BarryC

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=**ASSIGNMENT # 2 LEARNER CENTERED TECHNOLOGY**= For faculty looking to create a more learner-centered environment there are always a few bumps in the road. First they need to get used to no longer being the “sage on the stage” and then there’s the adjustment period for students who aren’t used to being active participants in their learning. In many ways, technology can help pave the way for both faculty and students, but only if the instructor “is adept at creating a course that capitalizes on the pedagogical benefits that technology facilitates in helping students meet the desired learning outcomes for the course,” said Ike Shibley, associate professor of chemistry at Penn State – Berks. In other words, technology for the sake of technology is never good. In the recent online seminar [|**Learner-Centered Technology: Aligning Tools with Learning Goals,**] Shibley provided a roadmap for matching technological tools to course learning outcomes. Grounded in the five core principles of learner-centered teaching, Shibley explained specific ways technology can be used to get students to interact with course content in an engaging and productive fashion. Here are some of the ways technology can help satisfy the goals of a learner-centered classroom: Although he admits that integrating technology takes a fair amount of upfront time in terms of getting past the learning curve and choosing the correct technology to support each learning objective, Shibley says the payoff is a more engaged classroom and improved student learning. “Technology does do a better job of keeping students on task,” he said. “If it’s well designed and it’s not busy work, students will spend more time on task and the assumption then, which I think has been borne out and will continue to be borne out in studies of how technology can be used in an pedagogically efficacious manner, time on task will correlate with more learning and higher test scores.”
 * 1. Shift the balance of power toward the learner:** Interactive online assignments can help facilitate the transfer of power and give students opportunities to practice mastering the material at their own pace. The technologies that support these activities could include wikis, online quizzes, blogs and discussion boards.
 * 2. Use content to organize activities:** Students appreciate a structured, logical flow to their courses, and how you organize your assignments and activities can go a long way in minimizing confusion. The technologies that support how you organize and communicate course materials and expectations could include an online syllabus, the learning management system, and email notifications of important due dates.
 * 3. Think of teaching as facilitating learning:** Teaching with technology enables the instructor to create learning experiences that complement each other whether the students are working on an assignment online or meeting in a face-to-face environment. The technologies that support this goal include online homework, clickers and surveys.
 * 4. Responsibility for learning rests with the learner:** Learner-centered teaching means creating assignments that allow students to practice building connections with the material, and evaluate their learning. The technologies that can be used to help students take ownership of their learning include blogs, wikis, online quizzes, and VoiceThread.
 * 5. Evaluation provides a way to foster learning:** Shibley likes to use a lot of low-stakes grading opportunities, and he gives students multiple attempts to pass online quizzes. There are numerous technologies that can help students track their progress, including online quiz banks and online platforms that enable collaboration and peer review.

**Reflection:**
I find learner-centered technology to be a quite interesting concept however, how to apply these concepts in my personal course curriculum would take a substatial amount of time to implement. This would mean restructuring the current program completely.

I completely agree with interactive assignments but mastering the material at their own pace is not an option. There is a set time period alotted by the Manitoba apprenticeship branch for certain units of instruction so a well defined date of completion would have to be identified.

One major disadvantage to the online portion of this concept is the lack of a computer lab at our facility. Also many of our students are from outside the city or out of province which limits their access to a home based computer.

I absolutely agree with the student taking responsibility for their learning. I also like the mention of self evaluation of progress.

A student's active participation in their own learning using technology is an excellent concept and, although difficult to implement in my present program, would be well worth the effort to restructure the curriculum presently in place.

=ASSIGNMENT # 4 FLIPPED CLASSROOM=

What is the flipped classroom?
A reversed teaching model that delivers instruction at home through interactive, teacher-created videos and moves “homework” to the classroom. Moving lectures outside of the classroom allows teachers to spend more 1:1 time with each student. Students have the opportunity to ask questions and work through problems with the guidance of their teachers and the support of their peers - creating a collaborative learning environment.

What are some benefits of this method?

 * Gives teachers more time to spend 1:1 helping students
 * Builds stronger student/teacher relationships
 * Offers a way for teachers to share information with other faculty, substitute teachers, students, parents, and the community easily
 * Produces the ability for students to “rewind” lessons and master topics
 * Creates a collaborative learning environment in the classroom

**What is your lecture content?**
People tend to record slides, lessons, blackboard or Moodle, blogs, digital content from the textbook provider, or a webcam feed. You will need a microphone so you can narrate your video. If your content isn’t in a readily digital format, some options include taking a photo and then recording over it, or using a document camera or webcam. []

**REFLECTION:**
I see nothing but positive results of using the flipped classroom. The ability for students to review lectures and interactive videos more than once allows far more time for the instructor to focus on what subject matter is somewhat difficult to comprehend. Far more time can be devoted to individual instruction. Application to theory (practical) would be far more expeditious.

