Well, I have to say that, barring the uncomfortable feeling that there is so much stuff out there, the web 2.0 topic is lots of fun. I've explore all sorts of new things I never knew were possible, but I've also discovered that there is plenty of software on my laptop that has been laying around unused up till now. I've made excellent use of my time on powerpoint and movie maker to come up with this short vid.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Friday, 26 August 2011
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast
Lots of fun reading this week on the illusive topic of information literacy. As usual, however, the research all seems to focus on secondary school teaching. Having read Herring's research on the use of the PLUS model and the Wolf piece about the Big 6 I get the impression that the more able students have no need for an information process model because they have internalised the process, and that ideally all students would be in this situation, although that might put us out of a job. No need to worry as yet though since the majority of students are still in need of this kind of scaffold.
What I would like to see is some research on the long term effects of the introduction of a process model at primary level. I am strongly of the opinion that primary students are constantly underestimated and that there is no reason the research process can't be introduced as early as Prep. The earlier learning can be embedded the better it will stick and become internalised. If information literacy were to be truly integrated into the primary curriculum the majority of secondary student would have no need for this scaffolding.
What I would like to see is some research on the long term effects of the introduction of a process model at primary level. I am strongly of the opinion that primary students are constantly underestimated and that there is no reason the research process can't be introduced as early as Prep. The earlier learning can be embedded the better it will stick and become internalised. If information literacy were to be truly integrated into the primary curriculum the majority of secondary student would have no need for this scaffolding.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Some people are on the pitch...
..They think it's all over.
.. It is now!
Well, all I can say is that I am soooo glad I live in Brisbane right now. Without the two days off for the EKKA my assignments would have involved some very late nights this weekend.
Having said that, I feel that now is an appropriate time to follw Mr Herring's PLUS model and self-evaluate my information literacy performance. I may have finished on time, but do I feel confident that I've produced quality assignments?
Well, yes and no. I don't think I could have done much more reading in the time available, and I attempted to read around the subject as much as possible. I think I stuck to the brief for each assignment as accurately as possible, and I ought to feel confident about them.
I can't escape that niggling feeling that there's something I'm missing. Was there a crucial article that I didn't read? Does it sound professional or like the gibberings of a teenage monkey?
What I think this process really reveals is how emotionally fraught the learning process can be. I think all those on the course returning to study after a prolonged break will agree that, while familiarity may breed contempt, at least it might also bring peace of mind. Hopefully the next ones may be a tad less stressful.
.. It is now!
Well, all I can say is that I am soooo glad I live in Brisbane right now. Without the two days off for the EKKA my assignments would have involved some very late nights this weekend.
Having said that, I feel that now is an appropriate time to follw Mr Herring's PLUS model and self-evaluate my information literacy performance. I may have finished on time, but do I feel confident that I've produced quality assignments?
Well, yes and no. I don't think I could have done much more reading in the time available, and I attempted to read around the subject as much as possible. I think I stuck to the brief for each assignment as accurately as possible, and I ought to feel confident about them.
I can't escape that niggling feeling that there's something I'm missing. Was there a crucial article that I didn't read? Does it sound professional or like the gibberings of a teenage monkey?
What I think this process really reveals is how emotionally fraught the learning process can be. I think all those on the course returning to study after a prolonged break will agree that, while familiarity may breed contempt, at least it might also bring peace of mind. Hopefully the next ones may be a tad less stressful.
Friday, 5 August 2011
The Salmon... Splish Splash
This week I have felt rather like the salmon struggling upstream against the raging torrent. I have been swimming around the world wide water hunting for new feeding grounds for my school.. Well, something like that anyway. Perhaps I should end this metaphor before it becomes completely incomprehensible.
What I have actually been doing is hunting for websites to evaluate for my ETL501 assignment 1. Having selected a Year 4 history topic I embarked on a journey of discovery full of awe and wonder.. almost. I have discovered that the web is full of sites that say exactly the same thing as every other site available on the same topic. I find myself wondering whether there is any value in finding four sites when you will learn everything that's available from the first one you visit. I wonder to myself, did they all simply cut and paste from each other?
Perhaps the fault is mine. I like things to be orderly, and I don't like wasting my time trawling through something I've already seen. I wish there was some way to spring clean the Internet and scrub away all the dust that has gathered there over the years.
I have also reaffirmed something I already knew.. the Internet is not designed for children. While locating the relevant information is relatively simple, doing so in a format that is accessible and attractive to a group of 9 year olds is another matter entirely. I guess this is simply a cross that those of us working in the primary sphere must grin and bear with dignity. Lovely
What I have actually been doing is hunting for websites to evaluate for my ETL501 assignment 1. Having selected a Year 4 history topic I embarked on a journey of discovery full of awe and wonder.. almost. I have discovered that the web is full of sites that say exactly the same thing as every other site available on the same topic. I find myself wondering whether there is any value in finding four sites when you will learn everything that's available from the first one you visit. I wonder to myself, did they all simply cut and paste from each other?
Perhaps the fault is mine. I like things to be orderly, and I don't like wasting my time trawling through something I've already seen. I wish there was some way to spring clean the Internet and scrub away all the dust that has gathered there over the years.
I have also reaffirmed something I already knew.. the Internet is not designed for children. While locating the relevant information is relatively simple, doing so in a format that is accessible and attractive to a group of 9 year olds is another matter entirely. I guess this is simply a cross that those of us working in the primary sphere must grin and bear with dignity. Lovely
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