"He who dares to teach must never cease to learn." Unknown Source
Click Professional Development and Awards and Testimonials
As I have indicated earlier, I have a great interest in how my students learn.....
It is with this in mind that I aspire to continue on my professional journey of extending the influence of my work beyond my classroom......becoming an enquirer...........a researcher!
Although I have not undertaken any formal research in higher education, I continuously investigate new ways of teaching and more importantly evaluating its impact. I do this through the model of action research, which is "learning by doing".
According to Jean McNIff (2012), "Action research is a term which refers to a practical way of looking at your own work to check that it is as you would like it to be." .......'"Action research is open ended. It does not begin with a fixed hypothesis. It begins with an idea that you develop. The research process is the developmental process of following through the idea, seeing how it goes, and continually checking whether it is in line with what you wish to happen. Seen in this way, action research is a form of self evaluation."
The primary question with this modeL: HOW DO I IMPROVE MY PRACTICE?
The second most important question: How does what I do influence those around me?
And in the case of my students, how does my interactions with them (what I do) impact on them to becoming responsible lifelong learners and responsible professionals and responsible citizens?
So, I endeavor to gather evidence that shows that my educational influences are having the impact that is desired. At the end of any innovation or intervention, I have asked my students to complete evaluations, through reflective reports and surveys.
(Find 2 samples below)
Technology Enabled Constructivism - Radiographic Practice IV (2011)
Students in my level 4 class, was asked to include an evaluation of the constructivist teaching strategy in their last reflective journal entry, in terms of how it impacted on their learning. Their responses were uploaded into the online classroom.
Digital natives embraced the technology with greater ease and although the digital immigrants seemed apprehensive at first, they easily adapted and found it to be a rewarding experience. They reported that this teaching strategy fitted in comfortably with the skills required of 21st century learning. They especially appreciated the connectivity, due to limited contact time. There were some students who were not clinically placed in terms of the learning outcomes of the subject and benefitted from the collaborative strategies used.
Students completed reflective reports, click here
Key Findings about Technology Enabled Constructivism:
Key Areas students highlighted:
“a really cool, catchy innovation that is well suited for the youth of today”
“initially blown over by the online classroom… doing my B-Tech after 20 years …….. not very familiar with computers and accessing the internet.. …grasped the concepts of online learning and was soon reaping the benefits of it.”
“ great to explore in an online environment….information can be easily assessed...”
“more learning and interaction in an online classroom….a culture for future students.“
“living in the 21st century is amazing; being part of the evolution in IT is just mind blowing!”
“You have definitely thought us how to learn”
”Students should learn the art of self-study and management of ones work."
"Social constructivism is self explanatory...being in charge of ones learning”
“a modern approach that allows a greater sense of responsibility and “power” onto the student.”
“give us direction” + “that back bone that we needed to move forward” + “same time allowing us to self teach …..most valued aspect”
“ made me realise that I’ve grown as an individual … we are responsible for our own lives”
“At first I making an entry was lame and girly …. it allows students to critically think and analyse views, concepts and ideas”
“ used to think in a linear fashion but now I realise ……. questioning and analyzing data, learning to think laterally + questioning situations with greater resolve and clarity”
“Bb …one to become a critical thinker” + “I can now think on a different level”
"She made me think about things and look at things differently in my profession as well as in the way I worked.”
"reflect and link the theory to the clinically setting to ensure that we can apply the skills in our daily work and in the advancement of the profession.”
“meant more work for me ….. however as the year progressed I started to depend on the web links and files that were on blackboard even for my clinical work”
“but i think i learnt the most from the links in blackboard …”
“...improved ability in questioning, analyzing, evaluating and maintaining a sense of awareness …positive impact on my academic & professional development”
“subject has taught me to be more than just a “button Pusher”
“…it helped us gain a lot of self confidence and understanding of the subject”
“more interactive and allows one to stay focused” + “strengths - the sharing of information among peers. the was constant interaction with the facilitator and other students .”
“social constructivism facilitates the process of learning through group interaction individuals …construct an understanding of concepts for ourselves.”
“information can be easily assessed, a live discussion can take place…more interactive environment.”
