It has been harder than I thought it would be to describe myself as a teacher.I have chosen this picture of a driving instructor because I see myself as helping students develop skills and acquire knowledge that will let them "take the wheel". I also try to use active and practical learning where ever possible - I find for most of my students practical activities are a lot more engaging and appealing than the standard sit and receive lecture. I also like to think that my teaching style has an appropriate balance of fun and seriousness that allows the students to enjoy their learning experience but still have a learning experience.
I am hoping exploration of flexible learning will help me better survey the learning needs of my students and deliver learning activities that will best service these needs. I think increased flexibility in the teaching resources I use and their format will definitely better accommodate students needs - though the additional time and effort required to achieve this range of teaching resources will require some considered planning and effective time management to make it happen. Perhaps getting students to help in locating and sharing more resources could lighten the load?
Clearly the goal is to achieve more flexible learning practice rather than roll out every flexible learning option available. I need to have a process to better understand the learning needs and preferences of my students, and the support and leadership of my institution to guide implementation of appropriate flexible learning options.
It is clear that flexible learning should be student led with options implemented satisfying the needs/wants and preparedness for more flexible learning of the students. With this comes increased responsibility on the part of the students and the need for greater self-direction and self-motivation. As many of my students are not ready for this responsibility and simply want to know the bare minimum to pass - I think NCEA has a lot to answer for in promoting strategic, credit gathering mediocrity - any flexible learning options need to be well selected and consistent across the programme to maximise pay off.
I think there is huge potential in increasing flexible learning options in the programmes I am involved in. A number of students have work and or family responsibilities on top of their programme of study and would enjoy the freedom to shift when and how they learn. From experience I am unsure of how flexible learning options might be abused by students as current flexibility options (posting lecture notes on blackboard, online assessment, options for practical sessions, online monitoring) results in reduced attendance and poorer grades.
My goal is to improve my ability to identify the learning needs of my students and to offer solutions that will allow them to successfully learn. I would like some help in surveying students to better understand their prior knowledge and experience and expectation from the courses I deliver. I would also like to know where the institution sits on helping NCEA graduates develop the independent learning skills (and motivation) required to ensure learning decisions are made with effective learning rather than choosing the easiest path driving decisions.
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ReplyDeleteAdain, you make such a good point about increasing flexible learning options while not adversely affecting the attendance or success rate. Flexible delivery can offer more learning options but these can be advantageous to retention and success. For example, by making lectures available on audio or video the students who do not attend a face to face lecture will not be disadvantaged. Similarly, by getting students involved in collaborative learning, this can motivate them to want to succeed.
ReplyDeleteAdain you have written a very realistic and interesting account of the teaching and learning situation for you and your students. You also make some very good suggestions and I particularly like: "Perhaps getting students to help in locating and sharing more resources could lighten the load?"
ReplyDeleteThis could help them engage in the topics a bit more, and even if attendance, physically, remains low, hopefully their achievement rates will improve as they learn to become more self-directed. I have given you access to an online survey by pradeep nathoo which you can modify and use for your students to find out about their computer use, skills and confidence.
Others can see the survey at:http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgg6nrz2_26cb7m28f8
people please let me know if you need editing access.
It is good that you are planning to add in a bit of flexibility and to take it gradual rather than trying to do it all at once.
Really like your analogy of the driving instructor, very apt. Although I hope you are nicer than my driving instructor when I was 15 – gave me nightmares, grouchy old bugger.
ReplyDeleteReally great point about finding tools to understand your students better to understand their needs. It does start to feel a little daunting thinking about all the options for how to teach what with who etc. So good advice Browyn “take it gradual rather than trying to do it all at once”.
thx Ellie
ReplyDeleteThe driving instructor you mentioned could have been a significant barrier to you ever obtaining a driver's licence - you must have been determined.
If we think back to some of those seemingly small incidents to which we were exposed when learning - at school, in groups - ballet, scouts, sport etc - it is easy to see what sort of things were motivating, and what created barriers.
An example I can think of is having a teacher in Standard one who used to give me and others a hard and stinging "strap on the hand" - brutal isn't it! It was for talking for goodness sake! Now kids and adults are encouraged to interact in the classroom and teachers get upset if they are too quiet.
It made me very shy I think for years and afraid to speak out at school, and it has taken me many, many years to be able to confidently speak out in groups - now it is hard to shut me up!
So yes the influence of the teacher or the expert is very powerful indeed - I agree.