Module 8 - Activity 10 - The Flipped Classroom Approach

The flipped classroom approach engage learners not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom.  The course content is made available for the learners to access when needed.  They prepare for the lesson before they enter the classroom using various tools and media.  In this approach the learners are responsible for their learning.

The flipped classroom approach helps to develop the learners critical thinking and problem solving skills.  They are encourage to reflect on what they learn and use that knowledge to solve problems and answer questions.  Technology tools and media are integrated in the teaching/learning process to motivate and keep the learners engaged. The classroom time is used to engage learners in collaborative projects and activity which develops their communication and cooperative skills.

However for the flipped classroom approach to effectively cater for the needs of all learners there teacher should adequately plan for the implementation of this approach.  There should be clear goals and objectives set and communicated to the learners.  As for any other approach there should be collaboration among all stakeholders (Administrators, teachers, parents and students) to determine how to effectively implement that all learners will benefit.

Module 8 - Activity 9 - Cell Phones in the Classroom

With any new tool in the classroom, there should be proper planning and clear acceptable use policy to guide students.  The cell phone can be an effective tool in the teaching and learning process with proper planning.  Although there a cons to the use of the cell phone in the classroom, the pros outweigh the cons.

Pros

• Useful to parents and students when scheduling after school activities
• can be used in cases of emergency, students can call directly rather than waiting in line to use the school phone
• useful in the classroom older students can use their cell phones to conduct phone interviews during their class time. Most phones have internet capabilities and as such students can do research especially in a classroom where their is limited computers.
• Most cell phones are also equipped with calculators and have memories large enough to hold books.
• Useful as a teaching tool to communicate with students. Through Texting, tweeting, bbm messaging and WhatsApp messages the teacher can send reminders and letting them ask questions and send responses to questions using the cell phone. The speed and convenience of this method is welcomed by most students and aids in the teaching and learning process. 
• Students can quickly do research on a topic while sitting anywhere. The access to immediate information is a very valuable educational tool.
• It allows us to teach students digital responsibility and citizenship. 
• Can be used to video tape lessons or activities for presentation in class. 
• Since most students already own a cellphone, this can eliminate the strain on the limited computers in the labs. Students can use their cellphones to do research on various topics across the curricula.
• With use of apps such as google calendar students can keep track of assignments, due dates since these apps can give them a reminders 
• With cellphones technology can be integrated in all subject area and all classrooms without additional financial strain on schools to provide ICT tools for students
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Cons

• they are distracting to the students
• because they are so small, its not easy for a teacher to see exactly what the student is doing, they could be texting or playing games when they should be researching
• cheating, taking and passing on inappropriate photos.
• Cell phones can inspire destructive behaviour. There is a new phonomenon called "sexting" where explicit photos and text messages sent around using the cell phone is on the rise and many students are becoming engaged in this behaviour. 
• Fueling the rumor mill: texting messages can spread through students much faster, oftentimes setting off unnecessary and unfounded rumors and fears.
• Texting may affect spelling and writing in the classroom setting because of language used. 
• If not guided students can inappropriately use cellphones 

Module 8 - Activity 8 - E-Safety Policies and Managing Social Networking

A school's e-safety policy should include1. clear guideline on what is acceptable2. how to deal with cyberbullying 3. what information that should not be posted online and how to protect personal information4. to respect themselves and others online5. netiquette rules6 procedures for reporting unacceptable behaviour or information found online7. copyright rules
8. student and teacher interaction
9. use of mobile devices
10 role of parents and teachers
The most effective procedure to ensure e-safety explain the ICT policy and rules with the students and modelling of acceptable behaviours by the teachers.

The 5 most important considerations for a teacher requiring students to use social networks in the learning environment

1. survey the students about social media - find out from the students which social media they use and the ones the would like to see used in their learning environment.

2. Ensure that the students are comfortable with the social media being integrated in the lessons

3. utilize groups and communities where students and interact with each other and post content and ask questions.

4. Keep communication with students in the group, website or page designated to the class

5. establish clear communication boundaries

Module 8 - Activity 7 - Learning with Tablets

Tablets in the classroom  engage students with diverse learning abilities and allows teachers to produce more effective learner experience for the whole class. Tablets are very portable and allows the students to be engaged not only in the classroom but at home, on the bus, on the field or any where they are comfortable. With the various educational Apps and software available there is no need for them to be confined to the four walls of a classroom.

