edna.edu.au

PD variables

Why is it so hard to ensure that a professional learning activity is going to be successful for all learners? I had a go at brainstorming some variables after a weekend of reading in this area, in particular:
U.S. Department of Education (2009) Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies (PDF)

Access
closed
open
easy
difficult/frustrating

Administration
cost
groupings
organisation of learning
sponsoring organisation

Assessment
of knowledge
analysis of lesson plans, teaching materials
application to pedagogy
by supervisor
observation of teaching
portfolio
self-assessment
student results, scores

Content
Subject matter

Feedback
machine-generated
provided at completion
provided throughout
self-evaluation

Host
email-based
Learning Management System
videoconference
web-based

Instructor
experience in ICT-based instruction
level of satisfaction
qualifications/training in ICT-based instruction

Interaction
group work
individual activity
with instructor
with mentors
with peers

Knowledge
declarative
generative
procedural
strategic

Learner
motivation: reason for undertaking
age
amount of control
attitude
level of satisfaction
prior experience
prior knowledge
type of learner

Media
audio
flash
video

Method
discussion
lecture
problem-based
project-based
quiz
simulation

Mode
Asynchronous only
Blended
Face to face
Online only
Synchronous only
Synchronous and asynchronous

Motivation
incentives on learning or completion
level of attendance/retention

Place
classroom
home
offsite
school

Practice
opportunity to practise during
opportunity to practise in classroom
opportunity to practise in simulated environment

Purpose
accredited, formal
non-accredited, informal
personal development
professional development
work-related

Resources
curriculum-based
interactive
recency
relevance
usable

Support
available 24/7
limited
not provided

Teaching style
active
expository
interactive
multiple teaching style

Technology
audio
Chat
internet
mobile
specialist devices
standalone software
video
VOIP

Time
duration of pd activity
of day
on task

Tags: professional development plict professional learning ict-based pd
Posted at 10:40PM Aug 20, 2009 by Pru Mitchell  |  Comments[1]

Global Education PD

Lindsay Rae from World Vision led a discussion session entitled: Where are we going? Future PD: how to build communities of practice

1. What needs to be developed?

• standards
• content knowledge
• practice
• leadership

Have to start with motivation and committed/passionate participants, requires Principal/leadership support
How do we help teachers maintain this passion without burning out?
Enunciate where GLobal Education fits within curriculum areas
Need to develop online PD
Take opportunity of the National curriculum: to tweak to Global perspective into local curriculum
Take leadership opportunities: offer mentoring to younger teachers

2. What support will most empower teachers?
depends so much on individual systems/sectors/states - generalised feeling that
constraints: NAPLAN particularly found in government schools
PD time is very tight, and hard to get time allocated to Global Education
Cluster-based, train the trainer model

What PD approach is most effective?
Needs to be ongoing, try something out, come back to the group and reflect. eg Global Journeys stories
Face to face mentoring and modelling within schools: what or who inspired you to become Global Education leader?

3. What resources could we apply to maximise global citizenship potential?
Resources are really helpful: digital, video etc
Online access is the easiest way to receive these
ready-made resources written for immediate implementation are desirable - this is not realistic as PD providers
Need for constantly updated resources

Tags: global education professional development
Posted at 11:45AM Jun 04, 2009 by Pru Mitchell  |  Comments[0]

WikiEducator online course

Over the next two weeks I am participating (well that might imply a little more activity than I am managing to achieve) in an online course which is an introduction to, and training in, WikiEducator.

I got into this through an amazingly active online learning whiz, Nellie Deutsch. Nellie is special as the first member of my Personal Learning Network with whom I share no other connections, and who I probably have no hope of meeting in person but from whom I have learned so much. My own illustration of the power of online PLNs.

What I have learned

• A different webconferencing environment: WizIQ
  Opportunity for teachers to sign up and offer their own online courses.
  Features very similar to Live Classroom etc, but doesn't seem to have voting, This was easily got around by asking participants to type '4' for yes and '5' for no.
• Kaltura - open source video platform from Israel. Teamed with Wikimedia (extension for MediaWiki). Roadmap includes Moodle integration
• Wikis can be colourful: thanks Gita
• The Learning4Content project aims to develop open content and wiki skills in developing countries
  http://www.wikieducator.org/Learning4Content
  
• reminder about eXe - open source editor.
  

Tags: wikis personal learning environments professional development online learning
Posted at 11:30AM Feb 01, 2009 by Pru Mitchell  |  Comments[0]