"colleagues could also participate in discussions and assist with their views and opinions”
“..every student was involved …with the facilitator, …students can also view one anothers tasks… answered incorrectly and areas that need improving.
“students could do more learning and interaction in an online classroom”
“…is very interactive…and I have always gone back to read comments of other students.
“challenge yourself to think out of the box and not limited to your learning experiences.”
"a tedious and sometimes and annoying task.…and here I am reflecting on the entire year, this time with more enthusiasm and pleasure.”
“I know I was making connotations between what I knew and what I was learning …now with a greater learning … evaluate the clinical…. “
“…. busy running around with an internal dialogue of too much chatter…. the internal chatter has been replaced by a mature …and great understanding that learning is a continuous process on my journey to self improvement.”
“subject has caused me … question what I was doing … in my work place”
“….I began questioning why certain scans was done and why should they…”
“more responsible as an individual and more aware of what is going on in our profession.”
Digital natives embraced the technology with greater ease and although the digital immigrants seemed apprehensive at first, they easily adapted and found it to be a rewarding experience. They reported that this teaching strategy fitted in comfortably with the skills required of 21st century learning. They especially appreciated the connectivity, due to limited contact time. There were some students who were not clinically placed in terms of the learning outcomes of the subject and benefitted from the collaborative strategies used.
Students completed reflective reports, click here
Key Findings about Technology Enabled Constructivism:
- Learner autonomy was encouraged and they felt responsible for their own learning
- Critical thinking and deep learning was achieved – they were thinking about things differently
- Active learning encourages mastery and creates meaning and purpose. They were relooking at themselves in terms of their practice.
- Collaboration and interaction promoted peer support and encouraged discussions.
- Reflective practice was enhanced, both professional and personally. They were able to link theory to practice and more importantly question or analyse what they do and develop as lifelong learners.
Key Areas students highlighted:
- 21st century Teaching & Learning
“a really cool, catchy innovation that is well suited for the youth of today”
“initially blown over by the online classroom… doing my B-Tech after 20 years …….. not very familiar with computers and accessing the internet.. …grasped the concepts of online learning and was soon reaping the benefits of it.”
“ great to explore in an online environment….information can be easily assessed...”
“more learning and interaction in an online classroom….a culture for future students.“
“living in the 21st century is amazing; being part of the evolution in IT is just mind blowing!”
- Learner Autonomy
“You have definitely thought us how to learn”
”Students should learn the art of self-study and management of ones work."
"Social constructivism is self explanatory...being in charge of ones learning”
“a modern approach that allows a greater sense of responsibility and “power” onto the student.”
“give us direction” + “that back bone that we needed to move forward” + “same time allowing us to self teach …..most valued aspect”
“ made me realise that I’ve grown as an individual … we are responsible for our own lives”
- Critical Thinking
“At first I making an entry was lame and girly …. it allows students to critically think and analyse views, concepts and ideas”
“ used to think in a linear fashion but now I realise ……. questioning and analyzing data, learning to think laterally + questioning situations with greater resolve and clarity”
“Bb …one to become a critical thinker” + “I can now think on a different level”
"She made me think about things and look at things differently in my profession as well as in the way I worked.”
- Purpose and Mastery
"reflect and link the theory to the clinically setting to ensure that we can apply the skills in our daily work and in the advancement of the profession.”
“meant more work for me ….. however as the year progressed I started to depend on the web links and files that were on blackboard even for my clinical work”
“but i think i learnt the most from the links in blackboard …”
“...improved ability in questioning, analyzing, evaluating and maintaining a sense of awareness …positive impact on my academic & professional development”
“subject has taught me to be more than just a “button Pusher”
“…it helped us gain a lot of self confidence and understanding of the subject”
- Collaborative & Active Learning
“more interactive and allows one to stay focused” + “strengths - the sharing of information among peers. the was constant interaction with the facilitator and other students .”
“social constructivism facilitates the process of learning through group interaction individuals …construct an understanding of concepts for ourselves.”
“information can be easily assessed, a live discussion can take place…more interactive environment.”
"colleagues could also participate in discussions and assist with their views and opinions”
“..every student was involved …with the facilitator, …students can also view one anothers tasks… answered incorrectly and areas that need improving.
