GilR

Gil R Assignment 2

Mary Bart accurately lists two obstacles to technology improving learner centered teaching, but perhaps fails to include one more important obstacle. The first obstacle listed is the fact that the teachers could get in the way of learner –centered teaching. While this might not be a popular thought, the insecurities of an instructor could influence him/her trying to continue being the sole authority in the class. The students unwillingness to become an active participant is perhaps more typical in some areas than others. In the area that I teach I see a number of students being quite unmotivated. Listed below are my comments on each of the five ways technology can help satisfy the goals. 1 I can agree that there are benefits of students being able to learn at their own rate. My concern in shifting the balance of power to the learner is that the learner is mature enough to assume the responsibility of that power. In my teaching situation our time is divided equally into shop and classroom time. In order for the student to get the most out of the shop time he/she would have to be responsible enough to get the required //project// completed by the time we get to the shop so that the shop time could be used wisely. 2 Any technology that can be used to better organize activities should be welcome news for both the instructor and the student 3 When I think of teaching as facilitating learning it reminds me of a coach on a sports team using various drills to achieve a certain goal. In my area of teaching the technology used could include assignments that require the students to use the same information resources that they will be required to use in the trade. 4&5 Steps four and five require that the instructor provide a number of activities that allow the student to take ownership of their learning and evaluate themselves. The activities include but are not limited to blogs, on line quizzes, and online quiz banks. At this point I would have some difficulty providing all of these opportunities. Presently I am filling in for an instructor who is on leave. Having limited prep time would make it difficult to accomplish these activities. Perhaps next year I can begin to incorporate more of these technologies. One obstacle that Mary Bart omits is the budget restraints that we face on a daily basis. Certainly technology is not always expensive but even at the college we lack some of the simple resources in various departments to facilitate teaching.

The Flipped Classroom

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The flipped clasroom is one in which the typical classroom and homework activities are switched.The typical lecture material would be viewed at home and then the students come to school to work on thier assignments. While working on thier assignments the instructor has the opportunity to observe the students working on thier homework and projects. In the flipped classroom the vidoe lecture is a key ingredient. It is often created by the instructor. The videos should be ten minutes or less and with a goal of presenting quality material in small chunks. The students view the videos at home and compile questions generated by wathching the videos or they summarize the topic. The instructor sorts the questions and can focus his time on what the students did not understand as opposed to what they do understand.When the students come to class the instructor circulates throught the room and can hear and correct misunderstandings on the spot.The role of the instructor changes from just a lecturer to that of a coach or an encourager.

As with any concept there are challenges, advantages and benefits. The challenges withe implementing the flipped classroom approach start with the instructor assuming a new role and giving up the old role. Then the instructor must be able to create and or source quality videos. This challenge is not unachieveable. It might be best to begin on a smaller scale and phase in this teaching method to ease the learning curve. One of the advantages that this teaching method provides is the ability for the student to replay a section of the video if it was not understood the first time it was listened to. The video can also be stoped giving the student time to reflect and absorb the material being covered. One disadvantages is the extra work required to implement the flipped classroom. Another disadvantage and challenge is the situation that arrises when the unmotivated student does not do his work. Comming to class without having watched the videos makes the class discussions for the unprepared student unproductive. This can provide even more work for the teacher.One of the benefits of a flipped classroom is the possibility of changing the goal of just covering material to mastering it.

In reflecting on a flipped classroom I can see some benefits as compared to a typical classroom. As far as implementing it goes I would not be able to accomplish the changes required to flip my classroom for this term. I am also not sold on the idea of change just for the sake of change. Next year after I have completed teaching the first one or two groups of my rotation I plan on making more changes in teaching styles and the use of technology in the classroom.I would consider using a flipped clasroom for a part of thetime I have with the students.I also like to look at some of the benefits of things like a flipped classroom and see if I am already doing some of the some of the things other teachers are doing. For example I give my stydents some time in class to work on questions. During that time I sometimes go and sit beside them and help them with any questions that they are working on. Although this is not to the extent of a flipped classroom, I at times have already assummed the role as coach or encourager as opposed to just a lecturer.