Module 8 - Activity 6 - One-to-One-Learning

There are several pros and cons to one-to-one learning these include

Pros
1.  prepare for tomorrow's workplace
2. broadens learning beyond the classroom the world comes to the classroom
3. complements project-based learning classroom
4. increase student engagement
5. students are able to interact and collaborate with others outside their classroom
6. student's productivity increase

Cons
1.  can reduce interaction among students
2. can be difficult to monitor students
3.  safety and security of students and their information.

The strongest feature of one-to-one learning is the ability to cater for the individual needs of the students

Module 8 Activity 5 - Interactive White Boards

Interactive White Boards (IWB) is a tool that is used by teachers to enhance the teaching and learning process. With another tool there must be careful planning the ensure that it is used effectively and that all students are engaged during the lesson. 

However my concerns with IWB does it encourage interactivity in the class does, it encourage the students to use their problem solving and critical thinking skills during the lessons. From the videos demonstrating the use of IBW, the teacher was at the front of the class demonstrating the concepts to the students. The students then demonstrated what they understood in the various activities. This just remind me of what many teachers are presently doing but instead of the IBW they use the chalkboard. Doing the same old thing in new ways.

Module 8 - Activity 4 - One Computer Classroom

Any use of ICT tools in the classroom can change and have a positive effect on the students.  Whether it is the use of computer labs, learning labs in the classroom or one computer in the classroom there is an opportunity to open the walls of the classroom for our students.  With these tools the world now becomes the classroom.

With any new strategy there a pros and cons.  Pros for one computer classroom
1.  lessons are not confined to what the students see around them
2.  it can create more interaction and collaboration among students
3.  it can increase student interest and motivation
4.  allows for critical thinking and creative expressions
5.  teachers can plan differentiated learning activities

Cons
1. limited ICT skills of the teachers
2. limited finance to purchase equipment
3. technological and social barriers

Module 8 - Activity 3 - Pros and Cons of Computer Labs

Careful planning is necessary to ensure that the computer is used effectively in the lesson.  Administrators has to ensure that  each student receive equal time and opportunity to access the computer.  There are several pros and cons to the use of computer labs

Pros
1.  the world comes to the classroom
2.  the lesson is not confined to what the students see around them but its open to the world
3.  it creates more interaction and collaboration with students in other schools
4.  it can cater for all learning styles

Cons

1.  lack of ICT tools
2.  technological and social barriers to ICT integration
3.  the unwillingness of some educators and administrators to change

If we are going to do new things in new ways with ICT, then the way our computer labs are used presently will have to change.  ICt integration requires equal access to all subjects and all students if the integration process is to be effective.

Module 8 - Activity 2 - Learning in ICT-enabled classroom

The readings made me reflect on what presently takes place here in our classroom with ICT.  Is it being used to challenge, engage, and motivate our students across the curricula or are we simply using new tools to do the same old things.  It also highlighted some of the problems faced by schools and teachers with the integration of ICT.

One of the major problems that educators and administrators face is that they plan for the implementation of ICT without involving the students who are being affected by these tools.  Although the students readily accept the use of ICT tools some teachers and administrators are unsure of how to integrate ICT in their school and classroom.  Making the change in the classroom also face technological and social barriers which are not always easy to overcome.

Module 8 - Activity 1 - Classroom Management with and without ICT

The reading for this activity has highlighted the importance of classroom management with and without ICT.  In order for ICT to be effective in the classroom the following should be noted
1.  the students should be involved in learning preparation and planning
2.  activities should be planned to keep the students engaged at all times
3. clear guidelines and procedures should be set for what is expected, before, during and after a lesson

A teacher who is passionate about his/her subject with clear guidelines and procedures set for their students will be better able to maintain control of his/her class and create a more effective learning environment.

There is ineffective classroom management when there is no plan or clear rules for students to follow.