**ASSIGNMENT # 7 ROLE PLAY**
I try to incorporate role play at all levels of my instruction. I find that it is vital in the final stages of our apprenticeship program. Rather than students regurgitating facts, I encourage individuals to become critical thinkers. It is time to apply the knowledge you have aquired to a task at hand.

A real life scenario is given with clear and concise parameters. Duties are delegated with well defined expectations. For example: My last class was assigned the task of constructing a 10 story, composite structure.

Delegated duties were:
 * Foundation...including surveying, layout, formwork and reinforcing placement.
 * Steel Fabrication...including detailed drawings, methods of fabrication, and delivery schedules.
 * Steel Erection...including site surveys, material and equipment requirements, safe work procedures, and manpower requirements.

Assignments were divided equally among 12 apprentices and thrown into a hard hat for the individual to draw from. Although all had distinct assignments, they were encouraged to cooperate with each other to accomplish a common goal. As in a real world situation, success on such an undertaking is only possible with the cooperation of others. It is quite enjoyable to watch and listen to young adults coming of age. (so to speak) Ideas and timelines are generated...setbacks are predicted and solutions derived...conflict resolved.

After a designated time period, they present their work plan as a cooperative. I will critique and ask questions. I find that there is a level of maturity and new found self confidence with the students.


 * David** I think that is a fantistic idea I use something similar in my program. I think after seeing/hearing what you do I can improve on my simulation. (Maybe we can get a composite crew together to improve and build trade relations.)

Stefan- Barry I like your approach and I could see incorporating a simulation of some kind in my program. I like the idea of giving each apprentice a specific task, then presenting the complete project as a group.


 * MAY 2, 2013 PRESENTATIONS**
 * ELAINE:** Excellent delivery...Excellent slides...Good technical examples and expectations...Very interesting presentation...Great responses to questioning.


 * MICHELLE:** Strong clear speaker....I agree with the real life analogy...giving students the opportunity to apply skills in a real world situation....Good presentation.


 * MARNIE:** 15 - 20 minute power point lecture puts them asleep !...Discussion board excellent solution !....Good speaking voice...Not fast at all....Excellent response to questions.


 * MELODIE:** Prezi ????......Impressive...Totally agree with the importance of creativity....Nice web quest....Very organized and well thought out presentation.


 * MICHAEL:** Another Prezi...Will have to try one day soon...Good speaker...Investigating through web quest good idea...Like the critical thinking aspect.


 * ROXY :** Passionate about her industry (voice)...I hear you Roxanne, I am technologically challenged !!!...glad your having fun with it....Glitch in the presentation did not phase Roxy at all...Very professional !...Digital story telling very good idea ! Making learning fun....good cooperative learning example.


 * DONNA:** Good speaking voice....Clear expected outcomes...Good Prezi which I have no clue how to do....


 * BARRY: Crap !!!!! Unprofessional !!!**

**MAY 9, 2013 PRESENTATIONS**

 * GIL:** Good sense of humor...clear learning outcomes identified...nice planned activity...would maybe benefit from a well defined evaluation?....nice flipped classroom.

WISDOM IS THE PROCEESSING OF KNOWLEDGE...applying what you have learned

**STEF:** Agreed ! I also have had my eyes opened in this class...Excellent ! Having the students explain concepts to each other. I'm a firm believer in "I you can explain it...You know it !"
Good speaker...nice presentation...well defined outcomes...better evaluation ? Is there a set standard ?...nice case study...good evaluation here !

**EVA:** Student engagement...Students must see a purpose. Nice ! Completely agree !

 * BRYAN:** Like the Safety First...responsibilities in the workplace would be clearly defined by the student making his/her safety consciousness on the job priority...Safety

more well defined.
outcomes...good evaluation...Excellent case study !...Application of knowledge...cooperative learning...I also like debate...individual perspectives are important to the resolution of any problem....I have personally witnessed your simulations and they get all students actively involved, they want to be there !....I like the Bench mark ideal, I also do the same.
 * DAVID:** Totally agree with David, Manuals and codes make for head bobbing in class...Getting students involved rather than sleeping during lecture...Nice clear learning

that some subjective recommendations could be made to a case study based on prior knowledge and individual perspectives....I like Brenda's suggestion of a self reflection rather than an official system of grading...Good presentation !
 * DEBBIE:** Clear speaking voice...I like how student expectations are addressed...I like that you said student recommendations based on a case study rather than a direct solution, I think

**BRENDA:** Well spoken, did not read from a presentation...Long answer essay for evaluation can be excellent to gauge a students understanding of the subject matter. I also use
long answer essays. However, I find a lot of students struggle to express themselves on paper and an evaluation of that persons understanding must be done orally.

BRYAN:
====I agree with Bryan. Most presentations today have been somewhat related to chosen trades so far. I like your choice of presentation. Resources were excellent, I also use blogs to get non biased opinions of others who have inquired and implemented certain solutions to my exact quandary. Good breakdown of the steps required. excellent explanation considering there were no instruction with your paste. Good reflection ! Learned from experiencing his researched project.====