Open-ended Learning Environments

I found it interesting that I could find no articles in the Walden database for anything close to “open-ended learning environments” even though the phrase has been used since at least 1994 by Hannafin et. al. Placing “computers” and “learning environments” phrases together began to occur even before 1994. Then why was OLE not found in the database in any peer reviewed articles?

For our assignment, I reviewed the bibliography in the back of the chapter and began searching for actual articles referenced and related articles by the same authors or pointed to through their own bibliographies.

I had already spent some time exploring Jonassen when researching for another class and was happy to revisit his work on MindTools to see what was new and remind myself of his mantra to use technology to help create understanding and not just as another way of delivering content.

I found a new name to add to my growing list of preferred scholars: Michael Hannafin’s work with Land (especially) and/or Hall, Oliver, and Hill. I used Hannifin’s work in the discussion board. I especially like his propensity to avoid obfuscation :)

Hannafin, M.J., Hall, C., Land, S., &Hill, J. (1994). Learning in open-ended environements: Assumptions, methods, and implications. Educational Technology, 34(8), 48.55.

Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.). Learning in open-ended environments: Tools and technologies for the next millennium. IT Forum. Paper 34. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper34/paper34.html

Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.) Technology and the design of open-ended learning environments. IT Forum. Paper 14. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper14/paper14.html

BookMooch!

Absolutely must tell everyone about this one...
I discovered BookMooch just this evening because of one of the feeds I chose for librarians at www.bloglines.com. Free service: list 10 books you are willing to trade and earn points. Earn more points by sending a book to someone. Mooch a book from someone else (costs you 1 point, earns them a point). The ratio is that you must give away at least one book for every 5 you receive. Keep what you want or put it back online when finished to trade it to the next person. Online trading rather than buying! I am definitely going to be signing up this week-end in between homework.

Instant Messaging

Hadn't been home all week to IM with anyone- when I was home no one else was on. Finally had a chance to chat with William on Sunday and just finished a social chat with Dr. Green. I've audio chatted once before but don't remember how so anyone interested let me know the next time we are on at the same time and we will figure it out together!

I don't really care for IM'ing as a student but as a teacher I know many of my students at the high school setting would have loved to have occasional live conversations about events in the news, assignments, and school in general.

An English teacher and I (social studies) were blogging before blogging gained its name, ease, and popularity. Back then (~8 years ago+) we used Yahoo Groups and I was amazed at how it extended conversations and classroom learning outside of the school day. I prefer blogging just like I prefer the discussion boards over IMing. I can respond after some thought and at any time convenient to me. But to reach high school students today, IMing could potentially make a greater impact on some studeents.

RSS Feeds Complete!

I can already see that RSS for this class is going to a major time saver. I have everyone's blog set up through Bloglines and can easily monitor when new content has been added. I included my own blog to follow any comments posted by others from class even though Blogger has an e-mail feature to let me know when comments are posted.

I like it all being through one feed. The new Outlook 2007 also allows for RSS feeds to come right through to my e-mail but only work is updated to 2007 and not at home.

It was super easy to set up so if you haven't started using RSS options yet now is the time to do it!

I also included some feeds for librarians in my list including NYT, Washington Post, and USA Today book reviews. Plus, a neat site I was not aware of called the Librarians' Internet Index.

RSS Feeds

Setting up the blog was easy and it was fun adding pictures and recommended reading lists. I am trying to convince school to let us blog but I will use a site incorporated into my website with more security and better ability to moderate comments before publication.

I have been meaning to play with RSS feeds and this is a good opportunity to do that. I registered at Bloglines and am just waiting for my confirmation e-mail so that I can add everyone's blog to my feeds. I can't imagine checking the discussion board daily and everyone's blog plus live chatting! Not that I don't want to talk to you but I don't want to waste time looking to see if anything has been said. There are too many good books to read to waste any time :)

Just one of the things that I love to do is help kids and teens who hate reading find the perfect book for them. By 4th grade already I find students who do not like reading: often because they struggle. Sometimes, especially with boys, because teachers read "girly" books. Many people suggest books that they want kids to enjoy reading, rather than the perfect book for that particular person. A perfect day is when one of my students who did not like reading comes in and raves over a book they have discovered on their own, through someone else, or that I suggested.

Please feel free, if there is someone you love who hates reading, to contact me. I will want to know their other interests and hobbies, any books they have enjoyed in the past, favorite movies, and anything else that might help me get to know them a little. A picture never hurts either. Last week I matched up books for two 6th grade girls new to our school who both hate reading just by looking at them- posture and facial expression can tell me loads. They both finished the first book I gave them and came back for another. I love being a librarian!