Week 6 - Instructional Design Model

This week we:

• Explored the role of learning technologist.
• Looked at using different methodologies (OTARA) and designed a learning object in groups.
• Reviewed the results of other groups and in class one of the group presented your work.

The learning technologist plays a very important role in design of the pedagogy. We had beautiful classroom session on how to design the OTARA model. We learnt to use a document collaboratively and to share our thoughts in a team to construct a instructional design.

The lecture Steph took us through various experiences of intructional design.

We also had a exposure to moodle design and made me motivated to use EIT moodle design for my DLT final assessment. It was a good hand on experience which I would love to take further. It showed instructional design needs a lot of planning, sharing and collaborative work even to design a small design. In the last we shared our work with the class which opened my idea process on instructional designs and broadened my creative angle to it

It has almost motivated to think this also as a career path, and the result of my final assessment will give me final indication on whether I should take it further.

week 5 - Refelective Post

My plan for the PLN is very simple to start with.
For simplicity I have divided my pln in 5 Major segments.
The applications are mentioned in the caption I want to use them in.

The main idea is to use mobile technology to use or maintain these on the go and to increase my efficiency in mobile technology.

The newspaper widgets I want to use are Stuff (For New Zealand news and global news in NZ perspective), Times of India (For Indian News and global news in Indian perspective), Google reader to read my books, with all my other knowledge and general knowledge feed coming on to one page using rss. And also sharing interesting bits with the world.

The Digital Learning class has reintroduced me to world of blogs, which I left using due to busy schedule. But I will try and inculcate it into my daily routine.

Social Networking was a craze when it had started but with busy schedule kicking in it had gone to a backside. I plan to use Facebook, twitter and Google plus to its maximum potential to enhance my social circle.

Career Networking has taken a new turn for me as I am new to NZ and my huge Indian network is not of much use here. I have to built contacts in NZ. As we have to compete in competitive job market with locals who have a clear advantage of networks and references. I plan to built a portfolio web page soon after my studies to reflect all my work, experience and skills till date. Also I plan to take EIT faculty into loop as they are my only support circle in the new land. I will take linked in profile also seriously to portray my image.

For the current time my communication weapons will be gmail, yahoo and gtalk but I plan to increase that as soon as possible.

That is my PLN and last but not least I will keep increasing it more and more with more crisp and efficient applications as and when required.

Week 4 - Reflective Post: Adobe Connect

"What is Adobe Connect?

Adobe® Connect™ is a web conferencing platform for web meetings, eLearning, and webinars. It powers mission critical web conferencing solutions end-to-end, on virtually any device, and enables organizations from leading corporations to the U.S. Department of Defense to fundamentally improve productivity." (Adobe Systems Incorporated. 2013.)

Adobe can serve as a complete solution for digital learning, the best example is the Digital Learning Technologies course conducted at EIT, Hawke's Bay, NZ, which has live streaming for all the students. That means the students can access thier live lecture from any part of the world.

With Adobe Connect you can:

• Create and present courseware.
• Maximise attendance using reminders andonboarding tools.
• Instant access to virually any device.
• Easily integrate third party systems.
• Record sessions for podcasting purpose.
• Reach thousands with webcast option.
• Help ensure secure communication and complaince.

(Adobe Systems Incorporated. 2013.)

The issue of privacy of any session remains a question, as if guest login is enabled then anyone in the world can enter your meeting space.

But this has very less cons and a lot of pro's

Here is a video of a demo of Adobe Connect Meeting

Work Cited:

Adobe Systems Incorporated (n.d.). Adobe Connect. Retrieved March 18, 2013 from www.adobe.com: http://www.adobe.com/nz/products/adobeconnect.html



YouTube (website). (2013). Adobe Connect Pro Meeting: Video retrieved March 18, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syFXr6pRZ8



Week 4- Wiki Edits

View the following links to view changes made to Digital Learning Technologies wiki page.

