Elearning at Mid Cheshire College
Web tools for teaching and learning
(to support the new creative industries diplomas)
Your assessment question: how will web tools promote learning in your curriculum area? (Reply to this blog post!)
New Diplomas refocus on core elements of learning:
- team working
- independent enquiry
- self-management
- reflective learning
- effective participation
- creative thinking.
These are traditional educational values!
But we live in a digital world and digital expression (text, design, animation, video, music) is ubiquitous and not restricted to those who can afford expensive technology, not restricted to the immediate locale, not the preserve of institutions and commerce; the individual now has the power to publish, create, share promote and benefit from connecting globally.
If you have something to express, you can now say it to the world and say it imaginatively.
Digital expression and web tools can support all these traditional values.
The New Diplomas also place emphasis on work-related learning.
What will this mean in practice?
Where do the professionals in the creative industries hang out? Online.
It is a disparate industry, populated by many sole traders, freelancers, small businesses – there is not the same tangible industry infrastructure as many other professions, so online communities (often informal) are the 21st Century offices and watering holes. And it’s a global community.
Do you want more work?
Of course not; the web tools you choose, should streamline teaching and learning, stimulating endeavour from the learner, so beware of getting bogged down in presenting information, rather look to provoke activity from learners.
Overview of some tools.
VLE, LMS, MLE are all acronyms associated with online environments that an institution provides for teachers to teach in. (Rather like a space with facilities).
A common tool is Moodle. It’s free, has plenty of great features and many institutions use it, so many teachers and learners will have experienced its look and feel.
Creative work – videos and comments
Music in Society – forums
Sound and Music Industry – online text assignments
Music Language – resources and year plan
For conformity (and maybe equality of opportunity) an institution with a VLE will reasonably expect all staff to use this tool for their courses, but there are plenty of non-institutional online tools to use. My selection inevitably reflects my personal experiences and preferences, but (just like teaching in the classroom) there are many ways to crack the nut!
I’m going to focus on blogs, wikis and social networks. These all have common features – spaces for anyone to self-publish, communicate and collaborate.
Blogs – a short tour
Ken Lewis’s blog.
About Edublogs for teaching.
Wikis – a short tour.
Elearning for music
Music language wiki
A wiki used collaboratively
Social Networks – a short tour of the CCM Music Ning and an example of a virtual guest lecture.
classroom20.ning.com
ccmmusic.ning.com
As well as the grander benefits of self-publishing these online tools offer, there are also benefits in managing some practicalities. Writing online provides evidence; all published work is stored, date and author stamped. Writing needn’t be in isolation – when you are writing online you do so expecting a response. Media is easily integrated in the presentation process. There is nothing to ‘collect in’ – it exists for all to see (who have permission to see it). It is the start of a portfolio of life long learning.
How will Web 2.0 tools promote learning in your curriculum area?
Why am I asking you to respond to this question (by replying here)?
Assessment is a key element of learning. The new IFL standards require teachers to not only undertake professional development but to reflect on it. By responding here, you have a record of not only your evaluation, but the original notes and resources from the session and the reflections of your colleagues.
Post your reply here! New Diplomas training day and only one thing on their minds!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Really enjoyed the event – the New Diplomas are looking good, responding to the changing nature of the creative industries. Don’t think I waffled too much, no-one fell asleep and I didn’t leave through the back door, so not too bad. Wish I’d had some fruit salad now.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Thanks so much for your presentation today. It really got people thinking about how we could use elearning with the creative and media diplomas and was a really effective presentation. I will definitely be in touch soon about some follow up to today’s event. A few of us are getting together for a development day on April 30th to look at preparing some resources. Perhaps we could discuss possibility of of a little help at that?
It was great to see you, and thanks again for helping to get the ball rolling.