the
academic creative process. Students in this project used web tools to combine
text, video, audio, and photographs to teach the research topics to others. The
final multimedia project was posted or embedded on the student's personal wiki
page.
Analysis and assessment of student work was facilitated by the very
technologies in use by the students. In order to follow their progress, the
teacher simply subscribed to student social bookmarking accounts, readers, and
blogs. Clicking through daily contributions was relatively quick and efficient.
Nigel Coutts on 03 Nov 20Two resources that might appeal to educators pondering the future.
shahanahussain on 09 Dec 24Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been described by the Harvard Business Review as a paradigm-shifting concept, transforming how we approach personal and professional development. Recognising its profound impact, UNICEF advocates for the incorporation of EI from an early age, believing that fostering these skills in children helps them grow into balanced individuals. By equipping young people with the ability to manage their emotions and navigate challenges rationally, EI sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthier relationships, improved decision-making, and emotional resilience. Significance of EI The positive impact of EI on education is clear. Students with well-developed EI skills tend to perform better academically, as they are more focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of challenges. EI also enhances social interactions, enabling students to build stronger relationships with peers and teachers. More importantly, it supports emotional well-being by helping students manage stress, cope with setbacks, and navigate conflicts with maturity and understanding. A student with high emotional intelligence is not only equipped to handle academic pressure but also prepared to deal with life's ups and downs. These skills are invaluable, especially in a world that increasingly values emotional well-being alongside intellectual achievement. For instance, Indian schools in Dubai are recognising the importance of EI, offering programs that nurture emotional growth alongside academic learning, creating well-rounded individuals prepared for the future. Integrating EI into the Curriculum For EI to truly benefit students, it must be woven into the fabric of the school curriculum. While academic subjects like mathematics and science are crucial, it's equally important to incorporate emotional intelligence into daily lessons. Schools can include activities such as role-playing exercises, group discussions, and mindfulness practices that help students build empathy,
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