So I'm at the end of Module 6. In this module we examined Diversity and Compassionate Communication.
Treating with Diversity is so important and so is conflict and conflict resolution. Our aim is to create a healthy learning environment and in so doing we cannot attempt to change anyone or the way they think. In so doing we must be responsible for our feelings and not pass judgement on others. Compassionate communication is a really useful way of approaching things especially since it refers to the difference in thinking with the head and heart and offers us various approaches to conflict resolution through the Giraffe approach.
Apart from using these strategies in our online sessions I'm sure fellow educators can see the Giraffe approach as tools we use in our everyday life and in our day to day management of our classes. Interesting approach isn't it? It will no doubt produce positive results and healthy environments.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Module 5 CCTI Online Tutor Course
This module was based on Effective Online Interaction and allowed me to work with my fellow tutors in training on a collaborative activity, share ideas and help in creating a collaborative document.
The issue of communication has been looked at extensively and a detailed comparison has been made with regards to face-to-face and online communication. It is imperative that we remember online communication has its advantages but it also has shortcomings.
I particularly liked having a chance to give my input towards the development of a Charter for Online Learning Interaction.
http://sync.in/bpUB6FURah
The issue of communication has been looked at extensively and a detailed comparison has been made with regards to face-to-face and online communication. It is imperative that we remember online communication has its advantages but it also has shortcomings.
I particularly liked having a chance to give my input towards the development of a Charter for Online Learning Interaction.
http://sync.in/bpUB6FURah
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Module 4 CCTI Online Tutor Course Reflection
The wonders and benefits of group work are evident!
In this module we identified factors encouraging participation, factors that build trust, summarised and stimulated an online discussion and acted as facilitators of online discussions.
From the activity trust was established as a vital entity in building and encouraging participation. As tutors in training we have been reminded of it as being imperative in the relationships between participants and the tutor and participant. Our aim ideally would be to create a healthy and positive learning environment and by looking at the ways trust is important we would be ever mindful of it.
From this I think we are well on our way to course completion and further partnering together. By encouraging participation helping participants would be an even greater reality.
In this module we identified factors encouraging participation, factors that build trust, summarised and stimulated an online discussion and acted as facilitators of online discussions.
From the activity trust was established as a vital entity in building and encouraging participation. As tutors in training we have been reminded of it as being imperative in the relationships between participants and the tutor and participant. Our aim ideally would be to create a healthy and positive learning environment and by looking at the ways trust is important we would be ever mindful of it.
From this I think we are well on our way to course completion and further partnering together. By encouraging participation helping participants would be an even greater reality.
Module 3 CCTI Online Tutor Course Reflection
In this module we compared the advantages of online and offline communication and described the ingredients of successful online communication.
In like manner we compared past experiences with present experiences and examined protocol on communication Skills. The module also allowed us to engage in online collaboration examining face to face and online communication.
What was evident through each of these activities is this.......EACH of the activities reinforced the need for us to be particularly mindful of what our roles as online facilitators would require in terms of communication and how it would impact on the participants under our charge.
Our teamwork and collaborative efforts have made it easier for us and hopefully it will be the same for the participants under our charge.
In like manner we compared past experiences with present experiences and examined protocol on communication Skills. The module also allowed us to engage in online collaboration examining face to face and online communication.
What was evident through each of these activities is this.......EACH of the activities reinforced the need for us to be particularly mindful of what our roles as online facilitators would require in terms of communication and how it would impact on the participants under our charge.
Our teamwork and collaborative efforts have made it easier for us and hopefully it will be the same for the participants under our charge.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Module 3 CCTI Online Tutor Course Activity 1
Communication allows for the exchange of information. Face to face communication may allow for a personal touch and allows one to read facial expressions and body language. Hearing someone's voice allows for registering their tone and may allow greater opportunities for quick feedback. It doesn't require the use of technology.
