Week 3

Week 3
Content can be accessed at:

Weeks 1 and 2

Week 1 Engagement Activities

Engagement Activity 1

1.     What is your learning style? What sorts of learning experiences would suit you best with your learning style?

According to Felder and Solomon’s online questionnaire my preferred learning styles are sensing, visual and sequential. When learning I like solving problems by ingrained methods and I dislike complications and surprises (sensing learner). I also prefer to learn visually with pictures, films and demonstrations (visual learner). I also have difficulty in learning when steps are skipped and when lecturers change topics in a non-linear fashion (sequential learner).  

2.     In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson?

I would provide a range of learning styles and learning options to suit my learners preferred style of learning.  All students learn differently, but everyone absorbs information to a greater level of understanding if the topic is presented both verbally and visually. Thus, I would engage both of these learning styles through demonstrations and accompanying explanations.

3.     With your current knowledge of ICT, how could your design and digital pedagogy support your learners better?  

Whilst currently possessing a limited knowledge of ICT, and I am aware of youtube clips, wikis and blogging.  Student’s today are ‘digital natives’ and thus, whilst I am a ‘digital immigrant’, I could incorporate these visual clips (visual learners), blogs (reflective learners) and wikis (active learners) to assist in supporting student’s preferred learning styles in the 21^st century.

4.     What sorts of profiling questions would you be asking about your learners to ensure you cater for everyone's preferences?

When working with students I tend to observe them at work and when I notice students having trouble with the task I ask them what is it that they understand and then we work on what they are having trouble. In order to do this I ask a range of internal profiling questions that ultimately ask ‘how does this student learn best?’. For instance:

a) ‘would the student learn better in a group, actively engaging with other students, or would they prefer to work alone on the task?’

b) ‘Would the student learn better with specific examples of concepts and procedures based in a real world context, or would the student learn better if the task gave greater scope for innovation?’

c) ‘would the student learn better from placing the learning material in the context of the bigger picture?’

5. How does ICT support differences in learning styles?

The students of the 21st century learn in a completely different technological environment to that of most of the last century. ICT provides the opportunity for students to learn with different computer programs and alike that suit their preferred learning style. For instance, vokis, blogs and social networking. ICT presents opportunities for new interactive learning resources. Students can engage in collaborative formats, as well as in individualised options.  There are also different formatting options in terms of colour, design, visual content and auditory content to suit preferred learning styles. Ultimately, ICT enhances all types of preferred learning styles.

Week 2

My experience with the computer this week has been challenging to say the least.
First of all I had trouble just opening the information sections in the end I asked a student "how do I get into the topic?" luckily for me the student was only to will to tell me how to press on this and open this.
Then I had a tute with Heather who guided me through the steps to entering the wiki and from there I was able to join in the weekly activity. Being a first time user of wiki this week and learning how to blog last week has certainly stretched me but now I am on the right track.
I am hopeful that each week I will be able to relax and enjoy this new learning and eventually bring these wonderful activities into the classroom when I am on my next prac or even when I
graduate and start teaching.
The thing to remember when trying something new is never be afraid to ask for help as this is the best thing you can do for yourself. I know for I sat at the computer for days trying to work things out by myself and nearly gave up on the course, until I asked for help, luckily for me the people I approached where wonderful and had a mountain of patience.