Peer and Participatory Learning were the main topics this time. These two models are confusingly interchangeable; however, there are some main differences. Participatory learning was supposed to be an Edcamp round two but it was cancelled due to the ACLE. Rather we created a google docs to facilitate this model. Participatory Learning is where we works as co-teachers and co-learners. This is where all of us blend as one. We learn from each other, from our peers. The activity was we were to discuss certain topics and questions posted beforehand in the google docs. Through this, we are able to answer each other’s concerns and questions. This type of learning is, in my opinion, one of the best; however, when we integrated it with technology, it became harder to handle since some of our classmates were not taking it seriously (e.g. copy pasting some long information from internet sources such as wikipedia). I believe that with the right attitude, this could be a powerful tool. This model removes the mindset of students that they are inferior to their teachers especially to those teachers who exhibit absolute superiority to their students. This makes them comfortable enough to speak their mind. And when this happens, the learning process happens at a remarkable speed.
Halo halo
This week’s topic is Blended Learning wherein traditional face to face delivery is combined with computer-mediated learning. Actually, I had a hard to time grasping the true concept of this model, but from what I understood, it is the combination of the other types learning. Here, students learn with the help of online technology or technology itself while still maintaining the traditional ways. In this way, it gives the students power over the pace which works better for them since the learning process would be personalized rather than standardized. Nowadays, the factory type of schooling has almost completely been eliminated. The factory type is where the students are seen as merchandise or products that schools produce in order to work for “factories”. These institutions standardize them, make them conform in order to make them easier to handle. This produces mediocre workers. I believe that a Blended type of learning could produce unique individuals due to its personalized curriculum thus it would be better for education in general.
Galak
This week, we were the assigned reporters. We taught the model of learning called Gamified. Gamification of anything is not as complicated as it looks; anything can be gamified as long as you can incorporate a point and reward system. Many believe that it is accomplished by making things into a game with hi-tech programming and stuff but really all you need is the point and reward system. It motivates the students based on humans’ natural tendency to be competitive. Most students are driven by competition which is the said motivation. I think that this is a great model since, by experience, competition really is a powerful tool especially if you are somehow good in that specific area. The rewards you get, not only material rewards, but also other things such as praises are great motivational tools.
Panayam
We were asked to do teacher interviews to be able to understand how traditional and modern teachers see technology nowadays. At first, I had a hard time looking for interviewees since my network of people who work as teachers are limited and even those whom I know are teachers have little time. From what I gathered from my interviewees, they are willing to try technology and they are trying it now. However, they are still oblivious to what technology can really offer. The traditional ways are indeed effective but I think technology can help a lot. But this is better than what I learned from the class’ interviews as a whole. I learned that there are still those traditional teachers who are scared and are not willing to try to incorporate technology into their classrooms. I think this is wasted potential.
Baliktaran
Before we started class, we were asked to watch a video about ecology, about how communities come to be. This is a model of learning called Flipped Classroom. This deals with leaving the absorbance of information outside the classroom area and making the classroom an area for exercises. This makes more time for more teacher-student interaction. I believe that in a perfect world, this is a good model considering that more interaction would to a better learning process; however, as we have received our fair share of Flipped Model, I can say that a flaw in this model lies with some of the outlier students who don’t read much especially long readings or videos. These students who won’t deal with the readings will be even more left behind their lessons. A solution to that problem would be of big help and would lead us one step closer yet again to good education.
All for One, One for All
This week’s topic was mostly about 1:1 learning in the field of educational technology. The activity consisted of giving each student a piece of technology to help facilitate learning which is the typical definition of 1:1 learning. The activity itself helped us “learn” elementary math through a website that can be used to replace manual speed math. My opinion regarding 1:1 learning is that, obviously, it is a big help to students however the remaining problem still persists, it is not realistic to think that we can provide this type of service to everyone. Especially in the Philippine context, in such a country as ours, we don’t have the resources. But in time, and with a perfect system in the application in this mode of learning, I believe that this is possible. And this would allow us to be a step closer to Utopia.
Mukha sa Mukha
Nagkaroon kami ng isang pagdedebate kung saan ang pangunahing paksa ay MOOCs. Kami ay hinati sa dalawang grupo na magsisilbi bilang “pro” at “con” sa kumpanya. Ang usapin ay umikot sa paksang kung ang MOOCs ba ay nararapat ipasok sa estado ng edukasyon ngayon sa Pilipinas. Napunta ako sa lipon ng mga taong “con” ngunit nais ko talagang mapa-pro noon sapagkat sa tingin ko ay makakatulong talaga ang MOOCs lalo sa mga taong nagiging hadlang ang kapaligiran sa pag-aaral. Naging masaya naman ang aktibidad na nangyari sapagkat kakaiba ang debate na nangyari. Sa debateng ito, binigyan ang ng pantay-pantay na pagkakataon ang lahat ng tao upang magsalita at hinahayag ito ng dalawang chips. Maliban sa pagiging masaya, hindi ako naging masaya sa kinahinatnan sapagkat sa tingin ko, ang mga ganitong bagay ay hindi dapat dinadaan sa debate dahil ang mga ganitong bagay ay ginagamitan ng kompromiso. Hindi naman pwedeng tanggalin na lamang ang MOOCs kundi ito ay dapat ipinapatupad at gagawan ng nararapat na pagbabago.
Prototype
Ngayong linggo ay pinagawa kami ng isang “prototype” ng isang application para maituro ang values sa kabataan. Natuwa naman ako kasi ngayon ko lang nalaman na ganito ipiniprisinta ng mga empleyado ang kanilang gawa, isang rough sketch. Ignorante man, akala ko dati ay pagkatapos mag-isip ng ideya ay sasabihin lamang nila ito at kapag pinayagan ay ipprogram na agad. Natuwa ako dahil ginamit ang karamihan ng aming kakayahan tulad na lamang ng pag-iisip at pagkamalikhain. At hindi lamang iyon, binigyan din kami ng pagkakataon upang makita ang gawa ng iba kung kaya’t nagkaroon ng mabilisang “feedback” at nabago namin agad ang kailangang baguhin. Sa kabuuan, kung totoong application ang aming ginagawa, masasabi kong nagtagumpay kami sa rough sketch dahil sa bilis ng oras at ng “feedback”.
EdCamp
I experienced a new activity this week. This week we tried EdCamp. It was fun and refreshing since it was new. It gave us the opportunity to teach and be taught. What made it so interesting was the freedom to choose what to learn and what to teach and more over was the refreshing environment it put us in. Here, we were given the chance to teach in a new place unfamiliar to us. This made me excited for the activity because it is unconventional in the sense that this time, we won’t be listening only and we won’t be confined in the same classroom.
Though it may have its merits, it also has its downfalls. Democracy was a good touch, however, a side effect of this showed; almost every round there was a classroom not occupied. A good recommendation would be to organize the activities and the schedule before the actual EdCamp and after the suggestion of ideas.
With its pros and cons, overall, it was a good experience especially a good teaching tool which would create a new environment.
Personal
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Sinubukan kong magturo gamit ang isang social network na kung tawagin sa aming lugar ay Facebook. Sa Facebook maaari kang makipag-text chat o makipagvideo chat. Isang maayos na paraan ito upang magturo sapagkat nasasakop niya ang karamihan ng pandama subalit may pagkukulang pa rin. Iba pa rin ang pakiramdam kapag personal na itinuturo sa iyong ang isang bagay kaysa sa gumamit pa ng isang midyum ng pagtuturo.
Para sa akin, ang pagtuturo ay dapat nasa personal na level upang maging epektibo.
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Mawikins 