Activity 10: The Flipped Classroom Approach

The Flipped Classroom Approach is turning around the dynamics of teaching and learning. Where teaching takes place via recorded lectures, on videos, watched by students at home, and learning happens within the classroom, as students enquire about what they have viewed.

This increases students critical thinking and problem solving skills as they communicate and collaborate with each other. It then makes each student responsible for his or her own learning. This means that the teacher will then have to effectively and efficiently plan activities and appropriate feedback discussions in class.

As a result, students should master content. However this does not ensure that learning will take place, due to the fact that some students may never even bother to view the videos before class, and therefore come to class expecting the teacher to tell them everything. Thus, they will not be constructing their own knowledge, and would defeat the purpose of reverse instruction.

Overall, educators need to know their purpose for using this modality in order to plan for its successful implementation. Since, not all learning styles will be automatically catered for.

Flipped Classroom Approach is another pedagogical change from the traditional way of teaching.

I would though use this approach in my class to maximize learning and minimize delivery of content within each session. 

Activity 9: Cellphones in the classroom

Cellphones are another technological device that can be used as a learning tool in classrooms.

In Antigua and Barbuda are students allowed to use cellphones in schools?

It is against regulations for students to use cellphones in schools, however there are a few teachers who allow the use of cellphones in their class only, once the students are engaged in learning.

How are cellphones used in classes:
1. For the calculator
2. Planning project activities
3. Research using the internet
4. Operating certain apps that are already downloaded for the different subject areas
5. Texting messages to group members for in class collaborative exercises

How should cellphones not be used in classes:
1. For sexting
2. To bully or harass anyone
3. To cheat on a test
4. For outside communication with others while in class during a lesson
5. For any illegal activity

How can the class be managed when using cellphones:
1. Students take responsibility for their own learning at all times
2. Communicating and collaborating appropriately with group members only when instructed to
3. Have all phones on silent and out of sight when not in use
4. Avoid sharing personal information with strangers
5. Ensure security procedures are in place and safe apps are installed on the cellphone before use

Overall cellphones are another way of having students 'BYOD' Bring your own device. It also, empowers students to be responsible for their own learning. Finally, they are another way in which teachers need to ensure that they cater for all learners in this 21st century.

Activity 8: Managing online communication and collaboration

To guide our discussions and thoughts on e-safety, or the use of social networks in the learning environment, were the following questions:

 

1. What should be included in a school e-safety policy?

 

What I found, for this first question, the aspect of the acceptable use of ICT by all parties involved was a major part that should be included in the policy.

 

2. What the most effective classroom procedure will be to ensure e-safety?

 

To actually ensure safety within the classroom, there were so many this that could be considered, however what really hit home was safety against cyber-bullying.

 

3. Which are the 5 most important considerations for a teacher requiring students to use social networks in the learning environment?

In my opinion they are:

Planning - The planning of activities – Student engagement: careful planning needs to be practiced to ensure that students are actively engaged in meaningful learning activities while networking, and using social media every day in their lessons

Environment - Build a relationship of trust – Learning environment: once students understand what is expected of them and they take ownership for their own learning, the environment will be one were communication and collaboration flows easily, and social media can be used anytime and anywhere. Include the use of e-safety practices.

Content - The development of ‘new literacies’: ICT literacy, media literacy, information literacy, etc.; to use research skills for information for different subject areas. What will students learn?

Ethics - Community building: Global Networking – Students are able to create and share appropriate information with others across the globe . As they respect each other.

Organization - Learning organization – Interactivity: students organize themselves in study groups and use social media appropriately to communicate and collaborate
 

Activity 7: Tablet devices in the classroom

As part of the whole change of society within Science and Technology, I believe that tablets are the new creative devices made to develop better citizens.

Tablets therefore, allow teachers to cater for the different learning styles and abilities within the learning environment. The teacher's workload also decreases as students become more responsible for their own learning. As a result, teachers can focus on actually evaluating learning, than on how to deliver instruction.

There are some persons who even believe that sooner or later technology will take over human resource, but it needs to be understood that men are still needed to create the various applications to be used.

Some main concerns of using tablets are: it is considered a problem in relation to students actual handwriting being altered; it has limited memory and ports; and it is unable to use Microsoft applications.

However, tablets are:

Best way to show textbooks
Touch-screen technology
Lightweight, manageable, have longer battery life
Use multiple apps, including cloud apps
Easier way to share information using the various tools
Low-cost device


From our Wiki, the following are some of the ways how tablets may be used by students:

• To take virtual field trips
• Spell various words using ABC Magnetic Alphabet app
• To collaborate with each other
• Take notes, etc.

