Week 1: WikiSpace's activity; Multiple Intelligences + PMI scaffolding.

Honestly, before Managing E-Learning, I had no idea what the concept or even heard of this newly found website "Wikispaces". Essentially and realistically, it can be quite useful within a classroom situation. Wikispaces involves collaborative and individual learning allowing the learning manager to apply the scaffolding structure within the wikispace. The students can easily access this website and engage in activities instructed by the learning manager.

This is introducing the student's to ICT Tools and data collecting through the computer and internet resources, rather than collecting data on paper. This technology approach if used effectively and with no errors (computer issues etc) can be less time consuming and more engaging for the learners in this specific generation.

Individually I studied the learning theory of Gardner's Multiple intelligence and framed the PMI scaffolding tool within the wikispace to make a clear understanding of the information I had collected from the website. The PMI scaffolding tool breaks down the information into a plus, minus and interesting sector. Before scaffolding the information into the PMI framework, I had developed background information for fellow students to have an understanding of Gardner's Multiple intelligences.

The PMI framework is on a personal note very successful. Not only is it a scaffolding tool which students can easily follow, it categorises into three sections: plus, minus and interesting. The students following a certain article or topic can note some plus and minus factors within the information and what they find interesting about this certain topic.  

The PMI scaffolding tool can be set out like this example:

It is sufficient, neat and idealistic to be used for teaching purposes as this task can be used in a variety of activities such as:

• Brainstorming activities (Hot Potato etc)
• Individually collecting information to be shared with the entire class makes it efficient and less time consuming
• Collaborative learning (data collecting within a group, helping to select a decision)
• Scaffolding tool that could be used when collecting information from the internet.
• Teaching style that learning manager can use within class discussions.

Using the PMI scaffolding tool within task 1 made the activity less time consuming with a more direct approach and focus within the information that I recieved from the website. It makes the information have a more formal approach by the information being displayed into three seperate contexts. As a future educator, I would personally use this scaffolding tool within my classrooms and results in a higher order thinking strategy for the learners.

References

Screenshots displayed:

Wikispaces Page
http://fahe11001mackay.wikispaces.com/Gardner%27s+Multiple+Intelligences

MindTools.com
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_05.htm