Reflective Synopsis

Professional Blog: Reflective Synopsis

This blog contains reflections on the new web based technology that pertains to learning in the 21st Century. In a digital age where children are wired to technology around the clock, educators need to familiarise themselves and incorporate web 2.0 technologies into their teaching designs in order to engage students in a more meaningful way. For School based learning and education, to succeed in the task of building and incorporating technology and new media to support learning, education ideals must shift from traditional views on teacher delivery of information.
Teachers of the 21st Century need to provide a platform that engages the learner in activities that involve active cognitive processes such as creating, problem solving, reasoning, decision making and evaluation. Kearsley & Shneiderman suggest in their Engagement theory, that students are more motivated to learn when they are able to interact with others in meaningful learning environments and worthwile activities. Web based technologies provide a extensive forum for learning that involves direct, purposeful, hands-on learning experiences which are associated with the most positive learning thoeries.(Dale 2006).Web-smart kids love discovery-based learning.(Brown 2000).

Many of the Web 2.0 technologies examined in the course of this assessment have presented to the modern teacher tools that would enrich and greatly expand their teaching capabilities. The Internet and other computer based technologies honor the multiple forms of intelligence (Cheek 2006) being abstract, textual, visual, musical, social or kinesthetic. Through the use of these tools educators are presented with tremendous opportunities to design new learning environments that enhance the natural ways that individuals learn. The social and physical context of learning associated with the acquisition of knowledge is satisfied through the interactive process of web technology and through collaboration while engaged in blogging, social networking, wikis, video and the music sharing or on a webquest adventure. These interactions allow learners to share ideas, collectively problem solve and discover new information and knowledge from a collective pool.

Looking at e.learning technology and theory from a professional communication perspective I have taken the view that teachers are communication professionals, though I have tried to broaden the scope of my assessment to encompass teaching in professional training and human resource development, political, media and marketing fields. As much of the theory delivered through the course materials was school teaching based and in relation to children and their engagement with new technology in classroom forums, I have found this quite challenging.
E.learning can be defined as Internet enabled instruction focusing on the revolutionary impact of networking technology, including mobile,wireless,iPod, video, games and other technology. It involves methodology issues such as instructional design and best practices, and includes blended learning, personalisation and collaboration.(Markus. B, 2008. p16)
For the area of professional training and development there has been a shift
from traditional education or training to flexible, individual, self-organized learning. The emphasis in teaching and training has shifted from the product to the process, where learning is being sort through collaboration within a community of learners, experts and facilitators. In an ever changing workforce, the need for training and professional development has required employers to apply constant on-the-job training to remain competitive. E.learning programs have enabled staff members to gain necessary new skills quickly and efficiently. An increasing number of companies, organizations and institutions are supplying to the market of media-based education and training with their products and services. The Internet and in
particular the World Wide Web are setting the pace of this development.
Professional communication in the area of political public relations, media and marketing has adapted to new web 2.0 technology and is rapidly developing new arenas to network and connect with wider audiences. Government bodies are supporting e.learning and expanding their ITC departments to develop these new web bases technologies.

Through the exploration of many of the e.learning technologies presented in this assignment, I have learnt alot about the changing face of education and communication. It is an exciting time for all involved in these fields and through this learning experience I feel more engaged and motivated to continuing to build on this e.learning journey of my own.

References:

Bodendorf. F 2001, Electronic Services for Virtual E-Learning in Marketplaces,University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, - viewed 10 August 2009, published 27 September 2001.

