Friday, November 6, 2009

Laptops in the Classroom - fundamental questions


The other day, two colleagues asked if I knew of any videos of sound practice around students using laptops in the classroom. Actually, there appears to be a dearth of such material. I have some word pictures I could paint around the experience I have had in Dubai and at Unitec, and I am sure Thom could do the same...but not quite as visual :-)

I did however, after some hunting around come up with the range of videos:
  1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJDuBlIrHc
  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOYg5ZMo-mA
  3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj45RmhaCQM
  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkXeNR52w_o
  5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m8Ax5NUHhg

While watching the video, for me a number of fundamental questions arose:

  • What are the assumptions around learning indicated by what is said by students and teachers/lecturers in these videos?
  • What are the assumptions around teaching indicated by what is said by students and teachers/lecturers in these videos?
  • Was there much evidence of 'real' collaboration and co-construction of knowledge?
  • What did the educators do to facilitate 'real' collaboration and co-construction of knowledge?
I could go on, but I think four questions are about right! Thoughts, ideas, issues, concerns...?

No comments: