Technology as Assessment

Something I ran across while looking at UWO's publication of using different instructional technology and its functions and was surprised to read the below about online testing: The article titled "Instructional Technology: Functions and Best Practices, Website Support for Teaching Large Classes, Turnitin.com: A New Plagiarism Checking Tool at Western"states that "If you ask students what feature they find most valuable on a course website, the consistent response is practice tests. Students like to test their knowledge of a chapter or module, both after they have read the chapter and when they are preparing for an exam". Like Bowen states in "Teaching Naked", "the simplest and most basic use of new communication technologies is to create more class time for engaged learning..(Bowen, 2012, p.104. For me, I think it is a great way of incorporating different instructional technologies together, especially in face to face courses, to add that social media element. By doing so, you are broadening your learners use of different instructional strategies as well as using something they are familiar with.I think this can be stretched out to include not just testing, but information about concepts and subject topics that can perhaps we discussed in class (if it is not a testable subject).Something like Bowen's suggestion of the program "Brainshark" can provide students with the opportunities to use technology as assessment from something as easy as their mobiles to complete pre-exam practice (Bowen, 2012). The link is http://www.uwo.ca/tsc/resources/publications/newsletter/selected_articles/instructional_technology_functions.html Text: Bowen, Jose A. "Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology out of Your College Classroom will Improve Student Learning". (2012) San Fransisco: John Wiley & Son.

Fair Dealings in a Fair way?

For the past week, I have been awed by the term "fair dealings". Initially I was under the impression that this was a way to protect the original sources or author(s) of a publication, but the more I read about it, and note my colleagues in my course's feedback and perspectives, I am finding, that sometimes its doing the opposite. I found the following you tube video which made me wonder? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Oe1GNHrSo So this begs the question for me, how will I interpret this in my classroom for my students/earners. I think for me, it is important that no matter what I use, I need to make that solid effort to recognize others works when sharing it in my classes. But I also have to be mindful of the information I use as well, and ensure that it has been cited properly.

The next part of my Journey: Media

Hi all, I know it's been a while since I have posted, forgive me, everyone needs a break sometimes to refresh! I am now starting the next part of my journey in PIDP, which is Media. I must say I am a bit hesitant, social media is not particularly my comfort zone, but that is exactly why I chose it as my option in the course, I mean that is the point right, challenge yourself and learn new things? Well here is to me and learning how to be comfortable in this context of a virtual community. I definitely agree with Jose Bowen's ideas that social media has changed our students in his book " Teaching Naked". Exactly how? I'm not so sure of this yet as this is new to me, but I will keep you updated in this blog of how that journey goes....