I haven't had nearly as much time to think or write about my Master's Project as I'd like. However, a couple quick links to people who seem to be thinking along similar lines:
1. Scott Meech at Tech & Learning
Scott describes 5 steps toward using technology as an environment for learning (and identifies popular and his own picks for tools to aid in each step):
- Researching
- Reading
- Archiving
- Reflecting
- Participating
He goes into more detail and it's worth the read1, but these steps fit nicely with the three general steps I have in mind for students while working as self-directed learning in the science classroom:
- Selection (choosing learning goals, identifying resources to help meet those goals, content selection)
- Performance (working towards learning goals & mastery of content)
- Assessment (primarily self- & peer-assessments)
- Repeat
This process is surrounded by Monitoring, or self-assessing ones progress, identifying weaknesses, and focusing on strengths. I feel Scott's ideas flesh out how technology might interface with my ideas here. Details are still pretty fuzzy, but my neurons are firing happily when I think about it- telling me it must be on the right path.
2. David Warlick: A Few Shifts I See Happening
The venerable Mr. Warlick lays this down:
Shifts in Education Not that we stop doing one and replace it with the other. This is not a dicomedy |
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F r o m | T o | |
• Classroom/Workshop Learning (time/place-based) |
Network Learning | |
• Institution Dependent Learning | Independent (self-directed) Learning | |
• Literacy | Learning Literacy | |
• Lifelong Learning Skills | Learning Lifestyle |
Right now I'm on solidly the left, frustrated because I want to work my way more to the right, but not able to make much progress because of time and commitment constraints. If I could only take a month sabbatical or two to really hash these things out...
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- Scott also provides a link to a presentation he gave recently that relates to all this. I haven't had a chance to sit down and check it out yet (I will), but I already recommend it. I'm sure it's worth it. Also check out his blog. [↩]