Synopsis

We are living in a new world, where the development of new communication technologies, the globalisation of economies and changes to world cultures are resulting in adaptations in the ways in which we live and work. (Queensland, Literate Futures Project, 2002). A rise in the availability and accessibility of knowledge and an increase in globalisation have resulted in the creation of a knowledge economy. With this new knowledge economy, the traditional skills and teaching practices are becoming increasingly obsolete, not able to equip students with the skills that they will require to navigate through life (Houghton & Sheehen, 2000).

When I attended school the majority of my lessons were based on the traditional chalk and talk method, occasionally we would watch an educational movie but the extent of ICT usage within the classroom was very limited. However, in modern times as learning managers, it is imperative that we supply our students with the skills and competencies that are required for them to progress through life in the knowledge economy. Skills such as the selection and efficient use of information, collaboration, problem solving, critical or higher order thinking and putting knowledge into practice in different and unique situations are becoming more important (Houghton & Sheehen, 2000 & Heath, 2001). We are seeing a shift from focusing on what students know or can retain to how they are able to utilise this knowledge and/or skills they have developed in different contexts in everyday life (Smith, Lynch, & Mienczakowski, 2003). ICT’s offer a way in which we can deliver all this and more to our students.

Through this course I have been introduced to a wide variety of different ICT’s, some of which I had used before and some which I had not. My embedded professional learning has allowed me the opportunity to observe and interact with students in the classroom, to better understand how students best learn and are engaged in a learning experience. I have been able to discuss the potential and current use of ICT's as a platform for students engagement in a learning experience with colleagues and my mentor teachers and had the opportunity to integrate ICT's into learning experiences which I have carried out.


Some of the technologies I have investigated and discussed their potential to enhance student learning and their effectiveness and efficiency in the classroom are blogs, wiki’s, PowerPoint, iPods, animations, video, interactive whiteboards, desk cameras and avatars. I have been fortunate enough to have also utilised a few of these technologies in the classroom to get first hand experience. Further information and discussions relating to their integration and effectiveness in the classroom for each of these ICT’s can be found in my blog postings.


The engagement theory suggested by Kearsley & Shneiderman (1999), is based on the concept that learning experiences which emphasise collaborative efforts which are project based and with a non-academic focus will result in learning that is creative, meaningful and authentic (Kearsley & Shneiderman,1999). A mixture of ICT’s could be used in order to facilitate this type of learning and engage students. For example, students could collaborate between each other, the teacher and other representatives through online blogs or wiki’s. Students define their own topic within a given context to result in a more student centred learning approach and finally, the students are able to present or “sell” their project to stakeholders using a variety of ICT technologies such as the interactive whiteboards, PowerPoint, desk cameras, videos and animations, individually or with different technologies embed within a larger presentation.


Active learning follows on from the engagement theory in that it promotes learning that is effective and efficient through inputs from a variety of sources and senses, the interaction or collaboration with other people and/or resources and the production of a solution or a response. Dale’s cone is often used to measure the effectiveness of learning according to the media involved. ICT’s offer a wide range of resources to facilitate the different styles of media. When I develop a learning experience I attempt to incorporate a variety of different media styles so that I am catering for different learning types and therefore increasing the effectiveness of the learning. An example of a learning experience which I recently carried out that integrated a variety of ICT’s and media styles was for a year 11 Multi-strand class. I integrated the use of visual and verbal learning through a PowerPoint display which had notes, pictures and animations. I also used the desk camera in the class to demonstrate part of the lesson so all the students were able to see. This lesson could have been further improved or more effective if I had included a video or hands on activity where the students were required to suggest a solution to a relevant problem like global warming, which I could have used ICT’s to facilitate.


Problem based learning aims to put students in the role of problem solvers, using real-life situations, which helps to develop higher order thinking, disciplinary knowledge bases and skills which can be used in a variety of contexts. Reflection of a task is a type of higher order thinking and as such blogs could be utilised to develop student’s critical analysis and reflection abilities.


An encompassing factor that I found was that ICT’s all have elements and the potential to enhance engagement, active learning and problem based learning through the facilitation and scaffolding of learning. However, while the potential of these technologies is phenomenal, often in the classroom it stays as potential. Without teachers who are innovative, creative and have the ability to utilise these technologies this potential is wasted. Teachers also need to have access to the resources, interactive white boards may be amazing pieces of technology with the power to revolutionise the modern classroom, but without access to these teachers are without the opportunities to integrate this technology into their learning experiences. We also need to be aware as teachers of social-economic diversity and not simply assume all students have access to a computer or the internet for tasks set outside the classroom.

As learning managers it is our duty to provide learning experiences for students which develop higher order thinking, focus on application rather than regurgitation, which are authentic and relevant, are student centred and which are engaging to all students. ICT’s are a great way to facilitate and scaffold this student learning, not only are they an effective and efficient educational tool but they also create interest and engagement in a learning experience.



References


Active learning
http://www.acu.edu/cte/activelearning/whyuseal2.htm

Heath, G. (2001). Teacher Education and the New Knowledge Environment. Freemantle Retrieved from CQUniversity e-course, EDED20491 ICTs for learning design, http://e-courses.cqu.edu.au.

Houghton, J. and Sheehan, P. (2000). A Primer on the Knowledge Economy, Victoria University. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-course, EDED20491 ICTs for learning design, http://e-courses.cqu.edu.au.

Kearsley, G & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A Framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved on 10 April 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Problem based learning
http://pbl.cqu.edu.au/

Smith, R., Lynch, D. & Mienczakowski, J. (2003). "The bachelor of learning management (BLM) and education capability", Change: Transformations in Education, (6)(2): 23--37. Accessed from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=44465

State of Queensland (Department of Education, Literate Futures Project). (2002). New Times, New Literacies. Brisbane: Author.



Blogs I have commented on:


http://learningjourneycaro.blogspot.com/2010/03/activity-43-how-could-you-blogs-be-used.html

http://eplumb10a2.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-first-experience-with-avatars.html

http://tonijordan.blogspot.com/2010/04/power-point-for-teachers.html

http://kyliegupwell.blogspot.com/2010/04/interactive-whiteboards.html