Every since I started teaching back in March 1989, I quickly realised that teachers and learners will not waste time discussing/arguing against situations that they are unlikely to alter. Teachers and learners will generally find a way around it, if a satisfactory reason is not given (even if it in a policy).
In the case of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL), teachers and learners will either just accept the situation and not use the technology that they are aware of OR wait until they get home to use the Internet and other learning and teaching solutions they are unable to use at their learning institution.
One important aspect of corporate/education networks is the use of website filtering systems. The function is to block unsuitable websites. This situation is acceptable if the reasons for the blockage to a website is explained and a system is put in place to easily unblock the site if a teacher considers it to be acceptable viewing for their course. In most cases this system works fine, although many teachers are not fully aware that they are able to have a site released.
It is unlikely that many educations give the same provision to learners which started me thinking... I wondered how the learners might get around this lack of ‘learner voice’. As an experiment I decided to find out if I can get pass a website filtering system. After 5 minutes on Google I was pointed to a FaceBook group that actively pass information to learners on how to get pass the network restrictions. I have joined and subscribed and I now get regular updates on how to get passed the website filtering system.
Clearly, I will not post the information here but if any teacher (I will need to prove your identify) wishes to have the links and email subscription details then contact me on this blog or twitter http://twitter.com/paulfloss . Of course, you could just spend a few minutes on Google and find the information yourself... just like I expect many learners do.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Friday, 10 July 2009
The end of the desktop?
Keep an eye on Google over the next few years as I feel the web will be where all the action will be. Even Linux (Ubuntu etc) may not be needed as a free alternative desktop operating system as Google Chrome could be the first large scale free desktop focused operating system that works directly with the Internet as a fully functioning desktop. I have moved from Microsoft Office to Open Office and now use Google Docs, spreadsheets and presentation etc as these are as powerful as I need (plus excellent for collaborative working). An additional advantage to me is that they are available from any computer. The Google docs will update the online version when the computer has an internet connection.
If the Digital Britain report is realised, then everyone will have access (if they want it) to the Internet and free software. However I feel that skilled and talented artists will still need GIMP/Photoshop as the complexity of the software could not run from the Internet just yet (just wait a few years though). I am seriously looking at Second Life as this appears to be powerful enough to create simulations such as a classroom, lecture theatre and to simulate businesses such as a hairdressing shop, motor vehicle workshops etc. I am starting to explore how real I can make it as far as performing the actual job role of a mechanic etc.
The way forward is FLOSS (Free, Libre, Open Source Software) and peer collaboration... Moodle is proof of that. We just need to keep an eye on the copyright and privacy policies etc of Google.
If the Digital Britain report is realised, then everyone will have access (if they want it) to the Internet and free software. However I feel that skilled and talented artists will still need GIMP/Photoshop as the complexity of the software could not run from the Internet just yet (just wait a few years though). I am seriously looking at Second Life as this appears to be powerful enough to create simulations such as a classroom, lecture theatre and to simulate businesses such as a hairdressing shop, motor vehicle workshops etc. I am starting to explore how real I can make it as far as performing the actual job role of a mechanic etc.
The way forward is FLOSS (Free, Libre, Open Source Software) and peer collaboration... Moodle is proof of that. We just need to keep an eye on the copyright and privacy policies etc of Google.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Using equipment learners already have - mobile phones
Here is a free poll I produced using SMSPOLL http://www.smspoll.net/. Please let me know what you consider to be the possible implications of asking learners to use their text quota up for learning?
If the poll does not display fully then please click here... http://www.smspoll.net/poll.website.blog.php?pollid=274
If the poll does not display fully then please click here... http://www.smspoll.net/poll.website.blog.php?pollid=274
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Monday, 1 June 2009
Will 3G set learning free?
As mobile technology becomes more affordable and 3G technology in particular is becoming commonplace, will school/college networks become obsolete overtime?
Learners already mention that they have to power-down when they come to a place of learning (switch off mobile phones etc) and that they have difficulties getting to sites due to filtering restrictions on the provided network systems. Anecdotal evidence indicate that learners don't use their school or college email as much as required. Could it be because they find it easier to use their personal email and other social network accounts to communicate between their peers.
