Today I showed my students how to blog. They are much interested in blogging.
Krishna's blog on e-learning of web skills
Monday, February 15, 2016
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Application and Challenges of e learning in Rural Areas
This is my reflection on my e teaching practice after completing online e teacher course.
In the last two years access of mobile phones especially ,smart phone has significantly increased. Only few students have access of computer and broad band internet.Almost all students have mobile phones and around 55 % of them have smart phones. Students are using their phones for accessing mutimedia content. Most of the students are Facebook users. However their digital activities are limited.
In 2014, I conducted a mini research on mobile learning practice among undergraduate students in six different campuses of Gorkha district. The research was conducted as mixed method design I had taken sample of 161 undergraduate students for survey and 19 students were interviewed. The study sowed that all the students have mobile phones and they are using their mobile phones for learning. However, their mobile learning practices are very limited. Most of them reported that they use their mobile for dictionary use.Occasionally, they search content using goggle search engine. They complain the cost of mobile data for frequent browsing. Broadband internet is not available.Some of the students also reported that they record the class secretly and listen after the class and make notes. One visually impaired students reported that mobile phone is her best friend because she listened audio books on her mobile. The study also sought that students guidance from their teacher for more productive mobile learning. Most of the students said that their teachers and parents have negative impression about mobile learning. The study also found that educational institutes lack policy of mobile learning in the class and outside the class.But students are eager to learn more tips and techniques of mobile learning.
I felt the need of orientation class for more productive uses of mobile phones for learning. At the beginning of new session I told them mobile learning policies in the class. We agreed to use mobile for educational purpose but not for entertainment and communication purposes. We discussed some possible ways of mobile learning. Most of them are interested to learn with the digital device.
To promote mobile learning practice, I have created class websites https://sites.google.com/site/generalenglishdmc/home. Now students frequently visits the site and get the materials. I have shared Merrium Webster dictionary among teachers and students. It has been very popular. Similarly, I have recorded some text with Emily Hall ,an American volunteer and uploaded in the websites. I have allowed to record some of my class. Students takes photographs of white board and each others books and note books for quick capture. Students watch course related videos and listen some audio lesson. Three groups of students prepared power point and presented their project work using multimedia projector.
After the online course ,I have found many paths of online and e learning. I am showing some of the paths to my students. However, there is gap between saying and doing. Effective use of ICTs is still challenge because it is more difficult to change our mindset than the technology.
Now I hope to continue by blogging.
In the last two years access of mobile phones especially ,smart phone has significantly increased. Only few students have access of computer and broad band internet.Almost all students have mobile phones and around 55 % of them have smart phones. Students are using their phones for accessing mutimedia content. Most of the students are Facebook users. However their digital activities are limited.
In 2014, I conducted a mini research on mobile learning practice among undergraduate students in six different campuses of Gorkha district. The research was conducted as mixed method design I had taken sample of 161 undergraduate students for survey and 19 students were interviewed. The study sowed that all the students have mobile phones and they are using their mobile phones for learning. However, their mobile learning practices are very limited. Most of them reported that they use their mobile for dictionary use.Occasionally, they search content using goggle search engine. They complain the cost of mobile data for frequent browsing. Broadband internet is not available.Some of the students also reported that they record the class secretly and listen after the class and make notes. One visually impaired students reported that mobile phone is her best friend because she listened audio books on her mobile. The study also sought that students guidance from their teacher for more productive mobile learning. Most of the students said that their teachers and parents have negative impression about mobile learning. The study also found that educational institutes lack policy of mobile learning in the class and outside the class.But students are eager to learn more tips and techniques of mobile learning.
I felt the need of orientation class for more productive uses of mobile phones for learning. At the beginning of new session I told them mobile learning policies in the class. We agreed to use mobile for educational purpose but not for entertainment and communication purposes. We discussed some possible ways of mobile learning. Most of them are interested to learn with the digital device.
To promote mobile learning practice, I have created class websites https://sites.google.com/site/generalenglishdmc/home. Now students frequently visits the site and get the materials. I have shared Merrium Webster dictionary among teachers and students. It has been very popular. Similarly, I have recorded some text with Emily Hall ,an American volunteer and uploaded in the websites. I have allowed to record some of my class. Students takes photographs of white board and each others books and note books for quick capture. Students watch course related videos and listen some audio lesson. Three groups of students prepared power point and presented their project work using multimedia projector.
After the online course ,I have found many paths of online and e learning. I am showing some of the paths to my students. However, there is gap between saying and doing. Effective use of ICTs is still challenge because it is more difficult to change our mindset than the technology.
