peregrinatio curiosa johannae in eruditionem

My initial plan, to use the session, I will conduct in late October 2007, for library staff on The Reference Interview came unstuck, as my tutor was not available on the scheduled day to come and observe.

The fall back plan is to have OTS3 in an Access class, for English as a Second Language students. The students are TAFE Certificate I/II level.

The AQF for Certificate I specifies the following outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge by recall in a narrow range of areas,
Demonstrate basic practical skills such as the use of relevant tools,
Perform a sequence of routinue tasks given clear direction and
Receive and pass on messages/information.

The AQF for Certificate II specifies the following outcomes:
Demonstrate basic operational knowledge in a moderate range of areas,
Apply a defined range of skills,
Apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems,
Perform a range of tasks where choice between a limited range of options is required,
Assess and record information from various sources and
Take limited responsibility for own outputs in work and learning.

Given these definitions of the required outcomes of Certificate I and II, the content of the class is ambitious. It will introduce students to the Internet, discuss the meanings of the parts of a domain name, demonstrate Internet searching using phrases in the alta Vista search engine and practice exercises based on the assignment supplied by teh classroom teacher.

In LTS502 Teaching and Learning Methods & Media, we are required to extend our teaching practice from “chalk and talk” to include some elements of media where appropriate. One of the major challenges for me taking ESL students is to slow down my speech and my demonstrating where to click on a computer screen. I have therefore chosen to make several screen capture clips, using Captivate software. This will free me up to focus on the speaking part. The the mouse moving and clicking will take place withing the Captivate clip at a speed that I control. This has a sound educational basis within the ESL context.

My draft Media Plan has been accepted, see media-resource_activity_-plan_.doc
Ian Charleston (my tutor) gave the following feedback “You have addressed the criteria well for this assessment. You have described the media (using Captivate) to provide support for students….which will free you up during class time to observe their progress and explain when required. You are aware that there will be skill developmented needed by you and hopefully you will reflect on the whole process as this will be useful for your portfolio.
Your literature will point to the use of media that frees up the teacher, provides students with a demonstration that they can control (review, rewind) You might like to look at Rod Sims (1999) article:
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet16/sims.html….. he has a table on the various levels of interactivity and giving students a sense of control – and the benefits to learning – and this is what your resource ultimately puts the control back in the hands of students…”