1. Changes under web conferencing.
2. Changes made under "others" tab.

IT skills desirable for teachers to develop courseware using DLT

Basic Skills:

1.      Create and edit  digital audio

2.      Use Social networking sites to connect with colleagues and grow professionally.

3.      Create and deliver asynchronous presentations and training sessions.

4.      Have knowledge about online security.

5.      Use and provide students with task management tools to organize their work and plan their learning.

6.      Use polling software to create a real-time survey in class.

7.      Understand issues related to copyright and fair use of online materials.

8.      Use of collaborative tools for text construction and editing.

9.      Identify online resources that are safe for students browsing.

10.  Use digital tools for time management purposes.

11.  Annotate web pages and highlight parts of text to share with your class.

12.  Use of online sticky notes to capture interesting ideas.

13.  Exploit group text messaging tools for collaborative project work.

14.  Use file sharing tools to share docs and files with students online.

15.  Self learning of tech and where to go for help.

16.  Digital Citizenship - Internet/Email/Social Media etiquette.

17.  Hardware basics and troubleshooting.

18.  Backup Data on Cloud or off site location.

19.  Finding apps and software.

Intermediate Skills:

1.      Use blogs and wikis to create online platforms for students.

2.      Exploit digital images for classroom use.

3.      Use video content to engage students.

4.      Compile a digital e-portfolio for own development.

5.      Ability to detect plagiarized works in student’s assignments.

6.      Create screen capture videos and tutorials.

7.      Exploit  computer games for pedagogical purposes.

8.      Use digital assessment tools to create quizzes.

9.      Find and evaluate authentic web based content.

10.  Use of mobile devices like tablets.

11.  Use YouTube in your classroom.

12.  Use note taking tools to share interesting content with your students.

13.  Use of online graphic organizers and printable.

14.  Use of screen casting tools to create and share tutorials.

15.  Conduct an effective search query with the minimum time possible.

Advanced Skills:

1.      Use Social bookmarking to share resources with and between learners

2.      Use infographics to visually stimulate students.

3.      Create web content for classroom learning.

4.      Conduct A Research Paper Using Digital Tools.

5.      Finding Free Resources and Sources of Funding for Technology.

(Andrade, 2012) (Kharbach, 2012)

Works Cited

Andrade, D. (2012, June 13). 10 Technology Skills Every Educator Should Have. Retrieved from dicoveryeducation.com: http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2012/06/13/10-technology-skills-every-educator-should-have/

Kharbach, M. (2012). The 33 Digital skills every 21st Century Teacher should have. Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/33-digital-skills-every-21st-century.html

Implication of adaption of technologies in Schools, Polytechnic, and University

There are two sides of the implication of adaption of technologies in Schools, Polytechnic, and University. One is the faculty/teachers point of view and second, students point of view. The generalised challenges in adoption of digital technologies can be reliability, less time to adapt or learn, uncertainty and also lack of proper support. 

With the variety and diversity in the context of Digital Learning in daily teaching/learning curriculum/ methods the main issue is that the implemented technology is used to make teaching and learning practises more effective and efficient. It is found that collaborative (in groups or pairs) is more effective than individual/ isolated study while using the technology, as peers are able to help themselves if at a mature age like in Polytechnic  and Universities, but the younger students will need personal assistance. So, technology can be a good addition to the current pedagogy but can never be a complete replacement. The teachers should be given formal training and organisational support in order to learn and adapt to the new technology. So, they are at their normal ease while delivering the blended pedagogy. The role of technology should be identified and adhered to strictly or may lead to scope creep. Role can be like access to learning/teaching content, or does it include assessments online or on paper. (Raulston, C. G., & Wright, V. H., 2012)

