Brainstorm

Wiki space for E-learning experiences 1

Group members: Callan Moroney Robert Forbes Caupolican Solis

= __**A Proposal to Develop A Gifted and Talented Interschool e-Learning Community**__ =

Our proposal includes the following sections:
 * ==Key features of the e-learning community.==

This proposal suggests a pilot program using of a private social network (such as, or similar to 'Ning) to create a learning community to facilitate a variety activities such for “Gifted and Talented” students who are isolated by their uncommon abilities, reduced size of their local cohort and by geographical distance. The community consists of the gifted and talented students already targeted by three schools and three co-operating teachers deploying different skills sets and activities in the form of three ‘clubs’. As the program includes more schools and co-operating teachers the number of activities would increase. The community members already meet regularly in their own schools for enrichment and morale building. ( It can be tough being a Nerd.) They also meet once a Semester in a combined group activities day in a central location. Being empowered by a monitored social networking site the community would; 1. prepare for their combined regional meetings, (even help organise them) 2. follow up from the friendships and activities from the regional meetings 3. integrate the regular meetings and activities into the site 4. expand and drive their activities self-directing. It wouldn't take long before the locus of control shifted into their capable hands. While the teachers can control their on-site activities it is inevitable that the social and educational likes established will not be confined by the official site and they will use a multimodal approach to communicate and investigate. //ring the proposed th//

__Mr Moroney’s Wide Reading Book Club (based in Wongeratta)__ This would involve students blogging about the books they have read/are reading, as well engage in discussion, both with their peers, as well as linking to reviews/discussions of the books in the wider world.

In this group, we would not only need to research and design an effective e-learning community, but tailor this community using underlying theory related to student's reading habits and successful reading practice. Part of this research would also involve looking at the concept of wide-reading, and discovering if it is an important part of studying English in high schools. One of the many activities would be a book club. Would you consider using this smaller scale yet more diversified social networking site as your Assignment 2? I am interested in exploring how closed social networks are successfully implemented in a high school. __Mr Forbes’ Logo and e-Toy development Club (based in Bullamacanker)__ Small challenges in logo with participant chatting and sharing scripts Building towards larger project such as an e-Toy Introduction to the logo, e-toy community using OLPC XO-1 emulators. __Mr Solis’ Amnesty International Letter Writing Group Club (based in Kangaroo Island)__ As;ldkjf;lsakdjf


 * ==Rationale for the inter-school G & T e-learning space.==

__ General Rationale __ Multi school connection is going to be a great asset to link staff and students in interest groups such as G&T. We have a "G & T" mentoring teacher who helps to plan the "G & T" regional excursions for students who are relatively isolated in their schools. The kids would get together for group activities several times a year but wouldn't see each other until the next meeting. They are in schools in Dubbo, Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst, Lithgow etc.

We have found that G & T students may have poor social skills and do not enjoy group work. An e-learning space provides them with interaction in an non-threatening environment of more evenly matched peers with similar interests, abilities and issues.

__Mr Moroney’s Wide Reading Book Club (based in Wongeratta)__ Wide reading is an area that my school is struggling to run effectively, and I believe that the use of technology, and this e-learning environment may be able to facilitate this. My grand plan is to have all students from years 7-10 as part of the social network, with older students engaging with younger students, suggesting possible books to read, and discussing books. Think of this as a large scale book club for a high school.

My idea has this as a somewhat formal setting, with students being assessed on participating in discussion, as well as things like blogging and what not. __Mr Forbes’ Logo and e-Toy development Club (based in Bullamacanker)__ Ldkfjs;lkj __Mr Solis’ Amnesty International Letter Writing Group Club (based in Kangaroo Island)__ As;ldkjf;lsakdjf

[//A story board or diagram that represents the e-Learning community design, accompanied by a descriptive text, which includes sufficient detail that the structure and functions are clearly apparent.]// e- learning steward ship
 * ==Graphic Depiction of the inter-school G & T e-Learning Community==

A members bio page Club Read, Club Toy, Club Social Justice, (Club Enviro, "Murder Under The Microscope" ……)

(Callan)I have started a ning website as a graphic representation. We can build this site up as a demonstration of the kind of things we are trying to achieve. We can then take screenshots, and annotate some of these - I am happy to work on this site of the project


 * ==Educational Rationale Design Elements==

__ General Educational Rationale __ The three presences, social, teaching and cognitive The five intelligences for the future Howard Gardiner

Developing a sense of belonging, communication skills and the commsurate development social intelligence has often been denied by their higher order thinking skills. The e-Learning space provides a access to peers, and a networking forum leading to social acceptance and supportive communication

__Mr Moroney’s Wide Reading Book Club (based in Wongeratta)__

In this group, we would not only need to research and design an effective e-learning community, but tailor this community using underlying theory related to student's reading habits and successful reading practice. Part of this research would also involve looking at the concept of wide-reading, and discovering if it is an important part of studying English in high schools. __Mr Forbes’ Logo and e-Toy development Club (based in Bullamacanker)__ Ldkfjs;lkj __Mr Solis’ Amnesty International Letter Writing Group Club (based in Kangaroo Island)__ As;ldkjf;lsakdjf

**CONCERNS - OBSTACLES**
There are concerns over the blurring of students personal lives and academic/schooling lives. I have research that addresses this.
 * Privacy**

There are also privacy concerns about cyber-bullying. i again, I have some research that addresses this. One of the tactics we will be using (or I propose we use) is the limiting of private-messaging amongst students. I think we should keep everything in public, or at least in the eyes of the teachers.

These 2 challenges are difficult to deal with, particularly with our goal of fostering friendships.