Palloff and Pratt (2003)
Summary: (Part 1)
On-line learning is a different learning environment and learners need to be able to use different tools on-line than they would in a traditional classroom. Foremost amongst these is "netiquette": the rules of behaviour developed in on-line communities in order to facilitate effective communication and cut down on confusion and unnecessary argument.

Time management is also important. Try to log on once every day, or everysecond day. Print new messages, and compose your replies on a word-processor(with a spelling checker!) Formulate your own reply to a topic before reading other replies.Plan your week so as to make the most efficient use of your time.

Blogging

Hi Keryn

I hope my blogs reach you as this is a first for me (blogging). Please let me know if some of the blogs were missing (cropped). Hopefully they should all be there :-)

George

My readings and summaries so far

Hi everyone

Okay your've probably read all my summaries on the readings I have read so far and your mind is trying really hard to reflect on everything I have said. I am an advent reader and sometimes read until early hours in the morning, then struggle to get out of bed in the morning to go to school. However, I read to be informed, to learn, to grasp new knowledge and to reflect on my new discoveries as best as I can. This is part of my participation with this paper because as a classroom teacher who is still teaching full-time this year, I want to be able to learn new knowledge about ICT and how I can share or utilise it within the ICT classroom programme at my school. I also enjoy chatting with the other students in the classroom - though virtual, I still have a wonderful feeling of being in a class (this being my first time studying online) .

Please feel free to comment on my summaries. They are there to prompt and engage in discussion but especially to give you all what I found as important highlights in all the readings, in relation to ICT and education.

George

Bransford et al (1999)

Bransford et al (1999)
Summary:
With the advent of new technology it is necessary to revisit the debate over what should be taught, how it should be taught and how the results of such teaching are measured. Demands on educators by the community on behalf of students are increasing as technology advances. An effective learning environment should be student centered, knowledge centered, assessment centered and community centered. As a technology, television plays an essential role in learning, even when not showing educational content as children learn not only from educational content but by absorbing cultural mores from shows intended purely for entertainment. Do we agree with this or not?

Cox et al (2003)

Cox et al (2003).

Summary:

The use of information and communications technology in lessons is most effective when teachers use their knowledge of both the subject and the way pupils understand the subject; and when the teacher and the technology challenge pupils' understanding and thinking. Access to resources is important, but when technology is only used as a presentation medium they fail to utilise the technology to its full potential. Teachers should be aware of the potential of the resources available to them, and to know how to best use the technology to engage their pupils.

Interesting stuff indeed! But the reality of it all is that the author Cox et al is 100% correct (my personal feelings). I look forward to hearing other peoples views on this :-)

Wellington (2005)

Wellington (2005)

Summary:
There are three key debates raised by the use of information and communication technology in education. The first is whether such technology improves the readiness of the student for the workforce. It is pointed out that with the speed of technological change, learning any one particular system which may be obsolete within months is pointless; what should be learned is how to adapt to new systems.

The second is whether such technology adds value to the learning environment. It is questioned whether the use of technology such as word-processors or spreadsheets to bypass mundane work leads to the atrophy of basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The third relates to whether this technological learning plays a part in enabling the student to participate better in society; also on whether having access to a computer at home assists students in their learning. It is noted that studies have shown that home computers are largely used for playing games. (I note that the argument about by-passing basic work is nothing new: there was the whole debate about the use of pocket calculators at school back in the 1980s). Does anyone relate to this era and could perhaps share this with us? :-)

Note: I enjoyed the feedback and responses I got from the class in reference to this reading :-)

Pachler (2005)

Pachler (2005)

Summary:
Recently there has been such a frenetic pace of change in the level of information and communications technology available that schools are rushing in to purchase such technology without adequate research being available on its effectiveness. Often new technology, instead of doing new things, merely promotes doing old things in new ways.Teachers need to present information and communications technology in such a way as to meet the needs ot their students, who may have different learning styles. Technology can be a valuable tool in conveying knowledge, but it needs to be deployed with care. It must also be remembered that the context of the use of technology must be taken into account. (The bold text is pretty self-explanatory)

This was an interesting reading because it was straight to the point - made me see what I was and wasn't practising in the classroom with information and communications technology. Does anyone else feel the same way?