Online communication may be seen as impersonal and doesn't allow for reading expressions that is unless you consider the effect of CAPS (shouting) or use emoticons. Feedback may be delayed because the online method is dependent on how soon the recipient takes to reply. Even with regards to the use of audibles people don't get the chance to personalize or modify. They don't accomodate every comment that can be used. Tone may not be easily ascertained and not everyone is aware of Netiquette. Also not everyone is tech savy.
Online communication may be seen as impersonal and doesn't allow for reading expressions that is unless you consider the effect of CAPS (shouting) or use emoticons. Feedback may be delayed because the online method is dependent on how soon the recipient takes to reply. Even with regards to the use of audibles people don't get the chance to personalize or modify. They don't accomodate every comment that can be used. Tone may not be easily ascertained and not everyone is aware of Netiquette. Also not everyone is tech savy.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Module 2 CCTI Online Tutor Course
So I'm a bit late but can safely say I'm at the end of Module 2 of the CCTI Online Tutor Course. The online collaboration activity (2.1) allowed for continued collaboration and the 2.3 offered each of the tutors in training a new avenue to create collaborative activities.
As group members and tutors in training we are learning from each other, drawing on our experiences and pooling our knowledge together. Through this approach motivating each other and getting through the upcoming days will be an even greater reality.
As group members and tutors in training we are learning from each other, drawing on our experiences and pooling our knowledge together. Through this approach motivating each other and getting through the upcoming days will be an even greater reality.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Module 1 CCTI Online Tutor Course
This module has allowed for interaction and self-evaluation. In so doing it has allowed all those doing this tutor training to examine where they are and allowed for mapping the journey of where we hope to be by the end of the session.
The interaction has served in the spirit of dialogue creation which lends itself to creating trust and builds on teamwork where tutors in training have the opportunity to get to know each other better, share and exchange information. In reality, it lays the platform for it by using interaction and an intial activity which can be regarded as an 'icebreaker' activity.
All in all it was an enjoyable module.
The interaction has served in the spirit of dialogue creation which lends itself to creating trust and builds on teamwork where tutors in training have the opportunity to get to know each other better, share and exchange information. In reality, it lays the platform for it by using interaction and an intial activity which can be regarded as an 'icebreaker' activity.
All in all it was an enjoyable module.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Activity 11
Coping with Copying
Should we? To what extent do we? Under what circumstances?
All of these questions were addressed in the activity and it is something that would benefit both my colleagues in education and our students. In a world when copying becomes an accepted practice for our learners our students need to be reminded of the source of conflict which may arise and the implications of their actions. So do adults especially since many may be ignorant of this!
Synthesis...Learning and Thinking all came into being in this activity. In like manner fair use and verbs like create, formulate and predict which require all of the above and inspire originality as well as thinking and planning became very important as they were also discussed.
All in all the activity was fruitful and allowed my colleagues and I a chance for online collaboration and helping one another. As educators we should be promoting the rules of fair use and advocate the need for originality and creativity... Don't you think?
Should we? To what extent do we? Under what circumstances?
All of these questions were addressed in the activity and it is something that would benefit both my colleagues in education and our students. In a world when copying becomes an accepted practice for our learners our students need to be reminded of the source of conflict which may arise and the implications of their actions. So do adults especially since many may be ignorant of this!
Synthesis...Learning and Thinking all came into being in this activity. In like manner fair use and verbs like create, formulate and predict which require all of the above and inspire originality as well as thinking and planning became very important as they were also discussed.
All in all the activity was fruitful and allowed my colleagues and I a chance for online collaboration and helping one another. As educators we should be promoting the rules of fair use and advocate the need for originality and creativity... Don't you think?
Activity 10
Evaluating Web-Hosted Information.
This was quite interesting, quite enjoyable and quite educational!
There were several activites, stimuli that were wide and varied and opportunities for decison making and learning. My thoughts quite clearly point to the fact that website credibility must be carefully examined especially when hoaxes are so predominant and especially when so many people may be ignorant of it and the damage it can cause. As is the case so often, people buy into ideas without proper knowledge. Credibility is what I would consider as a factor that can make or break a site in a manner of speaking especially since it gives the site it's authority, its voice and an air of validity.
