Learning & ResearchJunior Camp Internship Programme | 16th June 2015

Gameli Adzaho | Webster University | Accra, GAR

Yesterday, we missed…

JCIP is the brainchild of Thelma Boamah

Education specialist

GT member (GT Diaspora)

SIT Graduate Institute alumnus

Won $10,000 grant from World Learning with support from GT Diaspora

Viewpoints on Learning

Knowledge is like the baobab….. Learning is a journey

Why Do We Learn?

To know and understand things

To gain new skills

To solve problems

Discussion: how do you learn?

Sources: Books, the Internet, people, places, media

Methods: reading, watching videos, working, playing, travelling

Learning: Digital Vs Traitional

Digital age

multi tasking

non linear approaches

processing discontinued information

iconic skills first

connected

collaborative

active

learning by playing

fantasy

technology as friend

Traditional

mono tasking

linear approaches

processing single information flows

reading skills first

stand alone

competitive

passive

separating learning and playing

reality

technology ?

Taken out from author Mark Prensky

Practical Tools for Learning

SQ3R

Critical Analysis

Portfolio

Concept Maps

SQ3R

Survey/Skim

Question

Read

Recite/Recall

Review

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dhcSP_Myjg

Critical Analysis

It involves thinking deeply about different parts of the material and how it all

ties in together

Ask yourself: “what does it mean to me and others”?

Model Analytical Framework

Reflect – be aware of your own reaction to the information

Question – the purpose, assumptions, implications of the text.

Identify – the line of argument in the text, the stance of the author

Evaluate – the strength/value of the argument – e.g. what evidence is used

to support the argument? Is it reliable/valid?

Compare – with other arguments, stances

What, How, Why, Where?

Activity

Working in pairs, extract the main info in assigned text using SQ3R

Critically appraise the material using the provided framework

Reflective Learning Reflection can be defined as the “process of internally examining and

exploring an issue of concern, triggered by an experience” (Boyd & Fales,

1983)

“I have not observed/learnt until I have made a record”

Gibb’s Reflective Cycle

Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of evidence that learning has taken place.

It can be in the form of a reflective diary or electronic records

Reports: text-based, images, videos, soundfiles, linklist with comments

Reflection on group work, practice, projects

It forces you to reflect on what you have learnt and how this can improve activities in the

future

This helps youn to become more critical thinkers and to develop writing and multimedia

skills

TUTOR

PEERSSTUDENT

STUDENT

Reflection Template

Learning

Activity/Experience

Date Backdrop Awareness What next? Date

Be specific! Date of your

experience/activity

What was the

situation?

What did I do well?

What did I do less

well?

What was I trying to

achieve?

What prior

knowledge/experienc

e(s) did I draw from?

What was I

thinking and

feeling?

What have I learnt

about myself and

my approach to

the situation?

What were the

consequences of

my

actions/behaviour

during the

activity?

How did others

respond to my

actions & what

might they have

been

thinking/feeling?

After time has

passed, do I

know look

back and

think

differently on

the

experience.

What might I

do differently

in the future?

How

successful

were these

changes in a

future

experience?

Date of

reflection or

changes

Source: University of Exeter Medical School

Concept Maps

A Concept map is a graphic that shows the connections between a

concept or topic with other concepts

By exploring various relationships, the learner gains deeper insights into a

subject matter, and its larger implications

Aids easy recall of definitions, facts, etc

Building Concept Maps

Start with the main idea

Determine the key concepts

Rank the ideas from most general

to specific

Connect concepts using linking

words/phrases

Tools:

Paper & pen/pencil

Digital tools: bubble.us,

text2mindmap.com

In Summary

Reflection aids learning, and this can be done with the aid of various tools

SQ3R is an effective way to extract information from text

Critical analysis enables learners to get to the facts behind information

received

Concept maps makes it easier to recall facts, link topics together, and

brainstorm ideas

A portfolio or reflective diary helps one to take stock of progress of learning

Thanks. Questions?