In schools the major difference being is to pay more attention to students, than is required in polytechnics or universities, and there digital pedagogy to be designed keeping in mind their mental growth and capability to understand and learn using the sometimes complex digital learning technologies.  The other implications can be termed as, Firstly,  the role of live interactions, this can be rectified using technologies like Adobe Connect, using internet streaming or cabled LIVE video conferencing of classroom sessions, like conducted at EIT, Hawke’s Bay to impart education to their Gisborne Campus, live from Napier Main campus, but this can cost the organisation a lot of funding to install, and maintain the set-up. Secondly, Cultural Adaption it is an issue that will vary from culture to culture, that’s how the community will react to this change. And Last but not the least the digital divide that means the gap between the accesses of technology in students. Many students don’t have access to technology due to monetary or development constraints.  This has to be a collaborative effort to solve the problem and find a specially crafted pedagogy to address these sects of population/area. (Bonk, C. J., & Graham, C. R.,2012)

References

Bonk, C. J., & Graham, C. R. (2012). The handbook of blended learning: Global perspectives, local designs. Pfeiffer.

Raulston, C. G., & Wright, V. H. (2012). Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes of One Teacher Laptop Initiative: Connections Toward 21st Century Learning.Meridian, 13(1).

Biggest challenge for ubiquitous and individualised Digital Learning Technology

The biggest challenge for ubiquitous and individualized Digital Learning Technology is in maintaining student motivation. Navigation supports, real-time interaction, discussion forums, instant messaging, online presentations (Slide-share, Google presentations), interactive smart boards, Pod-casting, vodcasting (video-casting (Adobe connect) will enhance student motivation as they are learning around actual space rather than cyberspace which can result in solitude reducing learning efficacy students due to lack of motivation to keep learning with less one-on-one attention from the instructor, and the feedback they received is probably unlikely to be face-to-face. But using more technology can reduce this. But again if the audience (students) the teacher targets at a time is huge, like in hundreds and thousands at one point in time, paying that attention will be difficult. For achieving this then a very huge group of teachers is required to provide constant support to their target students.

Integrating technology into learning. Which is most memorable?

Different ways technology can be integrated into learning are listed and described by Howland, Jonassen, and Marra (2012)

• Inquiry (e.g. a web quest (Search engines), using a mobile to collect data)
• Experimenting (e.g. Simulations, virtual worlds)
• Designing (e.g. graphics design, 3D modelling, CAD, Scratch/BYOB, Music)
• Communicating (e.g. Discussion boards, instant messaging, online presentations (Slide-share, Google presentations), interactive whiteboards, Pod-casting, vodcasting (video-casting (Adobe connect))
• Community building and collaborating (e.g. wikis, Moodle, Google docs)
• Writing (e.g. Concept mapping, Blogging, Collaborative writing (Google docs))
• Modelling (e.g. Spreadsheets (Break even analysis), Databases
• Visualizing (e.g. Drawing/Paint programs, simulators (3D models), Graphical information systems (Google earth), Digital images (Still & video))
• Assessing (e.g. electronic portfolios, online quizzes, Google forms, Voting systems (clickers, in Adobe connect), individualized tests (change based on responses). 

In my opinion, the most memorable method is communicating. Communicating using discussion boards, instant messaging, online presentations (Slide-share, Google presentations), interactive whiteboards, Pod-casting, vodcasting (video-casting (Adobe connect)), is the best method but that does not mean that other methods are not important. Every above mentioned method carries its own importance in the process of education.

For example, Inquiry is the basic tool for any research. Designing and modelling being the methods to collaborate all the researched data into meaningful, relevant communicable information. Writing and communication are the method to record and shared the gained knowledge/information. Last but not the least assessing to judge the quality of learning process by assessing the retaining ratio of the knowledge/information gained and processed.

Sometimes technology also can be a barrier in the process of learning. The most common barriers to technology integration are time, training, resources, and support. Teachers need time to learn how to use the hardware and software, time to plan, and time to collaborate with other teachers. And technologies don’t integrate overnight it takes a lot of time, effort and co-ordination among all the teachers involved in the process.  Lack of resources like computers, ipad, laptops, and smart phones also present a problem to efficient learning and teaching process. Without computers in the classroom or at the user end (at students home) or appropriate software to support the planned layout of the course, technology integration cannot take place efficiently. Lack of leadership, financial support, or an on-site technology expert sends any technology integration efforts for a ride. Often ignored barrier is change. When teachers change according to the change in technology, there are two major ways that teachers are asked to change. Firstly, they are asked to adapt the new teaching tools such as the computer, online presentations (Slide-share, Google presentations), interactive whiteboards, Pod-casting, vodcasting (video-casting (Adobe connect), which is different from the classroom tools many currently use such as the chalkboard, overhead projector, or television which are still preferred by majority of teachers in spite of availability of the technology. Second, teachers are asked to change the way they teach their students (pedagogy), which may include changing the role they play in the classroom and the way their classrooms are physically arranged, using blended way of imparting the knowledge. (Dias, 1999)

