15 August 2006

UC researchers put technology in hands of learners

A research project that looks at using collaborative technologies such as electronic portfolios, wikis and blogs in the classroom is the subject of a seminar by University of Canberra education researchers.

The University of Canberra researchers will share some of the experiences and observations around the educational benefits, barriers and challenges of the DEST-funded project.

The Partners in ICTs in Learning project (PICTL), was undertaken with one government and one non-government secondary school from the ACT involving university staff, secondary school teachers and pre-service teachers.

University of Canberra academic Dr Robert Fitzgerald, said schools are facing the reality of a growing band of IT- savvy students and an ever widening gap between home and school use of technology.

"The way that education systems, teachers, universities and parents choose to engage with this emerging reality will determine the future of ICT in education and how successfully we address the learning needs of the 'neomillenial' learner," he said.

A classroom project is underway with Year Seven students and has already shown positive results. Dr Fitzgerald said project focuses on learner-centred models of ICT use and integration.

" The models promote students as producers, not just as users and encourage team learning, not only individual learning. In less than a week these school students have been able to harness the power of a wiki for their classroom work. The class teacher and project leader both believe the students' accomplishments are a testament to the power of putting technology "in the hands" of learners.

"Because of the direction technology is taking and the increasing importance and relevance of team learning to organisational learning, we believe these approaches have the potential to improve significantly ICT use in secondary education." Dr Fitzgerald said.

The seminar, part of the higher education forum series run by University of Canberra CELTS, will be held on. Thursday, 17 August, from 12.30pm - 1.30pm in room 1C29

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UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
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Last Updated on August 1, 2005