EDUCAMPS IN EDUCATION: ENJOYABLE 'OVER-THE-SHOULDER LEARNING' TO SHOW AND SHARE ICT PRACTICES

摘要

Educamps provide unstructured collective learning experiences, where the possibilities of social software tools in learning and interaction processes are explored using face-to-face sessions that reflect social networked learning ideas (Leal Fonseca, 2011). At the University of Iceland - School of Education (UISE) the educamp model has been adapted and used in a variety of ways for different groups of teachers and teacher students to enhance technological knowhow, share practices and develop a social network. Educamps have for example been included in campus sessions for graduate and undergraduate students. During the last two school years, a series of educamp workshops at the UISE have been offered, linking teacher education staff and students with practicing teachers interested in ICT for teaching and learning at different school levels. During the first part of this workshop (15-20 minutes) the educamp model will be introduced briefly. Participants will then suggest interesting technology, digital resources etc. they would like to introduce to others (in a teacher role). The main part of the workshop will be divided into three periods (ca. 20 minutes x 3). Participants take turns being in a teacher or student role. In each period 1/3 of the group participants, spread around the room with their mobile devices and are in a teacher role while the others are in a student role. During the last part of the workshop participants will discuss their experiences of this type of workshop. Ideas will be collected about its relevance for participants' own practices and how this model could be used and developed further. The objective of the workshop is to provide opportunities for networking and for participants to learn about the Educamp model by experiencing it first hand. There is a pressing need to develop low-cost ways for teachers to stay more current with new technologies. Teachers can also use this method with their own colleagues or students to harness the knowledge and technological knowhow which exists in the professional or learning community and/or can be developed through interest driven and connected learning. Everyone who attends the workshop is required to participate, taking turns being in a student and a teacher role. An overview of presentations (e.g. on a Padlet, Mindmeister, Googledocs) will be provided as well as a summary of experiences, reactions and ideas for further use which will be e-mailed to participants after the workshop.