Activity 6: One-to-one learning with ICT

What are the issues related to one-to-one learning?

The need for students to know how to think critically, apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, comprehend new ideas, communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions using computer technology.

According to Lessons Learned About Providing Laptops for All Students, a report by the Education Development Center (EDC), “One-to-one computing environments are different from what one traditionally finds in most school settings because they offer all students and teachers continuous access to a wide range of software, electronic documents, the Internet, and other digital resources for teaching and learning.”

1:1 computing provides greater access to resources, information, and up-to-date instructional content for more students and families as well as increases student motivation, engagement, interest, organization, and self-directed learning.


What principles of one-to-one learning could the teacher implement in the classroom?

1. Establishing well-defined goals and objectives is one of the most important components in implementing an effective 1:1 computing program. The key is to begin the goal setting process with the focus around student learning, and technology policies, and instructional supports, with learners in mind.
2. Creating an environment in which students use computing devices, such as wireless laptops or tablet pc computers in order to learn anytime and anywhere.
3. Being an educational steward of technology.
4. Participating in continuous Professional Development in ICT.
5. Ensuring that security and security guidelines are established and practiced.

The overall goals of one-to-one learning:

• To improve equity of access to technology
• To improve the quality of learning
• To institute and support best practice in technology integration
• To improve student learning of content
• To institute formative assessments and differentiated instruction
• To increase performance on standardized tests
• To improve student ability to become lifelong learners
• To prepare students for the world of work
• To improve the home-school connection

Activity 5: Interactive whiteboards

There have been many discussions concerning the use of Interactive Whiteboards (IWB's) within the classroom. However, based on the readings provided the main view that was overemphasized was the fact that it is just a new way to still conduct Direct Teacher-Centred teaching. As a result, the question that arose was: Are IWB's worth buying over PC's? Well a few persons have expressed if the finance aspect is looked at and students' interactivity within the classroom, it may be more economical and more teaching effective, to invest in personal computers over one large white 'mouse'.

In my opinion interactive whiteboards, tablets: ipads, ipods; pc's, desktop computers,  etc. are all devices that can be integrated in the teaching and learning process, however it does not mean that they will necessarily increase learning, unless the pedagogy used is appropriate when using each one.

In addition, classroom management: organization of space, time, activities, and materials, will assist with whether or not the students will be interactive in any lesson.

Activity 4: The one-computer classroom

In a one computer classroom the participation structure determines the mode of instruction: As a result will the students work?

•       Individually
•     In cooperative groups
•    Whole class

Teacher and students use the 'computer' as:

• Presentation Tool
• Learning station/center: research, data collection, publishing, media production, brainstorming
• Multimedia chalkboard/Flipchart
• Cooperative learning media
• Individual work device
• Assessment Tool

 Management Strategies needed in a one computer classroom:

• Rotational schedule
• Teaching rules and procedures with their consequences
• Prevention, Intervention, Post-intervention strategies

Main focus for the teacher is on Organizational Skills:

Managing the learning environment, interaction (individual or group work), lesson and activities (a variety of task with clear instructions), relationships and behaviour (having a good rapport with students), oneself, and feedback, clearly defined stages activities and lessons.

Activity 3: Pros and Cons of Computer Labs

High Density computer labs - the reach many at one time method 

• pros
• A computer lab that is accessible to students during the day and to the community at large at nights or hours when school is not in session
•        cons
• The notion of security is one that is always an issue
• The question of whether to spend ‘all that money’ on a computer lab or to give each person their own computer or tablet
• In a lab there is the challenge of integrating the use of the computer in the different subject areas
• trends in educational ICT
• Computer labs are considered a thing of the past since - The use of computers in learning in a computer lab is now being replaced with the use of computers that are mobile: where each person has his or her own personal computer or the more becoming tablet
• Pedagogical practices may be strengthened or weakened with the use of any technology based on the attitudes and abilities of the instructor
• the issues that are raised
• Is just putting Computers in a room really considered a computer lab?
• Is the use of mobile computers better than using computer labs, or does it depends on how they are used?

In conclusion, computer labs once they are now conformed to learning labs are more conducive for collaborative learning. Therefore effective classroom management where it relates to the number of pupils to teacher will increase, thus leaving more room for learning to take place.

