MANAGING THE WARMWARE.

Writing collaboratively in a wiki has been such a good experience for me.  Looking at the ideas presented by colleagues and being able to add and freely edit what others have contributed builds confidence and maturity in the participants. It widens the knowledge.

However it comes with some challenges, when some members fail to respect the ideas of others and some extent like in this case it looked like members could just their ideas without editing.

So to improve the process we need to one spare time and read what others have posted and do comment, try to contribute in time.

I have learnt more that collaboration is a key factor in effective teaching and learning.

I have also discovered that in order to manage classes with technology in use we need to do some of the following;

1.   Create a professional online community.

Digital citizenship may be the buzzword of the decade, but it is of great importance. Students are often thrown onto computers without any direction on how to behave or perform. Without guidance, students will approach academic digital work with the same relaxed mindset they bring to social media or online games outside the classroom. It is much easier to be proactive and teach them how to be professional than to deal with cyberbullying, or worse, later.

2.    Engage the student’s  interests.

Using technology shouldn’t mean doing the same boring worksheets on the computer instead of paper. Be mindful of all the opportunities that technology offers, including engaging videos, music, programs and online communication (like blogs) to help your students relate to the content materials.

3.   Know the learners we teach.

It is a very good tip for classroom management. When student discover that we know them, they will act responsibly. 

Warmware management.

Warmware development should encompass ongoing support; firstly training teachers or school management to explore the potential of this new tool in their context; then to reflect, plan and review how their current practices and pedagogy can be changed to take advantage of what is now available.

We should make the connection between student computers and learning.

The successful integration of technology in education is not so much a matter of choosing the right device, the right amount of time to spend with it, the best software or the right digital textbook. The key elements for success are the teachers, school leaders and other decision makers who have the vision, and the ability, to make the connection between students, computers and learning.

I intend to change some practices in my classroom management.

First , I have got to plan more engaging activities for my students, make them control their learning more. and allow them use technology with guidance. 

Learning spaces

Learning spaces, both physical and virtual, are the planned environments in which learning takes place. 21st century learning requires new spaces that connect school, home and community learning, increasing flexibility and supporting learning outside the boundaries of school buildings and beyond the conventional school day. Going beyond the boundaries we have called it breaking down the classroom walls.

Learning is enhanced, deepened and made more relevant when connected learning spaces provide opportunities for:

•  active and interactive participation            •  collaborative project work

•  information retrieval and sharing               •  discussion and presentation                        

• production of new knowledge                     •  teacher and student-led activities

• connection with experts                               •  local and global networks

• personalised learning.

Therefore we need to design  Learning spaces which do have the following;

  Flexibility – supporting 

• space re-allocation and re-configuration.                     

• physical, virtual and  blended learning environments

  Inclusivity – accommodating

 • access and participation for all

 •  local demographic needs

 •  personalised learning.

  Collaboration  – enabling

  • cooperative learning,      

   teamwork and enterprise

  • community, professional    

   and expert engagement

  • local, national and global networks, partnerships and learning communities.

  Creativity – achieving

  •  engagement, innovation and learning

  •  community and environmental harmony

  •  growth of social capital.

  Efficiency– delivering

  • faster, deeper learning

 •  sustainable, cost-effective utilities and delivery

 • effective management and administration.

However some questions still remain on my mind about the concept of learning space or learning environment, and this mainly concerns about  the cost of designing a technology rich learning space , mainly in countries where still internet and technology tools are still very expensive.

Follow  this link   for my video on learning spaces.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMG5FodvajM

Learning spaces

Learning spaces, both physical and virtual, are the planned environments in which learning takes place. 21st century learning requires new spaces that connect school, home and community learning, increasing flexibility and supporting learning outside the boundaries of school buildings and beyond the conventional school day. Going beyond the boundaries we have called it breaking down the classroom walls.

Learning is enhanced, deepened and made more relevant when connected learning spaces provide opportunities for:

•  active and interactive participation            •  collaborative project work

•  information retrieval and sharing               •  discussion and presentation                        

• production of new knowledge                     •  teacher and student-led activities

• connection with experts                               •  local and global networks

• personalised learning.

Therefore we need to design  Learning spaces which do have the following;

  Flexibility – supporting 

• space re-allocation and re-configuration.                     

• physical, virtual and  blended learning environments

  Inclusivity – accommodating

 • access and participation for all

 •  local demographic needs

 •  personalised learning.

  Collaboration  – enabling

  • cooperative learning,      

   teamwork and enterprise

  • community, professional    

   and expert engagement

  • local, national and global networks, partnerships and learning communities.

  Creativity – achieving

  •  engagement, innovation and learning

  •  community and environmental harmony

  •  growth of social capital.

  Efficiency– delivering

  • faster, deeper learning

 •  sustainable, cost-effective utilities and delivery

 • effective management and administration.

However some questions still remain on my mind about the concept of learning space or learning environment, and this mainly concerns about  the cost of designing a technology rich learning space , mainly in countries where still internet and technology tools are still very expensive.

Follow  this link   for my video on learning spaces.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMG5FodvajM