This was quite interesting, quite enjoyable and quite educational!
There were several activites, stimuli that were wide and varied and opportunities for decison making and learning. My thoughts quite clearly point to the fact that website credibility must be carefully examined especially when hoaxes are so predominant and especially when so many people may be ignorant of it and the damage it can cause. As is the case so often, people buy into ideas without proper knowledge. Credibility is what I would consider as a factor that can make or break a site in a manner of speaking especially since it gives the site it's authority, its voice and an air of validity.
Activity 9
Hmmm...Comparing Web Search Tools!
The best idea I have learnt for web searching is that a comparative search can definitely prove to be an asset and it is not advisable to be solely dependent on using one search engine.
I think web-based information can indeed be valuable. It is insightful and depends largely on the use we put it to and the credibility of the source. A key point coming out of the activity was that what we prefer (our choices) are not necessarily what's advisable.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt somewhat like a detective looking for answer lol.
The best idea I have learnt for web searching is that a comparative search can definitely prove to be an asset and it is not advisable to be solely dependent on using one search engine.
I think web-based information can indeed be valuable. It is insightful and depends largely on the use we put it to and the credibility of the source. A key point coming out of the activity was that what we prefer (our choices) are not necessarily what's advisable.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt somewhat like a detective looking for answer lol.
Activity 8
This activity has made integrating ICT with learning all the more fulfilling and rewarding. By using a Google.doc it engaged the attention of students and allowed them to create a chart. It allowed them to examine the different ways data can be presented and allowed them to interpret the data from statistics which they didn't anticipate could be done in an English class.
They worked well and were able to identify trends, record their observations and complete a worksheet.
With regards to self-activities it has helped me dramatically as I continue on my quest as an educator who continues to learn.
They worked well and were able to identify trends, record their observations and complete a worksheet.
With regards to self-activities it has helped me dramatically as I continue on my quest as an educator who continues to learn.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Activity 7- 30th August 2011
This activity allowed us to use a case study to examine the use of spreadsheets as learning resources and to consider 2 questions for group discussion and a collaborative activity.
As guide and facilitator the teacher used 'just-in-time' learning which prove to be beneficial and helped the student learn how to think. Also the questions for group discussion raised very pertinent issues that represent what so many of us are faced with here where computers are provided mainly for the IT area in most cases.
What it did in my opinion is it allowed us to consider what solutions we can find in the face of the realities we are presented with as Educators. Undoubtedly we can use these possible solutions to create greater opportunities to be better Educators!
As guide and facilitator the teacher used 'just-in-time' learning which prove to be beneficial and helped the student learn how to think. Also the questions for group discussion raised very pertinent issues that represent what so many of us are faced with here where computers are provided mainly for the IT area in most cases.
What it did in my opinion is it allowed us to consider what solutions we can find in the face of the realities we are presented with as Educators. Undoubtedly we can use these possible solutions to create greater opportunities to be better Educators!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Activity 6
Activity 6- Using Graphs
In spite of my initial reluctance to do Activity 6A- using graphs in class I opted to do it for the simple reason that I can use it in class and use it to teach statistical report writing and comprehension which students should not see as existing merely from poetry, prose and drama but which they should appreciate as being something that teaches us how to appreciate extracting information and analyzing it. Comprehensions aid understanding and one valuable point that learners must realise and acknowledge is that information could be extracted from several mediums rather than confining it to the 3 literary genres: prose, poetry and drama.
In spite of my initial reluctance to do Activity 6A- using graphs in class I opted to do it for the simple reason that I can use it in class and use it to teach statistical report writing and comprehension which students should not see as existing merely from poetry, prose and drama but which they should appreciate as being something that teaches us how to appreciate extracting information and analyzing it. Comprehensions aid understanding and one valuable point that learners must realise and acknowledge is that information could be extracted from several mediums rather than confining it to the 3 literary genres: prose, poetry and drama.
