EDUC251

I find this to be a really interesting teaching approach, proposed by Indian educator Sugata Mitra. It's a model of group learning, via computer, with feedback by a benevolent observer. To me, to me this is one of the best examples of the "knowledge constructivist" approaches to teaching and learning. I'll be curious to see what you all think.

This was amazing! So many different things to comment on - from teachers wanting to be closer to city center; to more girls using the computer in remote area than in the urban city; and of course, the experiment itself - leaving a computer and having learning occur - from not only learning the computer, but how to learn English. Thanks for sharing this.

Interesting article about maintaining your online presence.

I think the "game" mentality that seems to exist in all of us, is definitely true for computer scientists. You often hear stories about how secure computers are "hacked" by someone wanting to see if they can do it. I suspect these people have found their way into corporate businesses and can now "play" and see how much they can get, so the stories in this article can be true. It is true our information stays there forever now. I guess we're now all immortal.

Authentic learning is a solid pedagogy approach, no matter the environment. However, two concepts of authentic learning that I feel can be particularly expanded on with the internet and etools are "hooks" and "experts". "Hooks" is what picques and keeps the student's interest and motivation in the activity. With the use of video, games, tools, etc., there are many more ways to do this. "Experts" is being able to bring in subject resources, which on the internet, makes accessibility easy. For my course framework activity, therefore, I expanded on the colon treatment options module. For a hook, I searched YouTube for "colon cancer comedy" videos. There were quite a few actually. I added as a introduction to the module one of these videos - two singing colon surgeons - on colon surgery. For experts, I added references to the National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society on treatment options and survival statistics. I also am having the students connect directly to true cancer experts - patients, caregivers, and survivors. This puts a "face" on the disease, as well as an experience to what it means to have colon cancer. The course framework activity: (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HZKsjzymKk1Bn2gXDt1LOp5gqEsUvOqXE4m-72b8WYw/edit?hl=en#) In my online work experience as a math tutor, hooks are particularly important, as these students would not be in the program if they weren't already performing at a lower math level. Math is not a subject they enjoy. The automated lessons they take, often have "game" quizzes they take and can get immediate feedback on their answers. As an instructor, I try to utilize their life experiences. For example, I might ask them how old they are and then tell them how old I am. I then use these facts to construct subtraction and/or division questions.

"Free Resources and Lesson Plans for Teaching with Technology" You might find some useful activities and tools on this site.

This is an online community for people dealing with colon cancer. It is part of my course framework to have my students participate in the community, as a way to have a personal experience with the disease, as well as obtaining additional infomration. This forum is moderated, for filtering of non-topic posts, such as posts that are really advertisement hooks. You can participate as a guest or by signing-in. As someone who participates/has participated in on-line and in-person support group, both are important for providing support and information at a peer level. One interesting difference, though, based on my observation only, is that anger venting seems more prevalent in the on-line groups. My belief is that this is because when people post they are by themselves and can be more reflective rather than reactive to what is immediately being communicated.

Great additions! I particularly like the introduction.

I tried to share it without the introduction and was questioned about what it was. I think I have a better understanding of collaborative documents, now. You have to have background on the document to invite others in, or it makes no sense :)

I've been asked to join the conversation on this podcast on Friday. It's unscripted and I have no idea what they'll be asking me, but thought I'd share the link for anyone interested.

"SCoPE brings together individuals who share an interest in educational research and practice"

I shared Ann's Google Doc (without asking first, shame on me!) with others, and some folks from the VLC research lab thought it was cool and asked if they could share it with the team. They're looking for the same kind of info Ann's seeking in her document.

Your feedback is always appreciated!

Joined Twitter today! Since I really don't know how to use this, I have emailed Jen to see what her Twitter name is. In case anyone wants to connect mine is : eLearningJoy

I just added you and you've already got some great people talking to you. You can click on them to follow them and reply.

Wonderful! I guess Omar G. isn't one I'll be following!

"Charting the Course of Teaching and Learning in a Networked World" I don't know anything about this community, but I saw it today and thought it might be interesting. Tonight they have a session - "John Seely Brown on The New Culture of Learning."

For Module 5 assignment, I wanted to share a wonderful, collaborative project done with VOICETHREAD (I'm not sure the link is working!)

Jen is this considered a community?

If you click on the forums, you can see this site is still up for historical purposes, but no longer active.

This is my portfolio post for week 5

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_17396167?nclick_check=1 - This is an OpEd piece by David Brooks of the New York Times, which came out this week. "It could be that the nature of technlogical changes is (causing) a shift in values". This is not an opinion about education, but goes to the point about preparing students for the future/present even that assumes technology. Maybe our values are and how we assess things has to evolve, as well.

I truly thought that blog was thought provoking! I absolutely agree about changing values. But, I think that change must come from this generation and what they want for themselves, for their community and for their country. Hopefully they can think that broadly about themselves and the world. I believe they can and do!

Six Facets of Understanding -stage 1 : Identify desired results

I think this is true for many endeavors in life - having goals and knowing what you want to achieve.

I agree with this. We were told to write our immediate goals and long term goals, when I was in the University. I still do this...hoping I have five years or more in front of me. I have too much to do not to.

I have joined this learning community. My membership is still pending. I think this will be a source of valuable information. This one did not cost to join. There was another learning community that cost $45.00 per year. I do not have the funds to do this.

The ability to have specialized communities that are so focused is another faucet of how technology is enabling learning and connection in a way it never has before. This site undrlines for me the evolution of libraries. My personal experience is that King County libraries now allow ebook downloads - to your PC, if you don't have an ebook device - allowing to read something for 30 days.

I have done these downloads and I love them!

I thought it might be fun to write a story about our family reunion. Jen sent info on Storybird and I had to give it a try. Well, I loved it!

For my reference

For my reference

"While no list of apps can ever be complete, these are the apps that were demoed at OETC's ITSC conference in Portland, Oregon in February of 2011."

It would have been great to see these demoed to see what would work. The number of them and many of the topics seem like they'd be very helpful tools. Technology is really changing - and quickly - how we do things. Not education related, but to that point, was an app recently demoed that can be a heart monitor - there is a special metallic interface between the iPod/iPhone and the person. Really amazing and revolutionizing!