Comments on: Networked Learning in Action http://nswlearnscope.com/2006/07/06/networked-learning-in-action/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:35:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Steven Parker http://nswlearnscope.com/2006/07/06/networked-learning-in-action/#comment-6 Steven Parker Mon, 10 Jul 2006 05:09:07 +0000 http://nswlearnscope.com/?p=14#comment-6 Hi Robyn A great review of the day, I too found getting together as a group and our absolute commitment to networking inspiring. The recording of the afternoon session can be found here: http://webconf.det.nsw.edu.au/admin/meeting/sco/recordings?sco-id=20801 In conversation today I was discussing language and perception with a colleague and in particular the use of the word maverick when describing people who work within the system but outside the mainstream and use new networked teaching practices and web 2.0 tools. For example when talking about a maverick it conjurs up images of somebody working outside a system with little regard for the big scheme of things a liability... If we where to change the word to innovator or creative teacher it conjurs up images of somebody working within the system, who needs to be recognised suported and utilised for the benefit of all. Last year I was invited to speak at the 2005 ICVET conference 'on the creative teacher' http://networklearning.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_networklearning_archive.html My conclusion was we must embrace and utilize the maverick ethic within ‘TAFE culture’, the maverick being the unorthodox or independently minded teacher doing great work autonomously. This paper asserts that is how teacher empowerment through technology is achieved! http://networklearning.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_networklearning_archive.html Therein is the potential to empower TAFE teachers learning from their peers. How can TAFE embrace the innovation and ride the wave? TAFE needs to: Develop flexible policies, infrastructure and systems to capture and foster this emergence in innovation. Embrace and create opportunities to leverage the natural evolutionary growth in skills and knowledge of teachers through a TAFE learning network. Increase opportunities for Professional Development, augment flexible learning practices, and reduce overhead costs. What we are doing with Learnscope 2006 I think... I agree with your synopsis of the day at the TLRU in particular. Focus primarily on teaching and learning/ pedagogical applications and the clusters of tools needed to achieve those rather thatn focusing on the tools themselves Focus on pedagogy - how to enrich teaching practice, opportunities and outcomes for learners. I have yet to meet any educator who has had the forsight energy commitment drive and creativity to learn how to use web2.0 technologies and networked learning pedagogy not place the enrichment of teaching practice, opportunities and outcomes for learners as their number one priority. From my experinence networked learning innovators recognize and facilitate both the learning needs of the organization and learning needs of students. They are happy to share collaborate, and transfer knowledge, skills and information between teachers, management and policy setters. I agree that we must get high level management buy-in, to further the integration of Web 2.0 approaches and networked learning into teaching practice. I think the first step in this process is for orgainsation to drop the perception from the word maverick and use something more appropriate to the value of such people e.g, innovator, creative, assets of great value for the organisation. Warm regards Steven Hi Robyn

A great review of the day, I too found getting together as a group and our absolute commitment to networking inspiring.

The recording of the afternoon session can be found here:
http://webconf.det.nsw.edu.au/admin/meeting/sco/recordings?sco-id=20801

In conversation today I was discussing language and perception with a colleague and in particular the use of the word maverick when describing people who work within the system but outside the mainstream and use new networked teaching practices and web 2.0 tools. For example when talking about a maverick it conjurs up images of somebody working outside a system with little regard for the big scheme of things a liability…

If we where to change the word to innovator or creative teacher it conjurs up images of somebody working within the system, who needs to be recognised suported and utilised for the benefit of all.

Last year I was invited to speak at the 2005 ICVET conference ‘on the creative teacher’

http://networklearning.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_networklearning_archive.html

My conclusion was we must embrace and utilize the maverick ethic within ‘TAFE culture’, the maverick being the unorthodox or independently minded teacher doing great work autonomously. This paper asserts that is how teacher empowerment through technology is achieved!

http://networklearning.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_networklearning_archive.html

Therein is the potential to empower TAFE teachers learning from their peers.

How can TAFE embrace the innovation and ride the wave?
TAFE needs to:

Develop flexible policies, infrastructure and systems to capture and foster this emergence in innovation.
Embrace and create opportunities to leverage the natural evolutionary growth in skills and knowledge of teachers through a TAFE learning network.
Increase opportunities for Professional Development, augment flexible learning practices, and reduce overhead costs.

What we are doing with Learnscope 2006 I think…

I agree with your synopsis of the day at the TLRU in particular.

Focus primarily on teaching and learning/ pedagogical applications and the clusters of tools needed to achieve those rather thatn focusing on the tools themselves
Focus on pedagogy - how to enrich teaching practice, opportunities and outcomes for learners.

I have yet to meet any educator who has had the forsight energy commitment drive and creativity to learn how to use web2.0 technologies and networked learning pedagogy not place the enrichment of teaching practice, opportunities and outcomes for learners as their number one priority.

From my experinence networked learning innovators recognize and facilitate both the learning needs of the organization and learning needs of students. They are happy to share collaborate, and transfer knowledge, skills and information between teachers, management and policy setters.

I agree that we must get high level management buy-in, to further the integration of Web 2.0 approaches and networked learning into teaching practice. I think the first step in this process is for orgainsation to drop the perception from the word maverick and use something more appropriate to the value of such people e.g, innovator, creative, assets of great value for the organisation.

Warm regards

Steven

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