Q4U

my thoughts on leighs posting on his blog about Q4u and flexible learning.  I have got to agree on this except i sometimes feel stiflled on only being able to offer our students the basic learning of computing, and the level 2 and 3 computing.  I would dearly loved to teach my students the new technology that we are learning and be able to show them just how wonderful some of the new software available is.  Example is Camtasia, wow, just to show my students the exciting features and capability of this programme.  I think more of our students would come back if they new we could show them this and get them to have a go themselves, they would love it.  My ambition would be to show all the fantastic things i am learning and to pass it on to them, but at the moment  this is not in our course content, but roll on when we can.

jacquie u tube

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9h45p2wSA

response to another students blog

well dangerous daves den,  was a real interesting one to respond to, as i believe he is really on the right track.

I believe what he is saying about the institute being competitive, and to reach those people not able to get to our venues.  A day would not go by without getting an inquiry about students wanting us to come to their town and teach computing.

We have now opened up Cmmunity Larning Centres in Balclutha, and i belive maybe Milton? but i do know that there is a real need out there, of students wanting to do flexible learning.

There are lots of students at remote locations wanting flexible learning and hey why not take it out to them?  I have students in Mosgiel who would love to come to a course run out here, who have completed their National Certificate in Computing and want to do some other course that are run in town, but because they are workers and cant afford to take time off work to go to polytechnic through the day, would be able to do the course at night, this is where flexible learning comes into it.  We have 4 community learning venues in the Dunedin area, and my own personal thoughts are to utilise these venues with not only teaching computing, but other subjects run at the polytechninc.  Bring learning out to the students, and give everyone a chance to learn.   The student will still have a facilitator, to help them, but if the lecturer has written the course content in an easy and understandable manner, and It is easily accessible on blackboard, then why not give it a go

jacquie’s flexible learning

hi again, well i have just got back from yes more training with leigh and bronwyn and thanks you guys for all your patience, so hopefully now you will now see my new blog.

my thoughts on Flexible Learning

On reflection of my career, i am a flexible learner tutor, at the Community Learning Centre, so I feel very privileged to work with students from all walks of life, and different kinds of learning styles, and watching them grow with confidence, on the subjects we teach.

I can remember my days at school, and  like many others, have some horror stories, I could tell about the way i was taught and the teacher whom I was taught by, and unfortunately this still carries on, generation after generation and I am one of those tutors who (challenged some times) is to build the students confidence up again and get them to believe in themselves, and for them to realise that we all have different ways of learning.

Some of our students are visual learners, some of them aural,some just like to look at the books and get right into it, but in the end, the outcome seems to be the same.

I get to have one on ones with our students, and believe that giving them the direction of where the course in heading, and what is required of the student, giving them the time frame of the course and then being there to facilitate for them if needed is a great way to learn.

I do agree that when a course is on-line that you do need a considerable amount of direction from the tutor, before you begin, and have workshops available  face to face, when the going gets tough. I think the lines of communication need to be open all the time, and have a good help system available as well.

Our Venues are open from 8.30am to 9.00pm most days and also through the weekend so giving the students availablity to come in and learn, instead of having a set time table class workshop.  We find this especially great for working students, who can come in after their day of work.

I feel there is always a need for a teacher/classroom learning, but feel its good for the teacher to go to the students some time and really get to know the students situation/life and learning styles.

I have set up a delicious account for my flexible learning course.

What is Flexible Learning

Flexible Learning is offering students the flexibilitiy to study, and learn, in their time.  All students have different learning techniques, so being able to study at their convenience, on their timetable, and at their pace, puts the responsibility back on that student to learn. Some students struggle to learn in a sterile environment of a class room,  thus making it hard for the student to understand why they are failing at the course.  Some students learn better in a non-threatning environment, where they are not getting rushed through a subject by a teacher. (who are under pressure to get their units taught in a particular time frame.) 

Jacquie’s Blogg

I am currently working for Otago Polytechnic, at the Mosgiel Community Learning Centre, teaching Level2 and Level 3 Computing.  We are soon going to be offering Level 2 Business Admin which i am looking forward to.

I am doing my Graduate Certificate in Level 7 Adult Education and this is all thanks to Heather Day and Willie Campbell for offering me this path of learning.  Last year I complete my National Certificate in Level 4 and Level 5 Adult Education and now working on completing my Diploma and my Graduate Certificate, so its a busy year.