The value of using short-format podcasts to enhance learning and teaching

This paper presents the findings of a podcasting trial held in 2007-2008 within the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Sydney, Australia. The trial investigates the value of using short-format podcasts to support assessment for postgraduate and undergraduate students. A multi-method approach is taken in investigating perceptions of the benefits of podcasting, incorporating surveys, focus groups and interviews. The results show that a majority of students believe they gained learning benefits from the podcasts and appreciated the flexibility of the medium to support their learning, and the lecturers felt the innovation helped diversify their pedagogical approach and support a diverse student population. Three primary conclusions are presented: (1) most students reject the mobile potential of podcasting in favour of their traditional study space at home; (2) what students and lecturers value about this podcasting design overlap; (3) the assessment-focussed, short-format podcast design may be considered a successful podcasting model. The paper finishes by identifying areas for future research on the effective use of podcasting in learning and teaching.

Models of Learning and Motivation

A brief skim through educational theory intended for students registered on a single module in Technology Enhanced Learning. Startes with Blooms taxonomy, travles through instructivism and constructivism and on to theories of motivation/

COMP1205 W1 Independent Learning and Using Your Time

An introduction to learning at University

Occupational therapy and its relevance in social projects. relationships, learning and opportunities: collection of experiences of University of Alberta Mscot students in Bogotá, Colombia

Occupational therapists are equipped to promote wellbeing through occupation and to enable participation and meaningful engagement of people in their social and physical environments (WFOT, 2012). As such, the role of the occupational therapists is profoundly linked to the social, cultural and environmental characteristics of the contexts in which occupations take place. The central role that context plays in occupational performance creates an interesting dichotomy for the occupational therapist: on one hand, a profound understanding of cultural and social factors is required from the Occupational Therapy (OT) in order to develop a meaningful and successful collaboration with the person; on the other hand, the ability of the occupational therapists to recognize and explore the contextual factor of an occupation-person dyad transcends cultural and spatial barriers. As a result, occupational therapists are equipped to engage in international collaboration and practice, and as such face unique and enriching challenges. International fieldwork experiences have become a tool through which occupational therapists in training can develop the critical skills for understanding the impact of cultural and social factors on occupation. An OT student in an international fieldwork experience faces numerous challenges in leading a process that is both relevant and respectful to the characteristics of the local context: language, cultural perceptions of occupation and personhood, religious backgrounds, health care access, etc. These challenges stand out as ethical considerations that must be considered when navigating an international fieldwork experience (AOTA, 2009). For more than five years now, the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FRM) of the University of Alberta (UoFA) and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Universidad del Rosario (UR), Bogota, Colombia, have sustained a productive and meaningful international collaboration. This collaboration includes a visit by Dr. Albert Cook, professor of the FRM and former dean, to the UR as the main guest speaker in the International Congress of Technologies for Disability Support (IBERDISCAP) in 2008. Furthermore, Dr. Cook was a speaker in the research seminar of the Assistive Technology Research Group of the Universidad del Rosario. Following Dr. Cook’s visit, Professors Liliana Álvarez and Adriana Ríos travelled to Edmonton and initiated collaboration with the FRM, resulting in the signing of an agreement between the FRM and the UR in 2009, agreement that has been maintained to this day. The main goal of this agreement is to increase academic and cultural cooperation between the UR and the UofA. Other activities have included the cooperation between Dr. Kim Adams (who has largely maintained interest and effort in supporting the capacity building of the UR rehabilitation programs in coordinating the provision of research placement opportunities for UR students at the UofA), an Assistive Technology course for clinicians and students led by Dr. Adams, and a research project that researched the use of basic cell phones to provide social interaction and health information access for people with disabilities in a low-income community in Colombia (led by Tim Barlott, OT, MSc, under the supervision of Dr. Adams). Since the beginning, the occupational therapy programs of the Universidad del Rosario and the University of Alberta have promoted this collaboration and have strived to engage in interactions that provide further development opportunities for students and staff. As part of this process, the international placement experience of UofA OT students was born under the leadership of: Claudia Rozo, OT program director at UR, placement and academic leadership of Elvis Castro and Angélica Monsalve, professors of the occupational therapy program at UR; and Dr. Lili Liu, OT department director at UofA, Cori Schmitz, Academic coordinator of clinical education at the UofA; and Tim Barlott and Liliana Álvarez leading the international and cross-cultural aspect of this collaboration.This publication summarizes and illustrates the process of international placement in community settings in Colombia, undertaken by occupational therapy students of the University of Alberta. It is our hope that this document can provide and document the ethical considerations of international fieldwork experience, the special characteristics of communities and the ways in which cultural and social competences are developed and help international students navigate the international setting. We also hope that this document will stimulate discussion among professional and academic communities about the importance and richness of international placement experiences and encourage staff and students to articulate their daily efforts with the global occupational therapy agenda.

