CCTI - Tutor Training 11th & 12th June

Dear colleagues,

It was a pleasure being with you once again to continue the venture we began last November. Although the two days were surely intense, we had time to reflect on the last module or modules, share new ideas, and plan our way forward.

As part of the planning, we are to be involved in joining each others blog and wiki, as a result please join this blog by clicking on the Join this site under the word Followers on the right hand side or block of this page.

Please go to the CCTI - Tutor Training page to read instructions to complete the various activities set up for you.

Thanking you,
Terry-Ann Marsh-Roberts

Module 2A-4, Activity 11: Creating a Personal Learning Network (PLN)

13-03-12

I know I should have stated how my friends and colleagues should be able to join my PLN along with my strategy to create my PLN in our group discussion however, I am still going through other persons PLN so I can create one that will be of interest, where there is much need for it, and the members will be able to share information frequently.

As a result, my Personal Learning Network is in the groundwork stage for it to be set up and therefore, I hope that when my colleagues and friends receive their invitation to join that they will find it an educational tool for personal and professional development.

Module 2A-4, Activity 10: Social Media As A Professional Development Resource

19-02-12

Web-based and mobile technologies = 'social media'

What are my thoughts on this?

I believe that since there is no way of getting away from the ongoing evolution of science and technology we need to embrace it in all forms. As a result, at home, work and in the community we should be equipped with communicating via social media.

Questions that have arised due to reading the information given in activity 10.

1. Do I use social media? If, yes, how do I really use it?

2. Do I think that there is room for knowing more about different types of social media? If yes, how would I gain that knowledge?

3. Is there a need for social media to be used as a professional development resource? If yes, to what extent are we already doing this in Antigua and Barbuda? Also, how may we build upon what exist for the betterment of our institutions?

Even though I have these questions and somewhat already the answers, if you are reading this blog, may you share your thoughts on: the use of social media as a professional development resource.

Thank you.

Module 2A-4, Activity 9: Evaluating web-hosted information

05-02-12

I thoroughly enjoyed doing Activity 9. Wow! What a change from the last activity.

Looking at how to evaluate web-hosted information may at first seem to be a challenge, but it was so much fun. Out of the criteria we looked at Purpose, Credibility, Accuracy and Bias. I found to evaluate Bias took way longer than what I expected. It was a tricky one.

The best idea I have learnt for web searching is to ensure that above all the information given is from a credible site. Then this would allow you to see the purpose and accuracy of the source and as a result, you may further investigate to identify if there is bias or anything else.

In addition, my view on the value of web-based information is that not all information ‘web-based’ is necessarily good for you to just get up and run with. On the other hand, more or less it is the discretion of the reader that determines whether or not the web-based information that they are searching for suites the context of the type of work they intend to use it to do.

Module 2A-4, Activity 8: Integrating spreadsheets with learning

27-01-12

Frustration with spreadsheet

I can't believe we've made it through spreadsheet!!!

First we had to use spreadsheets for administrative purposes

Then in using graphs

Also we had an overview of spreadsheet as a learning tool

Ultimately we had to acually integrate it with learning

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

What I think about integrating ICT with learning?

I think that after my frustration of trying to grasp the spreadsheet concepts, that it was absolutely "FUN" to have students actively engaged with technology in such a way that they are able to produce information on topics without feeling bored of having to just read from a board and write in their exercise books different class assignments/tasks and homework activities.

I believe that ICT enhances learning as it continues to stimulate students and make them feel more a part of their learning as they explore the aspects of various computer software.

Module 2A-4 Activity 7: Spreadsheets as a learning resource

21-01-12

Activity 7 was in two parts. The first part was challenging for me, however the second part was even more so.

Students will benefit from using spreadsheet in class by being able to record information from various sources in different forms, whether in a table, graph or chart.

In the case of statistical or numerical data they may be able to have formulae for certain calulations, for example finding means, averages, standard deviations, etc.

However spreadsheet could be used as a database to store information that may be represented in codes and saved in a workbook that is a codebook, etc.

As a result my impressions of the value of a spreadsheet as an educational tool is that it has alot to offer to students and teachers alike in the development of technical skills and general knowledge on how to represent information.

Part 1 of activity seven gave an example of how a teacher used spreadsheet to bring out the concepts of number and range in mathematics using spreadsheet as a learning tool.

Part 2 of the activity was my turn to do the same. Show how I would use spreadsheet in a big group in a computer room. I was very shaky in producing this activity. However as a summary it is an activity in which the students will have to work independently on their computers to record information from their pilot questionnaires using spreadsheet, focusing on the cell concept of spreadsheet. In addition to that codification and categorization which will later help them to further analyse data.

I think that I need to practice somemore in this area.

Module 2A-4 Activity 6A: Using Graphs in the Classroom

13-01-12

Using Graphs in the Classroom

I found this activity just as challenging like the last one. Due to the fact that it was to use spreadsheet to produce a graph. On the other hand I actually enjoyed doing it, because I embraced the idea that I was also to use it as an activity in which the class would learn information within their subject area.

As a result, spreadsheet poses to be a wonderful challenge that will help to improve the teaching learning process while it enhances my personal development.