Blogs

Having just made my breakout selections for uLearn 08, I was pleased to see 3 sessions dedicated to the use of mobile phones and other portable technologies.

I am particularly interested in this breakout: Using the I-Pod touch to instantly inform parents of their child's learning... by Paul Wright.

I see a huge potential in how mobile technologies can contribute to this area and it relates closely to some of the core beliefs I have about ePortfolios. The ability to share, for the purpose of receiving relevant and constructive feedback to improve learning, can only really happen if the learning is shared or made available almost immediately.

The web can make his happen. A blog post with embedded media takes minutes and then it's there, ready to share. But a web based portfolio does not necessarily mean that parents will view it and share in the learning. And if they do, will they leave a comment? Will they view the learning with their child?

The physical presence of a portable device, like an iPod touch...

Read more...

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/

There are good examples of New Zealand secondary and primary students carrying out authentic learning in science, mathematics, games design, and electronics/robotics:

www.nexusresearchgroup.com

My website includes interactive white board (IWB) ideas, games design, science projects for primary and secondary students as well as using TV/Movie Sci-Fi to engage students...how many teachers can claim to having a Dalek in their classroom?

Conference presentations and articles published include

• "Shining a light on the future" - what comes after the "knowledge economy"? Should the focus be on technology helping with understanding rather than collecting or sharing data?

• "ICT: Interested in Conversations and Thinking" - technology is less important than the conversations it permits students to have with their teacher. For the techno-phobic this puts the student in the role of expert technologist but the teacher remains the expert assessor.

• "Interactive eLearning tools for science, mathematics and robotics" - presented at the 10th annual Association of Mathematics Teachers conference November 2007

• "Getting the most from Game Maker - tools for science, maths and languages"

 

As a follow up to my last post I have just read the following article as part of my efellow research. This may be of interest to those of you who would like a further and much more detailed (yet easy to read) explanation of using the benefits of Web 2.0, RSS, XML, Atom, tags, categories for organising ePortfolios and promoting learning.

In the right environment the social networking potential of the learning landscape and eportfolio-related tools are features that facilitate and enhance the making of connections and the linking together of people, ideas, resources and learning... (pp. 30)

The Learning Landscape: A conceptual Framework for ePortfolios.

Chen, H., Haywood, J., Light, T., Tosh, D., & Werdmuler, B. (2006).

Available in: Handbook of research on ePortfolios. Hershey PA: Idea Group Reference, pp. 24-32.

Well worth a read if you can get hold of it. There is certainly a lot more worthwhile reading in the full handbook which contains contributions from over 100 of the world's leading experts.

Read more...

The Assess to Learn Professional Development Project (AtoL) is designed to provide in-depth professional learning to teachers and leaders in the principles of assessment for learning.

A publication, National Education Findings of Assess to Learn (AtoL) Report, has recently been released on the Education Counts web site, describing the impact of the AtoL project.

As my research project and blog is based on enhancing assessment for learning through ePortfolios, the outcomes of this study are both valuable and interesting.

The four key outcomes of AtoL are to; improve student learning and achievement, shift teachers’ knowledge and assessment practice, develop coherence between assessment processes, practices and systems in classrooms and in schools so that they promote better learning, and demonstrate a culture of continuous school improvement.

To briefly summarise the findings: Read more...

I have just read this article:

Developing digital portfolios: investigating how digital portfolios can facilitate pupil talk about learning. Kate Wall, Steve Higgins, Jen Miller and Nick Packard Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Newcastle, UK.

Technology, Pedagogy and Education Vol. 15, No. 3, October 2006, pp. 261-273

As part of this research project I read a lot of articles in the areas of eportfolios and assessment for learning. Like anything you read, be it a magazine article, novel, or newspaper, as you are reading you can immediately connect (or not) with the text and message. This article was one of those. Throughout reading it I found myself nodding my head and murmuring consent to the ideas and concepts it was discussing as they mirrored some of the central aims of my research.

If you are interested in eportfolios, assessment for learning and thinking skills I thoroughly recommend you source a copy of this article.

Some ideas the conclusions that grabbed the attention of my highlighter:

The combination of a digital portfolio and thinking skills... Read more...

You can also keep updated on my project through my blog at www.tonitwiss.com/mobile

I am now five terms in to my new position as deputy principal at Te Awamutu Primary School. It seems a life time ago that I sat listening to senior researches from NZCER or bantering thoughts with Dr Cheryl Doig. And a millennium seems to have passed since exploring the word of 3-D animated books at HIT Lab at Canterbury University or indeed critiquing each other following video footage of presentations.

I look back to my e-fellowship year with the fondest of memories in a number of ways. First and foremost it was a year of connecting to some of the most amazing people I have happened across in my life as an educator. I had a few decent paradigm shifts as I was challenged and able to challenge others. The synergy of the group of e-fellows and mentors created one of the most powerful think tank groups I have ever been part of.

Vince Ham and his team provided more than academic mentorship. They guided us forward and challenged us to deepen our understanding of 21st century learners. Having time to reflect, meshed with the high level professional development provided set me on a path I hadn't really considered.

You see, around half way through the year I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of Waipa principals and had my mind set on continuing in the area of ICTPD in one form or another. However, as the year progressed and we were exposed to visionary educational leaders I felt a thread begin pulling me back into school management. This thread seemed to feel right. I just hadn't finished in schools yet and I wanted to make a difference.

After saying fond farewells at Aberdeen School in Hamilton with words that couldn’t express fully the respect and gratitude I had for the staff and children I headed for my next adventure in learning. TA here I come….   

Te Awamutu Primary School is a mighty school on the cusp of change. We have around 460 students who are quintessential kiwi kids. They are rough and tumble, tree climbing kids who appreciate what you do for them and openly show it. Learning is changing for these kids. Are we ready for those changes? How ready is anyone for change? 

Ready, set go…..

Hi I'm Sharon and I'm lucky enough to be spending some time during my Microsoft Innovative Teachers scholarship this year working alongside the efellows at CORE education.  My MINTS project with CORE involves me working in conjunction with Weta Workshop to develop the Knight School website for students and teachers, that is a spin off from the highly successful animated television series 'Jane and the Dragon.'

The focus of the partnership between Weta Productions and CORE Education has been the development of a website, Knight School, that is a platform for creative participation by students in New Zealand. Regular educational activities are provided for schools, groups of students, and individual students, with an Animation Competition, the major competition for the first school term of 2008, now underway.

The ongoing development of the website is focused on maximising student participation, providing educational opportunities for all age groups, but with a primary focus on school-aged children. The website supports literary based projects, with CORE educators designing and promoting competitions and activities around the New Zealand curriculum.

A key objective is to provide a range of opportunities for the submission of user produced material, based on stimulating educational activities. The website is being developed as a starting point for classroom based learning opportunities, such as the composition and recording of music appropriate to the middle ages, or the creation of animations based on story-based scenarios. It is also developing as a repository of user-generated resources such as story submissions, recipes for Pepper, Jester jokes, fashion for various characters, and cartoon strips.

My final report is available for download. Please disregard the link in the top right corner of this page. You can download the report by clicking here
This will take you to a page where all the eFellows reports are housed.

Happy reading :)

Website

www.nexusresearchgroup.com

Email

efellows2008@tki.org.nz