Do traditional class room environments work?
It is very interesting watching the body language of students in comparison to learning on the practical site and learning in the class room. When we are on site students are engaged interacting with each other, discussing issues and constantly asking questions. But when we are in the class room. the students tend to “not” ask frequent questions, “not” engage in natural discussion, “not” discuss issue. Don't get me wrong, I run lots of group activities, peer discussion and questioning session, but interaction most definitely does not come as naturally as it does when they are on site, my students will ask questions in theory class to satisfy there needs or inquiries of understanding, but there is a serious short fall in regards to natural interaction, discussion and inquiry.
I vividly remember a particular theory session where we had an engaging class activity in small groups, then each group presenting to the class and there was a good buzz happening, lots of noise, lots of discussion then after that, I covered some of the technical information related........the students body language changed instantly, shoulders dropped, there previously wide open eyes narrowed, and there was a sudden deafening silence. I knew instantly that I had lost there attention. We still need to cover the technical topics, and we still need the opportunity to switch between facilitator and educator, but how can we do this better?
It’s important that we understand the role of technology. Clark (1983) Claims that technology is simply a vehicle that delivers instructions, but does not them selves influence student achievement. Bonk & Reynolds (1997) also mentions that it is not the technology its self that offers quality learning rather it is the manner it presents strategies for the learner to develop. If we look at it in that respect, then we are offering a package that allows facilitation for learning and empowering the students to learn freely. Why do we need to structure theory lessons and practical lessons? Why cannot we not be flexible with theory and practical?
We are now going to construct an outdoor class room with a 2 touch smart board projecting outwards with students sitting outside in the environment that best suites there learners needs. We can now talk about things theoretically and within a split second they can view the actual component or aspect we are trying to relate to. We are now positioned away from the traditional class room and the emotional connections from past experiences.
(This is only a draft drawing with lots of changes being made and obviously the cladding will be completed)
(Drawing by Joseph Pitovao)
The proposal was brought forward to management and the idea was warmly received and a budget has been given to construct the building with all new material and an inclusion of a 2 touch board (like a smart board but more durable for outside use). Our manager has always been really open to ideas and open to changes and if this prototype goes well we will look at constructing another for the lower car park. We have just had the material delivered this week and construction will begin on Monday using three students from each practical group then rotating so all students are involved.
As educators it is important that we continuously look for new and innovative anagogical approaches. (Benson, Lawler, & Whitworth, 2008) talks about innovation and being exposed to new things, and not staying in the same place. He goes on to say that experts determine the content but we as educators should be allowed the freedom and flexibility to determine how we deliver that content.
On our practical site we have two different sites within the one compound. There is a lower car park and an upper car park and they both function at different stages of the house construction. One group starts at the beginning of the year and the other starts mid year, this means that when the mid year group starts the other group is already half way through the construction of there house project. There is a lot that the students can learn from each other but because of health and safety reasons it is not always appropriate to take all your students to the one sight, but what if they could stream live videos on the lower car park and the students at the top car park can watch it live and we can also review it in more depth. At any moment we can either do practical work then switch to theory without being restricted to a time table, obviously weather is a issue with being out doors but you cant have it all. We can more appropriately judge when students need theory discussion and then switch instantly back to practical to put theory into action. I often run theory sessions outside using a white board with students sitting on planks or saw stools, and they seems to enjoy this environment, but with the 2 touch board we can now integrate technology to best suite the learners needs. Student discussion between other groups can also benefit from this because we are not restricted to a class room or a specific time table.
I would like to have more connectivity between the iphone and the 2 touch board, but that is some thing I need to look into more.
references:
The proposal was brought forward to management and the idea was warmly received and a budget has been given to construct the building with all new material and an inclusion of a 2 touch board (like a smart board but more durable for outside use). Our manager has always been really open to ideas and open to changes and if this prototype goes well we will look at constructing another for the lower car park. We have just had the material delivered this week and construction will begin on Monday using three students from each practical group then rotating so all students are involved.
As educators it is important that we continuously look for new and innovative anagogical approaches. (Benson, Lawler, & Whitworth, 2008) talks about innovation and being exposed to new things, and not staying in the same place. He goes on to say that experts determine the content but we as educators should be allowed the freedom and flexibility to determine how we deliver that content.
On our practical site we have two different sites within the one compound. There is a lower car park and an upper car park and they both function at different stages of the house construction. One group starts at the beginning of the year and the other starts mid year, this means that when the mid year group starts the other group is already half way through the construction of there house project. There is a lot that the students can learn from each other but because of health and safety reasons it is not always appropriate to take all your students to the one sight, but what if they could stream live videos on the lower car park and the students at the top car park can watch it live and we can also review it in more depth. At any moment we can either do practical work then switch to theory without being restricted to a time table, obviously weather is a issue with being out doors but you cant have it all. We can more appropriately judge when students need theory discussion and then switch instantly back to practical to put theory into action. I often run theory sessions outside using a white board with students sitting on planks or saw stools, and they seems to enjoy this environment, but with the 2 touch board we can now integrate technology to best suite the learners needs. Student discussion between other groups can also benefit from this because we are not restricted to a class room or a specific time table.
I would like to have more connectivity between the iphone and the 2 touch board, but that is some thing I need to look into more.
references:
Benson, A., Lawler, C., & Whitworth, A. (2008). Rules, roles and tools: Activity theory and the comparative study of e-learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(3), 456-467.
Bonk, C. J., & Reynolds, T. H. (1997). Learner centred Web instruction for higher-order thinking, teamwork, and apprentiship.
Clark, R. E. (1983). Reconsidering research on learning from media.
More great stuff. Your team is focused on one thing and that's Student centered learning.
Listening to what the student is saying with their body language is Oh so very important. Good on you for picking this up. Stay connected to this communication wave-length as this is the key that engages the learning process. It has been said that we communicate only 27% using words, the rest is through the language of the body and mind. Show me in writing where theory needs to be learnt in the class room? And I'll show you an administrator. Give the students freedom to learn and us freedom to teach so that this learning may happen.
Cheers
Posted by: christopher lovegrove | 10/09/2010 at 09:33 PM
Nice one Chris, Cheers mate
Posted by: kamukapati | 10/09/2010 at 11:08 PM
I was hoping this could be part of my frame work? But still trying to nut that one out
Posted by: kamukapati | 10/09/2010 at 11:09 PM
Terrific Muks. I'll be very interested in the mobile smartboard thingy, and how it works out for you. Good intervention, hope it works well. Good on your management for their support to.
Posted by: Merf | 10/11/2010 at 04:59 PM