Claire Brooks :: Blog

Well, how timely is that -just when I thought I was going to have to explain to my  class why I no longer had a blog Eduspaces is revived, thanks heavens for that- What do I do now with my edublogger blog that i've just started.

Hhhhmmm given the difficulties I've been having at work I think I might just keep that one tucked away for my personal use as and when it is required. 

It is problematic however- what ever happened to academic freedom? ( and how long go did it happen:-) I remember when James Farmer ran into some issues at  one of his previous work places- that eventually led to him establishing eduspaces. What can one write and what can't one if one wants to keep working ( and one does have a mortgage!).

 I admire the bravery of those folk who do blog freely.

I am reminded of Maria Turmakin's  work'courage' describing every day forms of courage- not heroics. She describes Melbourne University as a 'toxic dump'- I think I understand what she means:-( rueful grin. 

Anway it will be good to have all my old files and so on back. 

http://www.zotero.org/

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. It lives right where you do your work — in the web browser itself.

sort of like endnote, but online and includes websites- or as someone described it like social bookmarking on speed. 

The original report is at:

http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp

 

Key findings include:

• e-portfolios benefit learning most effectively when considered as part of a joined-up teaching and learning approach, rather than as a discrete entity. The approach should include online repositories, planning and communication tools, and opportunities for both students and teachers to draw out and present e-portfolios at particular times and for particular purposes. There is then likely to be substantial impact on both learning processes and learning outcomes.
• e-portfolio processes support both pastoral or social needs and curriculum outcomes
• e-portfolio processes and tools for organisation and communication support the learning outcomes of students with a wide range of abilities
• e-portfolios make progress and attainment more obvious to both teachers and students, because viewing and revisiting the repository of work reveals development, achievements, strengths and weaknesses
• Some learners in all age ranges find that software that includes structured processes and organisational tools scaffolds their learning until they are confident enough to progress to working independently
• Although some institutions are working together across phases to use e-portfolios to support transition, teachers and learners rarely consider the nature of a ‘lifelong’ e-portfolio repository and how this might be managed

 

Note to self- read and circulate report to committee 

Becta Research Report

Becta released their "Impact study of e-portfolios on learning"
http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=14007
The study was conducted by a team of researchers in the Learning Sciences Research Institute at The University of Nottingham led by Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young. This report presents the potential impact of e-portfolios on learning and teaching and is primarily aimed at policy-makers. This study provides eight case studies are in the early stages of e-portfolio use from across the sectors of education, from primary school to adult learning. To quote the report:

E-portfolios benefit learning most effectively when considered as part of a system, rather than as a discrete entity.

This model from their report identifies the three distinct components of an e-portfolio system: the digital archive (repository of evidence), tools to support different processes, and different presentation portfolios developed for different purposes and audiences.

Had the weird experience of posting in CP 2 and then being blogged about by Susanne Nyrop- in the nicest possible way
I'm still confused about this whole blogging, privacy, being public and having a voice thing. Guess I will just have to work it out through experience and see how it feels for me. Feels a bit like someone reading my diary- now , I like reading OTHER people's diaries- not so keen when it happens to me:-) i don't have the time, talent or inclination to make many clever, insightful, well written posts, but do want to be able to keep track of some of the *inspirations* that hit me now and then.
http://elgg.net/netopnyrop/weblog/5363.html