Group Activity 8a - Teaching spaces
- Reflect on your reading of the first part of the Churchill Report, considering the advantages and disadvantages of different classroom spaces as they can be influenced by ICT.
- Participate in a discussion on the course blog with your tutors (using the subject heading "Teaching spaces") in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different classroom spaces as described in the report. What ideas have you already implemented and what ideas do you think most worthwhile attempting? What are the most serious constraints that you face in re-orgainsing your classroom space for ICT?
Activity 8b - Curriculum delivery
- Particpate in a discussion on the course blog with your tutors (using the subject heading "Curriculum delivery") in which you discuss this question:"Why wait for ICT before examining our teaching methods?"
- Complete this activity as a whole by making reflective comments in your blog.
Activity 8a - Teaching Spaces
ReplyDeleteIdeas already implemented:
• Rearranging the Classroom – Having appropriate furniture and spacing in classroom to move around computers and tables to positions suitable for students and teachers
• Providing Centralised, Shared Facilities – Having an ICT lab or one central room for all to use
• Creating Dedicated, Flexible Classroom Space – Having classrooms in one area equipped with ICTs
• Schools linked to shared classrooms and teachers – Using a polycom system
• Classroom Redesign For Maximum Flexibility – Student bring their own device
• Wireless Technology Offers New Options – Using wireless area networks connections
Ideas worthwhile attempting:
• Creating New Spaces From Old Configurations – Developing a shared workspace
• Developing Virtual Classrooms And Campuses – Linking campuses: online community
• District Networks Creating Learning Communities – Online learning communities interconnected
• Changes In Traditional Library Areas – Library facilities that include various ICTs
With the constraints in re-organising classroom space for ICT, the major concerns are:
- Availability of resources that can be used and shared
- The reliability of internet or WLAN connections
- The accessibility of ICTs to all students and teachers
- The maintenance, security and monitoring of use of all ICT hardware and software
Activity 8b - Curriculum Delivery
ReplyDelete"Why wait for ICT before examining our teaching methods?"
ICT informs and transforms teaching and learning. It is better that teachers know that they are going to use and integrate ICT in their lessons before they actually plan their teaching methods they are going to implement for a particular lesson. With ICT learners will be: able to communicate and collaborate, active participants in learning, engaged with the learning task at hand, creative in doing projects in different ways using different media, responsible for their own learning as they think critically and are able to form solutions to problems.
As a result, knowing that learning will take place using and integrating ICT is important for a total curriculum reform and reorganization of the learning environment.
Well done Terry-Ann.I can see ICT making a great impact in your institution. I am also in agreement that we should not wait for ICT before examining our teaching methods. Keep working.
ReplyDeleteActivity 8a Teaching Spaces
ReplyDeleteHaving learning spaces in classrooms can be beneficial to teachers and students in the following ways
More flexible and creative use of instructional time that advantaged students;
• The teacher will be able to know more about all the students and see the different strengths of student
• The teacher will be given the opportunity to view the students in varied learning contexts.
• The teacher will develop a greater shared ownership of students and students’ learning
• The teacher will better be able to reflect on individual and collective teaching practices
• The teacher will be able to learn from and with colleagues about students and about teaching and learning
There are disadvantages to having learning spaces though
• The teacher ends up loosing of instructional and decision-making autonomy
• The teacher has a decrease of flexibility and creativity as there are set schedules for when additional instructional personnel would be present in classrooms;
• The teacher may end up having feelings of insecurity because teaching becomes public and teachers are expected to work with more diverse students than they had in the past; and
Activity 8b Curriculum Delivery
ReplyDeleteIt is not necessary to wait for ICT to examine our teaching methods. This activity should be done regularly. This will help the teachers to strengthen our weak areas and strengthen our strong areas.