revisiting the concept of engaged learning

During the whole course of ICT, I really enjoyed the process of learning. From someone who knows little about technology and the various pedagogical approaches, I believe I have truly grown and learn so much more than before. Have been exposed to various technologies for learning as well and I'm really thankful for it. The various technologies include:

1. PbWiki (My current favourite platform for group discussion. Ha.)
2. Mindmeister (a tool used for concept-mapping. It can work both synchronously and asynchronously)
3. Blog
4. Skype
5. Quandary (to come up with game-based learning questions)
   
6. Makebeliefscomix
7. HotPotatoes (jigsaw puzzle, cloze passage etc!)
   
8. Photostory

I'm glad to have been exposed to various 'funs' as well and these includes:

1. Classroom of the Future
   
2. Wii (Surgical game)
3. Second Life
4. Learning more about engaged learning
5. Learning more about the various pedagogical approaches
6. Knowing more about game-based learning
7. Bonding with my coursemates through the games
8. Understanding about collaboration and how it takes place
9. Designing lesson plans incorporating ICT tools
   

This module exposed me to alot of things that I probably have not experienced through my education years. Ha. I used to dread going for 8.30am class but surprisingly, ict have managed to make me enjoy learning and coming to class instead of dreading it.

Dr. Ashley have indeed incorporated engaged learning in this module. The dimensions of engaged learning includes real world learning contexts, meaning making with scaffolds, collaboration with others as well as evaluating on-going performance.

1. Giving us examples such as Second Life, coming up with lesson plans using ICT tools, Dr. Ashley have given us real world learning situations. It enables us to solve an authentic situation where we might be able to use that particular lesson plan for teaching in future.
   
   
2. Throughout the course, Dr. Ashley started off by building our foundations in the various pedagogical approaches. In most of the lessons before introducing a particular concept, he often tapped on our prior knowledge first and then, building up the missing gaps and links from there. Learning stages were designed for example, when teaching us game-based learning, he allowed us to explore the various games and experience for ourselves how we might gain from game-based learning. Thereafter, he introduced the mindmeister for us to input our thoughts and ideas about how we feel. This is then followed by a summary of what game-based learning is and how it benefits us. The various stages that he designed is a form of scaffolding.
   
   
3. There were many opportunities for collaboration with others. For example, the first few lessons where we share our information with one another through PbWiki. Mindmeister also allows us to exchange information and ideas with one another. Dr. Ashley also defined the scope of our interaction and what is to be discussed.
   
   
4. Dr. Ashley constantly provided feedback for our learning. For example, in last week's lesson, he talked about the misconception that we have about second life, digital natives, COTF and iN2015 (eg. would be too reliant on technology, would there be less communication in future etc)
   

Dr. Ashley have definitely incorporated the elements of engaged learning in this module and I'm really very grateful for the information that I've learnt. One thing that I've learnt from last week's lesson is also that sometimes face-to-face communication can be a barrier itself where people may be shy or introvert and may not communicate as well. Instead, technology provides a platform for people to interact with one another. Another learning point was that second life provides a new platform for people whoare autistic for example. They would be able to lead a normal life in Second Life and be exposed to what normal people are exposed to. This itself, to me, is beneficial.

In future, when teaching, i want to adopt strategies that are student-centered and where collaboration is frequent in class. I feel that collaboration between students allow them to exchange valuable information with one another and they are able to learn faster. Through discussion and doing research, the information that students get would stay with them for a longer period of time. This is because they are not merely being spoon-fed, but they are actively finding information themselves. I want to make learning fun in future as well. Just like how Dr. Ashley have made the whole module a learning journey. When learning becomes fun, students would be addicted to them. Heh. (:

Next 2 weeks would be a presentation of our final work already! Looking forward to the partyyy at the end! haa :)