My E- Learning Blog

6 C’s of Motivation
Wang, S. & Han, S. (2001). Six C’s of Motivation.

As stated in Wang, S. & Han, S. (2001) article the the Six C’s , have the potential to enhance students’ motivation when applied to open-ended tasks (Turner & Paris, 1995).

In summary, the Six C’s of Motivation are:

Choice – to provide choice towards motivation.

Challenge – To provide tasks just beyond the skill level of students  to challenge learners e.g. The Flow theory

Control – To give students the sense of control to encourage responsible, independent learners.

Collaboration -  To provide group work that encourages collaboration and communication to enhance thinking and learning within students.

Constructing meaning – To give students the opportunity to construct meaning behind their activities and involvement. 

Consequences – To understand that all actions have consequences. As stated in the article, through the student’s hard efforts, they were able to gain positive ownership and achievement.

I feel we can apply these strategies in all aspects of our lives, be it as teachers, as learners, as parents, or as global citizens. Everyday we are faced with challenges be it big or small. We as human beings live to learn. If we can apply these strategies in our everyday lives, it will in turn motivate us to learn more about the people we come in contact with be it by chance or destiny. 

 Computer as Paintbrush:
Technology, Play, and the Creative Society
Mitchel Resnick

In this article by Mitchel Resnick (2006) he states that we as educators need to stop looking at computers as televisions and more like paintbrushes, that is; “we need to start seeing
computers not simply as information machines, but also as a new medium for creative design and expression.” Resnick (2006)  goes on to say that; teachers need to open new opportunities for children to playfully explore, experiment, design, and invent using computer technology. Resnick ultimate goal is to create creative technologies that foster creative
thinking and creative expression. In his article he lists some principles for creating a new medium for creative design and expression for children in our classrooms.

Principles:

1. Start seeing computers as a new medium for creative design and expression.

2.Learning through design; by creating their own robots, children gain a deeper understanding of the ideas underlying the workings of robots.

3. Supporting Playful Learning that fosters creative
thinking and creative expression.

4. Make technologies personal; children become most engaged with new technologies, and learn the most in playing with these technologies, when they work on projects growing out of their
own personal interests.

As a student teacher it can often be difficult to imagine how I would deliver and facilitate a computer enriched session for my students, with these recommendations I shall endeavour to use these principles as a foundation on how to use computers as  a new medium for creative design and expression.

My comments on sari.mp4Alanah King’s experiences on social software in the classroom.

Today in E- Learning with Mathew Kearney, we explored how to create our own imovie and uploading it as a VODCAST.
I found imovie to be very complicated, but with the Kim’s support I was finally able to make my own imovie! Thanks Kim!!
In this task we were asked to critique a interactive web site for children. I choose an interactive math site called Under the sea at Alberta Learning.

Please listen to my-first-project.mp4!

I have just read an article by Lynne Schrum (2005) on “Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction” http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech004.shtml.
I would like to summarize the main points in the article.
She explains that in order to look at technology as a tool for the classroom we need to look at two points that need to be considered.
1. “Technology is a tool that can change the nature of learning”:before we are able to implement project- based and multidisciplinary lessons, she goes on to say that exploration needs to be valued in our classroom in both teaching and learning, as technology lends itself to exploration.
2. “Teachers must determine how technology tools are used, and they must have a hand in designing the staff development process that trains them.”
Schrum (2005)is calling on all teachers to take responsibility for helping design staff development process to meet teacher- student needs, to include time to practice using the equipment, to watch teachers model lessons that infuse technology into the curriculum, and to mentor other teachers.
Schrum (2005) adds that teachers must educate themselves on how to best use these tools to enhance teaching and learning.
So if I look at it from the view of, what can I as a student teacher do to prepare for my classroom and professional development, I must overcome the fear of technology by exploring all aspects of useful software and sites to become a wizard in info technology and to respect and enjoy the act of exploration.