Module 9 Activity 4 -Whole school conditions for ICT integration

With ICT integration learners will be more responsible for their learning. The learning process will now be authentic and learner centred. The teacher is no longer the provider of all information but will now facilitate and guide as their students build on their knowledge. There will be some resistance from those who are not willing to change, that don’t see the need to change and from those who are afraid to change. The vision of integrating ICT in schools cannot be achieved without collaboration among stakeholder. Stakeholders should be a team and every stakeholder should be able to communicate their ideas, suggestions, fears and solutions throughout the integration process. Only with this teamwork will the integration process be successful. School leadership is very important to the integration process. The leader must have the vision and be willing and able to share this vision to the members of his/her team. The leader has to bring all stakeholders together to share, experiment, implement, reflect and communicate to achieve the vision. The leader should also be open to new ideas, be willing and open to learning skills and processes and creating an environment where his staff is given the opportunity to do the same.

Module 9 Activity 3 - Thinking about the whole school

Reviewing the diagram “thinking of the whole school” has highlighted areas of my school that needs to be looked at and reviewed to improve the quality of education our students received. All of the areas on the diagram can be improved with ICT but I have chosen to focus on the Curriculum and Assessment. I have chosen this areas since the primary goal of an educational institution is to educate its learners. The present curricula focuses on the learners passing an exam to provide their knowledge, with ICT there can be change to students building knowledge. We need to move away from the teacher centred approach to teaching to the more interactive and authentic learner centred approach. The change to teaching for lifelong learning requires the learners to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to build knowledge and not just simply memorizing information for an exam. In our education system a pigeon hole is used to send out mails and communication to school. I refused to use this system as of this academic year. During last academic year, I informed my teachers that all communication will be sent out via email or website. I held who refused to even get an email address. Towards the end of the first term in this academic year I was able to get one of these teachers to create and send me an email that teacher is even Face book now (baby steps which I can work with). I am still working to bringing the other teacher around. I consider myself a champion for the cause of ICT integration in schools. I have gone all out to assist anyone who is willing and even those who are not so willing to learn ICT skills and to utilize them in their class. I will continue to encourage others and would love my CCTI colleagues to do the same. Vision for ICT integration in the curriculum and assessment

Module 9 Activity 2 - School Scenarios

Throughout this activity we examined various challenges faced by schools with the integration of ICT.  It highlighted some the problems school face when an ICT readiness test is not done before implementation.  The infrastructure, skills of the teachers, the environment are some aspect of ICT readiness that should be evaluated when planning to implement ICT.

It should also be noted that all donations are not always good donations if they are not meeting the needs and skills of the schools.  If the leader is not onboard with the change then there will be resistance to this change,

Module 9 Activity 1 - Leadership in the digital age

Leaders in a digital age should be open and prepared  to meet new challenges and be willing to make changes. To cope  with the changes the school should be resilient, while creating and maintaining a learning and knowledge-creating environment.  Leaders should help workers to see the logic of this new age system even where they may be chaos but there is  order.  Stakeholders of the education system need a chance to absorb and adapt to deal with the challenges of ICT.

Module 9 Hello Activity

My name is Jacqueline Peters-Richardson. I began my teaching career in 1990 at the Princess Margaret School, where I was the head of the Business Department and taught Principles of Accounts and Electronic Document Preparation and Management from Grade 9 -11.

Presently, I am the Education Officer-Business in the Ministry of Education a post I took up in January 2010.  My responsibilities include supervising the Business Education Program in the secondary school in Antigua and Barbuda.  This covers the following subjects; Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Economics and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM).  My responsibilities also include the monitoring and support along with professional development of teachers especially the business teachers.

I am also a part time lecture at the Department of Teacher Education at the Antigua State College where I teach the course Technology in Education to the student teachers.

From this course I am hoping learn new ideas and approaches that I can use to assist the teachers in my care to improve the overall education program in Antigua and Barbuda.

You are welcome to be a member on my website  http://businesseducationantigua.webs.com/

Module 7 Activity 10 - Sharing (publishing) online

The use of technology has made it easier for persons to share and demonstrate their knowledge with other.   In this activity we examines a few tools that are available for sharing and publishing.  These tools include blogs, wikis, movie maker, photo story and websites.  They all provide a different media for teaching/learning compared to the traditional classroom.  Teachers can store all their tools and aids which can be made readily available for their students when needed.

Module 7 Activity 9 - Learning and Collaboration online

Collaborative learning promotes higher level of knowledge it requires students to investigate and research problems, evaluate and examine possible solutions, interact with others to gather information and make adjustment to findings based on results and information.  In the collaborative process each member   works on solving a problem that beneficial to all parties.

