|
Volume 1 Issue 7, March 2009
|
|
Newton, The Socratic Questioner: A Perfect Fit for Pedagogy and Technology
By Alvin Tan & Lee Chin Teck, Ngee Ann Secondary School, Singapore
|
Digital Natives
With the advent of the Internet, the educational landscape of the 21st
Century is beginning to change like never before. The world of Internet
and its array of peripherals and digital gizmos are starting to breed a
new generation of young people who are perpetually surrounding and
connecting their five senses to the digital world. This new generation,
the digital natives as they are commonly known, have different
cognitive learning patterns from students of yester years. As such, we
as educators, face a new challenge in teaching and educating them.
One particular digital phenomenon that swept through our region in
recent years is the pervasive usage of Instant Messenger. Research and
reports have shown that practically every student owns an MSN account
and many of them spend hours interacting, chatting, and working on the
Internet via instant messaging.
Instant Messaging
With the knowledge that IM (instant messaging) has become such a part
of the life of a student, we decided to explore how we can infuse an
educational pedagogy into this tool to bring about engaged learning.
The instant messaging tool provides a natural platform for
question-and-answer between two people, so we chose Socratic
Questioning as the underlying pedagogy. With this in mind, we sought
and collaborated with Microsoft to create a Socratic Windows Live Agent
(WLA) called Newton to teach Newton's Laws.
A good match between Technology and Pedagogy
Instant messaging is a tool of communication whereby two or
multiple-parties engage in quick and short conversations. It has been
used extensively, especially amongst students as a mode of
communication. As such, the Socratic Questioning model avails itself
readily as a suitable pedagogy which can be implemented fairly easily
within the IM platform. Its basic mode of learning will allow a
facilitator to guide students to acquire knowledge of a particular
topic through a series of questions and feedback. In this case, it is
the learning of Newtons' Laws.
Feedback from Students
The feedback and responses from the students in using the WLA as a tool
for learning have been favorable. As a pioneering venture in
integrating MSN with Socratic Inquiry Method to bring about teaching
and learning in a virtual setting, we are glad that we have made a head
start in making such a teaching platform a reality. Although the
integration between pedagogy and the MSN platform is yet to be
perfected, we managed to gather some feedback from our students on what
they like about this new mode of learning, as well as suggestions for
improvement. From the post-survey results, 99% of the respondents agree
that they learn more about Newton's Laws of motion after interacting
with WLA. From the answers that were given for the quiz, we can see
that students indeed show reasonably good understanding of Newton's
Laws. Reflection
Engaging a whole new generation of digital natives, to bring about
meaningful teaching and learning, has been our primary goal in
embarking on this project. To this end, we believe that we have, in a
small way, successfully incorporated and brought typical classroom
teaching into the virtual space that our youths are so accustomed to.
Instead of seeing the world of Internet and its arrays of peripherals
and platforms as competitors and distractions to our typical classroom
teaching, we believe it can serve to complement teaching and learning
as well. The Windows Live Agent serves as a case in point, where if
used appropriately, pedagogy (Socratic Questioning) can lead technology, to bring about effective and engaged learning in students.
For more information contact Alvin Tan, alvin_tan@ngeeannsec.edu.sg or learn more at Ngee Ann Secondary School Web site, http://www.ngeeannsec.edu.sg.
The Mission of the Visionary
By Zosimo B. Gomez
Maria Cristina National High School
Fuentes, Maria Cristina, Iligan City, Philippines
I joined the Department of Education as a mathematics teacher on July
16, 2002 and in my first year at Maria Cristina National High School, I
was designated as the School ICT Coordinator. I was among those who
subscribed to the vision of using ICT to improve learning and better
prepare the Filipino Youth for the demands of a knowledge-based
economy. While others hoped to create a network of schools for better
and effective collaboration, I also had my own dreams-- to make our
school the ICT center of the Iligan City Division.
With state-of-the-art IT hardware, peripherals and Internet
connectivity provided by Microsoft Philippines through its Partners in
Learning program, and the PC given by the Department of Education
courtesy of its computerization program, I learned the technology using
the available materials at hand. Though short of trainings, I took
advantage of my background on WordStar, Lotus 123, and Dbase 3+. I
found it difficult, but my aspirations drove me onward to acquire
learning.
When the Department of Trade and Industry, through its PCPS I program,
donated additional PC units, I was privileged to be taught the
technology. The materials from Microsoft's Partners in Learning were
user-friendly, so I decided to impart the skills I had acquired to
interested high school students, high school teachers, grade school
teachers, community residents and even grade school students. I wanted
to help them appreciate the modern technology available at the locality
and to gain support for laboratory sustainability.
To accomplish this, I had to sacrifice some of my priorities. I also
went the extra mile by conducting trainings from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on
week days and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays.
