Preparing for VS3

On VS3 we will learn and teach about assessment. The preparation process has been fragmented, as the materials we need to be working on has been posted rather late, and a long article I had already read, was not valid any more. There are 5 in my team, and the process has been good as we have different strengths. However, he result is somewhat a hodgepodge: tons of slides in not-to-logical order, way too much information. We will use Prezi as our presentation tool, and that adds a nice touch. Hopefully there are no major technical hiccups so that it works. We tested everything yesterday.

It feels difficult to present material that someone else has prepared, especially with a notion that the source material has been outdated or even... boring.

Looking forward to today's virtual session, let's see how it turns out!

Chair group's and chairperson's report of VS2

Team Mars chaired the VS2 on Oct 9. I chaired one breakout with Deepak. We shared the task so that each chaired one full presentation with discussion and we split the tasks in the third presentation. Overall, this went very smoothly. We received good feedback from our role and we were able to keep the timing.

The teams were able to construct the 40 minutes freely in terms of length and order of the presentation, activities, and discussion, and it worked well with the topics. Teams have adopted new learning tools, e.g. Popplet, from EduTech course, and it was fun testing them, even if it may work better in a different context. Technically things went very smoothly compared to the first time, and communication was good (e.g. if everyone are around etc). Generally there was little time for discussion, but we heard interesting comments and ideas. Some teams sent part of their materials, questions, and video links very late, after the deadline, and some other requests were also made very late. This makes it difficult for the chair group to adjust them at last minute.

Deepak pointed out that the presentations were more interactive than the previous session. The bonus was that the various methods used required active participation. Time management was appropriate and the rules for video was really a good idea to use. It prevented using long videos. In order to use various tools during the presentation, discussions in between were also effective. The different AC sessions proved to be more effective than breakouts. There were hardly any technical problems throughout the session.

The idea of using Popplet was a courageous one. It is indeed a helpful tool but there was uncertainty in our breakout as to know exactly we were supposed to do. Instructions were not very clear. Everyone was wondering for the first few minutes, and after a while we discovered we were supposed to put any thoughts we would like to discuss. Everybody started putting their random thoughts and one Popplet was hidden under the other. It was hard to follow any discussion trail, but the comments were interesting. Overall, the session was productive and seems that we all are learning to apply various methods and teaching styles.

On Teemu's opinion, the sessions used much more creative methods – joint working, collaboration and open discussion. This was very fruitful, much more than in session #1. I think it is great to see people experimenting with different methods. The presenters had taken time to connect their topics into real life examples. This was very useful and helped comprehension substantially. There were some technical issues: e.g. some slides had very small font. It would be beneficial to have everything in sufficiently large font. Also, it was sometimes a little confusing as the presenters did not always explain what the next stage of collaboration was to be. The tutor and one participant did not have access to the Popplet. We solved this by sharing the screen so they could at least see what was going on.

Beside some individual computer problems it was satisfying to observe how the groups had made the presentations. They were all interactive and involved us in the same level, contrary to the last time. For the next sessions we should cooperate more with other groups in order to not present the same issue, since Jupiter and Earth had the same picture and almost the same issue which they discussed. Sandra suggested that we should also avoid writing the answers for the discussion on chat box since it takes time to write and may be confusing. The chairperson has to follow the ongoing chat while while the group i s presenting. Video can be watched beforehand, but the other preliminary material, such as videos, pdf's, links for blogs, should be delivered to the people at least one week before the presentation. One day or night before is way too late. Beside this, the teams put together inspiring and interesting presentations. As Teemu mentioned, using a common examples helped a lot.

Buzzing arond

My dear blog and it's faithful followers,

Life on earth is hectic. Our team Mars is planning for the presentation for VS3 on Assessment, and I am writing a feedback/ summary report on the previous Virtual session, which we chaired. The report is coming up soon. Re are doing major renovation in our apartment, then I'm starting a new job next week and I've had some urgent assignments at my other job, plus I am busy writing an application for funding for a dissertation project due few weeks' time. My schedule is crazy.

I am still trying to squeeze in a little vacation or at least a few days off, since I worked the whole summer. Plus last weekend, 10,5 hours extra, starting 03:25 Saturday morning. I console myself with the fact that in many countries people work as a rule 6 (or even 7) days a week, 10 or 16 hours a day. (And they don't discuss fatique or burn out.) Maybe they just drop down dead. I hope I will manage just a little longer... and hope it will get a bit easier.

Reflections and feedback from EduTech boot camp

I enjoyed the EduTech boot camp immensely. It was intense, but interactive, and thus not tiring. I rather felt energized after each day. The course was a PROGRESS, we learned as a group, and it was hands-on, not just theory. The debate with pros and cons was awesome, because there aren't many platforms for that in Finland. I was cool to hear other people's ideas and comments and to consider also the cons of technical tool and applications.

During the 2-day boot camp we got to know and try AnswerGarden, Popplet, QR code, Prezi, Blogger (which I, of course use as you read), iPad, iMovie, and more. We also learned about Flipped Classroom, went on scavenger hunt, interviewed vocational students and comprised a video about their experiences from virtual learning tools.

I can already think and use many ideas and tools I learned. I made my husband an e-card for birthday with StripDesign cartoon tool. I tried to download the programme into my laptop, but realized that it is iPad and iPhone compatible, so I downloaded it on my iPhone and created the card with pictures from camera and Facebook, which is accessible though the app. Unfortunately I didn't find the speech bubbles with iPhone, but anyhow my husband was very impressed. He told me that receiving that card (which, by the way, I showed from my phone screen and forwarded as an e-mail) was the favourite thing during his birthday. That was a meaningful statement, because he liked the card better than his special-request gift, which was freshly painted window sill edges and his favourite dish of flamed salmon. Never underestimate the power of virtual applications!

Our hobby is to run marriage seminars and lectures with my spouse, and I think I will use some of the presentation tools that we learned to make them more fun, engaging, interactive and memorable for example by using Prezi presentation tool. And maybe to impress my hi-tech, ad agency friend.

Reflecting more in terms of learning, the aspect of creativity is very important, and this was achieved. One of the groups made a Facebook page about the furniture artisans and their projects. What a great idea to promote those entrepreneur's business ad raise awareness! This is a very good example of synergy that this kind of learning environment and subject matter can bring about. I love learning anyway, but if learning can be this fun and interactive, I want to know more!

I can see why InnoOmnia is cutting edge. It is necessary to try to do things in a new way in the 21st century. We are past classroom and blackboard period, and this is what we are seeing, very much in line with RSAnimate speech about changing education paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson (source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U).

P.S. The food was also superb!! Very tasty and nicely served. The whole 2 days was such a treat! I cannot was to land on the EduPreneur course!!