Week 10

Before the tutorial:please read the following articles published in Guardian Unlimited:

• Why I should be made the Internet Tsar: 'If recent reports are to be believed, the internet will soon reach its capacity. Someone needs to take charge and start deleting all those unnecessary pages and websites' [Charles Arthur, Thursday November 30 2007]
• Let's junk the myths and celebrate what we've got [Jeff Jarvis, Monday September 29 2008]

As you will see, the first is a humorous article, but it raises serious points about the quality and usefulness of information on the web, whereas the second article suggests that the challenges of the internet present interesting opportunities.

If you were given the (imaginary) job of Internet Tsar, where would you start on clearing out the rubbish? Nominate at least three sites which would be high on your hit list of websites to be deleted, and be prepared to explain why! Now think about whether you could follow the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of the second article to accept, retain and improve the sites you nominated to delete.

At the tutorial be prepared to talk about your nominated sites, and to explain the reasons for your choice.

Group work

This week we are going to look into Group work which in a university context ‐ and particularly when assessment is involved ‐ presents a challenge to students.We will be using a resource created at Bradford University which allows us to examine a range of challenges and issues associated with group work, and also helps us think about how to make group work effective.

Step 1. Getting started

1. Go to the Group Work Home page and read the background to the resource,
2. Next, read the brief overview Making Group-work work

Step 2. Meeting the students and their brief

The resource consists of 10 short film clips or episodes, each of which highlights a particular aspect of group work. Find out who the students are, what their brief is and how to get the most out of the episodes by clicking here.

Step 3. Episode 1: The First Meeting

1. Now that you have met the students and read their brief, it is time to take a look at the first episode. This is the first time the students have met each other. Read the Scenario and watch the video. There are 5 Observation Points - things for you to look out for. Write down your answers to each of the questions in the Observation Points.

2. Now watch the First Impressions video diaries of each of the students to see how each of them feels about how this first meeting has gone. How familiar are their comments?

3. Now watch the Analysis video clip and consider the Observation Points II (Observing Group Behaviour). Write down your responses to each of these.

4. Listen to Professor Hartley's commentary and relate this to your own experience.

Step 4. Analysing the other episodes

Now that you have watched the first episode and got to know the group and their task, it is time to watch the remaining episodes. This can be done either in one sitting or spread over time, which ever is most convenient. With each episode, read the scenario and write down your thoughts on the Observation Points. Also watch the Analysis video clip and write down your thoughts on the Observation or Discussion Points. Once you have done this, listen to Professor Hartley's commentary for each episode.

Step 5. Discussing the episodes

Once you have listened to each of the episodes and put down your thoughts on the Observation and Discussion points, I would like each of you to lead a discussion on one of the episodes.. In starting each discussion off, you should consider what the focus of the episode was, e.g. was it about planning, or decision making, etc.

Using the Observation or Discussion points as a guide, discuss what you think were the key points of the episode, and how they relate to your own experience at Namal.

Read each others postings and make your own comments saying whether or not you agree, and add examples from your own experience.

This booklet can provide useful information and practical advice that can really be beneficial for you.

Independent learning

Independent learning is becoming more and more important in today's learning research and has minimized the role of a teacher/mentor. Learners now hold the responsibility of enhancing their knowledge by helping each other.

In this activity, you are asked to read chapter 1 of the book (click the link. Also available in the lab) http://www.docstoc.com/docs/58263796/Fostering-independent-learning and explore the pros and cons of Independent learning. You are required to give your views on this chapter in approximately 300-400 words.

In writing your views, you should consider the following.

1. How best you learn
2. Put independent learning into perspective
3. pose one or two problems regarding independent learning from your context
4. Suggest solutions to the problems.

This video link can add even more. ( If you are unable to download/watch it, it's also available in the lab)

http://www.teachers.tv/videos/one-school-journey

study skills

1. Try to find out the answer to the following.

1. what (they are)
2. why ( they are)
3. where (to acquire and use)
4. When (to acquire and use)

The following links can be helpful for this

http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/index.asp

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/studyskills/index.asp

Blogger Tutorial: Key Features and Basics [Blogger.com]

Professionalism

1. What is professionalism? Some say it's all about attitude and behavior; others argue that its nothing other than knowledge and experience.
2. Are we professionals? In any case (Yes or No) , what we possess/need to claim this.
3. Do You Know Yourself? Is it necessary to know your strengths and weaknesses.?
4. Is it true that understanding your personality type will help you ease into any environment?