Works Cited

Dias, L. B. (1999, November). Learning & Leading with Technology. Integrating Technology, pp. 11-21.

Howland, J., Jonassen,D., & Marra, R. (2012) Meaningful learning with technology, 4th Ed. Pearson

Pedagogy

There are many definitions of pedagogy. Perhaps the simplest is 'The science of teaching' (Oxford English Dictionary). However, the term denotes more than just a set of teaching techniques. Pedagogy encompasses:

what is taught/learned - the content

how it is taught or learned - approaches to teaching and learning

why it is taught or learned - the underpinning values, philosophy or rationale.

 Four pedagogy’s as identified by Anderson (2010)

Behaviourist/cognitive includes logically coherent, self paced and individual study which is capable of being transmitted and is independent of perspective. (Anderson, 2010)

Keeping my education in mind, I felt this more suitable for self motivated preparation of  competitive examinations in mind.

Constructivist is socially constructed in contexts and relationship rather than in minds. Argues that new knowledge is constructed on previous learning but in an active process, wherein errors and contradictions are considered good. It is based on groups and subject to discussion and validation and application in real world. They develop group skills and trust in a group/team. (Anderson, 2010)

I personally never felt this pedagogy in my life, but can use to a creative subject in my education called S.U.P.W (Socially useful productive work).

Connectivist is also known as Networked Learning. It argues that, “learning and knowledge and learning is diversity of opinions.” Learning which resides in non human appliances will need nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. They introduce lifelong learning for complex contexts. (Anderson, 2010) It can somewhat be related to DLT classes in EIT.

Instructivist is where content is “taught” to students, as in a lecture. In a blended environment, multiple strategies are used to engage students, with different pedagogies suiting different situations. (Anderson, 2010)

Works Cited

Anderson, T. (2010, April 14). CIDER Sessions. Retrieved from http://cider.athabascau.ca: http://cider.athabascau.ca/CIDERSessions/tanderson/cider%203%20generations%20of%20DE.pdf

What is VAKOG & NLP?

VAKOG stands for “Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory and Gustatory (human sensory systems)”.

(Thefreedictionary.com, 2013)

And NLP stands for Neuro-linguistic programming. (Thefreedictionary.com, 2013)

According to researchers:

“NLP offers an innovative praxis, underpinned in principle by Bateson's epistemological thinking, which informs a distinctive methodology known as ‘modelling’.” (Tosey & Mathison, 2010)

In Layman terms “Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California, USA in the 1970s” (wikipedia, 2013)

Studies and research have showed that NLP enhances the ability of the students to engage and contribute in the class and the schools have reported better quality of learning and teaching using NLP.  “NLP offers valuable insights in a technical sense on the psychological skills for understanding and influencing people.” (Carey, Churches, Hutchinson, Jones, & Tosey, 2010)

The implications of VAKOG in education are many like every teacher or student have their favourite sensory channel through which they want to gain or pass information. Generally the VAK is more evidently used. Use of OG in purpose of education is still under discussion.

VAKOG is a medium for NLP. NLP suggest in most circumstances people use mainly 4-5 senses like visual images, sound or speech, feelings, sense but also on e additional is self talk termed an audio internal. (NLP World Ltd, 2008)

To conclude VAKOG are the sensory mediums to impart NLP. But is not the only tool for imparting NLP.

Works Cited

Carey, J., Churches, R., Hutchinson, G., Jones, J., & Tosey, P. (2010). Neuro-linguistic programming and learning: teacher case studies on the impact of NLP in education. Berkshire: CfBT Education Trust.

