Teachers and Innovative use of ICT A Marriage Searching for Quality Elsebeth K. Sorensen Aalborg University, Denmark Gunilla Jedeskog Linköping University, Sweden Daithí Ó Murchú Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Innovative e-Learning/e-Tutoring, Hibernia College, Ireland A Marriage Searching for Quality Elsebeth K. Sorensen Aalborg University, Denmark Gunilla Jedeskog Linköping University, Sweden Daithí Ó Murchú Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Innovative e-Learning/e-Tutoring, Hibernia College, Ireland

Outline Aim of paper: A conceptual model of pedagogical quality for thinking about teaching and learning in the 21st century Analytical perspectives on innovation and quality Analytical perspectives on innovation and quality –Keywords of quality in general practice –Perspectives of implementation –Teacher education –General practice and trends A conceptual model A conceptual model –Learning in the horizon of teaching –Quality in learning and teaching –The model... Synthesis Synthesis –Teachers –Time –Questions for reflection Analytical perspectives on innovation and quality Analytical perspectives on innovation and quality –Keywords of quality in general practice –Perspectives of implementation –Teacher education –General practice and trends A conceptual model A conceptual model –Learning in the horizon of teaching –Quality in learning and teaching –The model... Synthesis Synthesis –Teachers –Time –Questions for reflection

Analytical Perspectives on Innovation and Quality

Keywords of quality Learning to learn Learning to learn Collaboration (knowledge building) Collaboration (knowledge building) Team teaching & learning Team teaching & learning Learning communities Learning communities Digital literacy Digital literacy Lifelong learning Lifelong learning Learning to learn Learning to learn Collaboration (knowledge building) Collaboration (knowledge building) Team teaching & learning Team teaching & learning Learning communities Learning communities Digital literacy Digital literacy Lifelong learning Lifelong learning

Perspectives of implementation (House & McQuillan, 1998) 3 different perspectives: 3 different perspectives: –Technological (top-down) Initiated from actors outside schools Initiated from actors outside schools –Political (?) Some level of negotiations with teachers Some level of negotiations with teachers –Cultural (bottom-up) Teachers perspectives in focus Teachers perspectives in focus 3 different perspectives: 3 different perspectives: –Technological (top-down) Initiated from actors outside schools Initiated from actors outside schools –Political (?) Some level of negotiations with teachers Some level of negotiations with teachers –Cultural (bottom-up) Teachers perspectives in focus Teachers perspectives in focus

Looking to the past - an example from the US (Becker, 1998) 1982: to have pupils program computers using BASIC. 1982: to have pupils program computers using BASIC. –It is the language that comes with your computer. 1984: to have pupils program in Logo. 1984: to have pupils program in Logo. –Teach pupils to think, not just program. 1986: to use integrated drill-and-practice systems. 1986: to use integrated drill-and-practice systems. –Use networked systems that individualise instruction and focus on increasing test scores. 1988: to do word-processing. 1988: to do word-processing. –Use computers as tools, like adults do. 1990: to use curriculum-specific tools such as history databases and science simulators and data acquisition probes. 1990: to use curriculum-specific tools such as history databases and science simulators and data acquisition probes. –Integrate the computers with the existing curriculum. 1992: to do multimedia hypertext programming. 1992: to do multimedia hypertext programming. –Change the curriculum – pupils learn best by creating products for an audience. 1994: to use electronic-mail. 1994: to use electronic-mail. –Let students be part of the real world. 1996: to publish students work to a world-wide audience via www. 1996: to publish students work to a world-wide audience via www. 1982: to have pupils program computers using BASIC. 1982: to have pupils program computers using BASIC. –It is the language that comes with your computer. 1984: to have pupils program in Logo. 1984: to have pupils program in Logo. –Teach pupils to think, not just program. 1986: to use integrated drill-and-practice systems. 1986: to use integrated drill-and-practice systems. –Use networked systems that individualise instruction and focus on increasing test scores. 1988: to do word-processing. 1988: to do word-processing. –Use computers as tools, like adults do. 1990: to use curriculum-specific tools such as history databases and science simulators and data acquisition probes. 1990: to use curriculum-specific tools such as history databases and science simulators and data acquisition probes. –Integrate the computers with the existing curriculum. 1992: to do multimedia hypertext programming. 1992: to do multimedia hypertext programming. –Change the curriculum – pupils learn best by creating products for an audience. 1994: to use electronic-mail. 1994: to use electronic-mail. –Let students be part of the real world. 1996: to publish students work to a world-wide audience via www. 1996: to publish students work to a world-wide audience via www.

