new learning

great start all. I just finished re-reading the articles assigned under topic of new learning. I agree that I have a better idea now of expectations. Great point to reiterate, shift from a teacher focus to a learner focus..

The ideas of lesson plans, games, and such is a perfect jumping off point. I also am unable to meet after class however I am available anytime before class. Unfortunately it appears as if the class as a whole is going have difficulty meeting together. I think we should consider delegating jobs for this assignment. And checking in periodically to ensure we are all on the same track and providing some type of cohesion with all the parts.

I am excited to begin this project. I confidently say that as a team we can create a really great and useful site. I look forward to collaborating more tomorrow.

Outline

Hi everyone,

I'm so sorry, but I am unable to stay late on Moodle after class tomorrow. However, I could meet before class, maybe around 6 or even 6:30? Let me know if that works for anyone else. Otherwise, I can meet any other day this week in the evenings.

Ivy

Ivy-I love that idea. Maybe we can figure out a way to make it interactive and have different lessons that help us have "smart" classrooms. I like that this could actually be a useful resource for teachers. We might also include a section that shows "traditional" methods and ideas and their more current "new learning" counterpart concepts.
I am up for staying late tomorrow to discuss if others are.
Talk to you all tomorrow night!
~Becky

Outline

I like all the ideas I have seen so far. I think working together to create some lesson plans is a good idea. I also think someone mentioned a game. That would be a neat idea as well.

As for the outline, do we want to try to find a time that works for everyone to get together to put the outline together? I know we mentioned staying late on moodle tomorrow, is that still the plan?

I am flexible so whatever works for everyone else will be fine with me. Talk to you all tomorrow night.

Melanie

Traditional vs. New Learning Models

After reviewing the articles Nick posted about New Learning, I feel like I have a better grasp on the concept. I think we want to focus on the transformations learning has made through ways of forming knowledge (experiential learning is a good example, Melanie), and new ways knowledge is represented through the media and elsewhere.

Melanie, I like your idea of focusing on one model of teaching and how it has changed over time. I think that a meaningful way to structure our website would be to develop a lesson plan for each subject area that incorporates one or more aspects of new learning. If we can agree on a few models and together, develop sample lesson plans that incorporate new learning, then our website could end up being a meaningful resource. Then the other group models can talk about the implications of these new learning models.

When I reviewed the article Strauss wrote on Smart Learners, I thought that we could use that as a framework for our project. We can share new learning models that help teachers facilitate smart learners, not smart classrooms. Then the Levin and Bruce article discusses the costs of learning. So, while we discuss the new learning models, we can also dive into the costs and implications of these models.

The primary difference between traditional learning models and new learning models are the shift from teacher-focused to learner-focused. Teachers should be considered facilitators and create opportunities and environments that allow students to be in control of their education. I think that this is a good jumping off point.

I look forward to see what everyone else brings to the table!

Testing

Testing to see how this works :) Make sure everyone takes a look at the "final project" description on the moodle site if you haven't already so we can all be on the same page. Also, in the email from Nick about the final project he included some things he wants us to include. He does kind of give us a very "informal" outline and we just need to fill it in with our ideas about our particular topic...does this sound right to everyone?

Models for Learning

Here are a couple of models for learning that might be of interest to us. I am not sure if we want to go this direction with our project, just a thought. We could look at how these models have changed over time. The pros and cons of each model, have things improved over time or gotten worse?

Experiential Learning - Learning by experience

Blended Learning - Classroom-based learning combined with online learning (Hybrid Classes)

How have our experiences over time influenced our learning? Is experiential learning used more today then in the past? How has blended learning changed over time? In the past computers were used in the classroom as a reward, today they are used to supplement our lessons.

I will post more later as I look at some more models for learning.

Melanie

testing

Melanie

Welcom to your Blog

Hi all,

Here is a space for you to post your ideas to work on putting your project together. I will not be checking this blog regularly, but feel free to email me at bwjane@hotmail.com if you have any questions for me.

It was nice to get to chat with you a little tonight and I look forward to your project.

Good luck,
Jane

testing