Towndrow (2007) Chap 3 was quite easy to read. It makes a lot of sense and the information is useful for teachers. The chapter discusses the difference between Internet and the World Wide Web. I have a much clearer understanding of this distinction than before. (Remember my earlier post? I used to think they mean the same thing.) There is a section on how teachers can tap on the Internet and I find that the checklist that was suggested to assess information on the web is relevant and useful. However, I feel that if we are going to use that checklist for the younger students, it would need to be simplified further, maybe include smileys or other graphic forms to help in their evaluation.
As for the proposition that teachers collaborate on resources, this is already very much in place in schools. The IT masterplan is already in its advanced phases and many schools already have their e-learning platforms for the sharing and storage of e-resources. Some school clusters even have common websites and e-portals for teachers to have access to a database of resources. Most teachers I know now do not complain of the lack of resources being shared rather they simply do NOT have the time to go through the collection of resources, to select and adapt for their class use.
Towndrow (p33) also criticized searching the web for text and images to cut and paste into another document. This according to Towndrow is a waste of time and is not a useful way of using web information. But this accurately describes the situation of how Singapore’s primary school children do their IPW (Integrated Project Work)!!! (Oh ok this was how it was when I was still in the system 2 years back. Not sure if they have made progress in this area ever since.) Honestly, I think we need to work on this aspect of using web info for project work to be more meaningful.
Bawden’s article led us through the development of defining DL through the years. When I read through this article, I feel that Bawden is a strong supporter of Gilster’s work. (Makes me wonder about the relationship between them….could Bawden have been a student of Gilster?? lol) Though Bawden acknowledged certain limitations of Gilster’s concept of DL, he relates to it when making comparison and providing a critique of others’ definitions.
I agree that Gilster’s seminal work is indeed very broad and generic. This could be the kind of conceptual definitions that would be most useful given that technology is ever evolving and the broad definition allows it to adapt with the changing times. I also like the fact that it was mentioned in the article that DL is seen as a “life skill, not particularly associated with formal education” (Bawden, p.27). This I feel is in line with the efforts and works of the International ICT Literacy Panel which came up with the framework to try and ‘minimise’ the digital divide that exist within and across countries. The copy of the report we read was dated 2002. I wonder how much progress has been made with regards to the implementation of the recommendations as spelled out by the panel. How far have they achieved what they set out to do? (I have yet to search for that info online…….coming soon, next change????)
You know what? Reading your blog entries helped me to recall the readings that I did too. But I seemed to have dropped them into my subconscious mind:P Now that gives me an idea about how ICT can benefit the students! The output that they engage in helps to transfer the learning and information from their working memory into their long term memory. But that can be done through pen and paper too right? Oh dear....there I go again..more questions....
ReplyDeleteYour mention of collaborative platform among cluster schools made me reflect on my contribution to the shared resources. I really doubt those uploaded are the best resources because teachers are still rather guarded over their own resources. Those uploaded are merely to fufill the quota required. Speaking from experience and from my colleagues'. Or sometimes it is rather difficult to find a comparable school whose resources I can use without much tweaking. In the end, the lesson after much modification isn't anything like the original.
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