Now I hope to continue by blogging.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Week 10: Reflection after the e journey of web skill
Ten weeks long
journey on e learning of webs kills is over now. I am reflecting on what I
learned during the course. On line course
was new experience for me. I was not
sure if I could complete the course or not
because of my little
technological skills, limited connectivity and heavy load shedding on one hand and heavy teaching load on the other hand. But now I think I learned more
than I had expected.
Each week was like a
new semester. I started real learning sharpening my web searching. I used to
use Google, Yahoo and Bing as search engines. But after visiting
Noodle tools I learned a lot of search engines. I got opportunities to explore several
excellent websites to build listening, speaking, and reading, writing, vocabulary
and grammar skills. Bookmarking with Delicious.com made my job very easier. I can bookmark my favorite web links and access them any where. There are search engine for
kids. I even learned the way of sending
audio mail with VOCARO and video mail with EYEJOT. I already
had a passive blog account. I started to post the course provided me reasons for blogging. Blogging increased my confidence
as a blogger. Now I can give on presentation on usefulness of blogging for
enhancing reading and writing. I carried out technology enhanced project with
my student. Making rubric at Rubistar was easier. It makes assessment
transparent and constructive. The learners have better ideas what they are
expected to do in their assignment. It
has increased my confidence of using technology. I learned to write more
specific ABCD model objectives. I learned to make interactive power point, web
quest, Google site, NiceNet discussion, wall wisher and many more. Discussion on large class, PBL,
learners autonomy and large class teaching, one computer class, learners differences and multiple
intelligences were some of significant tasks and topic during the course.
Using technology in
under resourced traditional class is not an easy task. We can think of
effective use of technology only when we have access of appropriate technology.
Otherwise it is just a topic of discussion. The access of technology is increasing. Our
planner and policy makers are far behind in implementing modern technology in Nepalese
Class. They are piloting one lap top per child. But I don't know how much progress has been made. But we should be ready for change otherwise we would be outdated
teacher.
A teacher can do a
lot but he can’t do all unless he is supported from his colleague, students and
administration as well as. I have applied some of the things I have learned in
my class for example I implemented technology enhanced project in the class. My
students learned web searching making power point presentation. I need support
from Campus Administration to use additional technology for example Multimedia
Projector, computer lab for audio visual resources. There
are some things which can be solved only by initiative of University. Integration of technology in assessment, learner’s
autonomy and teacher’s autonomy can be ensured when university pans and policies support.
Our university is still run on traditional model.
I learned the model
of distance on line course. Our instructor Ms Courtney and guest moderators really
worked hard. Her positive comment and feedback supported me to be motivated. Motivating
learners in online course is not easy. I always got positive comments: great, excellent,
outstanding, good job, wonderful. I always met deadline and never missed any assignments. I started to check my mail
more frequently. Each time, I checked my mail I expected some comments from
other course mates. I must admit that I couldn’t read all my friends blogs post
and comments. I regret for not being
able to do so. I learned so much from
their posts. Their experiences and ideas were
shining like diamonds. I always
studied in traditional way without any discussion with my teacher and other
student. Our NiceNet discussion redefined the learning process. The web skill course helped me to build a dedicated
team of hard working teachers from different parts of the world.
Before the course I was
an ordinary confused traditional teacher with very little technological
knowledge. Now I am more confident and skillful teacher with more technological
and pedagogical knowledge to use technology in teaching learning process (still
in traditional setting but with greater potentialities to transform). I have
started my journey there is very long road with many obstacles ahead . Challenges provide opportunities. Using technology
is not goal in itself. It can be effective tool to achieve educational goal when
we use it efficiently.
I am happy because I learned many useful things. I sad because the course has ended here.I hope to get similar opportunities in future.At last I want to extend
my vote of thanks to RELO, Kathmandu, AEI at Oregan , Drabya Shah Multiple
Campus , my students and course mates from both home
and aboard. Without your constant support , I couldn’t make it. I am grateful to you all. I hope to get similar support in future.
Thank you.
Best regard
Krishna
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Week 9: Learners differences and technology
Now we are very
close to the end of our webskills course. We have implemented technology enhanced project in our class and
prepared final report. There is little left for the next week. The best part of
this week discussion was on learner’s differences in terms of multiple
intelligence and using suitable technologies to help the learners in terms of
their intelligence.
Multiple Intelligence
theory was forwarded by Howard Gardner in 1983 in his book Frames of Minds. He
identified seven types intelligences in the book. He added two more types of
intelligences in 1999 when he published the book Intelligence Re framed. According to Gardner everybody possesses
linguistic/verbal, Mathematical l/logical, Visual/ spatial, Kinthestic /body, Musical/
rhythmic, Interpersonal, Interpersonal, Naturalistic and existential. People don’t have these intelligences in the
same way. The degree of intelligences varies person to person.