Where is this heading?
If schools and colleges do not deliver the technology that learners and teachers require, it is possible that as technology improves and costs go down, barriers (real and perceived) will be worked around. The resources provided schools and colleges may then become less important as teachers and learners use their own laptops and mobile phones to interact with the Internet and each other.
Two questions to answer if this scenario is played out:
One possible way to ensure that the high quality network provided by most schools and colleges are fully utilised is by ensuring that the services offered fulfill the needs of the learners, teachers and business support. As identified in my dissertation, it is necessary to ensure that there is a communication system across the whole school/college that is responsive and robust to ensure that the digital divide is minimised and that appropriate high quality academic services and support are provided.
Learners already mention that they have to power-down when they come to a place of learning (switch off mobile phones etc) and that they have difficulties getting to sites due to filtering restrictions on the provided network systems. Anecdotal evidence indicate that learners don't use their school or college email as much as required. Could it be because they find it easier to use their personal email and other social network accounts to communicate between their peers.
Where is this heading?
If schools and colleges do not deliver the technology that learners and teachers require, it is possible that as technology improves and costs go down, barriers (real and perceived) will be worked around. The resources provided schools and colleges may then become less important as teachers and learners use their own laptops and mobile phones to interact with the Internet and each other.
Two questions to answer if this scenario is played out:
- How can the current policies used for ILT/E-learning be enforced if learners and teachers do not use the provided (filtered and locked-down) network:?
- If the provided networks are not used then there may be possible financial saving to be made.
One possible way to ensure that the high quality network provided by most schools and colleges are fully utilised is by ensuring that the services offered fulfill the needs of the learners, teachers and business support. As identified in my dissertation, it is necessary to ensure that there is a communication system across the whole school/college that is responsive and robust to ensure that the digital divide is minimised and that appropriate high quality academic services and support are provided.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Can a balanced determinism be obtained?
I have recently been reflecting on my dissertation which focused on 'barriers to using open source software in colleges'. It clearly highlighted the different perspectives the IT cohort and academic cohort held on the suitability of the supplied computing resources.
The main recommendations of the dissertation was to suggest that the current communication conduits used are analysed and revise as necessary to assist a greater cross college understanding of the learners needs so that the forces behind technological determinism and social determinism can obtain a reasonable balance. It is hoped that with a better cross college understanding of appropriate and achievable Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) the college's mission statement and strategies can continue to be met with an educational organisation that is showing to be improving efficency and effectiveness.
The main recommendations of the dissertation was to suggest that the current communication conduits used are analysed and revise as necessary to assist a greater cross college understanding of the learners needs so that the forces behind technological determinism and social determinism can obtain a reasonable balance. It is hoped that with a better cross college understanding of appropriate and achievable Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) the college's mission statement and strategies can continue to be met with an educational organisation that is showing to be improving efficency and effectiveness.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Slight Oiling
The first part of greasing the wheels was to list down all the known barriers and try to uncover others. Contacting the software developers uncovered possible solutions to scalability. I have organised a meeting with the Information Systems Manager to talk through these possible enhancements.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Greasing the wheels :-|
It is interesting to me that: to bring a new software application into a organisation quite often requires the agreement between many departments. When the different departments do not fully understand the other's needs, blockages occur. This is especially true if the person driving the initative is at a lower level then the managers in the other departments.
There is a need to have someone who has a good understanding of the needs of the different departments to "grease the wheels" to ensure that dialog and supportive critical questions are asked and answered. This role appears to be falling on me as the organisation is education and I have experience of teaching, business support and IT at management level. However, it is not a role identified that I should do, but others are hoping I do? Also I am not at the management level of others that have to agree. I love challenges :-)! I will report in this blog how I get on.
There is a need to have someone who has a good understanding of the needs of the different departments to "grease the wheels" to ensure that dialog and supportive critical questions are asked and answered. This role appears to be falling on me as the organisation is education and I have experience of teaching, business support and IT at management level. However, it is not a role identified that I should do, but others are hoping I do? Also I am not at the management level of others that have to agree. I love challenges :-)! I will report in this blog how I get on.
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