E-Learning Design (The Big 6)

E-learning design theories work by incorporating ICT’s into the learning context, learning becomes more authentic, real life, problematic, and is supportive in the student’s development of higher order thinking and deeper knowledge of the content.

One particular E-learning theory that I relate to best is The Big Six developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz. The Big 6 theory “integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and task”(Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 1987)

This theory would be beneficial in my classroom as when the students are doing assignments they are usually asked to go online and find information to support their work. Students usually waste their time cause as they get caught up in endless overloads of information available on the Internet. By implementing and teaching the skills involved in this theory the students would be able to concentrate and be able to collect the knowledge more effectively to process the task. The students will gain a deeper understanding of the content by being time savvy.

Although this is my first year of university, I hope when I am finally teaching my digital pedagogy will include the development of ICT skills. I will try to incorporate tasks in my digital pedagogy which allow students to develop important learning skills such as:

• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Ability to collaborate
• Critical thinking
• Planning solutions
• Acquire and filter information
• Ability to process
• Higher order thinking
• Knowledge integration
• Organisational skills

I believe by incorporating ICT into my Pedagogy I will be catering for all learning styles by providing a range of learning materials to my students.

Reference:

Berkowitz, B & Eisenberg, M. (2001, November 19). Big6™ Skills Overview. Retrieved July 24, 2010, from The Big6™: http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%E2%84%A2-skills-overview/

Weebly

I used Weebly.com to create my own website. I found this tool really simple to use as it had explanations available on each different feature.This tool to me was the most useful so far !

How can a website support the learning of my students?

A classroom website could contain:

• A News letter to parents.
• Learning Manager contact information - phone number, email.
• Notes for excursions.
• Information of what they are doing in class.
• Homework list for the week. ( keeps parents in the loop)
• Samples of assignments for students.
• Samples of students work and achievements.
• Classroom policies.
• A list of the day events so students know what to bring to class.

I could use the Weebly in my classroom:

• As a platform to create a piece of work that is to be done at school.
• A place for students to share their ideas about assignments.
• By displaying a variety of context such as text, pictures, links to other websites and files that are readily available for their learning.

Downside of websites:

• Time consuming for teachers to set up.
• Needs to be monitored appropriately.

Websites are a great interactive learning tool for students.

Please visit my Weebly at http://kk022.weebly.com

Wiki

Unlike a blog a wiki is a type of website that allows visitors themselves to easily add, remove and otherwise edit and change the available content However I think Wikis can be very useful in the classroom if used in the right context and beneficial if used under close supervision.

Strengths of Wiki:

• · Encourages good social interaction.
• · Fosters collaborative learning.
• · Allows student’s to learn anytime any place.
• · Allows student to contribute at any time.
• · Student’s are actively involved in their construction of their knowledge.

Weaknesses of Wiki:

• · Allows anyone to view the webpage.
• · Risk of no pedagogy being involved.

Here is my link to my Wiki: http://e-learning-tools.wikispaces.com/kymberlyk

concept maps

To make this concept map I used the program Bubbl.us. It is a free website to join and is an easy to use program. I found this task interesting as it allowed me to produce my own concept map of what I understood about week 1 of Managing E-learning.

Concept maps can play an important role as it allows students to organize information in an effective way and allows students to grow on their prior knowledge about a subject. Concept maps can be used as a revision strategy and used to refine their knowledge,

By getting students to create their own Concept maps and implementing concept maps into the classroom as a E-learning technology would allow my students to become more ICT active with their learning

A Blog can be created by anyone.

A Blog is a on-line personal reflective journal.

A blow can be created by anyone and have multiple followers. It allows the created to reflect his/her opinions and ideas on a particular subject. The followers can comment as much as they like on the blogs however the created has full control over what actually can stay published on their blog.

This would be a great tool to use in the classroom context a it would allow teachers,students and parents to communicate effectively and safely between each other.

Welcome

This is my first ever blog...................................... how exciting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My name is Kymberly and i am a CQU student, i am currently studying the bachelor of Learning Management (secondary). I will be blogging through this term about MY learning journey through the CQU course: Managing E-Learning.

I welcome and encourage all positive and constructive feedback and comments as i feel this is particularly important for my learning and the learning of others.

thank you kym,