Module 1 - Readings and posts to discussions.

In the forum on Module 1.2, I commented on my experience in working with video editing. I made the comment which resounds very strong now...

"As someone who learns new technology reasonably quickly, and with a lot of patience, it highlighted to me the frustrations of teachers who were weaker with the use of technology but were experiencing technology failure. The reduced effectiveness of their teaching was significant, and was pivotal in their trying new things in the future. This changed my perspective as an IT Manager later in my career to be most supportive of teachers who try new technology in the classroom."

It only helps to focus my thoughts on how, as an early adopter, the useability of new technology is such an issue - how much more for those with less confidence and technical ability!

Next thought comes as a by-product of the recent election (last weekend) and how the new Govt plans to have Education Transformation (which has a nice ring to it!) and part of the plan is to give access to ALL students in Australia access to a computer and high speed Internet. The link is back to the notes for Module 1:

"ICT Devices are being used to empower individual freedoms and abilities and as such have a great potential to support educational reforms based on the ways individuals and groups are able to interact with information and co-construct learning and knowledge".

It is obvious that the current govt was thinking along the same lines...put the hardware in the people's hands and this is part of the way towards educational transformation.

Anyway, that is the main thought so far...

Starting FET8611...

Well it has been a good start to this course...having to log in to so many different systems and set myself up....Moodle, knowledgeGarden, Skype, IM, Elluminate and Blogs. I have yet to do RSS feeds (although I use MS Outlook extensively and know it is a simple thing to do (In fact - Really Simple! ha ha) - but have not done it as yet! And I don't know about this "tagging" yet, however, I use FaceBook and I think it may be a form of it...

Anyway, some thoughts as I set up these tools...

Email - All fine, I deal with many daily so this is no problem (but VERY happy that I can get forum posts sent to my home/work email address! Go Moodle!)

Moodle - I have set up a Moodle installation and now use Moodle on a day to day basis, so this is fine.

Skype - Again, I use this regularly, from speaking to my wife in another room, to some of my students and my brother in Ecuador - so easy to set up.

Elluminate - Have just looked at this concept for my online course, and was thinking this would be good to use (and they just offered Elluminate Lite for free to K - 12 schools!) Not so simple, but fine. I had a demo conference with myself this morning...and I worked fine!

knowledgeGarden - now here is something new to me...a Wiki (I think!?!). Although there were great instructions, and a really good screen cast from Peter, and some really good comments already by other students...this one did not come naturally....

I understand that the language is simpler (than HTML) however, it would be better to have something like a HTML editor rather than having to put the code in. I wanted to make the text as "active" as possible, and I did, but it took time...more time than I planned...so didn't get too far...so that's my htoughts for now...will keep writing as I go.

Overall, now that I understand what the course is about, the whole scenario is perfect! Timing (during holidays - a good time to play!) and ready to finish off the setup my courses for 2008. So a reminder to be more constructivist is GREAT! I plan to use much of what we do in this course...thanks!

Chris :-)