“students could do more learning and interaction in an online classroom”
“…is very interactive…and I have always gone back to read comments of other students.
“challenge yourself to think out of the box and not limited to your learning experiences.”
- Reflective & Lifelong Learning
"a tedious and sometimes and annoying task.…and here I am reflecting on the entire year, this time with more enthusiasm and pleasure.”
“I know I was making connotations between what I knew and what I was learning …now with a greater learning … evaluate the clinical…. “
“…. busy running around with an internal dialogue of too much chatter…. the internal chatter has been replaced by a mature …and great understanding that learning is a continuous process on my journey to self improvement.”
“subject has caused me … question what I was doing … in my work place”
“….I began questioning why certain scans was done and why should they…”
“more responsible as an individual and more aware of what is going on in our profession.”
The Impact of Mobile Learning – Radiographic Pathology II
(2010)
Students in this level 2 class, were asked to participate in an online survey, in terms of how the lecturer generated podcasts impacted on their learning (see DVD). They responded positively to this innovation and felt that this should be expanded in other areas of the learning and teaching in this subject. In 2012, I have started creating audiocasts to assist with learning. This will be evaluated later in the year.
Student responses to online questionnaire, click here
Information and Instruction letter, click here
Key findings about the usefulness of Mobile Learning:
Student responses to online questionnaire, click here
Information and Instruction letter, click here
Key findings about the usefulness of Mobile Learning:
- Caters for the specific needs of diverse students and their cognitive abilities
- Potential to motivate the student to engage deeply with learning material
- Promotes independent learning as well as a personalized learning experience
- Enables learning anytime and anywhere and creates opportunities for learning that is not possible in the traditional classroom or through e-learning
- Potential to develop positive attitude to a subject that is considered very boring and that students generally find very challenging
- Provides tools for and encourages life long learning
- Podcasting caters for different learning styles and the millennial generation.
- One is able to learn at one’s own pace and repeat the learning.
- Theory behind work was well explained.
- Immense help in preparation for exams.
- Promotes interactive/social/collaborative learning.
- Enables learning ‘on the go'
The Way Forward....
It is indeed very gratifying and affirming when the evaluative reports highlight the effectiveness of the intended innovations and interventions. And there were many other facets of reflections that came through in the original reports. But these reports also highlight areas for improving practice. These obviously create new action research cycles and new innovations/interventions......watch this space!
An area for development is extending the influence of my practice further afield through scholarship and publishing.
I have been sharing my practice internally and virtually through webinars (see Community of Practice), but realise that this needs to go further.
I am presenting a paper, "Technology Enabled Constructivism" at the HELTASA 2012 Conference in November 2012 at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The plan is to immediately publish this paper in a respective journal or as a conference proceeding. The two other papers on my elearning and podcasting practices that have been "collecting dust" is also going to be resurrected....
I also have created a profile on ResearchGate, where colleagues, national and international academics and researchers engage in intellectual conversations and collaborate on research ideas, click here
I am interested in pursuing my doctoral studies in higher education learning and teaching in the 21st century. I am in a "cloud" of potential ideas and am currently reading towards a proposal for the same.....
"He [She] who does not research has nothing to teach." Proverb
So, WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Click Professional Development and Awards and Testimonials
An area for development is extending the influence of my practice further afield through scholarship and publishing.
I have been sharing my practice internally and virtually through webinars (see Community of Practice), but realise that this needs to go further.
I am presenting a paper, "Technology Enabled Constructivism" at the HELTASA 2012 Conference in November 2012 at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The plan is to immediately publish this paper in a respective journal or as a conference proceeding. The two other papers on my elearning and podcasting practices that have been "collecting dust" is also going to be resurrected....
I also have created a profile on ResearchGate, where colleagues, national and international academics and researchers engage in intellectual conversations and collaborate on research ideas, click here
I am interested in pursuing my doctoral studies in higher education learning and teaching in the 21st century. I am in a "cloud" of potential ideas and am currently reading towards a proposal for the same.....
"He [She] who does not research has nothing to teach." Proverb
So, WATCH THIS SPACE!!!
Click Professional Development and Awards and Testimonials