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The Inspirational Learning EJournal
Computer enthusiasts love to see children having fun playing with computer-based toys and games and making wonderful multi-media products. The important question is not ‘do they display learning skills in what they are doing? Of course they do. A better question is: ‘is there any evidence that these skills will transfer in a useful way to other contexts in their lives?’ In other words the activity, however creative or fun, needs to be framed in such a way that learning goals are made explicit and bridges are built between contexts.
Concept mapping is fun, but it also has serious potential for learning achievement. Creating mind maps is an activity where research indicates that children are more competent in presenting complex, abstract ideas than their teachers are. What a challenge to teachers if the teachers do not have enough resources and training to understand this new mode of communication. To many professional teachers, concept is a new and daunting concept especially as globally the majority of teachers are into middle age. Their experience and training in visual forms of communication are, therefore, limited.
MirandaNet Fellows, have found that concept mapping is an important means of helping teachers to understand multimedia forms of communication. In recognition of the success of using Inspiration software in ICT action research courses for teachers, Fellow are now working in partnership with Inspiratiion developers. As a means of Continuing Professional Development, Fellows are experimenting with the use of concept mapping in order to provide supportive resources and strategies for other teachers and learners. This stimulus material and case studies is intended to realise the potential of this exciting new mode of communication. Bridges will be built between what teachers know and understand, and this innovative means of communication which challenges the predominance of linear text.
At the core of this project will be the development of an Inspirational Learning Ejournal for teachers designed to increase the transformational use of Inspiration in schools and in teacher education and educational research. Four approaches are currently being suggested:
- The role of concept mapping in teaching and learning
- The role of concept mapping in continuing professional development and action research
- The role of concept mapping in self evaluation of learning
- The role of concept mapping in collaborative thinking skills and creativity activities
This powerful ejournal learning tool will give teachers, teacher educators and researchers guidelines and strategies for enriching, sharing and expanding their practice. The pack will eventually include:
- An explicit explanation of the cognitive components of concept mapping use
- Comprehensive references to concept mapping and the varied styles of use
- Case studies modelling teacher and researcher experiences
- Supportive templates to assist in the early stages (scaffolding) so that the teachers can move onto the learning stages of self-regulation and autonomy
- Online forums where teachers can articulate their cognitive and metacognitive strategies and to make comparisons with other learners (reflection);
- Forum opportunities to explore, identify and define new problems in a domain and be shown how strategies acquired in one domain can be used to solve problems in another domain
All the materials are being designed to work with Promethean ACTIVboards or interactive whiteboards. Hints and tips about using these boards to raise attainment and transform learning will also be an important aspect of the work
You can find out more about MirandaNet’s partnership with Inspiration on the website www.mirandanet.ac.uk under the Inspiration logo on the front page. Illustrations can be provided.
BETT Contact details
- Stand S97 Grand Hall Gallery
- Christina Preston: 07 8 01 336 048
- Maria Causon
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