Module 7 Activity 8 - Communication and Collaboration

During the activity, I discovered many different web tools that can be utilized in the teaching/learning process.    A few of my colleagues and I worked together on a collaborative document outlining the advantages and disadvantages we discovered working with some of the web tools.  We were able to discover some of the challenges faced when working on collaborative project.  There a things to consider such as different work schedules, access to tools and information.  However with mind mapping  software, Google docs and other collaborative tools members are able to add their ideas and thoughts.

I have uncovered during this activity a lot of information and tools to share with my colleagues and teachers that will assist to make a change in the way teaching/learning takes places in our schools.

Module 7 -Activity 7 - Learning through Social Media

Social media is used by teachers and students to communicate with their peers.  No one used the postal service to communicate with their love one anymore. With social media we are always in contact no matter how many miles a part we may be.  This media can be used in the learning/teaching process to communicate with our students, to collaborate with others and to share information.  Our classes are no longer the four walls or confine to the assign text but is open to the whole world.

Module 7 - Activity 6 Real World Collaboration

I have concluded that the following standards are necessary for any authentic problem solving activity

1	Students are given opportunity for Problem Solving
2	Students use critical thinking skills
3.	They build on previous knowledge
4.	It allows   students to apply skills to solve problems
5.	Evidence of interaction/collaboration
6.	End product is shared with an audience
7.	Students are allowed to be creative
8.	Work should be produced over a period of time
9.	The task needs to be multidisciplinary
10	There should be evidence of and opportunities for  in depth investigation/research
11.	Guidelines should be given
12.	The role of the teacher is facilitator/guide
13.	Students should be responsible for their own learning

The project should
1. use hands on approach
2.  be 'real world' oriented
3. accommodate various learning styles
4. allow students to be creative

Module 7 - Activity 5 Engaging 21st Century Learners

This activity dealt with understanding student engagement.  We were required to contribute to a concept map    identify evidence of students engagement.  In order for students to be engaged, there should be
1. inquiry based learning
2. activity should be multidisciplinary
3. a reflective learning environment
4. performance based assessment
5. use of problem solving skills
6.active and collaborative learning
7.  able to use critical thinking skills
8.  creativity

A combination of all these elements would engage the students throughout the learning process.

Module 7 - Activity 4 Knowledge Building

In this activity we looked at knowledge building as an element of 21st century learning.  We were required to assess whether or not we provide the kind of learning environment in which knowledge building will thrive.    I have concluded that in order for learning environment to encourage knowledge building it requires
1. planning for all the needs of the learners,
2. it should be a place that is fun and the learners enjoy coming to,
3. an atmosphere of lifelong learning and not just individuals absorbing information
4. the use of more student centred approaches to learning
5. students to use critical thinking skills

Module 7 - Activity 3 Critical Thinking

Being a critical thinker is an important element of a 21st century school and 21st century learning.  The objective of any curriculum is to cater and address the needs of the whole child.  Critical thinkers ask questions clarity thinks for themselves.  Critical thinking is a skill that is active and allows for interpretations and evaluation of observations.

There are avenues for dialogues, questions, and for learners to identify and analyze the problem. To ensure that learners master the skill of critical thinking there are intellectual standards they can follow
1. Be clear and state what they mean and do not confuse others
2. Be accurate - ensure that the information they give and receive is correct
3. Be relevant - determine if the information is related to what they are thinking about
4. Be logical - ensure that there ideas and information fit together
5. Be fair - consider how your action and behavior will make other feel

Learner can also use checklist to assist them to overcome challenges.
1. Clarity
2. Accuracy
3. Precision
4. Relevance
5. Depth
6. Breadth
7. Logic

Module 7 - Activity 2

This activity encourages us to think of our view of a 21st century classroom and a vision for our subject in the 21st century.  The changing us of technology has forced educators to make a change on how we teach our students.  We need to reflect on what we have done in the pass and develop a vision for our class in the future.

Module 7 - Activity 1

For the first activity we examined the key elements of the 21st century education.  21st Century Education must be authentic and deals with needs of the whole child.  One of the most important aspect of my readings was the "seven survival skills" advocated by Tony Wagner
1.  critical thinking and problem solving
2. collaboration
3.  agility and  adaptability
4. initiative and entrepreneurialism
5. effective oral and written communication
6. accessing and analyzing information
7. curiosity and imagination

To me these skills are very important  for our students to compete and survive in this global market.