comenius learning through collaboration
DESCRIPTION
Thematic Monitoring: Learning Through Collaboration 13th October 2010, National College of IrelandTRANSCRIPT
© Donal O' Mahony
LEARNING THROUGH COLLABORATION
SHARING EXPERIENCE AND BEST PRACTICE IN SCHOOL EDUCATION
Donal O’ MahonyPortmarnock Community School Dublin City University
© Donal O' Mahony
Teaching and learning
...is through relationships
...is through dialogue
...is enhanced through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
© Donal O' Mahony
My research interests...
...the communicative, creative and collaborative nature of social software...
...the representational nature of social
software...
© Donal O' Mahony
Social Software
...encourages group collaboration
Discussion forums
Blogging
“...cognitive presence...”
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...online learning environments
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...blogging at school
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...blogging to support my studies...
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Comenius initiative
ICT for Collaborative, Project-Based, Teaching and Learning
Opportunity to meet teachers from Europe and learn some new skills
Further insights into collaboration
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St. Clare’s College, Malta
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31 teachers...
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...from Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Romania
Primary, secondary and adult education, a few IT specialists, most general subject teachers, including learning support...
ICT abilities at various levels
Course Director – Emil Vassallo
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The technologies:
1. Photo Story Three2. Concept Mapping3. Monkey Jam (Animation Software) 4. PowerPoint for Special Educational Needs5. WordPress for blogging6. Wiki-spaces7. Audacity for podcasting8. Windows Movie Maker9. Prezi for flash based presentations 10. Comic Life11. Photosynth - stitches several digital photographs
of one image together
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Most are ‘free’ or bundled in Microsoft packages
Need practice by the teachers involved
Student friendly
Build into a teaching and learning plan
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Time...
... in Malta
...to practice individually
...to collaborate in groups
...to consider use in eTwinning - Angela Andersson, a consultant from the eTwinning National Support Service in Sweden gave a presentation along with Emil Vassallo.
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Time...
...is the greatest challenge in using ICT to sustain teaching and learning
...is a challenge across all projects
...whether eTwinning or Leaving Certificate History
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Projects
Keep them straightforward
Focus on teaching and learning
Find a technology that supports you
Find a teacher that thinks like you!
Use the resources available
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© Donal O' Mahony
Some advice
Greater training in the eTwinning Desktop
Some element of e-Moderation
a driver / digital-champion
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A challenge
Presumption that an online environment will imply dialogue and relationship
Presumption that teachers will easily enter a collaborative educational relationship online
Online dialogue can be difficult to achieve despite the fact that we are so connected...
© Donal O' Mahony
Thank you
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