We are pleased to inform you that the results of our research project on weblog use in teacher education (DU Project 6066, 'Weblogs als Reflectie-instrument') have been published in the scientific journal Interactive Learning Environments.

Reference article:

Wopereis, I. G. J. H., Sloep, P. B. , & Poortman, S. H. (2010). Weblogs as instruments for reflection on action in teacher education. Interactive Learning Environments, 18, 245-261. doi:10.1080/10494820.2010.500530

Abstract:

This study examined the use of weblogs as a means to promote student teachers' reflective practice. The assumption was explored that weblogs are suitable tools to support and stimulate reflection on action in teacher training and consequently to enhance the students' ability to reflect. Three groups of student teachers used weblogs to reflect on teaching practice during an 8-week internship. Students were asked (a) to reflect on their own teaching experiences and (b) to provide peer feedback. Analyses of the student contributions show that weblogs are useful for reflection on critical incidents in the classroom and that they can stimulate interconnectivity in groups of students. However, weblogs do not incite deep reflection or spiral reflection, which can only be the result of explicit instruction. This exploratory study further shows that large-scale quantitative research is needed to support the premise that weblogs are suitable tools for reflection. 

Keywords: weblogs; blogs; reflection; teacher education; social networks

http://o28421.ning.com/xn/detail/3176600:BlogPost:3760

Hoi allemaal,



Zoals je misschien weet, is ning.com - de aanbieder van onze samenwerkingsomgeving - sinds kort een betalende dienst. Voor jullie als studenten verandert er echter niets. We hebben immers beslist om alvast een jaarabonnement af te sluiten (tot juni 2011) om onze samenwerkingsomgeving te behouden.

Doordat we nu gebruik maken van de betalende dienst, zijn de reclames in de rechterkolom - gelukkig - verdwenen, en kregen we wat ruimte om de hoofdpagina anders in te richten.

Olga en ik hebben dat vanmiddag even gedaan. De ledenlijst zie je nu links bovenaan, gevolgd door informatie over de virtuele klasbijeenkomsten en andere gebeurtenissen. Het info-blokje over delicious.com is een beetje naar beneden verschoven. Rechts zijn de 'recente activiteiten' iets duidelijker aanwezig, zodat je meteen alle nieuws op onze site kan zien.



Commentaren natuurlijk altijd welkom.



Vriendelijke groet,



Steven

It was successful week at Pittsburgh, while attending the PSLC Summer School 2010 at

Carnegie Mellon University. I got the opportunity to learn the technologies and research conducted in broad spectrum of Learning Sciences at LearnLab PSLC

 

I worked under the mentorship of Carolyn Rose and Rohit Kumar in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) track, developing a Language Learning collaborative environment using TuTalk authoring tool and VMT-Basilica framework (VMT-Basilica is an integration of the Virtual Math Teams (VMT) environment for computer supported collaborative learning (Stahl, 2006). It was very neat prototype and easily implemented. (thanks Carolyn and Rohit  for your immense support :-)

 

I think the work can be extended to test language learning in situated learning context.

 

Other track lectures that I closely followed, including general overview ones from Ken Koedinger,  were on Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) ,  CTAT  authoring tools and DataShop for supporting educational data mining.

 

Overall it was a very productive week, with lots of impressions and learning experiences, although I must say PSLC are more into formal learning settings and they have gained good expertise in authoring intuitive Intelligent Tutoring Systems using  Cognitive Task Analysis principles. So if you are into the topic, you might consider applying for any of the upcoming opportunities at PSLC ( make this delicious)

 

If you need to see my presentation, the demo of language learning prototype you can contact me!

 

here are some firehouse impressions ;-)

 [You do not have permission to access this file]   

http://www.nber.org/papers/w16078

Further evidence suggests that providing universal access to home computers and high-speed internet access would broaden, rather than narrow, math and reading achievement gaps.

http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=3419

This report presents the findings of a structured and targeted expert consultation exercise which aimed to identify, cluster and rate the main changes in education and training expected to occur over the course of the next 20 years. The exercise employed the group concept mapping methodology to generate, sort and rate more than 200 statements by a group of 13 experts.

http://wiki.helsinki.fi/download/attachments/30660043/Chapter1_

-collaboration among peers can be ‘designed’,

- integration of CSCL activities into larger pedagogical scenarios that include multiple activities and

must be orchestrated in real time by the teacher.

http://www.escalade-aventure.com/trilogie-cervin-zmutt.php

http://www.jmsola.net/cervino/cervino-liongrad1.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/470409/hornli-ridge-matterh

it was at times difficult to locate the fixed rappel slings, but we always managed to find them, having to leave only one of our own slings to back up a sketchy-looking sling we found.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/192950970_929fc05e00.jpg