Teacher education: Status quo & challenges Education for the future - and the future is NOW! Education for the future - and the future is NOW! If we wish to provide our students with a quality education, as previously defined, we must consider more than mere transmission of information and facts. We must take account of what the educational research tells us about learning; namely that students learn best by: building on pre-existing knowledge; active learning; learning with understanding; and adopting a metacognitive approach (Hollingworth, 2002). As the pace of change increases the more important it will become to ensure that teachers and students acquire a breadth of thinking skills and attitudes to keep pace with innovations and developments (Sorensen, Jedeskog, Ó Murch ú, 2005). As the pace of change increases the more important it will become to ensure that teachers and students acquire a breadth of thinking skills and attitudes to keep pace with innovations and developments (Sorensen, Jedeskog, Ó Murch ú, 2005). Education for the future - and the future is NOW! Education for the future - and the future is NOW! If we wish to provide our students with a quality education, as previously defined, we must consider more than mere transmission of information and facts. We must take account of what the educational research tells us about learning; namely that students learn best by: building on pre-existing knowledge; active learning; learning with understanding; and adopting a metacognitive approach (Hollingworth, 2002). As the pace of change increases the more important it will become to ensure that teachers and students acquire a breadth of thinking skills and attitudes to keep pace with innovations and developments (Sorensen, Jedeskog, Ó Murch ú, 2005). As the pace of change increases the more important it will become to ensure that teachers and students acquire a breadth of thinking skills and attitudes to keep pace with innovations and developments (Sorensen, Jedeskog, Ó Murch ú, 2005).

Teacher education: Status quo & challenges How advances in technology might influence teaching and learning must be of special importance to all teachers and learners. (...) teachers need to reflect carefully and professionally on their teaching practices, preferably with the benefit of a conception of teaching and learning well informed by educational research. How advances in technology might influence teaching and learning must be of special importance to all teachers and learners. (...) teachers need to reflect carefully and professionally on their teaching practices, preferably with the benefit of a conception of teaching and learning well informed by educational research. Remember we are preparing students for the society which does not, as yet exist ! Remember we are preparing students for the society which does not, as yet exist ! How advances in technology might influence teaching and learning must be of special importance to all teachers and learners. (...) teachers need to reflect carefully and professionally on their teaching practices, preferably with the benefit of a conception of teaching and learning well informed by educational research. How advances in technology might influence teaching and learning must be of special importance to all teachers and learners. (...) teachers need to reflect carefully and professionally on their teaching practices, preferably with the benefit of a conception of teaching and learning well informed by educational research. Remember we are preparing students for the society which does not, as yet exist ! Remember we are preparing students for the society which does not, as yet exist !

General practice & trends Innovation and collaboration as a result of implementation of ICT are not frequent Innovation and collaboration as a result of implementation of ICT are not frequent –student-student collaboration –student-teacher collaboration –innovative teaching-learning methodology –and change of roles and power structures between teachers and learners The Elfe project in general confirms this, also from the teachers perspective: The Elfe project in general confirms this, also from the teachers perspective: –integration of ICT had not led to a real change in practice and innovation in teaching and learning methodology –or to alterations of teacher authority, teacher-student roles and power relationships within the learning processes. Innovation and collaboration as a result of implementation of ICT are not frequent Innovation and collaboration as a result of implementation of ICT are not frequent –student-student collaboration –student-teacher collaboration –innovative teaching-learning methodology –and change of roles and power structures between teachers and learners The Elfe project in general confirms this, also from the teachers perspective: The Elfe project in general confirms this, also from the teachers perspective: –integration of ICT had not led to a real change in practice and innovation in teaching and learning methodology –or to alterations of teacher authority, teacher-student roles and power relationships within the learning processes.

