Bitia



Article: How Technology Can Improve Learner-Centered Teaching
 * Week #1 (Assignment #2)**

It is becoming more and more common for technology to be present in a classroom. After reading the article I can see similarities of programs we use that help to facility the learner-centered approach. We use the program LEARN which helps to aid the idea of learner-centered technology that was mentioned in the article. I find once we, as instructors, learn how to use LEARN and put the hours in to upload files, exams, and assignments it is a great tool for students to locate information in one area and students like the idea of learning at their own pace. They also like receiving instant feedback from their instructors and the opportunity to chat with other students on-line for peer support.

I found having technology in the class is a really good way to engage students and allow them to retrieve information from the web at their fingertips. I am seeing in my classroom students accessing their powerpoint notes and class information they need for the lecture by bringing their laptops, or ipads, or even using their cell phones. Students seem to like the flexibility of access whatever they need whenever they want. Our program has implemented this year to use iclicker which students have really enjoyed doing because they feel included in the lecture instead of just sitting and listening to an instructor speak for 50 minutes.

The ideas of the article give good suggestions on how to engage students, but it takes alot of time and resources to get information uploaded to a program that is user friendly for both students and instructors. The college is going in the right direction by the introduction of LEARN and I hope the college continues to introduce the latest programs and technology to enhance the learning of students.

(Ruth) - Hi Bitia - your comment about instructors learning how to use LEARN is an interesting one! Last year I taught my very last class via LEARN, I worked for a month getting all of the lectures posted, the questions and topics for discussions. In hindsight it was a great learning expereince, but it was a lot of work! Some of the students loved it once they got the hang of it, others hated it and were upset that I had chosen this method to teach. Some identified that they liked the idea of not getting out of their pyjamas and working all day, others identified that they like coming to class and missed the face-to-face interactions. I guess we can't please everyone! What I realized was that perhaps if I would have included an introductory video like a screen capture that everyone could have looked at prior to starting the class it would have made it a lot smoother transition. Many students, even the tech-saavy ones were having trouble navigating the system. But once they did, they figured it out. There's a real sense of fear around the use of technology in the classroom/ or actually putting the classroom into the technology. I think we need to identify that fear and deal with it head on. giving demonstrations, utilizing the tech as much as possible so that students become comfortable with it, then when they are faced with using it for a course, they will enter that journey with a positive attitude.

Article: The Flipped Classroom http://educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/
 * Week #2 (Assignment #4) **

The flipped classroom is encouraging the idea where they use teacher-created videos and interactive lessons instead of the typical teacher standing in front of a classroom and lecture for 30-50 minutes long. During the lecture period the students get more interaction with the teacher where they can ask more questions and focus on the students who are struggling while the stronger students have the option to work independently.

I think now that the technology is advancing and students are very technology savvy the posting of videos on topics being taught in school is a great way for students to be excited to learn. Students like videos and are always on the computer or mobile devices any chance they get. The preparation would be alot of work performing screen casts and rental of equipment, but once the screen casts are done and they are posted to a site like you tube then you would be set for along while and students can get access to them at any time. The challenge also is to create videos that aren't too long where the students will get bored very easily and to keep the videos entertaining so students are understanding concepts with out the 30 minute lecture. This new concept has encouraged struggling students to not give up on the subject but to try harder because they are getting the attention they need to succeed. I like how it has been encouraging students to want to learn and to try harder in their studies, it seems like a good idea to incorporate into some of my lectures. I would like to do some videos and still keep the traditional lectures because I still find students need that type of teaching style. I would like to maybe try 50-50 to start and then see how it goes from there. I still am not sure how I could incorporate that with the material I teach but I think for some stuff it is possible.

(Comment from Cindy) Bitia - I like your idea of possibly trying the "flipped classroom" 50/50 at first - it would be a huge chnage for students and it would be wise to introduce them slowly to ensure it is successful. I can also see it working better for some programs than for others. Iit would be worth incorporating it into certain subjects but perhaps not in everything we teach....

(Comment from Stephen) Bitia - Your thoughts on The Flipped Classroom make me realize how convenient it will be (or is) for learners to be active with their learning "beyond normal classroom hours". With the increasing use of tablets or smartphones they can pursue their inquiries with the swipe of a fingertip. Moreover, instead of setting aside large chunks of time to dedicate to learning, I believe they will be more likely to fit in multiple five-to-ten minute sessions here and there when time permits. Let's hope this accessibility and convenience leads to a better quality and deeper educational experience for them.

Blog on Blackpool http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/home/ Blog on Liverpool FC http://www.liverpoolfc-blog.com/
 * Oct. 9/12**

Popplet Assignment


 * Webquest Assignment**

I would like to create a webquest to help students to explore staining techniques and what tissue types are used for each staining technique. It would be nice to create an interactive webquest where students can see pictures of techniques and have a chance to answer questions after going through interactive activities. [|Histology Webquest] [|Histo Webquest #2] [|Histo Webquest #3] I would like to incorporate pictures of slides where students can identify the tissue components and identify the staining technique used to color the tissue. I think videos about how to perform the staining techniques would be beneficial for the students so they can view the videos at anytime at their own pace. I thought the addition of a screencast would be great because I would be able to add text and videos of safety procedures done at RRC and also special techniques only done at RRC. Having quizzes would be great for the students to see if they fully understand the material they are learning.

[|My own Prezi]
 * Oct.16/12 Learner-Centered Approach Presentations**

Kyle- It is great that he is already incorporating lots of the learner-centered approaches already in his lectures. It is true that role playing helps student to gain insight into their own understanding so they are able to handle "real" type situations.

