I also spent some time with Rina Bautusta (President) and Edric and Doris from the Knowledge Channel Foundation based in Manila. This was an enlightening time as I learned about the TV shows the KC create and disseminate, and how many communities throughout the Philippines are not connected or have very little access to the Internet therefore television remains a major means of multimedia content for education. We talked a lot how to improve learning and access to digital resources in underprivileged communities. Teachers across the country are wanting to learn new methods but often lack support and facility to implement these. There is no easy answer, and real change will only come when infrastructure across the country is improved, however I do feel there is a lot that can be done to change pedagogical approach even before full or regular access to online tools is available.
Rina also provided an opportunity for me to speak with other educators and also representatives from other organisations AND the Filipino Education Department at The Beacon School, which is a Filipino Community IB World School led by Principal Mary Chua. This was an excellent session and I spoke about Flat Classroom as well as ISTE and the support this global organisation can provide to teachers, as well as 21st Century learning.
The Digital Dimensions Workshop was held over 2 days with about 35 teachers, mostly from Brent IS.
Workshop Overview
What will your digital journey be like this year? Let's kick-start the
adventure now in this hands-on, project-based, collaborative workshop.
Explore exciting Web 2.0 tools (like blogs, wikis, podcasts, Twitter,
digital storytelling, and social bookmarking). In addition, explore
digital media to support learning and formative as well as authentic
assessment across the curriculum. An essential element of the workshop
is to work together in a constructivist learning environment, and by
using global collaboration tools, work on a tangible product(s) that can
be used immediately in the classroom. This workshop is designed to open
doors to new modes of teaching and learning and focus on the learner
(teacher and student) as a communicator, collaborator and creator.
Workshop Outcomes
During this workshop, participants will deepen understanding of how to:- integrate the use of Web 2.0 tools into the daily life of an educator;
- work as a collaborative team and explore the potential of global collaboration in the curriculum
- develop quality digital assessment tasks and associated rubrics; and,
- support project-based digital learning.
- Integrating Web 2.0 and emerging technologies
- 'Flattening' the classroom locally and /or globally
- Modelling collaborative learning modes as process and as part of project design
Julie and staff at the EARCOS office, Brent IS, Manila |
Web 2 Smackdown! |
Teams working on project |
Final team presentations! |
Some comments from participants:
"I will use much better/interesting presentation of ideas than I have been and I will work on promoting/facilitating deeper 'discovery' using tech tools. I have a much better understanding of how I can use Delicious effectively to help guide students." Joseph Levno, Director of Academic Affairs, Brent IS
"Where can I take this? It feels like the possibilities are endless!" Mary Meikle English Lit and ESL Upper School, Brent IS
"This is a timely workshop, others should also find time to go." anon
Find out more from my portfolio, Learning Confluence, re professional development opportunities that can be brought to your school.
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