Activity 2: Learning in ICT-enabled classrooms

Pros and cons of the ICT-enabled classroom based on our group discussion 

Pros:

• Enhances students’ learning
• Motivates the learner to learn
• Promotes flexible learning
• Creates students who are critical thinkers
• Reduces cost
• Allows students to be actively engaged
• Makes the teacher a facilitator of learning
• Provides a new model of teaching and learning
• Increases cooperation and collaboration among students
• Gives students the opportunity to learn computer skills
• Empowers students to be creators and producers of knowledge
• Enhances literacy skills
• Caters for learners to work at their own pace
• Gives appropriate constructive and timely feedback

Cons:

• Limited finance
• Insufficient and/or inadequate ICT tools and resources
• Technology failure
• Plagiarism
• Teachers overwhelmed to prepare and plan lessons
• Teachers reluctant to change their pedagogy
• Difficulty to control large classes
• Teacher’s lack of professional development

Activity 1: Classroom management - with and without ICT

Classroom Management

Without ICT classroom management has a number of principles that a teacher can follow:

1. Setting rules, routines and procedures from the start
2. Organizing the environment in a positive way
3. Outlining clear lines of communication
4. Providing opportunities for cooperation and collaboration
5. Planning effective and efficient lessons

With ICT the above principles may also be practiced along with:

1. Selecting appropriate ICT tools for specific tasks and lessons
2. Identifying participation structures in using the technology
3. Sharing the responsibility of the teaching and learning process between teacher and students
4. Caring for technology before, during and after classes
5. Having fun learning while using technology

Good classroom management takes practice with consistency!

Managing Learning and Teaching with ICT

Greetings colleagues:

I am Chaka Grant, 5^th and 6^th grade teacher at the Pares Primary School.  I have been utilizing ICT to enhance teaching and learning within my Mathematics and Social Studies sessions and for administrative purposes.  Fully implementing/incorporating ICT in the classroom is still a work in progress.

Managing, Learning and Teaching with ICT: Introduction

Hello All:

Just like to take this opportunity to say  “thank you”  for the invitation to this blog.

I am Gloria Joseph, one of the senior Information Technology teachers at the All Saints Secondary school. This is where I utilize ICT and more so encourage my colleagues to use ICT and also help them to see how ICT can enhance learning. 

We have collaborated well through the other modules and am looking forward for continued collaboration in these two modules

As we go through these two last modules lets endeavor to learn all we can so that we can able to pass it on to our learners.  It is all about equipping ourselves so that we can equip our learners, and making learning more interactive and readily adaptable to the learners.

Introduction

Hello,

Thank you very much for your invitation.

My name is Faye David. Literacy is my passion. The utilization of ICT in my dealings with children who have literacy difficulties, has provided enrichment to the learning environment as well enhance the skills of my students.

Collaborating on these two modules would further encourage my implementation of ICT in my field. I endeavour to share the knowledge gained to others so that 'our children' can benefit greatly.

Hello every one,

I am Theoline Croft, the principal of a suburban primary school.  I utilize ICT in my administrative duties and encourage my teachers to do the same.

Our journey together throughout the previous modules has been one of collaboration and I am indeed happy to be continuing with you on these last two modules of the CCTI course.

Let us take advantage of the new learning that can be derived from the modules and transfer these to benefit our schools.

HELLO MY FRIENDS

Hello One and All: 

Thanks you all to the invitation to this blog.

I am Vernon Parillon and have been teaching IT for approximately eight years. Information Technology has been a discipline that I have a strong desire to learn and teach. 

At presence I have been assigned to the NTTC School where I am responsible for just about 150 students. My learners range between the ages of 12 – 16 which includes both boys and girls. Due to the two years span (Form 1 and 2) learners are entitled too, my work remains to be very tedious. In completing the two years course, learners are to develop computer skills and knowledge to prepare them for higher learning or to become competent in the art if they so choose a working career.

I operate within an IT Lab with just about 25 interconnected computers, an unreliable Internet service, printer and a recently bought projector.  

Hi Everyone

I am Claudette J. Patricia Samuel a Business Education Facilitator attached to the Ottos Comprehensive School.

My assigned classes range from third to fifth form and my mission is to adequately prepare my students to function in the world of business.

In adapting the use of technology to what is needed for students to adequately compete in this environment, I beleive that as educators, we need to first be equipped in order to equip them - ultimately with the use of the computer and all related technologies. These should make learning more interactive and readily adaptable to the students

Introduction

Hello,

I am Terry-Ann Marsh-Roberts a young energetic Research Methods, Psychology and Educational Technology Lecturer at the Teacher Education Department, of the Antigua State College, Antigua.

The Primary Education Courses that I facilitate are for pre-service and in-service teachers. As a result, this mixture of adult learners motivates me to want to do my very best in practicing all the necessary pedagogical skills within the learning environment that is created for them.

Therefore, we are currently adopting and adapting the use of technology in the teaching learning process, with each person using their personal 'PC'. In addition, as a class we use the projectors and whiteboards that are setup in the classrooms.