There are different
theories to account learners differences in term of their learning styles. MI
theory has powerful impacts on teaching learning process. Unfortunately, many teachers are not
aware of learner’s differences. Even they are aware of learners’ differences
they are unable to teach in appropriate ways. We teach all the students more or
less in the same ways is if one size fits for all in Nepal. Like else where we praise linguistic and mathematical
/logical talents among learners. Other types of intelligences are virtually ignored. The
mismatch of teaching style and learning style is common problem. It is the most
ignored problem in Nepalese class room.
I realized that different types of technologies have different
potentialities to enhance students learning styles. I learned that blogging can
be good option for interpersonal learner. Collaborative writing can be good for
students with good interpersonal skills. Wide ranges of technologies are
available for learners. Power Point Presentation might be good options for
visual learners. We learned many
technologies/tools suitable for different types of learners. We
have not discussed about benefit of audio books. It can be good for auditory
learners.
One thing should be
kept in mind while using technology in the class. We are still not sure which
is the best way to integrate technology in the class? So we should try
different types of tools. If we use different tools, it kills learners monotony
on one hand and offers something good
for everyone in the class in terms of
their learning styles. The one words answer for the right practice is variety
There is one more week . Let's see what it will bring.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Week 8: Reflection after the action was taken
We are near to the
end of our online course. I have implemented what I have learned in the
course with technology enhanced project with my students in my campus. The project provided me an opportunity to integrate the various modern technologies instead of traditional lecture method
in my class. This week I was busy with project report, reading my peer’s draft
report and providing developmental feedback and creating course site and exploring more tools. I also took part in class discussion as usual in our discussion forum.
I prepared draft
report of my course project which we conducted for last three weeks. and sent it to Mukti who is my peer reviewer. He has given some suggestions to make it more clear. We have been working together. I also read his draft
report and provided some developmental feedback. We are learning much from each
other. To prepare draft project was easy because we have been
working on it from the second week. We have been collecting the required information
every week. Now I am refining my project report following my peer’s suggestions and
consulting the rubric given by our course instructor. She is really working hard to make sure we all are walking on right track.
The real challenging
task of the week was creating course site. When I had first seen our course
main website i.e. Google site I dreamed myself
creating a similar site for my
students. I tried two weeks ago. I was much confused at first. I just created
the site and left without filling much content. As I saw the weekly task of
creating the course I decided to complete my Google site. I stared to work
again. With many trails and errors I completed my Google site for B.ED students.
I must admit that it does not have great contents now. Editing the site took much time. Now I can
focus on content. I learned some ticks of editing the site but not all. In addition to Google site I created Nicenet
Class for my B.ED students. It was very easy for me. It is discussion
forum for my students.
Our discussion topic for this week was online tools. I explored ANVIL. It is great as it provides platform to integrate text,audio and video for teaching. It is still difficult for us to use audio and video from Internet because of limited bandwidth. We have not discussed much on usefulness of different online tools.. I know the reason we are busy with project reports and creating course sites.
The students are sending me email giving me their feedback on our project. I am encouraging them to write email . The students are interested to learn with technology. I have planted the seeds, I will keep on watering.I hope they they will germinate, grow and bloom and produce many seed for new generation. Let me see how big they grow in future.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Week :7 Working differently
It is time to reflect on
7 th week. This week was dedicated to discussion on learner autonomy and
teaching in one computer class. I learned
to use wallwisher as online message board. Students are working with course project.
Learning is life long
process. To be autonomous learners means be able to take charge of own learning
as Holec suggest. We have very closed system in Nepal. There is very little
room for learners’ and teachers’ autonomy in Nepal. One size does not fit all. Almost
all decisions regarding learning needs, goals, content, time, and resources are
imposed by external body. Introduce learners autonomy at once in such context is
more harmful than useful. What a teacher needs to do is gradual transition from
traditional setting to learner autonomy. Learners feel insecure and confused if
they are left on themselves. Learners’ autonomy demands changed role of
teachers. Self access center, study skills training can be instrumental to the journey
toward learners’ autonomy.
Computers are still thing of luxury in most of the
institutes in Nepal. We can do a lot with a computer class. What a teacher
needs to do is learn time management with different learners group. One
computer can be used to keep administrative records, display visual, browse
web, send e mail, process words, and view content on CD ROM, writing process
etc. Projector, loud speaker and printer make teachers job much easier in one
computer class. Dividing students in different group to access and work turn
wise ensure that everyone take advantages of
computer. Otherwise one computer becomes
easy to see and difficult to use tool in the class.
Project work demands learner’s autonomy. Learners go through
transition period before they fully become autonomous learners. My B. Ed students are doing course project. They are using
their mobile phones to browse contents. I want them to much time with computer. They expect much guidance than I offer.
I need to modify my project a little. It is very difficult for me to use lab computer
because of power cut. I am thinking of quieting Nicenet activity now. There is power problem every other day and it
is only forty minutes periods. I will ask them write their essay on copy rather
than post on Nicenet.
