Comments on: Transformative Tools in Education http://blog.misterhamada.com/2009/11/transformative-tools-in-education/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:30:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Clint http://blog.misterhamada.com/2009/11/transformative-tools-in-education/#comment-274 Clint Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:30:42 +0000 http://blog.misterhamada.com/?p=228#comment-274 <a href="#comment-270" rel="nofollow">@Ray Tolley </a> Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the extensive comment. It certainly gives me (and everyone else) a lot to think about. While I wouldn't necessarily call my blog 'cluttered', I do agree that most of those who visit are further along the technology adoption and proficiency scale than most. I take to heart your concern that we be considerate of individuals of all abilities when designing an ePortfolio solution that works for the needs of our community. I don't think it is possible to create a culture of digital reflective learning - particularly at my school - without incurring extra work on teachers, partly because of the range of abilities that exist in the teaching population and because, for some, it is a shift in the understanding of what encompasses learning. What must be done, I feel, is give strength to reflective learning and ePortfolios by giving the one thing that every teacher needs more of: time. Do not add ePortfolios on to an already full curriculum. Give the process of portfolio creation specific time in schools so as to highlight its importance, to students, parents and teachers. We have just started down this road and I do really appreciate your thoughts and comments. I will be sure to keep documenting our process and hope you have time to add more of your advice. @Ray Tolley
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the extensive comment. It certainly gives me (and everyone else) a lot to think about.

While I wouldn’t necessarily call my blog ‘cluttered’, I do agree that most of those who visit are further along the technology adoption and proficiency scale than most. I take to heart your concern that we be considerate of individuals of all abilities when designing an ePortfolio solution that works for the needs of our community.

I don’t think it is possible to create a culture of digital reflective learning – particularly at my school – without incurring extra work on teachers, partly because of the range of abilities that exist in the teaching population and because, for some, it is a shift in the understanding of what encompasses learning.

What must be done, I feel, is give strength to reflective learning and ePortfolios by giving the one thing that every teacher needs more of: time. Do not add ePortfolios on to an already full curriculum. Give the process of portfolio creation specific time in schools so as to highlight its importance, to students, parents and teachers.

We have just started down this road and I do really appreciate your thoughts and comments. I will be sure to keep documenting our process and hope you have time to add more of your advice.

]]> By: Ray Tolley http://blog.misterhamada.com/2009/11/transformative-tools-in-education/#comment-270 Ray Tolley Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:04:21 +0000 http://blog.misterhamada.com/?p=228#comment-270 Hi, Clint, I like the sentiment of your opening statement, 'It's not about the Technology' - but I would phrase it differently. In 1988 my Presidential address was entitled, 'Technology is not about Things, but about People.' See my definitions at: http://maximise-ict.co.uk/ICT-01.htm and following pages. Your website is cluttered with the views of intelligent adults who do not need the supportive systems that are needed both in schools and for a much wider community of those who are less ICT-literate, disabled, slow learners or the elderly. What I have repeatedly tried to underline in my blog is the fact that unless an e-Portfolio can meet the needs of a variety of learning communities it is not truly an e-Portfolio. An e-Portfolio MUST be Lifelong and Lifewide. It must, therefore be portable from one institution to another and must remain accessible when the owner is 'between jobs'. It must be adaptable, chameleon-like, according to the age and environment in which the learniner is working. Particularly with children, the e-Portfolio must have reliable security systems in place that control who sees what. Again, in schools (and speaking as a teacher/technician) the e-Portfolio system should not incur any extra work-load on an already overloaded staff. Above all, the format and organisation of what is presented should be in the hands of the learner and not imposed, either by the 'technology' or an institution. See my blog for more at: www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com Best Wishes, Ray T Hi, Clint,

I like the sentiment of your opening statement, ‘It’s not about the Technology’ – but I would phrase it differently. In 1988 my Presidential address was entitled, ‘Technology is not about Things, but about People.’ See my definitions at:
http://maximise-ict.co.uk/ICT-01.htm and following pages.

Your website is cluttered with the views of intelligent adults who do not need the supportive systems that are needed both in schools and for a much wider community of those who are less ICT-literate, disabled, slow learners or the elderly.

What I have repeatedly tried to underline in my blog is the fact that unless an e-Portfolio can meet the needs of a variety of learning communities it is not truly an e-Portfolio.

An e-Portfolio MUST be Lifelong and Lifewide. It must, therefore be portable from one institution to another and must remain accessible when the owner is ‘between jobs’. It must be adaptable, chameleon-like, according to the age and environment in which the learniner is working. Particularly with children, the e-Portfolio must have reliable security systems in place that control who sees what. Again, in schools (and speaking as a teacher/technician) the e-Portfolio system should not incur any extra work-load on an already overloaded staff. Above all, the format and organisation of what is presented should be in the hands of the learner and not imposed, either by the ‘technology’ or an institution.

See my blog for more at: http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com

Best Wishes,
Ray T

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