Filed under: Managing ICT-enhanced environments
a. Do you think the classroom environment chosen is appropriate for the learning activities? Explain why.
In video 1, a full computer laboratory has been chosen. The settings is such that it is one PC per student. The students are engaged in a mathematics lesson with the use of ear phone required. It would be appropriate as the maths lesson was on congruency as such, it requires minimal group work and is meant more for individual learning.
In video 2, the half laboratory is used. The usage of the CD rom means it is ideal to have it in the computer lab. More importantly, the half lab allows for pairing of students. Working in pairs and role switching is good for exchange of ideas and different perspectives when examining a subject matter. And also, it is less likely that the students will be lost in the lesson plan as both parties can back each other up. I also noted that the teacher seems more freed up to walk around and observe the students better compared to the first video. This is because when the students are working in groups (disciplinary issues aside) , the chances of students not following the lesson plan is lesser. In the first video, the teacher has to issue clear step-by-step instructions to ensure the students follow what he was trying to say.
In video 3, a learning centre is used. The settings i feel is appropriate as the class is having a science lesson. While address a science topic, the teacher might want to address different areas of the topic using different modes and testings. In this case, the learning centre is appropriate as the place could be wired up and unlike in a classroom, the arrangement of tables/chairs make it ideal for group research and discussion. Also, in the event of a lack of resources eg.laptops, this form of arrangement i would say is actually quite efficient. It also allows the students to display their different skill sets, and therefore by observation on how the students work in such an environment, the teacher is able to better understand the strength of the students.
In video 4, the usage of one computer i feel is no different from the normal means of teaching. The key difference is how the teacher uses different technique to make it work for her in the classroom. Besides using games format, she engages them successfully with her leadership skills and her ability to connect to their level very well.
b. The students seem to be focused and on task. What strategies do you think the teacher has used to achieve this outcome?
In video 1, what impressed me was the clear and coordinated instructions given by the teacher. He took effort in planning what instructions to give and it showed in the way the class went on smoothly with the lesson plan. The switching off of the PCs was really good as it ensured that attention was focused on the speaker. Such methods i think is critical for such a setting where an individual can easily be lost if he is not guided properly.
In video 2, the grouping of student in pairs and the role switching is really useful to speed up learning in class and gives the teacher more time to observe the class ‘s understanding of the topic through observation. In video 3, i notice that the teacher explained to the class the grouping before entry into the learning centre. By doing so, she ensured order right from the beginning and this helped reduced confusion the moment the class enters. Giving different students the opportunity to be leaders is good as each group needs to learn to manage their time well given the different stations that need to be attended to.
In video 4, assignment of specific roles of each student in the group is very important as it keeps them focused with their given responsibility in the team. The teacher is clear to her role as facilitator which keeps the momentum of the game/quiz going without too much interference. She is also clear in laying down the instructions from the start which is essential to minimise confusion later.
c. What potential classroom management issues can possibly occur? What proposed solution(s) do you have?
In video 1, the teacher if he is not experienced in such a setting, might actually find it more strenuous in implementing many rules such as the use of the colored cups ,dimming of the lights etc. It would better i feel if he focuses on conveying clear instructions on how to navigate the lesson plan and observe how the class progresses after that. In video 3, i felt that the learning centre is rather small and the likelihood of bottlenecks occurring is there. The reason is it is not easy to plan activities that take about the same length of time to complete. Assuming the teacher is experienced in handling such things,other wise i would suggest she tries out with two stations instead of four first.
In video 4, there is always the problem that the students get too carried away in the games and it might not be easy to control their emotions as it goes along. Suggest to have games only after the exams and probably have it in the learning centre. The noise level is likely to be very high as the teacher tries to engage them. It would also be better to be firm rather then overly spontaneous,and to aware demerit points to the group which is unwilling to cooperate.
