fostering an online learning environment to develop literacy skills julie lindsay head of technology...
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Fostering an Online Learning Environment to Develop
Literacy Skills
Julie LindsayHead of Technology
International School Dhaka, Bangladesh
Modern Learning Pedagogy
Use of the WWW for teaching and learning Fostering a sense of community between
isolated learners Use of asynchronous learning network
Anytime, anywhere learning Complements traditional face-to-face teaching and
learning
Encouraging responsible and independent participation in the learning process: constructivist approach
Online Tools for Promoting Information Literacy and Communication
Foster learner engagement and include techniques for learner-learner and learner-teacher interaction
Deliver content (information), provide a forum for publication and can stimulate opportunities for knowledge development
Examples: Weblogs and Blogging Discussion Forums Digital Portfolio development
Weblogs and Blogging
Some Definitions Weblog: An online journal Blog: Slang form of Weblog Blogger: Someone who maintains
and/or contributes to a blog Blogging: (To Blog) to write into the
journal Blogosphere: All blogs can be found here
Webopedia definition:
http://webopedia.com/TERM/b/blog.html
(n.) Short for Web log, a blog is a Web page that serves as a publicly-accessible personal journal for an individual. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.
21st Century Definition of Literacy
Literacy = Communication (reading + writing)
Blogging = Communication (reading + writing)
Blogging = Literacy
From David Warlick, Classroom Blogging: A Teacher’s Guide to the Blogosphere
Characteristics of Weblogs
FormatDesigned to be updated with items
chronologically, similar to a personal journal or diary
Articles and postings can be grouped by the date and time they are posted
Characteristics of Weblogs
SoftwareOften implemented using special softwareCommon software includes Blogger,
Manila, Greymatter, Movable TypeFree weblog registration available online
Characteristics of Weblogs
PersonalityOften the subject matter is of a personal
natureThe journal can be about the author and/or
their opinions of the world
Characteristics of Weblogs
CommunityFostering an online community by
comments posted in response to articlesOften encourages active participation in
the discussion
Common Uses of Weblogs
Journal: Personal (with group input and discussion optional)
Journal: Group (to share materials and ideas formally or informally)
To present information online (news, organisation focus website)
Store and share knowledge (discussion and collaboration)
Weblog and Blogging Examples
Baghdad Burning – girl blog from Iraq http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/
EduBlog Insights – teacher blog http://anne.teachesme.com/
eLearning Blog – school community http://www.123elearning.blogspot.com
Weblog and Blogging Student Examples
Blogger.com process journal Sakib Prottoy Shabab
Theory of Knowledge discussion forum Saif
Literature class Secret Life of Bees and a discussion example
Student Digital Portfolios
Students to digitize their work and present it via a web-page interface
Work through the process of planning, selecting and reflecting, creating and publishing
Student Digital Portfolios
Advantages of using a Weblog for online publication
Instant publicationAlways accessible at school and at homeProvides web page publishing flexibilityCan upload many file formatsCan be modified to suit individual personalityHas the potential for greater collaborative
work via the discussion areas on class and individual weblogs
Student Digital Portfolios
Why an online learning community?
Students are involved in: Maintaining an online
journal and discussion work
Creating a collaborative learning community to help each other through the portfolio
development process
How Do You Get Started?
Free online services for weblogs and blogging
www.blogger.comwww.schoolblogs.comwww.bloglines.com