Issue, Interest, or Opportunity Identification and Key Word Generator
The following are topics that I would potentially like to further pursue for my LIBE477B course's Reading Review assignment.
1. Digital Literacy and Citizenship
As the Internet grows ever-increasingly faster, it is imperative that students understand how to navigate the vast space of the World Wide Web. The BC Ministry of Education defines digital literacy as "the interest, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others" (BC Ministry of Education). Schools now need to be equipped not only with physical resources, but also with computers, laptops, tablets, and other new forms of technology to help enhance and personalize learning. Not only is learning how to use these technologies important, but specifically how to engage with them appropriately is of vital importance. Students would need to be taught how to use the technology in a safe and productive manner to use the technology effectively. As part of the course, I would like to further explore this topic and see how digital literacy is being taught, what areas need to be focused on, and how to monitor/assess a student's mastery in this skill.
2. Makerspaces
The idea of Makerspaces is a relatively new concept for me, as I grew up interacting with very traditional library environments. As such, I don't know very much about it beyond a straightforward definition: "A makerspace presents readily-available materials that can act as a provocation for inquiry, as well as modern technology and items to invent with" (Makerspace for Education). My only interaction with a "makerspace" was during a Pro-D session at my previous school where the workshop leader transformed the library into different stations, each equipped with different tools where we could do arts and crafts, etc. and converse with colleagues about the process of learning and how we engage our students in learning. It wasn't really a true makerspace, but I would like to think that it was the first steps towards one. As part of the course, I would like to further explore what a makerspace is, the benefits and drawbacks of having a makerspace, and how to go about creating a makerspace for students.
3. Gamification & Use of Video Games as Educational Material
As someone who grew up playing various types of educational games, I see great value in using appropriate games to engage students in learning. Games like the JumpStart series and Math Circus can provide students with an interesting medium in which to learn and test their mastery of certain skills and concepts. However, I do understand the concerns that many people have around the use of games in education. How valuable is the experience that the game can provide for a student? What happens when students aren't intrinsically motivated to learn even using the game? While Richardson's son Tucker managed to be resourceful and learn how to survive his first night in Minecraft successfully through the combined help of online YouTube tutorials and his friends, he was motivated to do so due to his interest in the game. For many others, that might not be the case. As part of the course, I would like to further explore the benefits and drawbacks of using video games in education, the idea of "gamification" of the curriculum, how teachers can facilitate the use of games to learn, and potential effects that gaming can have on lifelong learning.
References:
BC Ministry of Education. (n.d.). Digital Literacy. Retrieved from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teaching-tools/digital-literacy
Makerspace for Education. (n.d.). Makerspace. Retrieved from: http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/makerspace.html
Richardson, W. (2012). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere. TED Conferences Publishing. [EBOOK]
The following are topics that I would potentially like to further pursue for my LIBE477B course's Reading Review assignment.
1. Digital Literacy and Citizenship
As the Internet grows ever-increasingly faster, it is imperative that students understand how to navigate the vast space of the World Wide Web. The BC Ministry of Education defines digital literacy as "the interest, attitude and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyze and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others" (BC Ministry of Education). Schools now need to be equipped not only with physical resources, but also with computers, laptops, tablets, and other new forms of technology to help enhance and personalize learning. Not only is learning how to use these technologies important, but specifically how to engage with them appropriately is of vital importance. Students would need to be taught how to use the technology in a safe and productive manner to use the technology effectively. As part of the course, I would like to further explore this topic and see how digital literacy is being taught, what areas need to be focused on, and how to monitor/assess a student's mastery in this skill.
2. Makerspaces
The idea of Makerspaces is a relatively new concept for me, as I grew up interacting with very traditional library environments. As such, I don't know very much about it beyond a straightforward definition: "A makerspace presents readily-available materials that can act as a provocation for inquiry, as well as modern technology and items to invent with" (Makerspace for Education). My only interaction with a "makerspace" was during a Pro-D session at my previous school where the workshop leader transformed the library into different stations, each equipped with different tools where we could do arts and crafts, etc. and converse with colleagues about the process of learning and how we engage our students in learning. It wasn't really a true makerspace, but I would like to think that it was the first steps towards one. As part of the course, I would like to further explore what a makerspace is, the benefits and drawbacks of having a makerspace, and how to go about creating a makerspace for students.
3. Gamification & Use of Video Games as Educational Material
As someone who grew up playing various types of educational games, I see great value in using appropriate games to engage students in learning. Games like the JumpStart series and Math Circus can provide students with an interesting medium in which to learn and test their mastery of certain skills and concepts. However, I do understand the concerns that many people have around the use of games in education. How valuable is the experience that the game can provide for a student? What happens when students aren't intrinsically motivated to learn even using the game? While Richardson's son Tucker managed to be resourceful and learn how to survive his first night in Minecraft successfully through the combined help of online YouTube tutorials and his friends, he was motivated to do so due to his interest in the game. For many others, that might not be the case. As part of the course, I would like to further explore the benefits and drawbacks of using video games in education, the idea of "gamification" of the curriculum, how teachers can facilitate the use of games to learn, and potential effects that gaming can have on lifelong learning.
References:
BC Ministry of Education. (n.d.). Digital Literacy. Retrieved from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/teaching-tools/digital-literacy
Makerspace for Education. (n.d.). Makerspace. Retrieved from: http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/makerspace.html
Richardson, W. (2012). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere. TED Conferences Publishing. [EBOOK]
Well done first blog post with two potential good inquiry topics for you to explore. Your discussion and contextualization of each topic, where you are at with knowledge and experience and also why you think it is a valuable avenue for exploration. You've collected some useful evidence already and a very helpful word cloud to try and tease out the more important keywords for your personalized inquiry. A very good start to your exploration, but you will most likely need to choose just one of these topics going forward.
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