Brown, J. (2000) Learning in the Digital Age. Viewed 18 August 2009, http://www.johnseelybrown.com/learning_in_digital_age-aspen.pdf

Jonasson cited in Mergel, B. (1998). Learning Theories of Intructional Design. Viewed 22 July 2009, http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm


Cheek.B 2006, 'Multiple Intelligence, gp-training.net -gp-training.net - a GP education and training resource, viewed 30 July, published October 2006. http://www.gp-training.net/training/educational_theory/multint/multint.htm

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement theory: a framework for technology-based teaching and learning. viewed July 16 2009, http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. viewed July 23, 2009, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Prensky, M. (2005). "Engage Me or Enrage Me" what today's learners demand. EDUCAUSEreview, September/October Edition 2005

e.Portfolio

An e-portfolio resembles an electronic resume. It is a purposeful collection of electronic evidence that demonstrates an individuals efforts, progress and achievements over time. The e.portfolio allows the user to publish on the web an inventory of goals, performance-based achievements and evidence of skills, knowledge and attitudes through reflective logging. I think that the e.portfolio is an excellent e.learning tool for school education and workplace training. E.portfolios are used in professional life to keep up-date on career development and for the student they may be an excellent way to demonstrate, record and reflect upon learning achieved.
E.Portfolios may include a range of digital evidence such as audio, video, photographs, electronic files, blogs entries and hyperlinks. E-portfolios, if they are online can be maintained over the school life or career of the user.

Animations and Simulations

This in another very engaging e.learning experience. How exciting for young children to be able to see a frog or a starfish being di-sected. I am sure some of them possibly the boys, would have loved to do it for real. The interactive features of this simulation tool allows learners to participate in a more engaging way with the lesson.

Video Streaming

Video is an excellent educational tool that adds audio/visual and demonstrative elements to your lessons. Every learner loves to be show how to, through demonstration and explanation. YouTube videos are usually short in length. They are an entertaining multimedia tool that allows students of different learning preferences to engage in learning. You can find almost anything you what to learn about, or how to do - on YouTube. It is an excellent addition to a teachers e.learning resource box. I have added a YouTube video demonstrating Sketchcasting(which I spoke about in another posting) to explain Kindling which is an excellent web 2.0 tool used within organisations for idea development, sharing and collaborative communication.

File Storage Systems

A file storage system is a special-purpose database for the storage, organization, manipulation, and retrieval of data. I used a storage system at Mediafire and uploaded two files. This application allowed the users to share ideas and create content from a vast resource of collected information. Users could securely download, view, or edit files. Another File storage system called 'Box', had an additional feature that allowed for on-line collaboration. Users could leave comments such as approvals or feedback and attached them to a specific document. This feature did not seem to be available with Mediafire. Recommendations to useful information are always helpful when searching. My E.learning files are at the following link.
http://www.mediafire.com/?kmddvmmjzj2

Government Innovation uses Web 2.0 Technology

The new $15 million collaborative Internet Innovation Fund (cIIF) will accelerate the use of 'next generation' ICT in Victoria by supporting government agencies, industry and community groups to innovate using Web 2.0 technologies.
The Collaborative IIF program will enable businesses, community organisations and government agencies to use next generation technologies to develop innovative ways of working in Victoria's environment, health, education, local government, emergency services, community and industry sectors.
Using Second Life as a case study, the project involved the development of a prototype - Melbourne Laneways - created in partnership with Victorian Government agencies Multimedia Victoria, Tourism Victoria and Invest Victoria.
Over a three-month trial, Melbourne Laneways will provide a means of gathering further information and data for the Victorian business community and others interested in testing the potential of virtual worlds.
Using virtual worlds as a tool to engage with the community and to collaborate in the short term may potentially reap rewards for both government and business. Adapted from e.Government Resorce Centre
http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/index.php?env=-innews/detail:m2803-1-1-8-s-0:n-1460-1-0--

e.Learning Post

After the boom, is Wikipedia heading for bust?
An article from the New Scientist has Palo Alto Research Center in California warning that Wikipedia's growth is tailing off and extreme governance could be behind it.
Researchers believe that Wikipedia now includes so much information that some editors have turned from creating new articles to improving existing ones, resulting in more disputes about edits. Such disputes are not a level playing field because established editors sometimes draw on extensive knowledge of Wikipedia's guidelines to overwhelm opposition in a practice dubbed 'wikilawyering.'
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