LEARN QUEBEC Review of an Educational Digital Technology

Introduction This blog aims to bring Quebec General Adult Education (FGA) teachers together from across Quebec to share ICT tips and suggestions in a friendly and informal environment. Review of an ICT Blog

 Popularity in educational institutions  Many teacher related blogs on the internet  It is an important tool for educators to share ideas, useful information and tips among co-workers  Blogs often act as a support system for teachers where they can access ideas, tools, and gain support and recognition from other professionals in the field  Some blogs have become nationally recognized as a tool  Reliable source to communicate with one another regarding issues in education such as classroom management techniques and policies  Blogs in education are called “edublogs”. an edublog is a kind of blog written by someone with a stake in educationblogeducation  Educators who blog are sometimes called edubloggers Source: Review of an CT Blog Why review a Blog?

Needs Analysis Based on the following assumptions: a. Motivation b. Self-directedness c. Level of computer literacy d. Language e. Transferability f. Support g. Support Review of an ICT Blog

Tools Hypermedia Rational: Hypermedia is used as a logical extension of the term hypertext in which graphics, audio, video, plain text and hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information. This contrasts with the broader term multimedia, which may be used to describe non- interactive linear presentations as well as hypermediahypertexthyperlinksmultimedia Source: Review of an ICT Blog

Tools Asynchronous e-Learning Rationale: a. Asynchronous e-learning, commonly facilitated by media such as and discussion boards, supports work relations among learners and with teachers, even when participants cannot be online at the same time. b. It is a key component of flexible e-learning. In fact, many people take online courses because of their asynchronous nature, combining education with work, family, and other commitments. c. Asynchronous e-learning makes it possible for learners to log on to an e-learning environment at any time and download documents or send messages to teachers or peers. Source: Review of an ICT Blog

 The Creators of the Blog  Objective of the Blog  The Target Audience  Contents  Ways of using  Writing Style  Complexity Review of an ICT Blog Part One

Website Evaluation Criteria  Currency  Verifiability  Authorship  Usability  Flexibility  Consistency  Resources  References Review of an ICT Blog Part Two

The Kirkpatrick Model for Summative Evaluation Level One: Reaction - Relevance - Ability to maintain interest - Appropriate - Easy to navigate - Perceived value and transferability Level Two: Learning - Acquired new knowledge - Teach was it was suppose to teach Level Three: Behavior - Copyright - EULA Level Four: Results - Reinforcement Review of an ICT Blog e-Learning Summative Evaluation Part Three

Learning Theories Richard Mayer - Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning The Multimedia Principle states that “People learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone”. -There are two separate channels (auditory and visual) for processing information (sometimes referred to as Dual-Coding theory) -Design Principles including providing coherent verbal, pictorial information, guiding the learners to select relevant words and images, and reducing the load for a single processing channel. Source: -of-multimedia-learning-mayer.htmlhttp:// Review of an ICT Blog Part Four

Learning Theories (Cont’d) John Keller -The ARCS Model (Instructional Design)  Attention – Explanation  Relevance – For a software training program, the benefit to users could be to make them more productive or reduce their frustration with an application  Confidence – In Technology-based training programs, students should be given estimates of the time required to complete the lessons….  Satisfaction – The best way for learners to achieve satisfaction is for them to find their new skills immediately useful and beneficial on the job. Source: Review of an ICT Blog Part Four

Learning Theories (Cont’d) Malcolm Knowles Theory of Adult Learning (andragogy) andragogy assumes the following about the design of learning: 1.Adults have the need to know why they are learning something 2.Adult learn through doing 3.Adults are problem solvers 4.Adults learn best when the subject is of immediate use 5.Allows adults to learn on their own and from their mistakes Review of an ICT Blog Part Four

Part Five Quality Assessment of the blog is based on the following: The Canadian Recommended E-Learning Guidelines (CanREGs) The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS.T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers Review of an ICT Blog Advantages & Disadvantages

ISTE International Society for Technology in Education (NETS.T) National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers Five Principles 1.Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity - Exploring issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources 2.Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments - Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all learner to pursue their individual objective and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and asses their own progress 3.Model Digital-Age Work and Learning - Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate and use information resources to support learning 4.Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility - Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information 5.Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership - Participate in local learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve learning Review of an ICT Blog Advantages

Review based on the Canadian Recommended E-Learning Quality Guidelines (CanREGs) Three Main Categories 1.Quality Outcomes from e-learning Products and Services Relevant to employment 2. Quality Processes and Practices in e-learning Products and Services Provided skills and knowledge required to manipulate and interact with the technology being used 3. Quality Inputs and Resources for e-Learning Products and Services Curriculum Content Learning Materials Product Service information Learning materials and delivery reflect sound technical design A complete learning package ICT Terminology RSS Review of an ICT Blog Advantages

ISTE International Society for Technology in Education (NETS.T) National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers Five Principles 1.Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity 2.Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Did not provide learners with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching 3.Model Digital-Age Work and Learning 4.Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility 5.Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Review of an ICT Blog Disadvantage

Review based on the Canadian Recommended E-Learning Quality Guidelines (CanREGs) Three Main Categories 1.Quality Outcomes from e-learning Products and Services - When finished, the learner is awarded course credits or credentials 2. Quality Processes and Practices in e-learning Products and Services Delivery and management of learning - Did not support interaction and the development of learning communities - Assessment of learning - Not competency based 3. Quality Inputs and Resources for e-Learning Products and Services - Intended learning outcomes - Teaching/Learning materials - Not accessible to those with disabilities Review of an ICT Blog Disadvantage

Blog did not integrate: Adaptive and Assistive Technology -Speech Recognition -Speech Synthesis -Screen magnifier Only two of human senses were used (seeing and hearing) -Evaluation of material -Learning Assessment -Interaction Review of an ICT Blog Disadvantage

Consistent with the set learning objective Consistent with adult learning, education and instructional design theories Consistent with educational technology standards and quality Graphics, video were not over-powering Clear audible voice Trustworthy Recommend Review of an ICT Blog Conclusion

Recommendation Interactive webpage hosted by education specific websites such as: Wimba Classroom Sakai Making the blog accessible to world-wide learners Review of an ICT Blog