ETEC 512 – Website: Situated and Distributed Learning Project

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This website was created for the ETEC512 Learning Conferences. It was (and still is) intended to help educators take a “traditional” lesson plan of their choosing and integrate situated and distributed learning principles.  It acts like a step by step guide to improving your lesson. Ideally, upon completion of this online module, you will be able to: 

  • Create or update a lesson plan that incorporates situated learning and distributed cognitionplan-clipart-clipart-pencil-checklist
  • Become familiar with the theory of situated learning and distributed cognition
  • Understand the role virtual realities or simulations can play in education
  • Understand the role social media can play in education
  • Understand how you can use PBL in your lessons
  • Understand how case studies can be used in education
  • Contribute to discussions and resource collection using social media

http://situateddistributed.weebly.com/

ETEC 512 – Revised Lesson Plan: WWI The Home Front

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ETEC 512 gave me the opportunity to revamp an old lesson plan, sort of like a rematch against a cross two rival in basketball. I choose a lesson that I had created during as a student teacher during my PDP. I found one that I remembered being happy with Tipoff-8727when I originally made and taught it. However when looking at it again I could see that it needed a lot of work and updating. I consulted several learning theories to update my lesson, I also updated the lesson plan to take better advantage of the digital technology that is more readily available today. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to do this, as I said in a previous post I quite miss lesson planning and I enjoyed completing this project. I am also proud of the final product, my only negative is that because of my position in student services I will not be using this lesson. I sincerely hope that some does!

Abstract:
It is a two class lesson plan on the effects of World War One on Canadians at home, designed to be used in a high school social studies class. Student are responsible for visiting six different stations and completing an individual blog post reflecting on what they have learnt. While they will be completing their own blogs, they are strongly encouraged to work in groups to complete all the tasks. There will also be Twitter Questions at each of the stations.  

This lesson is available to view and use on my school blog.

ETEC 512 – Thought Papers

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A three pointer!
Three artifacts all in one shot 🙂

The thought papers in ETEC 512 were all about efficiency. You needed to be able to make a clear argument in just one page. In basketball too you will always aim to do things in the most efficient way possible. We teacher our players several, sometimes complicated offensives, all the be able to score. However, a good coach will make sure their team knows that the offensive is not the bottom line, scoring is! If you can score with a fast break, without setting up your offensive it is that much better and faster. Just like in that case these papers have to be done well because they are so simple, otherwise you will not score.

At first this writing tasks was a bit challenging. I had to cut more then half of my work the first time around. With practice, like most things this became much easier, and I did begin to enjoy the tasks of making a point without any unnecessary details.

Thought Paper 1: Behaviourist Principles and Learning

Abstract:Behavioral-economics
Behaviourist techniques can be helpful in creating learning environments where behavouirs will allow for learning to occur. However, relying on one theory for evaluating learning would be un-useful and limiting. The world of educational research has many theories, and it would be impractical to use only one. Equally, it would be unwise to ignore one. In these cases behaviourism helps to give one of the reasons why learning as increased. It cannot however, tell you if the instructional strategies the teacher uses are effective, among many other things. Behaviourism can offer a piece of information about learning, but does not explain a complete picture.

ETEC 512 – C.Langford – Thought Paper #1

Thought Paper 2: The Potential of Neuroscience and Teachingimages (3)

Abstract:
Neural understanding has the potential to empower teachers. Providing opportunities to enhance the neurological understandings of teachers could assist them in designing and delivering of curriculum. With time and partnership, neural understanding has the potential to empower teachers. The focus on learning can bridge the gap between neurology and education. It can with some improvements promote the mutual relationships between good teaching, good learning, and good brains.

ETEC 512 – Clangford – Thought Paper #2

Thought Paper 3: Constructivist Teaching and Learningspiral_ill

Abstract:
From a constructivist perspective learners construct their own understanding of the world. The teacher uses methods that build on the student’s prior knowledge and allow them to explore, question and be engaged the learning. The constructivist teacher’s role is to guide, instead of delivering facts and information. Knowledge comes from an accumulation of experiences by the student.

ETEC 512 – Clangford – Thought Paper #3