Sacha van Straten discusses how schools can promote independent learning using technology. He argues that technology solutions should make learning more effective by enabling teachers to create adaptable resources with minimal effort. However, technology can overwhelm teachers and become an obstacle rather than a tool that supports learning objectives. The document highlights various technologies like Google Apps, blogs, and Diigo that can help students learn independently, and discusses both pedagogical aims and practical considerations for implementing technology in schools.

1. Sacha van Straten
Director of eLearning

2. Heads in the Cloud, Eyes on the Future –
how schools
can promote independent learning using
technology

7. Did you see the Bear?
! He’s lurking in the Toblerone logo.
! Did you notice the Amazon arrow tells you
the company sells everything from A-Z?
! Did you realise the Museum of London
shapes = the boundaries of the city of
London over time?
! Did you find the cyclist in the Tour de
France logo?

8. Sight & Perception
! There’s a lot of confusion and
misconception. The truth is in there, not out
there. Look at what you want to achieve.
! IT projects in schools fail because the
wrong questions get asked.
! Solutions begin with people, not
technology. How do we make learning
better?

9. Video: Sir Isaac Asimov on the rise of the Web

10. Video: Adam - Mechanical Assault

11. Students as Change Agents
! Students come with wide ranging skills
! Teacher uncertainty can’t be a barrier
! Technology can be liberating
! Teachers can’t know everything
! What is core in the curriculum?

12. Students as Change Agents
! Normal expectations don’t apply
! Notions of literacy need updating
! Assessment of intelligence/ability is
mutable
! Digital Natives

13. The Net Generation
! Are they wired differently?
! Do we need to adapt to them?
! E.g. Livingstone & Bober (2005) found
21% of 12-19 year old students had copied
web based content.
! Digital Literacy - new core skills?

14. Fast, Cheap & Out of Control
! Technology moves faster than educational
institutions.
! Cost of access to tech is minimal.
! Exist beyond school boundaries. More
personal to the student.

15. Video: Alison - Romuald & Juliette

16. Video: Alison - on the making of Romuald & Juliette

17. Theories & Perspectives
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dapted with s to
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THE REALITY: cle to
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Technology ca n overwhelm busy tea es.
at sup ports learning objectiv
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18. Theories & Perspectives
‘Many teachers resist being taught to use technology. This also
makes sense ! teachers should resist, because it is not they who
should be using the technology to teach students, but rather their
students who should be using it, as tools to teach themselves.
The teacher!s role should not be a technological one, but an
intellectual one " to provide the students with context, quality
assurance, and individualized help.
(Of course, those teachers who love technology are free to learn
and use it.)’
MARK PRENSKY (2008)

19. Theories & Perspectives
‘We should see learning as a set of relationships, rather
than as a system.’
Leadbeater (2008)
The sage on the stage becomes the guide
by the side

20. Theories & Perspectives
Ultimately, it is not what technology you use that counts, but
what the learner takes from it that really matters."
Dror (2008)
#With the advent of Web 2.0, teachers and
administrators need to recognize that there [has] been
a shift of power away from institutions and towards
learners."
Heppel (2006)

21. Theory into Practice
Pedagogical aims:
! Synchronous versus asynchronous learning
! Physical spaces for 21st century learning
Practical Considerations:
! ‘Normal way of working’ (JCQ)
! Online examinations (AQA)
! Higher Education experiences?

26. Theory into Practice
Pedagogical aims:
! Scaffold ideas and concepts
! Build ‘communities of practice’ (Wenger)
! Promote independent learning
! Develop research and assessment skills

27. Theory into Practice
In a time of knowledge stability, teach; in a time of
rapid change in knowledge, learn!
Batson (2011)

28. Laura Doggett - Head of MFL
on iPads

29. Technology enhanced learning
Freeware - Google Apps & Moodle
! The rationale – make learning
collaborative, always available, and more
student focused
! Make life easier for teachers, learning
better for students

30. Google Apps in Moodle
! Four main tools for collaboration: Email, Docs,
Calendar and Sites
! Google Apps makes it easy to put existing
content online, create new content online, and
edit it within the web browser
! Documents can be edited live, with multiple users

31. Google Apps in Moodle
The Impact on Student & Teacher Usage:
From 50 u
sers a week To 800 use
rs a week

32. Google Apps in Moodle
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33. Google Docs
Google Docs allows real-time editing and collaboration – individually or whole
class

34. Year 12 live writing

35. Video:Rosie McColl - on using Google Docs
with sixth form English students

36. English – Creative Writing

37. English – creative writers

38. Video: Naomi - creating the Inkspot

39. Video: Alison - thoughts on using Google
Docs at A Level

40. Google Analytics

41. Google Analytics

42. Helping students to be independent
learners:

43. Working online - blogs & Diigo

44. Video: Felix - on using Blogs & Diigo

45. Helping students to be independent
learners:

46. What the future holds
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47. Contact:
Sacha van Straten
Director of eLearning
svanstraten@berkhamstedschool.org
Twitter: @svanstraten
OPEN DAY at Berkhamsted - FEBRUARY 28TH 2012
eLEARNING IN ACTION