August 27th e-diary entry
August 27, 2011
Assignment 1 e-diary entry
My summary table for Assignment 1:
DOCUMENT # | ROLE OF EDUCATOR | APPLICATION | FILE NAME |
1 | Assessor | MS Excel | Marksheet.xls |
2 | Interpreter | MS Excel | Equations.xls |
3 | Pastoral | MS Word | Letter.doc |
4 | Assessor | MS Word | Dec11Exam.doc |
5 | Learning Area Specialist | MS Powerpoint | Lesson1Intro.ppt |
6 | Interpreter | MS Word | Work Outline.doc |
The challenges I face are challenges I can overcome and I have outline them below:
1) Not all students have laptops/personal computers.
2) Among those with laptops/ personal computers students were not properly exposed to ICT by their teachers.
3) Some colleagues may be reluctant and unwilling to change their methods.
4) Some colleagues may be ignorant of just how beneficial ICT can be.
5) Some students may not have Internet access.
6) Other stakeholders (parents, wider community) might not be familiar with the methods to be used and may not recognise the contribution ICT can make towards learning.
To overcome these and change my practice in order to increase the impact of ICT on my roles as an educator I intend to:
1) Create opportunities to engage my students meaningfully and motivate them by methods such as the pastoral document which uses a competition as a forum for creating a poster/flyer.
2) Create worksheets using ICT for my students to complete on the computer (which I can access via synchroneyes for example and documents which can be saved on the Student Share folder) and which they can submit via CD/flashdrive or online.
3) Place documents on the Staff Share folder for my colleagues to access and show them how to use software to document marks (e.g. MS Excel) and create Administrative Documents, Assessor Documents and Worksheets among others.
4) Create an online community where those with internet access can share their ideas and access site resources or create opportunities for them to work on collaborative documents.
5) Create a database of students beginning initially with students I teach and eventually extending throughout the school with and without Internet access and obtaining e-mail addresses of students with e-mail addresses.
6) Engage in correspondence with students and parents and ask parents to monitor and engage in online/computer related and ICT activities students are doing.
7) Encourage parents to find ways to get their lessons done via computer and show parents just how useful it can be (possible options: accessing computers and/or internet access in the library and cybercafe for example).
Activity 4- 19th August 2011
Written on August 19th 2011
The Word Processor as a Learning Tool
Creating an online community like the one our tutor created http://africa.partnersinlearningnetwork.com/Communities/ccti_group_2a_trinidad_and_tobago/pages/default.aspx
is something that will undoubtedly engage the interest of students and would not only be enjoyable to them but can serve as a motivational tool.
Group work and group collaboration has allowed all the CCTI Group 2 members to share their ideas and has fostered communication and discussion: key ingredients for healthy learning! Looking at ways the word processor can be used as a tool for learning makes it easier to integrate word processor for learning and further enables document creation for the next academic term which certainly will continue to be an asset to us as Educators.
The Word Processor as a Learning Tool
Creating an online community like the one our tutor created http://africa.partnersinlearningnetwork.com/Communities/ccti_group_2a_trinidad_and_tobago/pages/default.aspx
is something that will undoubtedly engage the interest of students and would not only be enjoyable to them but can serve as a motivational tool.
Group work and group collaboration has allowed all the CCTI Group 2 members to share their ideas and has fostered communication and discussion: key ingredients for healthy learning! Looking at ways the word processor can be used as a tool for learning makes it easier to integrate word processor for learning and further enables document creation for the next academic term which certainly will continue to be an asset to us as Educators.
Activity 3- 14th August 2011
Written on August 14th 2011
Word Processor for lesson preparation
In creating classroom materials I felt it would be easier to do some pre-planning before the start of the next academic term and this lesson I believe is ideal and also is one I am looking forward to sharing with my students and using in my classroom.
The activity will essentially help my students learn independently and develop their ICT skills and also deliver pertinent and relevant curriculum content. I look forward to receiving feedback on it and also to make necessary suggestions I will receive on it to improve the lesson.
Word Processor for lesson preparation
In creating classroom materials I felt it would be easier to do some pre-planning before the start of the next academic term and this lesson I believe is ideal and also is one I am looking forward to sharing with my students and using in my classroom.
