The availability of textbooks is an ongoing problem in our schools. The trouble with textbooks are:
• There is never enough of them
• Most of them are not up-to-date
• Replacement of old books with new ones is unaffordable
• School management cannot get the procurement and distribution of books right
• Books get stolen, lost and vandalized
• A single textbook gives a very narrow coverage of subject matter
The electronic book (e-book) option should be seriously considered. Computers are being provided to schools and there is a variety of ways that learners could access these books: computers in the computer room or in classrooms, terminals in libraries, cell phones, PDAs, or on devices that will yet be developed. The difficulties listed above could all be resolved by e-textbooks.
What should these e-textbooks look like? Definitely not like a normal book - page after page of text. Please - not like that! The e-books should resemble a well-designed website, where readers can go in different directions, as the need dictates – complete with images, video clips and links to other e-books or e-resources.
Just the ramblings of approaching insanity? No, it is something that is talked about as a real possibility around the world. Please see what a Bulgarian blogger, Malinka Ivanova says about this on her blog which she calls eLearning 2.0 Technologies and Concepts. Her posting of today has the title: The Future of Electronic Books.
Do you think that the e-textbook concept is viable?
| related link
In many computer rooms a notice is displayed, stating:
KEEP YOUR COMPUTER CENTRE CLEAN
Sometimes a list of rules is pasted up as well, which may include the following:
NO EATING
NO DRINKING
NO SMOKING
DID YOU WASH YOUR HANDS?
One can't dispute the fact that a computer facility must be kept clean. The question is: how clean must it be?
Clean is a relative concept: what is clean to one person may be filthy in the eyes of another. Different cultures have different views on cleanliness and within one culture, standards often differ from community to community.
Even within one family there are different perceptions of clean. The mother may tell her teenage son that he lives in a pigsty, whereas the person occupying the room may be perfectly comfortable.
What is the ideal level of environmental cleanliness of a computer room? One wants to maintain a standard that guarantees the protection of sensitive electronic equipment; but learners should never be hesitant to use the facility and must always feel at home in it.
Where does one draw the line? In your opinion, what is the definition of an acceptable level of cleanliness for a computer facility?
| related link
There is nothing new about having a personal learning network – what is new is that it is called a PLN nowadays.
Personal learning networks have been around for ages – whenever a person needed to learn a new skill, a peer or an elder would be approached for guidance. People joined guilds (carpenters, shoemakers, candlemakers, tailors, bakers and many others) where they were part of a network that helped them to hone their own skills. Many guilds or clubs or societies still exist for the same purpose.
Each one of us has a personal set of connections for learning – our family, friends, colleagues, and other experts. We also have access to books, magazines and other resources that could form part of that network.
Computer technology has opened new doors to forming personal learning networks. Through the internet we gain access to vast information resources. But more importantly, it is now possible to include people, to whom we never had access before, in our networks. By means of email we could tap into the expertise of people in all parts of the world – asking for advice is only a mouse click away.
There are many networking tools available that puts one in touch with people who could extend our personal network. Most people are aware of Facebook – though it is mostly used for entertainment and personal purposes, this facility could be used to link up with people that may assist us with learning. There are also other tools, such as Plurk, Twitter, Delicious, and many others, that will help one to make the required connections.
Personal learning networks are essential for life long learning. Technology affords each one the opportunity to build a very powerful network.
If you have found any electronic personal learning network tool particularly useful, please share your experience with us. The personal growth of many individuals in Africa hinges on the use of these tools to form such networks.
| related link
A few days ago I posted an item about a young blogger .
Another child blogger was brought to my attention – her name is Adora Svitak. She describes herself as follows:
I am an ten-year-old writer and I live in Redmond, Wa[shington, United States of America]. I've published one book so far, Flying Fingers, and four more are in the works.
Can you imagine it – a ten year old person writing – and publishing – a book! Her website says the following about the book:
Flying Fingers features a compilation of Adora's stories followed by easy-to-follow writing tips from Adora, her mother, and her teacher. We hope to bust the myth that writing is hard by showing parents and educators practical methods to ignite a child's passion for writing. Adora's stories provide aspiring young writers with an example of what we can accomplish when we give ourselves over to joy in the endless possibilities a blank page offers. Seeing a concrete example of what a seven-year-old can accomplish can make all the difference, and Adora's fun-to-read stories are here to remind aspiring young writers that the land of the imagination is infinite and offers a way to triumph over the limitations and frustrations of day-to-day life.
Adora also writes poetry – a few are posted on her website.
It is certainly not the norm for a person of such tender age to produce something so impressing. I am convinced that she did this with ample encouragement, support and assistance from her parents and teachers – but it is still a huge achievement.
Something to consider – this could have been Sipho Mufamadi, Solly Plaatjies or Kosie van der Merwe.
Please share the example of Adora with all teachers and learners within your reach. How wonderful would it be if we could develop a new generation of young writers to document the many stories of Africa!
| related link
While promoting the use of technology as a teaching and learning tool in schools, are you making a difference – or are you tied up by administrivia ?
The term administrivia is a combination of two words: adminis(trative) + trivia .
One definition is: the inordinate amount of detail required to administer or manage a network .
In some cases the word has a technical connotation, but often it also refers to the trivial administrative details that are consuming time, hence standing in the way of reaching important organizational objectives.
If you are a facilitator and your job is to help teachers to come to grips with technology, be careful not to be tied up with administrivia – the endless filling in of forms, writing reports, checking logs and other administrative tasks. These tasks may take up so much time that you may lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish.
Use each visit to a school to do at least one thing to move teachers closer to the goal of becoming e-competent. After your engagement:
• Are the teachers better equipped to use technology?
• Do they have a greater understanding of the role of ICT in education?
• Are they empowered in some way to integrate technology into the curriculum delivery process?
Days and months often pass by without any noticeable improvement in these areas.
Could it be that administrivia are standing in your way to make a difference?
| related link
Back Next
Kobus van Wyk - Blog
|
      Copyright © Kobus van Wyk 2008
|
|
Calendar