gen y and their backpacks of hidden treasures
DESCRIPTION
This presentation reports on part of a teacher/researcher’s PhD action research study conducted in an Australian public high school, investigating the use of online social networking as a classroom learning environment where students were encouraged to find and use their hidden treasures. It examines student reactions and online activity whilst they are interacting with a range of Web 2.0 and social media tools. The study may inform the rising generation of higher education learners and their course developers and explores the move from passive to active learning through Gen Y’s engagement with online social media. It looks at a range of innovative practices that were made possible through using a Ning online social network as a classroom environment whilst encouraging Gen Y to take more responsibility for learning. It also looks at the pedagogical implications that come with the use of social media as they challenge traditional models of ‘instructional order’. This study primarily adopts a social constructivist approach to teaching with the focus being on learning, rather than teaching. The study found that having such a flexible curriculum environment encouraged Gen Y to share their ‘hidden treasures’ and, hence, informal classroom learning became more visible and more readily documented. Gen Y students appreciated the opportunities to publish and to gain feedback from more than their teacher alone. Students, in some cases, could be seen to be engaged in their own cycle of learning where they valued the opinion of their peers which, in turn, helped them to improve their work.TRANSCRIPT
Gen Y and their 'Backpacks of hidden treasures'
International Conference on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Sustaining student-centric higher education: Embracing diversity and empowering GEN Y learners
December 6-10, 2011National University of Singapore,
Singapore
Gail CaseyPhD student, Deakin University,
Australia
A Classroom Action Research Study by the teacher/researcher
Presentation Overview
1. The research study2. Gen Y’s hidden treasures3. Online social networking in the
classroom4. Students as valued resources5. Passive ->Active learners 6. To find out more
Gail’s Dance your PhD (4 min) - http://vimeo.com/30221570
1. This research study
• 13-16 Year olds• 18 month study with
different groups each semester
• Move to the next level (after engagement)
• Australian public high school
• PhD research – full time 2010-2012
2. Gen Y’s hidden treasures
• Knowledge • Skills• Communication
Producers & Publishers:• Designers• Creators• Mashers
3. Online social networking in the classroom
• Connecting to their out-of-school lives
• New literacies• Designing, creating,
publishing• Communicating• Playing, having fun
Semester 2, 2010 Classroom Ning, 159 members involving Gail’s 7 classes: Members screen - GHS 2010 http://ghs2010.ning.com/profiles/friend/list?page=3&xg_source=profiles_memberList_nextScreen clipping taken: 24/11/2011, 2:36 PM
4. Students as valued resources
• Formal Learning• Informal Learning• Learning Cycles• Critical Thinking
• Peer feedback• Self Evaluation
• Assessment• Peer assessment• Self assessment
Semester 1, 2011 Classroom Ning, 5 classes but only 73 members: Ms Casey's Classes - Learning by sharing http://ghs2011.ning.com/ Screen clipping taken: 24/11/2011, 2:23 PM
5. Passive ->Active learners
• Shared Treasures• Students as
Resources• Knowledge Building• Critical Thinkers• Contributors to the
learning of others• Developing their
own learning cycle
Semester 2, 2011 Classroom Ning, 82 Members, 1 class of 25 + OS: Web to Where? - Learning by sharing with Ms Casey's classes http://webtowhere.ning.com/ Screen clipping taken: 24/11/2011, 2:17 PM
Q & A – How can this study inform the rising generation of higher education learners & their course developers?
To find out more:1. TLHE Summary paper:
http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/tlhe/programme.htm
2. Journal Articles:a) International Review of Research in Open and
Distance Learning (Vol 12, No 7, Nov 11): http://www.irrodl.org
b) eLearning papers (Vol 27, Dec 11): http://elearningpapers.eu/en/elearning_papers
3. Gail’s Wiki: http://gcasey.wikispaces.com/Presentations
4. Email: [email protected]
5. Twitter: gcasey6. Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gail-casey/29/24b/8b2
Gail is supervised by Professor Terry Evans