I liked the
wallwisher as it gather varieties of resources together. I taught a poem yesterday. I asked students to
write the message of poem on white board similar to our wallwisher. Many students came and wrote on white board. I did
little experiment with virtual techniques on real class. The students loved it.
I think it can be used to brain storm
ideas before the class and consolidate ideas
after the class especially with intermediate students.
Let see how far the
project go. I am waiting 8 th week.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Week :6 Words to action
It is nearly the end of 6th week . I am reflecting on the achievement of the week. This week will be memorable week because I brought the tips and tricks of Power Point Presentation, making the large class interactive and starting project based learning with students. I am attending 18 th international conference of NELTA.
I learned to make power point couple of years ago. But my power point slide were just liner blocks of text.I din't have ideas on designing power points.I learned to make interactive Power Point.I learned some tricks of Microsoft"s power point presentation.i.e. font,text amount, color, hyper linking,animation,action,blank slide,questioning,etc.The mode of delivery is more important than slides.Good slides can enhance presentation. Presentation is not reading slide after slide. I saw some presenters were just reading block of text on slides with out caring audience in NELTA conference. Power Point is for'' to the point ''They could do better if they had explored tips on presentation.Now I think I can improve my Power Point Presentation.
Large classes are difficult to handle.Large class demand additional supports, skills and resources. Unfortunately most of large class are in developing countries which don't have good resources and support system. . Large class are common in Nepal .I learned many suggestions from experts and thought the possibility of implementing in my class. Many of technology related solutions are not applicable in our context in absence of appropriate technology.Dr.Richard Smith,one key speaker of 18 th international conference highlighted the need of bottom up approach of solution from individual teacher in local context. I fully agree with him. He is discussing the issue today. I am applying concept map,demonstration . predicating from text etc in my class to make them more interactive. I am reading my e friends experience and thinking on the possibility of their adaptation in my class.
I started the course project with my student. I did technology survey with them. I gave them one orientation class with Power Point Presentation. We have stared our initial work.I grouped them in to four group and assigned reading. I have forty minutes period and every other day their is power cut. I helped my student the techniques of web searching on their cell phone. As I came to attend , I don't know their progress on project. I hope they are doing assigned task. I will discuss with them and keep them in track.
I am having wonderful time in Kathmandu.I met my friend working different parts of country, my teachers and experts and foreign delegates.There are five persons doing web skills in our group. I met Mukti, Kunjar and Sharmila. Virtual fiends became real friends.We are sharing our ideas and we took group photograph.
I was wonderful experience. I attended Sharmila's Presentation.It was great and engaging. Congratulation for your great presentation.
I want to stop now as I am getting late for the second day of conference.
I learned to make power point couple of years ago. But my power point slide were just liner blocks of text.I din't have ideas on designing power points.I learned to make interactive Power Point.I learned some tricks of Microsoft"s power point presentation.i.e. font,text amount, color, hyper linking,animation,action,blank slide,questioning,etc.The mode of delivery is more important than slides.Good slides can enhance presentation. Presentation is not reading slide after slide. I saw some presenters were just reading block of text on slides with out caring audience in NELTA conference. Power Point is for'' to the point ''They could do better if they had explored tips on presentation.Now I think I can improve my Power Point Presentation.
Large classes are difficult to handle.Large class demand additional supports, skills and resources. Unfortunately most of large class are in developing countries which don't have good resources and support system. . Large class are common in Nepal .I learned many suggestions from experts and thought the possibility of implementing in my class. Many of technology related solutions are not applicable in our context in absence of appropriate technology.Dr.Richard Smith,one key speaker of 18 th international conference highlighted the need of bottom up approach of solution from individual teacher in local context. I fully agree with him. He is discussing the issue today. I am applying concept map,demonstration . predicating from text etc in my class to make them more interactive. I am reading my e friends experience and thinking on the possibility of their adaptation in my class.
I started the course project with my student. I did technology survey with them. I gave them one orientation class with Power Point Presentation. We have stared our initial work.I grouped them in to four group and assigned reading. I have forty minutes period and every other day their is power cut. I helped my student the techniques of web searching on their cell phone. As I came to attend , I don't know their progress on project. I hope they are doing assigned task. I will discuss with them and keep them in track.
I am having wonderful time in Kathmandu.I met my friend working different parts of country, my teachers and experts and foreign delegates.There are five persons doing web skills in our group. I met Mukti, Kunjar and Sharmila. Virtual fiends became real friends.We are sharing our ideas and we took group photograph.
I was wonderful experience. I attended Sharmila's Presentation.It was great and engaging. Congratulation for your great presentation.
I want to stop now as I am getting late for the second day of conference.
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