Thanks for your comments Bronwyn. I haven't realised how much we focus on flexible learning when we are teaching. This paper has made me aware of how I work as a lecturer and maybe in the home as well.
Today I was asking my students about using the computer as I have discovered very few are using Moodle, yet we are encouraged to place work on this forum so that students have access to this at all times. I have discovered that one of the class of 11 has not or does not like using a computer. This surprised me as I have sons of similar ages and thought that this generation would be very computer savvy!!! my mistake and how many others are there in the system??? So I asked more questions and have discovered that the others love exploring the net but not Moodle. If it was face book I bet they would all follow.....Maybe that's where the work should go... The one who uses Moodle the most, struggled with the work at the start but has taken OWNERSHIP and Moodle works for her as she revisits the pages several times to help her learning. Good on her.
I then asked the students if I placed, (which I have placed,) work on Moodle would they look?? Answer MAYBE. So now I will log on in class and walk them through the steps of how to get to Moodle - the info and then watch to see if they return. Also I have discovered some in this block of students are used to being given handouts and with Polytechnic policy to save the trees, we need to make sure - BE FLEXIBLE - that the students are able to learn in a way that suits their learning styles. I explained today if we place the info on Moodle / net, or any other forum, they could print a hard copy if that is how they learn.
I feel I need to look at other places to place work and guide students, and look forward to exploring delicious . Thanks Bronwyn.. If we used a forum that they can contribute to would that work better???
Maybe. Love to hear from others.
Sorry for this long evaluation, but sitting in the sun with Izzy cuddled in and home alone for tea. Feeling stressed as a student and anxious to help my students to achieve what is best for them.
Talk soon.
I would agree with your comment that some times we can focus on what is
required and try and cram in too much. I am new to teaching but realise that as a mum and a student, small and manageable steps work way better when trying to learn/teach. I would prefer not to overload students
as it all takes time and practice to remember, hence manageable steps, with time to
absorb. Not many people remember things first time round, it is the time to reinforce that matters.
Sometimes I feel we try to achieve TOO MANY OUTCOMES when less would work just as well. Not so stressful for either the student or the teacher!! and way more rewarding for both.
This old brain likes to rethink what it has been taught, so does the young brain. If we don't overload we have time to revisit when, or if a student/students need to reabsorb what has been taught. As they have lots to learn... and so do we.
I remember when I returned to study as a mature student !!! and scared of the 'mouse'..... The student beside me looked so confident and this made me more stressed. In the end I learned from a manual at home with the help in class and that worked best for me. I was lucky as I had a teenage son who would sit beside me and I would write down the steps, and with confidence the 'mouse' became my friend. A friend, who is a school teacher, commented that no one learns from a manual. Something I will always remember as we all have different learning styles, just like personalities, so we must be flexible to help each student.
Today I was asking my students about using the computer as I have discovered very few are using Moodle, yet we are encouraged to place work on this forum so that students have access to this at all times. I have discovered that one of the class of 11 has not or does not like using a computer. This surprised me as I have sons of similar ages and thought that this generation would be very computer savvy!!! my mistake and how many others are there in the system??? So I asked more questions and have discovered that the others love exploring the net but not Moodle. If it was face book I bet they would all follow.....Maybe that's where the work should go... The one who uses Moodle the most, struggled with the work at the start but has taken OWNERSHIP and Moodle works for her as she revisits the pages several times to help her learning. Good on her.
I then asked the students if I placed, (which I have placed,) work on Moodle would they look?? Answer MAYBE. So now I will log on in class and walk them through the steps of how to get to Moodle - the info and then watch to see if they return. Also I have discovered some in this block of students are used to being given handouts and with Polytechnic policy to save the trees, we need to make sure - BE FLEXIBLE - that the students are able to learn in a way that suits their learning styles. I explained today if we place the info on Moodle / net, or any other forum, they could print a hard copy if that is how they learn.
I feel I need to look at other places to place work and guide students, and look forward to exploring delicious . Thanks Bronwyn.. If we used a forum that they can contribute to would that work better???
Maybe. Love to hear from others.
Sorry for this long evaluation, but sitting in the sun with Izzy cuddled in and home alone for tea. Feeling stressed as a student and anxious to help my students to achieve what is best for them.
Talk soon.
