Assignment 3: 25/10/10

25/10/10 

 Albert Einstein stated that: “The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them (Prensky, 2010)

QT dimension	QT element
Creating a quality learning environment (CQLE)	Academic engagement Social support for learner achievement
Making learning significant (MLS)	Knowledge integration Narrative

Today we were going to view and finish the editing for the film; however my son needed an x-ray. I felt I had let the team down, but they assured me that they had nearly finished it. Mark had enjoyed editing and said it was not a problem (CQLE).

 I was re-reading an article from our course and I was thinking about what Mark had said about his willingness to do the assignment. Malcolm Gladwell stated that educational programs like Sesame Street educate children if you could hold their attention (Prensky, 2001). In his book, Teacher Man (2006), Frank McCourt expresses how he used narrative (MLS) through storytelling and how he was ridiculed for it by other professionals in the field. Most of his LA classrooms had students that did not relate to conventional methods of teaching. I think this relates to ICT in today’s classroom. Many teachers are baffled as to how to integrate the technology into the curriculum, especially when stage 5 students have their own laptops. Some teachers seem unprepared to take risks, so often convert back to non-technical/digital elements and students lose their desire to learn. Mishra and Koehler (2006) says that "merely introducing technology to the educational process is not enough" (p. 1018). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TCPK) is knowing about the explicit technologies, "teaching and learning settings and knowing how teaching might change as a result of those technologies" (Mishra & Koehler, p.1028-29).


This assignment is an example of integrating digital technology that encourages students to feel that the task is achievable and ‘could’ be fun so they ‘seriously engage’ with it to develop a deeper understanding at something. According to Killen (2009) barriers need to be minimised for students to be engaged ensuring that the task has meaning and purpose.

This project could be used in any discipline for any purpose. An article on Prensky's website (2010) elaborated on how cognition plays a role in “digital cognitive enhancement” and how ICT’s exist in every profession, even the ‘nontechnical’ fields. Considering multi-modal literacy includes: print, visual, ‘graphicacy’, information and media literacy, there is no reason why it cannot be incorporated throughout the entire school. Imagine working on a film that incorporated different teachers and students working together, across multiple disciplines! I am aware of the complexities, but if today’s learners are to be encouraged and (supposedly) enjoy collaborative learning, then why isn’t it being done?  As Prensky states: “As digital enhancements develop, so too will the concept and practice of wisdom”.

In my opinion making our film, was not a small task, but it was achievable. It could encourage the ‘cross-curriculum’ initiatives that educators promote.