This week we were to focus on Learner
Autonomy, The One Computer Class, as
well as the use of Mobile Devices.
The whole week was rich in reading, learning about the concept of learner autonomy and finally talking about the use of mobile devices. As for the autonomy, there is a need for students to take charge of their own
learning, making them responsible for what they are doing and at the same time promoting the lifelong learning (they have a right to determine the direction of their own learning) (Holec, 1979/1981). It seems to me that rote learning technique, which was widely used in the past in Polish schools, is slowly disappearing.
What came to my mind while thinking of making students more responsible for their teaching is the idea of a flipped classroom model; see link: http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/
As for the second part of our readings and tasks to be done -One
Computer Class - I can list some of the pros of using it in the classroom: the computer can be used for writing (letters, quizzes, note taking), as a language resource (dictionaries, thesaurus), materials (images, music, videos, podcasts, e-books), to promote social networking activities or just to communicate (e-mails).
To continue with the topic of ICT in the classroom, it's worth mentioning the growing role of the mobiles in everyday life, either inside or outside the classroom. The teaching and learning activities to be done using these devices are as many as you can find on the computer, thus many people seem to call a mobile a very private computer to carry in a pocket. Even I myself use the mobile much too often than I used to in the past.
Hi Ewa,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that the flipped classroom model is an excellent way to promote autonomous learning. The resource you included in your post provides a clear explanation and overview of how this model works. Thanks for sharing! This will be great to introduce others to this concept, including proof that it works.
As for mobile devices, you're right that they're growing in popularity EVERYWHERE! That's why I think, it's important to find ways to use them for educational purposes. If we can introduce our students to useful apps or ways to use the devices for language learning, maybe they will start to use them for learning autonomously. This is my hope!
Great reflection, Ewa!