NLP World Ltd. (2008, jUNE 16). nlp training – vakog. Retrieved from http://www.nlpworld.co.uk: http://www.nlpworld.co.uk/nlp-training-vakog/

Thefreedictionary.com. (2013, March 01). acronyms. Retrieved from thefreedictionary.com: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/VAKOG

Tosey, P., & Mathison, J. (2010). Neuro‐linguistic programming as an innovation in education and teaching. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 317-326.

wikipedia. (2013, March 1). Neuro-linguistic programming. Retrieved from wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming

Meaning of individualised and ubiquitous learning

Teaching and learning both have undergone major changes, due to the development of information technology. Way of learning keeps evolving from time to time, with new research and ideas implemented frequently keeping the advancement of technology in mind.

The dictionary meaning for individualistic is:

          1.   “more interested in individual people than in society as a whole”
      2.  “marked by or expressing individuality”

(Oxford University Press, 2013)

And ubiquitous is “present, appearing, or found everywhere” (Oxford University Press, 2013)

To sum it up in lay man terms, A technique which is focused on a particular individual or group of similar individuals but present anytime and everywhere. This only can be possible by using the digital technologies available or created.

By individualistic approach exactly means that a person can choose what they want to learn at a suitable time and place of their choice, and by making it present and available 24/7 on the cloud in the form of blogs or wiki it makes his study material ubiquitous but yet individualistic.

The latest trend in digital learning is m-learning, as the current generation wants gain knowledge on the move using laptops, iPad, androids, windows phone etc.. (Geogiev, Georgieva, & Smrikarov, 2004)

If given a choice a current generation student will prefer such medium of education than the generic based traditional approach.

Podcast, live streaming also are very good methods which are a part of many ongoing researches.

Note: Also read a brilliant article I found: http://eprints.ulster.ac.uk/24968/1/JIDE-SocialNetworkAnalysis.pdf 

Works Cited

Geogiev, T., Georgieva, E., & Smrikarov, A. (2004). M-Learning - a New Stage of Е-Learning. International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies - CompSysTech’2004, (pp. 1-5).

Oxford University Press. (2013, March 1). Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved from http://oxforddictionaries.com: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english

Statement of Authenticity

Statement of Authenticity

I confirm that:
• This is an original assessment and is entirely my own work.
• It contains no material previously published or written by another person or myself except where due acknowledgement is made in the text.
• No material which to a substantial extent, has been submitted for any other academic course, is included without acknowledgement.

- Prashin Kumar Poovelil

My Introduction

I am an organized and dedicated person, with excellent attention to detail and strong time management skills. I enjoy work that is challenging, interesting and allows me to take ownership of my duties. I am a very fast learner, so adapting to new work culture, work patterns, people and places is not at all a problem for me. My previous employment was with The Indian Army as an Officer trained at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, India. I have enjoyed the role for the variety it offers, and the way I am kept busy looking after almost everything starting with welfare, training and fitness of man and equipment, to performing security and various strategic duties assigned to me. I have also worked with big names like American Express as a Senior Credit Analyst of Global Credit Analysis Team for Small Business and personal customers. I worked with other big names at different positions and responsibilities. I also have an enormous experience as Event Project Manager of events of very large scale. Each position was unique and I have learnt a lot from them. I am a very fast learner, and appreciate feedback.

Thant was my professional part , and my personal end. I am happily married to a beautiful lady, who works as a share market trader. And we share the same hobbies like travelling, reading, movies. In short we find happiness in smallest thing in life.

My personal hobbies is adventure sports, non-fiction reading, watching documentaries, news, and as we all nerds, I love gaming too.

I love to make social ties, new friends. Especially when I am in a new place, its good to talk to people who can talk sense rather than gossip of vampire novels. So, anyone who wants to enhance their social network like me, know where to go ;)

I have tried and present to you as much as possible about me, just let me know, so that I will blog more about that.

Thanks a lot for your patience.