An artificial economy based on reinforcement learning and agent based modeling

In this paper, we employ techniques from artificial intelligence such as reinforcement learning and agent based modeling as building blocks of a computational model for an economy based on conventions. First we model the interaction among firms in the private sector. These firms behave in an information environment based on conventions, meaning that a firm is likely to behave as its neighbors if it observes that their actions lead to a good pay off. On the other hand, we propose the use of reinforcement learning as a computational model for the role of the government in the economy, as the agent that determines the fiscal policy, and whose objective is to maximize the growth of the economy. We present the implementation of a simulator of the proposed model based on SWARM, that employs the SARSA(λ) algorithm combined with a multilayer perceptron as the function approximation for the action value function.

Language learning and MUDs : an overview. 'Aprendizaje de idiomas y MUDs : una visión general'.

La traducción literal de MUD es Mazmorra o Calabozo multiusuario o Dimensión multiusuario. Un MUD es un juego de rol en línea que es ejecutado en un servidor. El artículo incluye direcciones de varios MUDs

Collaborative learning activities in the classroom : designing inclusive materials for learning and language development.

Este cuadernillo quiere ser un catalizador que motive a los estudiantes a pensar y hablar sobre un tema relevante. Hablar les ofrece la oportunidad de reflexionar, pensar, y expresar con palabras, una nueva forma de aprendizaje y de probar su comprensión de una situación, o en otras palabras 'pensar en voz alta'. Este proceso de reflexión en voz alta permite a los alumnos explorar nuevos conceptos de información y construir su comprensión de ellos, al responder a las preguntas de otros estudiantes y, obtener una respuesta, a su vez, a sus propias ideas.

Learning and teaching with maps.

El rápido crecimiento de mapas en internet, atlas digitales y Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) exige nuevas habilidades, junto con las tradicionales como la localización de lugares utilizando un mapa. Este recurso explica a los niños y a los jóvenes cómo leer, comprender e interpretar los mapas y a los profesores la manera más eficaz de enseñar con los mapas. Presta especial atención a la forma de aprendizaje con este material que puede contribuir al desarrollo cognitivo y a desarrollar habilidades en aritmética. Describe cómo los profesores pueden planificar un programa de estudios y sugiere actividades para los alumnos desde la escuela primaria a la secundaria. Incluye todos los aspectos del uso de mapas, que abarca todas las modalidades, incluidas los globos y atlas. El texto está ampliamente ilustrado con ejemplos, incluyendo los mapas realizados por los propios niños con materiales convencionales, así como programas informáticos. Una característica particular de este recurso es la integración de mapas digitales y convencionales, de internet adecuados a las necesidades de educación primaria y secundaria. Tiene apéndice con web de organizaciones y recursos citados en el texto, bibliografía e índice alfabético.

The digital classroom : harnessing technology for the future of learning and teaching.

Basado en el Proyecto Interactivo de investigación, este libro examina e ilustra cómo las tecnologías digitales pueden transformar el aprendizaje a través del currículo. Al observar los distintos entornos educativos en los que se mueven los niños y jóvenes-la casa y la escuela en las etapas primaria y secundaria-los profesionales piensan en que las nuevas tecnologías (TIC) suponen una ayuda para planificar y apoyar un aprendizaje eficaz en las clases. También, se ofrece a los lectores, a través de ejercicios prácticos y temas para la reflexión, la oportunidad de examinar su propia práctica docente y su experiencia en relación con estas tecnologías y entender sus beneficios y limitaciones.

Teaching, learning and assessing science 5-12.

Explica la importancia de la enseñanza de las ciencias a los niños y presenta un marco teórico sobre la forma de realizarla. La educación científica es analizada desde dos perspectivas: la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. El autor, con una visión constructivista del aprendizaje, reconoce que los niños ya tienen ideas sobre el mundo en que viven, y da consejos sobre cómo los profesores pueden ayudarlos a desarrollar su comprensión y cambiar su percepción a una visión más científica. Cubre todas las etapas de la enseñanza para estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre cinco y doce años.

Learning and teaching in primary schools.

Esta guía ayuda a los profesores en período de formación inicial a superar el Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Trata temas fundamentales para el aprendizaje y la enseñanza en las escuelas primarias de hoy y en la formación del docente, tales como el comportamiento, la comunicación y la creatividad.

Unlocking learning and teaching with ICT : identifying and overcoming barriers.

En primer lugar, identifica las barreras que aún existen para la integración con éxito de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en las escuelas, así como propone métodos y estrategias para su superación. También, muestra cómo la utilización de estas tecnologías ayuda a los niños a aprender y a mejorar sus capacidades.

Citizenship through work-related learning and enterprise.

Libro dirigido a profesores que imparten la asignatura de educación para la ciudadanía en relación con el trabajo y la empresa, en los niveles Key Stage 3 y 4 (educación secundaria). Está estructurado en cinco secciones basadas en un tema clave: definición de empresa ¿en qué consiste?, involucrarse ¿cómo puedo ser un ciudadano activo en el 'sector servicios'?, ¿cuáles son mis derechos como consumidor?, el mundo es muy, muy pequeño, y ¿cuáles son los derechos y deberes de los trabajadores? El libro incluye un CD-Rom con material de apoyo.