Asssignment 7

Problem based learning is an excellent approach for teaching in the automotive trades. The author, Maryellen Weimer suggests that problem based learning promotes learning by emphasizing the formulation of questions raised by the problem. While she suggests that the problem to be discussed can arise from the students or the instructor I actually like to insert one step before her first step. Regardless of who the problem might come from I like to begin by dicussing what the customer complaint might be. So much of the automotive trade is based on diagnosing problems and the students have to realize that the actual problem to be repaired mignt not be what the the customer describes. Each of the steps described by Maryellen for problem based learning could be close to what could be used in my classroom. The experience that students are missing could be added by the instructor when assigning the PBL project. The research that Maryellen describes is typical of research the automotive students would benefit from.When the problem is intradisciplinary and the students have not covered other areas because it is to early in the year the instructor could assist the students by guiding them. The instructor could also use this opportunity to peak the intrest for further learning. This is certainly one learner centered activity that is a good fit for the trades.

Debbie - I think the key in all these different teaching methods is to find an approach that will work well with the content you are teaching. Being able to identify PBL as a beneficial method for your area of teaching is an excellent resource for you to have. Some other methods may not work as well, so finding the methods you prefer is likely the main thing we will all gain from this course.

Stefan- You make a very good point, using the PBL in the automotive trade would be a very good approach. It definitely lends itself well to the type of problem solving that technicians encounter daily. You could probably build an entire course around customer complaint versus the required repair

Assignment10

A webquest that I could make for the subject area that I teach could be entitled CHOOSING A PERFORMANCE CAMSHAFT FOR YOUR CAMARO. The title and subject area would be suitable for a webquest because it would be of natural intrest to a large percentage of the class. Researching a correct cam grind is something students would naturally have to do if they wanted to increase the power of a vehicle. There are many camshafts to choose from and each one has particular advantages and disadvantages.

In order to make a webquest like this I could sign up for Zunal webquest maker and follow the appropriate steps. The introduction would include an unlimited hypothetical budget and allow them to select a camshaft for whatever level of performance thew wanted to achieve for their car. They must state if thier car is a standard or automatic and what they want to use it for. ie streed or racing use.

The task section would list a number of definitions they must find and explain. They would be required to give pros and cons for each spec they chose. They should produce a chart for the advantages of excessive lift, duration, centerline etc. They would present thier camshaft selection to the class and defend their choice.

The proccess would give them some more specific instructions for the task. They would be given instructions about working in groups etc. Resources for the students include but are not limited to: [] [] [] []. []

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For the evaluation I would have to design a rubric that would make sure they accurately understood all the definitions. They would be marked on defending thier camshaft choice. Thier camshaft choice would have to work with their intended purpose.

The conclusion should include one summary statement as to why they choose the camshaft that they did. The teacher page could include both credits and references . Assignment 8 Elaine Very specific and detailed rubric. Good power point presentation Good feedback from your students Michelle Good selection of learner centered approach for the area being taught Marnie I think the students might really enjoy the auctions in class Melodie Very good job of your Prezi Michael The research the students would for the flipped classroom would work good and help you reach your learning outcomes Roxanne I appreciate the organized approach you took in your presentation Good idea to have groups of three when using facial machines Donna Good rubrics and good effort in your presentation Barry Good job of role play to teach your subject area Wade Good resources supplied and I agree it is a natural interest to a large percentage of your class.



May 9

Stefan Good quote to start your presentation Nice picture of a wheel alignment screen Good practical case study I like the less work for me idea

Bryan Lodge Very practical unsafe pictures

David You would certainly have to use approaches like case studies to enforce the learning. Good use of student centered learning

Debbie Good progression from case study to role play

Tom Morley Very good project to do with your groups Good practical use of a webquest

Brenda Professional looking presentation and you did not get frustrated when your popplet die not work. Gil

Wade I have never seen a slide rocket. The highlighted sections helped pinpoint the important information

May 26

Elaine Good project-he paddle turned out great Good clear presentation with good power point slides

Michele Very detailed presentation

Marnie Great pictures on a detailed project

Melodie One of the better Prezis I have seen and good start to your practical blog Tom The map at the beginning of the Prezi was very practical Good project What kind of a hit do you take on your mark for the Sask roughriders

Michael Good practical project and good learning experience.

Donna

Sometimes we have to make a practical decision

PBL Presentation



Learning outcome

Modify a ramp to improve race times.



PBL Research Journal

May 23

Stefan Good project, good pictures, good presentation. I would like to see the welding done with those clamps Barry Your presentation was carefully laid out David Good examples in your presentation Debbie I am interested in laser eye surgery for myself. I may actually research your project again when I get closer to having surgery done. Good job Wade I didn't know that drums had to be tuned Good father and son activity Roxy Good life skill to learn Brenda Good clear pictures for your presentation Barry Good thing that you tried yourself and come up with your own answers