Trainings conducted by different sponsoring agencies made me realize
that aside from teaching technology, it is very important to use
technology as a tool in the teaching - learning environment. I shifted
from Computer Literacy to Information Literacy. Computer Aided
Instruction and ICT Integration were part of the teaching strategies in
different learning areas in our school.
Today,
six years have passed. While my dream of making the school an ICT
center in the Division seems to be difficult to achieve, the vision is
now clearer. The laboratory was declared as one of the PCPS-assisted
best computer laboratories. Moreover, the school has produced three
Innovative Teachers Leadership awardees. It has allowed students to
excel in the ICT-assisted skills competition. It has also produced
national ICT trainers and even developed training materials for
teachers. Maria Cristina National High School was among the schools
that were able to send teachers to conduct training for fellow
teachers, a task usually done only by IT professionals.
ICT was instrumental in making the out-of-school youths and community
adults become more productive. ICT enabled the school administrator and
teacher to take online courses.
Our school continued to use information and communication technology
because many believe that it improves learning and is essential in
workforce preparedness. This belief allowed us to gain support from the
local government units, parents, teachers and community associations,
NGOs, foundations and other benefactors.
Now, I realize that it is not the place that makes the ICT center, but
it is the activities that occur in the ICT center. Computers and the
Internet will continue to be the most accessible source of information
and will also continue to be used in teaching with technology because
we unveiled the key to sustainability-- SHARING. In sharing there is
always partnership. It is where you and I belong. WE are partners in
learning.
For more information contact Mae Rivera-Moreno at mrivera@microsoft.com,
Innovation and Educational Leadership in Costa Rica
By Maritza Monge
What
roles and responsibilities do school leaders need to assume to insure
we offer all students powerful learning activities? What changes are
necessary from our leaders to reshape school culture to provide
teachers with the professional development they need to meet students'
needs? In September 2009, the Innov@ Institute of the Omar Dengo Foundation
(ODF) in San Jose, Costa Rica provided a workshop for leaders that
offered participants the opportunity to address these and other key
issues. The Educational Leadership workshop was lead by Les Foltos from
Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology.
The participants for the seminar included the key leadership groups
that can shape innovation: K-12 classroom teachers, project directors,
curriculum developers, curriculum supervisors, K-12 administrators,
teacher educators and pre-service teachers. Each of them came from
institutions that participate in the Peer Coaching program, which is
part of Partners in Learning. The seminar was exciting to the
participants because they had the opportunity to discuss and define
innovative learning and address the changes needed in teaching and
learning, professional development and school culture in their
particular contexts, whether they are in primary schools, middle
schools or alternative education settings.
The Omar Dengo Foundation included leadership on its list of key issues
of the professional development program to work with professionals in
education, cognition and government to help students receive the
highest quality 21st century education. This year, the foundation has
launched a project that addresses the many issues facing current
academic and administrative leaders and the developing leaders who will
guide institutions deep into a leadership program to engage in inquiry
and dialogue about important leadership topics.
The Foundation works jointly with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public
Education on their National Educational Informatics Program to
implement programs reaching over 450,000 children and teachers
throughout the country. Their programs focus on education, technology,
and economic development, with a particular interest in human
development, creativity and learning.
For more information contact at Maritza.Monge@fod.ac.cr.
Robotics Studio Training - As an Educational Alliance Activity
Robotics
Studio training is part of the Microsoft Education Alliance and it is a
showcase of innovative use of ICT in education. Microsoft created a
Robotics Studio curriculum for students, and this is deployed to help
enhance the creativity of students in Daejeon. The curriculum has the
basic and advanced versions, where the latter is under development,
based on Visual Studio technology.
The feedback from the trainees and the Office of Education was
extremely strong. With this alliance, Microsoft is able to present a
more seamless experience to customers in the education sector, both in
terms of the educational services and the educational product that
Microsoft produces. Furthermore, students' creativity is enhanced.
Participants also get an opportunity to sign up for the Local Robotics
Studio competition and Imagine Cup.
This portal was launched in August of 2006. As of today, 11,774
educators have registered and the portal was accessed 753,080 times.
This site provides all information on PiL activities in Korea, even
foreign educational information. Educators are also able to join
communities for various PiL trainings conducted in Korea. Examples of
PiL trainings include Peer Coaching, 21st Century Schools, Leading Change, and e-Problem Based Learning. There are 282 communities for the training and approximately 40 teachers per community.
To further enhance the value proposition brought by Microsoft Korea,
the site recently integrated Live@edu services. Now, in a single
registration, anyone who registered at www.mspil.co.kr
simultaneously gets an account to access the PiL content and Live@edu
services. Previous members of this site can now renew their membership
and utilize Live@edu resources.