The activity will essentially help my students learn independently and develop their ICT skills and also deliver pertinent and relevant curriculum content. I look forward to receiving feedback on it and also to make necessary suggestions I will receive on it to improve the lesson.
Activity 2- 14th August 2011
Word Processor as an Administrative Resource
Creating these documents has reiterated that I can create documents and re-use them especially since it ultimately makes one's task easier.
Having lost several documents on my flashdrive after putting it on the school pc during the last academic year it gave me an opportunity to create new documents and make the necessary changes to improve on what I had before.
The activity in itself was designed to help teachers use word processor as an administrative resource and I am sure that my colleagues would see it as beneficial.
Even though I had templates which I lost, creating new documents allowed me to look at areas that were lacking in and improve on them. A beneficial exercise indeed!
I am a happy learner!
Creating these documents has reiterated that I can create documents and re-use them especially since it ultimately makes one's task easier.
Having lost several documents on my flashdrive after putting it on the school pc during the last academic year it gave me an opportunity to create new documents and make the necessary changes to improve on what I had before.
The activity in itself was designed to help teachers use word processor as an administrative resource and I am sure that my colleagues would see it as beneficial.
Even though I had templates which I lost, creating new documents allowed me to look at areas that were lacking in and improve on them. A beneficial exercise indeed!
I am a happy learner!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Activity 5
Being tired I've realised today that it does cause us to do silly things or at least I should rephrase by saying that it causes me to slip up (hence the reason I'm typing this entry now).
NOTE TO SELF: Remember my email account for my blog.
With regards to the Activity at hand it truly was an educational one. I was able to learn more and I am eager to share this with my colleagues.
Microsoft Excel can truly be beneficial in recording Assessments and Analyzing data from them. Sadly enough not all of my colleagues may be aware of this. However they'll soon find out when we're back at work. From this it is clear that it will also be an asset to the Administrators at my school and that this together with all I have been exposed to thus far will help me in my changing role as an educator.
As I end this I can definitely say I'm ready to continue with Assignment 1.
NOTE TO SELF: Remember my email account for my blog.
With regards to the Activity at hand it truly was an educational one. I was able to learn more and I am eager to share this with my colleagues.
Microsoft Excel can truly be beneficial in recording Assessments and Analyzing data from them. Sadly enough not all of my colleagues may be aware of this. However they'll soon find out when we're back at work. From this it is clear that it will also be an asset to the Administrators at my school and that this together with all I have been exposed to thus far will help me in my changing role as an educator.
As I end this I can definitely say I'm ready to continue with Assignment 1.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Activity 1
Having been late I was hopeful that I would not meet too many challenges in completing the Activity at hand. However there were challenges and thankfully my persistence has paid off in getting the activity done.
Based on each of the 7 roles discussed it is clear that ICT can support the roles of educators in multiple ways as seen based on the responses shared by not only me but also each of my fellow colleagues in education.
From this it is clear that the uses of ICT are many and wide-ranging thereby allowing us to deliver curriculum content in several ways and more so foster personal growth and development of our learners and our charges. While most of these are measures I use I believe there is a need for me to network more with parents and other stakeholders to further use ICT to develop myself as an educator and work to help each of the students in my charge.
I must say how truly grateful I am to be given an opportunity like this as this is truly beneficial to me. Likewise I am sure that many of my colleagues would agree with me in this regard.
Based on each of the 7 roles discussed it is clear that ICT can support the roles of educators in multiple ways as seen based on the responses shared by not only me but also each of my fellow colleagues in education.
From this it is clear that the uses of ICT are many and wide-ranging thereby allowing us to deliver curriculum content in several ways and more so foster personal growth and development of our learners and our charges. While most of these are measures I use I believe there is a need for me to network more with parents and other stakeholders to further use ICT to develop myself as an educator and work to help each of the students in my charge.
I must say how truly grateful I am to be given an opportunity like this as this is truly beneficial to me. Likewise I am sure that many of my colleagues would agree with me in this regard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)