caribbean educators’ network: a framework for informal online collaborative knowledge-building
DESCRIPTION
A presentation about the CEN as a framework for informal online learning..TRANSCRIPT
Caribbean Educators’ Network
A framework for informal online collaborative knowledge-building
and sharing
Dr. LeRoy Hill, University of NottinghamCamille Dickson-Deane PhD (cand.),
University of Missouri - Columbia
What is CEN?
Social Network comprising of
Synchronous and asynchronous technologies (i.e. forums, discussion groups, webinars, etc...)
Used to encourage critical and reflective dialogue between its members
Most importantly its free
The network is built on the NING social networking platform that has a number of asynchronous and synchronous social network technologies (i.e. forums, discussion groups, webinars, etc…) to encourage critical and reflective dialogue between its members.
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Why is it needed?Challenges in teacher education
Little attention is given to teacher education/continuing development in the Caribbean (Carrington, 1993)
Miles (1995) also states that the efforts that are made are
under-resourced, unsustained, designed for a “one size fits all”, imposed rather than owned
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Proposed solutionRobinson and Latchem (2003) suggests the use of open, distance and information and communication technologies (ICT)s
New research in online teacher professional development context can assist
Hence
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Where is the Caribbean?
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•approx. 30 countries•at least 40 islands
CARICOM
CEN statistics
1078 Members
approx 30 countries represented (including the US, UK, Canada, India, Mexico and some others)
All divisions of education are represented (special ed, higher ed, primary, secondary, nursery, government (ministerial), etc...)
Twice the number of females than males
Age spans 19 - 71 years
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CEN Demo of site
http://www.caribbeaneducatorsnetwork.com/
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CEN Framework
Based on Vygotsky’ (1964) socio-cultural theory
Analyzed based on Leont’ev (1978) and Engoström (1987) activity theory
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Network Activity (2008-2009)
Members expectations garnered from members’ profile page of a member
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CodeFreque
ncyTo learn from colleaguesTo share ideas with colleaguesTo network with colleaguesTo interact with colleaguesWas invitedTo collaborate with colleaguesTo meet colleaguesTo belongTo communicate with colleaguesTo socialize with colleaguesContinuing professional developmentTo discuss issuesTo encourageTo motivate othersTo volunteerWas class projectWas curious
26191877543221111111
Network Activity (2008-2009)
Sessions conducted in Elluminate
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Date Session TitleDurati
on
# of Attendee
s
14th March 2009Testing of room and
features02:25:57 11
21st March 2009 First live session of CEN 02:28:08 214th April 2009 Introduction to Moodle 02:01:57 12
18th April 2009Connectivism (Guest -
George Siemens)02:10:39 12
9th May 2009VIP Demo (Guest–Quang
Luong) 01:33:08 12
20th June 2009 Reflective workshop 01:25:04 6
Network Activity (2008-2009)
RSS FEEDS
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CODE
MEANING
F
Friending’ (Friending is an informal befriending process of individuals in social networks.)
MCComment on member page
GCComment in group discussion
E Taking part in event
CG Created new Group
MJNew Members announcement
FPFeatured member profile
JG Joined Group
CEN questions
What ICT Tools and techniques hamper the network’s existence?
What is the web-based technological literacy level of the average CEN member?
How does culture affect the members’ motivation to participate in CEN?
How do CARICOM members define sharing and collaboration?
How can the activity theory framework be used to mediate the collaborative efforts in the CEN groups?
How can the activity theory framework be used to mediate the collaborative efforts in the CEN groups?
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THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?
AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL