Reflective Diary Entry 3

01/12/08
Being critical: stereotypes, heuristics and bias

The objectives of this lecture were:
• What are these?
To begin this lecture we were given some paper and asked to draw a scientist. A lot of the drawings had the same characteristics: usually a man, wearing glasses and a white coat with crazy hair. Similar to this image here:



This is an example of stereotyping (image from: http://www.electrosensitivity-support.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/scientist.jpg)

A stereotype is a simplified mental picture of an individual or group of people who share certain characteristic or stereotypical qualities. The term has a negative connotation and is seen as undesirable beliefs which need change.

A heuristics approach when solving a problem is to evaluate each step in the progress, searching for satisfactory solutions rather than optimal solutions. It comprises a form of problem solving where the results are determined by experience or intuition instead of by optimization.

Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a particular perspective, ideology or result, especially when the tendency interferes with the ability to be impartial, unprejudiced, or objective.

• How do they relate to critical thinking?
You can not be stereotypical or bias when being critical although this can be hard. You must have a heuristic open approach using factual evidence, valued references and logical flow to your structure.

After studying Critical Thinking in the previous year, I was already aware of these definitions and the practice of thinking critically but it was good to have a recap on what is required.

Reflective Diary Entry 2

03/11/08
Mobile Learning

The objectives of this lecture were:
• Will mobile learning make a difference?
Mobile Learning is related to e-learning and distance education, however is distinctly focusing on learning with mobile devices. Mobile Learning decreases the limitations of learning locations with the mobility of general portable devices.

I think mobile learning will make a difference as it opens up the opportunity for more interactive learning outside the classroom whenever the students wants to learn. I personally own a blackberry and when it came to passing my driving theory test I downloaded the sound files of the questions and answer. This meant I could listen to them on the way to work, during my lunch break and on the way home. I don’t believe I would have passed without this function. It was a much more interesting way to learning and meant I wasn’t just sat at a desk with a text book.

• What might the key differences be?
The key difference of Mobile Learning is the word ‘Mobile’. Students have access to this learning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students already have access to this device in there pocket, it does not mean parents having to fork out for new and expensive equipment. Another key difference is the interactive nature of this learning. Technology is always changing; education should not be left behind. Students need to feel what they are learning will benefit them and there is a fun element of learning from your mobile in the form of games and quizzes.

• What might the benefits be?
Mobile Learning increases self directed study and introduces the responsibility of learning. Teachers could set the students homework using a mobile learning feature and the students will probably complete this homework over their traditional style homework. Mobile Learning can also be used across the board of subjects, not just ICT as you may think.

Other than my driving theory test, I have never encountered Mobile Learning and didn’t really think that was what I was doing. I hope to be able to introduce some form of mobile learning to be students in the future as i feel it would benefit and excite them through a new way of learning.

I, Stewart Fraser and Amanda Forster created a PowerPoint using GoogleDocs about whether the use of technology is making fundamental changes to how we teach and learn.

Reflective Diary Entry 1

06/10/08

Wikis

The objectives of this lecture were:

• What is a Wiki?

A wiki is a collection of web pages which are designed to enable anyone with access to contribute or modify content. The best know use of wikis is the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia.

I had a vague idea what wikis were but only in reference to Wikipedia. I didn’t know that anyone could modify the information or that wiki is Hawaiian for “fast”. Others think that wiki stands for What I Know Is but this has been made up after the fact.

• A look at some examples

We looked at the wikis available ton Wikipedia. John asked us to search for things that we knew about to see whether the information was true.

I decided to search for the area where I live which is Cochrane Park:

“Cochrane Park is an area of Newcastle upon Tyne, England located in the north east of the city. It is home to the Coach Lane Campus of Northumbria University. It consists of many streets such as Hilden Gardens and Vancouver Drive, opposite the Lochside Public House. It is known as a high class area with well off residents. It borders High Heaton, and has local walkways which link it to Paddie Freemans Park and Victoria Glade Park”

All of this is correct, however what is no longer available on the wiki is the statement that residents of Cochrane Park refer to it as ‘cocky p’. I have lived in this area my entire life and that is not the case at all. I was always told in school and university not to use Wikipedia for coursework/assignments because the information wasn’t reliable but I had never witnessed it and to be honest I was rather annoyed that this incorrect information was available for everyone to see. John showed me how easy it was to modify the content and I removed the statement.

• Building our own Wiki

We then went on to look at how to create a wiki for ourselves and the different coding involved. It really is easier than I thought. It shows how easy it would be for me to write about anything I wanted without knowing whether it was true or indeed just making the information up.

• A first look at some of the issues that arise from the use of large scale open wikis (Wikipedia)

This has really made me thing about how reliable information is. I have known about Wikipedia for a good few years but never really understood the issues that arise if you chose to use it.