ASSESSMENT, FEEDBACK & BADGES  

REFLECTION

We discuss our own experience of blogging and the effectiveness of blogs we have seen during BSE. We reflect on the London CLC’s blogging project and the use of comments for feedback and assessment.

INPUT

We begin by looking at the range of ways blogs are used in schools. We will discuss the value of feedback and look at projects such as 100WV and Quadblogging that have encouraged pupils to participate in peer review.

WORKSHOP

Work in your project groups to explore a range of badges for use in Primary school.

TO FOLLOW UP

Work in your project groups to consider how teachers will assess work within your Google Classroom.

FOR NEXT SESSION

Find examples of well-designed and poorly designed sites, either by or for school and post these to your blog.

NB: There will be no lecture on the 19th October. Instead, you will be required to attend the BETT Show on the 25th January.

YOU CAN VIEW THE LECTURE SLIDES HERE

ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITIES

REFLECTION

We ask ‘What is a learning community?’ and spend some time reflecting on our participation in learning communities. We ask ‘What is a Virtual Learning Environment?’ and spend some time reflecting on our experience of Studyzone, Moodle, Fronter and other VLEs, from a learner’s perspective. We also explore similarities and differences with our experience of Web 2.0 and social networking.  We discuss the pre-session reading.

INPUT

I discuss some of the main underlying theories related to e-learning and learning communities and explore how theory relates to practice using examples from primary schools. I explore the difference between a community, a learning community and a Community of Practice. I discuss the multiple conceptions of the roles of teacher and student within learning communities and question the role of Communities of Practice in current classroom practice. I propose the idea that, during this module, we are participants in a learning community where we learn with and from each other.

I give an overview of previous government policy on VLEs. I share examples of how VLE’s they have been used to support teaching and learning. Examples will include use of pages for G&T, EAL and SEN provision and for personalised learning. We also explore how blogs can be used to create learning communities and support teaching and learning.  

WORKSHOP

You consider the theoretical approach that will underpin the design of your e-learning resource. You will begin to plan your e-learning project using Google Classroom.

PROJECT WORK

Reflect on the implications of learning communities in primary education from the perspective of teachers and pupils: what are the key enablers and barriers for this approach? Post this to your blog and comment on a post by your peers.

TO FOLLOW UP

Reflect on the implications of learning communities in primary education from the perspective of teachers and pupils: what are the key enablers and barriers for this approach? Post this to your blog and comment on a post by your peers.

FOR NEXT SESSION

Read sections 5,6, and 7 of Barrs and Horrocks: ‘Educational blogs and their effects of pupils’ writing’

The Internet as a Resource for Learning

Lecture 1: 28th September 2016

REFLECTION

We start by reflecting on observations from school experience of the use of the Internet in schools. We also discuss our own experience of learning things through the Internet, drawing a contrast between formal and informal learning.

INPUT

I present a brief history of the Internet and the Web, and explore some of their technical underpinnings I give a brief overview and history of virtual learning environments. I discuss the need to evaluate Web based resources based on their pedagogic assumptions.

I explore how social networking sites and Web 2.0 resources are enabling and motivating children to become active participants in our culture whist many schools are blocking access to these sites. We discuss the implications of bringing these resources into our classrooms and consider our attitudes to age restrictions and Internet filtering.

WORKSHOP

There will be opportunity during the lecture to set up and share your WordPress blog.

PROJECT WORK

You will be briefed on the assessment for the whole module, focusing particularly on the e-learning resource. You will be given logins for your Google Classroom, form your groups, and begin to discuss your projects.

TO FOLLOW UP

Read Berners-Lee, Answers for Young People and post a reflection on your experience of the Web, particularly in relation to learning: pick three specific illustrative examples and post to your blog.

FOR NEXT SESSION

Read Austin, Hunter etc al, ‘Supporting community cohesion through ICT: The e-partners programme in Northern Ireland. Post a reflection onto your blog.