Melanie- It is good how you are excited to use popplet and incorporate new technologies into the lectures. I like how she is education the students in different religions to help students to become more aware of different diversities.

Danya- Using alot of approaches in her teaching already. Like the idea of learning centers to help students discover answers for themselves.

Rob- I like how he is using current technologies to help students to learn by getting them to create questions. Giving them multiple chances for the students to be exposed to information is great. Students need repetition to help remember the information. Good that they are learning alot of information that they can apply in the workplace.

Carol- I like that you mentioned that students need to know their roles for role-playing and get them to understand how to act in different situations. Good that student have access to policies both in hard copy and on the internet.

Aaron- Good for you to try Prezi for the first time! I like that you picked simulations because it is a great for students to see what it would be like in the work place first before they go into the work place. Good that students can help each other after hours with texting.


 * (blackboard discussion board on learn- good place to do discussions. app called black board collaborate)

Darrel- Good idea to teach in the morning then in the afternoon get practice and see what it is like to be driving in busy times. It is good that you are getting students to reflect what they saw and learn from Friday.

Andrew- Journaling nice idea to allow students to seeing their progress and see where they need to improve (instant feedback). Good that you see weaknesses in current methods and want to see improvements and trying to implement some. Good to implement role-playing to better equip students when on the job.

Cindy- Nice job with the video! Like the bloopers part!


 * (Animoto, good place to make videos, need to sign up as an educator because it is free)

Don- Good idea to do quizzes after cooperative learning so you know if they are understanding concepts that they are asked to review in class in groups. Nice Prezi!

Harry- It is good to incorporate role playing scenerios when dealing with difficult situations so students get comfortable with dealing with stressful situations.

Steven- Thanks for giving us background knowledge of your course before you started. Like the learning outcomes you had for cooperative learning. Like the idea of case studies for that exact reason you mentioned to learn to deal with "real world" issues.


 * (A way to get the advanced students to get engaged would be getting the advanced students to help and teach a student who is having difficulties so both get challenged with learning).

Johanna- Like your idea of creating a color wheel out of clay in your cooperative learning helping students to be hands one. (peer evaluation is great in this situation to help students learn). Group work is a great tool to help students communicate their ideas.

Ruth- Nice that you have started to change learning outcomes in your course! I like that you showed us the example of your web quest, looks like a great tool that I would like to incorporate in my class. Good that you added standards on your web quests so students know what you are expecting from them.

Derek- Encouraging the students that there is different ways of getting to the same outcome is good. helps students be creative. Getting students to pick the next student to show their final product gets students involved which is nice to see.

Scott- Great idea to do a group project in groups of three then pass what you did on to another group to evaluate. Giving students positive feedback will give the student confidence and constructive criticism is good to help improve. It is nice that you have incorporated most learner-centered approaches in your prezi.

Michele- I like the idea of behavioral reflections. Giving class time for journaling will help students stay til the end of class and also writing down experiences they are having in the workplace, a good way to focus thoughts and for students to get homework done in class. Nice Diorama idea, gets students to be creative and have fun while learning.


 * Oct 30/12 Project Based Learning**

Rob and My Prezi on [|Painting with Watercolors]

Ruth- very informative presentation! I like how you seem very comfortable with public speaking, I hope to feel that comfortable one day. Good for you on learning how to skip and seeing the benefits on incorporating this in your life style.

Derek and Scott- Liked the opening video. Never knew there was soo many steps to finding the right company to install your windows, good to know and be aware of. Good to encourage others to research topics to learn from them.

Michele- Great video, very creative! Beautiful choice of colors for fabric. Nice to see that you chose animoto even though you mentioned that you were not techie.

Cindy- Good questions that you asked yourself before you started. I am glad you looked at the safety precautions before you started. Great video! Very entertaining. Good to have options, plan A and plan B.

Melanie- Nice to see the amount of growth you had learning about strokes even in a difficult circumstances. Now the tough choices come of the type of care to give to her after she leaves the hospital, all the best with that.

Don- Very nice final video, very creative and funny! I like how you mentioned challenges so if others want to try they can be aware of things that might get in the way for video editing.
 * Nov. 6/12 Project Based Learning**

Carol- good for you for trying prezi program for the first time! I would like to learn how to make sushi, this inspired me to do so when I have some spare time. Good Job! -go to lucky's grocery store to get ingredients. Sobey and Safeway also have supplies.

Harry- Interesting topic, never heard of geocaching before. Seems like a great family idea to do. It is good that you learned how to better use a GPS which will be a great tool to use with travel, and more geocaching.

Steven- sewing is a great hobby to get into and wish I could sew alot better than what I can now. I would like to get back into it so I can finish my curtains I have started already. Will you sew a matching pillow for your couch? Good for you in making the pillow it looks tough to make.

Johanna- sounds yummy, lasagna! I like the new tips on how to cut onions. Hope you continue to cook because you did a good job the first time.

Danya- pay it forward- I bet you made people's day with doing good deeds to others. I like your idea and it should be something alot of people should do more often.

Kyle- It seems like alot of work but very interesting. Technology can be frustrating but it is good that you explored how to work the phone and get to the settings that you want.

Daryl and Andrew- like how you differentiated between the violins and fiddles. Nice diversity of videos in your presentation. Hopefully, you continue to play, seems like a fun instrument to play.

Aaron- very informative presentation will great detail, seems like a lot of steps to consider but great hobby to get into for the spring/summer. I bet you will have a great garden in the summer! Nice job with cloning and cute plant!