A conceptual model of pedagogical quality for thinking about teaching and learning in the 21st century

A double value A conceptual pedagogical model for understanding and cultivating teachers learning as well as students learning (as the same criteria of meaningful learning apply) A conceptual pedagogical model for understanding and cultivating teachers learning as well as students learning (as the same criteria of meaningful learning apply) A mutual learning process in a shared endeavor A mutual learning process in a shared endeavor In a blended environment In a blended environment A conceptual pedagogical model for understanding and cultivating teachers learning as well as students learning (as the same criteria of meaningful learning apply) A conceptual pedagogical model for understanding and cultivating teachers learning as well as students learning (as the same criteria of meaningful learning apply) A mutual learning process in a shared endeavor A mutual learning process in a shared endeavor In a blended environment In a blended environment

Learning in the horizon of teaching We are social beings. Far from being trivially true, this fact is a central aspect of learning. We are social beings. Far from being trivially true, this fact is a central aspect of learning. Knowing is a matter of participating in the pursuit of such enterprises, that is, of active engagement in the world. Knowing is a matter of participating in the pursuit of such enterprises, that is, of active engagement in the world. Meaning – our ability to experience the world and our engagement with it as meaningful – is ultimately what learning is to produce. Meaning – our ability to experience the world and our engagement with it as meaningful – is ultimately what learning is to produce. Practice – a way of talking about the shared historical and social resources, frameworks, and perspectives that can sustain mutual engagement in action. Practice – a way of talking about the shared historical and social resources, frameworks, and perspectives that can sustain mutual engagement in action. We are social beings. Far from being trivially true, this fact is a central aspect of learning. We are social beings. Far from being trivially true, this fact is a central aspect of learning. Knowing is a matter of participating in the pursuit of such enterprises, that is, of active engagement in the world. Knowing is a matter of participating in the pursuit of such enterprises, that is, of active engagement in the world. Meaning – our ability to experience the world and our engagement with it as meaningful – is ultimately what learning is to produce. Meaning – our ability to experience the world and our engagement with it as meaningful – is ultimately what learning is to produce. Practice – a way of talking about the shared historical and social resources, frameworks, and perspectives that can sustain mutual engagement in action. Practice – a way of talking about the shared historical and social resources, frameworks, and perspectives that can sustain mutual engagement in action.

Quality: Genuine learning through collaboration and dialogue Genuine learning is individual, but stimulated collaboratively; Genuine learning is individual, but stimulated collaboratively; It is situationally unpredictable; It is situationally unpredictable; It has an extension in time and can never be fully finished; It has an extension in time and can never be fully finished; It creates existential commitment (with an element of risk) as it has to do with the meaning of life; It creates existential commitment (with an element of risk) as it has to do with the meaning of life; It is authentic learning; It is authentic learning; Genuine learning is individual, but stimulated collaboratively; Genuine learning is individual, but stimulated collaboratively; It is situationally unpredictable; It is situationally unpredictable; It has an extension in time and can never be fully finished; It has an extension in time and can never be fully finished; It creates existential commitment (with an element of risk) as it has to do with the meaning of life; It creates existential commitment (with an element of risk) as it has to do with the meaning of life; It is authentic learning; It is authentic learning; Collaborative learning is a powerful but at the same a fragile process Collaborative learning is a powerful but at the same a fragile process Collaboration creates a positive commitment that motivates participation and drives the learning process Collaboration creates a positive commitment that motivates participation and drives the learning process Collaboration engages the participants in learning. Collaboration engages the participants in learning. Collaborative learning is a powerful but at the same a fragile process Collaborative learning is a powerful but at the same a fragile process Collaboration creates a positive commitment that motivates participation and drives the learning process Collaboration creates a positive commitment that motivates participation and drives the learning process Collaboration engages the participants in learning. Collaboration engages the participants in learning. Both emphasize learning as an individual and a social phenomenon Both argue for shared, collaborative and democratic learning efforts, stimulated through participation, engagement, motivation, and ownership.

Bildung with ICT - through collaboration and dialogue Developing global democratic values and attitudes: Developing global democratic values and attitudes: –A critical mind –Ability to listen –Ability to consider and/or incorporate others views Practicing qualifications of modern work life: Practicing qualifications of modern work life: –Ability to collaborate and teamwork –Ability to practice knowledge building and sharing –Ability to learn continuously (learning to learn) Developing global democratic values and attitudes: Developing global democratic values and attitudes: –A critical mind –Ability to listen –Ability to consider and/or incorporate others views Practicing qualifications of modern work life: Practicing qualifications of modern work life: –Ability to collaborate and teamwork –Ability to practice knowledge building and sharing –Ability to learn continuously (learning to learn)