For more information contact Bum Joo Park at bumjpark@microsoft.com.
Announcements
Prestigious National Award in 2008 - The Minister Award for Contributions on ICT Education
Bum
Joo Park, Academic Program Manager, received the National Award from
the Minister in Education, Science and Technology on December 31, 2008.
This award is based on the excellent job Bum Joo Park has done under
Partners in Learning (PiL) in Korea, where Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology (MEST) and Microsoft have been training
underprivileged students, beginning November 2005 to December 2008.
During this period, approximately 2,800 students were trained by the IT
training camp and there were 58 training sessions conducted in all. At
this camp, students picked up basic IT skills, presentation skills and
multimedia editing by learning Windows, Office, Movie Maker and
Project-based Learning. Bum Joo Park felt a great sense of fulfillment
as his visionary leadership and hard work in PiL has added value to the
national ICT and contributed towards Microsoft's Education vision.
Student's Reflection
Jin Su Park (student, participant in the 1st training of 2007) "I hope one more participation in this training!!! I
did several activities in this camp. I learned how to make a script
with MS Word, make a presentation with MS PowerPoint and a quotation
with MS Excel program. Also, I made a film after take some pictures
with digital camera and digital camcorder and participated in the
competition with other teams.I thought the training
would be a program on basic IT skills, but I knew the training is a
wonderful thing beyond my imagination.Thanks again for Microsoft to give great opportunity to me."Teacher's Reflection
Jung Gu Park (education official from Julanam-do Office of Education) "I
was supposed to bring students from Julanam-do to participate in this
training program... There were many problems in the planning and
preparation. Prior to the training, I was worried that things will not
go on well because I felt the students don't like the training. But I
knew it was. my misunderstanding at once after starting the training.
The teaching method was fresh and the students were immersed in the
training by teaching of teachers. Also, I knew ICT tools can be well
integrated in classroom differently from school. Actually, in school,
ICT education is just for ICT skills. Students here get training how to
use ICT, e.g., MS Office and they do homework or class work by ICT
tools. But, I knew teachers can do various methods for teaching and
learning using ICT Tools in this training program.
The most important things in this program I think is that the students
from disadvantaged environments can get individual dream and life
vision in this program and ICT can support their dream and vision.
Thanks a lot for all."
For more information, please contact to Bum Joo Park at bumjpark@microsoft.com.
Department of Education, Microsoft Extend Partnership for ICT-empowered Learning
At
the recently-held Educators Congress in Baguio City, the Department of
Education (DepEd) and Microsoft Philippines signed a Memorandum of
Understanding, signifying their continuing partnership to enhance the
Philippine educational system through ICT-enabled teaching and
learning.
DepEd and Microsoft also renewed their collaboration for Partners in
Learning, as the program enters its next phase. Partners in Learning is
a Microsoft global initiative for education, designed to increase
schools' access to technology and improve the use of ICT in the
classroom.
"Microsoft has provided major support to DepEd's ICT Program through
Partners in Learning. Their commitment to education is inspiring and
commendable," said Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus. "We
look forward to collaborating with them on more projects in the coming
years."
Seng Heng Chuah, Education General Manager, Microsoft Asia Pacific joined Lapus during the signing.
"We have had the great opportunity to touch the lives of over 90
million students, teachers, and policy makers in 101 countries," said
Chuah. "Some of the most moving stories about how technology has
changed the teaching and learning experience have come from the
Philippines."
In the next five years, Partners in Learning will focus on identifying,
sharing and scaling practices and behaviors that improve learning
outcomes, through three program areas that have the greatest potential
to empower and transform education: Innovative Schools, Innovative
Teachers and Innovative Students.
"With the Department of Education, we have been able to reach more
schools and train more teachers," said Michelle Casio, Academic
Programs Manager, Microsoft Philippines. "The second version of
Partners in Learning will build upon the most effective programs of the
last five years," she added.
Since 2003, around 20,000 educators have been trained on Digital
Literacy and ICT Integration, 21st Century Leadership, and advanced ICT
courses. Partners in Learning teachers also trained abroad on
curriculum delivery.
Educators who have undergone training become tech coaches, voluntarily
conducting training sessions for their colleagues. Aside from training,
Partners in Learning has made software available to public schools
through Fresh Start and Partners in Learning School Agreement, which
offers special pricing on Microsoft Office applications.
A portal with over 40,000 community members has been developed to enable teachers to share lesson plans and best practices.
Furthermore, Microsoft provided an e-mail system for all DepEd teachers
through the Windows Live@edu initiative. Currently, over 20,000
teachers have their own DepEd e-mail accounts and the project is set
for roll-out nationwide this year.
For more information contact Mae Rivera-Moreno at mrivera@microsoft.com.
|
