Reflection on Process and Learning Experience for Myself and Students Using Mahara

First I should mention that I am still technically learning mahara! I did manage to create a "view" of sorts as directed by the course material, however it is still a work in progress. I find myself at times having to take deep breaths and not take my mistakes so seriously!

The article written by Heath G. 2001 Mode 2 Learning, now definitely has more relevance to me as this is the type of learning that I have been undertaking the past few hours while attempting to create my "view". This knowledge, produced in the "context of application" (Heath G., 2001) is becoming more in demand in today's society where a degree is a minimum qualification for any job and what a person can "do" with this knowledge is infinitely more important (just look at any selection criteria for a job vacancy and there is direct evidence of this).

What our students can "do" is going to become the main focus of education and how our students access information and apply this knowledge using today's technology on my reflection seems to be the focus of teaching in the 21st century. Unfortunately for me what I am "doing" with Mahara doesn;t seem quite up to the mark of effectively using and integrating ICT'S into my learning experience!

In reflection of this as a learning process for students, I am beginning to realise, the more that I use this technology that Smyth and Lynch's 8LMQ's Model of Learning Design is extremely important as a tool to use when designing a learning experience involving any type of ICT. LMQ 4 "What Resources Do I have at My Disposal?" Will be an important question to ask when using any type of ICT and applying it to the classroom environment.

When using Mahara in a classroom environment as an ICT resource I could imagine that students creating their own e-portfolio would be an excellent way to track their processes and achievement's throughout the year. Students could also use their e-portfolio to complete assessment and homework tasks. Just imagine! students could use their e-portfolio account the entire way through school! an account of academic history, work and projects that can never be lost! So much better that the yearbook! and even this could be linked to the portfolio! I have lost so much of my stuff from school and get exited at the prospect that students today can have this all in one place and documented from years 1 through to 12!

Although is saying this I would need to take into account what students in the lower primary level years are able to do but I am sure that there are things that they can create to put on their e-portfolio or even for myself as the teacher that I could help them create and upload. At this stage I am sure that they could do a better job than me!

I did a quick search for information on what primary school students were capable of in the use of ICT'S and found this video to be a good example of what they can do even at the lower levels! I also found it to be an excellent reference as to how we can apply and use ICT'S in schools.