The power of collaborative learning A social, collaborative phenomenon taking place through negotiation of meaning (Wenger, 1998) in the interplay between reflection and interaction/dialogue A social, collaborative phenomenon taking place through negotiation of meaning (Wenger, 1998) in the interplay between reflection and interaction/dialogue A social phenomenon happening when knowledge has been applied in critical dialogue with others A social phenomenon happening when knowledge has been applied in critical dialogue with others A social, collaborative phenomenon taking place through negotiation of meaning (Wenger, 1998) in the interplay between reflection and interaction/dialogue A social, collaborative phenomenon taking place through negotiation of meaning (Wenger, 1998) in the interplay between reflection and interaction/dialogue A social phenomenon happening when knowledge has been applied in critical dialogue with others A social phenomenon happening when knowledge has been applied in critical dialogue with others

Research Papers Research Papers Multi-media based resources simulations Course readings Previous dialogue Instantaneous practical experience with course Web Search Web Search Personal Knowledge and experience The Collaborative Dialogue space The Collaborative Dialogue space The MMD Model - A Collaborative Dialogue Space (Sorensen & Ó Murch ú, 2005)

Features of learning quality Awareness: We cannot design learning - only (V)LEs of good pedagogic quality Awareness: We cannot design learning - only (V)LEs of good pedagogic quality The collaborative pedagogy - POPP The collaborative pedagogy - POPP –Problem-orientation –Transparency –Cross-disciplinary –Collaboration/interaction (shared construction of meaning, mutual engagement) –Quality (knowledge building process) –Reflection, self-reflection, meta-reflection –Creativity –Improvisation –Democratic non-authoritarian process –Dynamic teacher-student role –Student-centeredness, participant-driven : Initiative, motivation, leadership Initiative, motivation, leadership Awareness: We cannot design learning - only (V)LEs of good pedagogic quality Awareness: We cannot design learning - only (V)LEs of good pedagogic quality The collaborative pedagogy - POPP The collaborative pedagogy - POPP –Problem-orientation –Transparency –Cross-disciplinary –Collaboration/interaction (shared construction of meaning, mutual engagement) –Quality (knowledge building process) –Reflection, self-reflection, meta-reflection –Creativity –Improvisation –Democratic non-authoritarian process –Dynamic teacher-student role –Student-centeredness, participant-driven : Initiative, motivation, leadership Initiative, motivation, leadership

SynthesisSynthesis

The teacher as the key The appropriate role of technology depends on the individual educational designers/teachers views and perception of the goals of education The appropriate role of technology depends on the individual educational designers/teachers views and perception of the goals of education A conscious choice A conscious choice Time Time The appropriate role of technology depends on the individual educational designers/teachers views and perception of the goals of education The appropriate role of technology depends on the individual educational designers/teachers views and perception of the goals of education A conscious choice A conscious choice Time Time

Time is an issue (Fullan, 2001) Three stages: Three stages: –Initiation: Being informed Being informed –Implementation (change): Fear, risk, etc. Fear, risk, etc. Pedagogical imagination Pedagogical imagination Competence Competence –Institutionalization Three stages: Three stages: –Initiation: Being informed Being informed –Implementation (change): Fear, risk, etc. Fear, risk, etc. Pedagogical imagination Pedagogical imagination Competence Competence –Institutionalization

A set of questions for reflection Learning - the ultimate goal of teaching? Learning - the ultimate goal of teaching? Dialogue/collaboration? Dialogue/collaboration? The role of the teacher/student? The role of the teacher/student? Incitement - a result of authenticity? Incitement - a result of authenticity? Meta-learning? Meta-learning? Methodology? Methodology? How to balance student initiatives and teachers need to control? How to balance student initiatives and teachers need to control? Imagining appropriate assessment models? Imagining appropriate assessment models? How to use ICT to foster collaboration? How to use ICT to foster collaboration? Learning - the ultimate goal of teaching? Learning - the ultimate goal of teaching? Dialogue/collaboration? Dialogue/collaboration? The role of the teacher/student? The role of the teacher/student? Incitement - a result of authenticity? Incitement - a result of authenticity? Meta-learning? Meta-learning? Methodology? Methodology? How to balance student initiatives and teachers need to control? How to balance student initiatives and teachers need to control? Imagining appropriate assessment models? Imagining appropriate assessment models? How to use ICT to foster collaboration? How to use ICT to foster collaboration?