visualising language

One of the major PR problems for language is that the press don't know how to represent it. The same clichés appear: people talking, speech bubbles, multi ethnic groups...
maybe tagxedo and wordle can help?

reflections on feedback

I presented at ALT-C in September and recently re-discovered a blog posting relating to the event from Gabi Witthaus. Gabi's feedback set me thinking again about where I stand on comfort zones. As an educator, I believe in the importance of drawing people out of themselves to take risks, allowing them to feel safe enough to operate beyond their usual frames of reference. This is not difficult to do in my language teaching capacity, it is an area I have operated in for many years. In a technology for language teaching domain, working alongside others I am more cautious. It reminds me of my horse-riding days. Over facing is the concept of asking a horse to cope with a task (such as a jump) that is beyond its normal reach. This requires trust and sensitivity from the rider. Once over faced, a horse can become very nervous and will resist taking even the smallest risk. If however they become over confident they will rush at a fence and chaos ensues! Often tutors who are enthusiastic about a particular use of technology want to dive into something that is complex and demanding. Naturally I want to support them in this, the challenge is to facilitate their understanding of the complexities of what they want to achieve, to slow them down in order to ensure that they have thought about the implications of what they are doing. Student feedback is probably the key. Not necessarily whole group surveys, but the support of one or two interested students who can give honest input without fear of judgement and so help to shape the tutor's innovation. Thanks Gabi :)

Categorising Web 2.0 Apps for Education

Enjoyed this presentation at ALT-C, really useful way to encourage reflection on technology use in education.

Categorising Web 2.0 Apps for Education

View more presentations from Guy Saward.

James Clay's ALT-C 2010 vid.

endless journey

The journey metaphore so often used to refer to the learning experience has been troubling me of late. When I embark upon a journey I usually know where I will depart from, where I'm going, and what I need to take with me. None of these are elements I would necessarily find if I reflect upon the situations from which I have learnt. The most marked learning experiences I have had in life have been relatively unplanned, dramatic events which have lead me to places I did not expect to see. I have not been prepared for them and that has made them all the more memorable. Some journeys are more to be endured that enjoyed, they leave you tired and with fewer resources than when you embarked upon them. I doubt we would like the same to be true of learning. Deep learning takes place within an affective context that has perhaps more in common with a major event, something striking and even life-changing - being there when Kennedy or John Lennon was shot, scoring the winning goal, missing that vital catch...


Can I please ask that we rethink the references to learning journeys? There must be a better metaphore!!

Exciting development

Heard today that Russell Stannard is to join Warwick at CAL. Thrilled to get a DM on twitter on his first day. Looking forward to a good ol' chinwag!

making connections