afroditi's weblog

Link to Assignment 2 / Part 2 - Individual Task

abousnakis — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:30:22 +0000

Here is the link to my page displaying the second part of assignment 2 - the indivual task:

http://abousnakis.edublogs.org/assignment-2-part-2-individual-task/

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The Communication Bug!

abousnakis — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:42:24 +0000

Well, I am concentrating on the next assignment, which is affectionately called the Communication Bug.

Anne-Marie and I wanted to create a community where teachers could go on line and share their materials and resources with eachother. Because I come from a teaching background, I really feel that this was an important community to be part of. I feel that this is something that is missing within the teaching community, and also something that would be of great benefit to colleagues who are in different geographical locations.

I think I will mention this to my teaching friends and see what they think of it too.

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Assignment 1 / Part 2

abousnakis — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:16:09 +0000

Here is the link to my assignment 1 part 2.

http://abousnakis.edublogs.org/assignment-1-part-2/

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Reading: Communities of Practice - Etienne Wegner

abousnakis — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:06:56 +0000

Wegner’s read on Communities of Practice was quite extensive… he goes into great detail of the structure of these communities, which is very helpful since we are actively participating in leaning communities ourselves! Getting an understanding of how these communities are structured, the purpose of their design and the social perspectives involved adds new meaning to being an active participant in a social learning environment.

I think the following quote from Wegner’s article sums it all up:

‘Learning – whatever form it takes – changes who we are by changing our ability to participate, to belong, to negotiate meaning’ (pp226).

I believe that this is what communities of practice aim to do. Even though Wegner argues that these communities can’t be designed, it is the experiences of the members that form the content and directs these communities take. The processes, policies and systems that these communities live by can be architecturally designed, but not the community itself.

I find this is true when it comes to my learning community - the Thorn Tree travel forum. Its quite clear that there is a structure to the community that has been designed, certainly in order to keep all the information clear and easy to find. But the content itself is shaped by all the experiences of the travellers - where to stay, what to do, where to visit etc. This is the living system that the leaning community survives by - the interaction of the members is vital to the community.

The focus of chapter 10 (learning Architectures) is on the four dimension of design.

Participation and Reification generally talks about practice and identity. It also includes negotiating meaning, and making sure that the tools are in place that are needed for learning to take place (eg. schedules, curriculums, procedures).

The Designed and The Emergent states that it is the emergent character that gives practice and identity the opportunity to negotiate new meanings. Practice is also a response to design, and so innovation is important.

The Local and The Global component of design discusses the relationships within communities and the way they interact on different levels. Connections amongst new localised communities enables a global construction.

Identification and Negotiability outlines that design must set up a framework – but this framework can be negotiated in practice. This component of design also discusses the creation of a focus for identification and non-identification.

Chapter 11 (Organisations) focuses on organisational design within the four components outlined above. Wegner states that in this case, design can be institutional (a designed organisation) or a collection of practices.

This chapter also talks about learning and practice in organisations which is of particular interest to me and my career. Wegner discusses how training should focus on practice and seek points at which design can scaffold and support learning, rather than just providing leaning opportunities which are extracted out of practice. He also states that the focus should be on developing the learning potential of an organisation, not just designing and delivering courses.

In addition, communities of practice are identified by Wegner as being the ‘social fabric of learning’. This is because they are valuable assets to learning, as they are key to an organisation’s competence. This is because communities of practice live within organisations and help sustain the kinds of identity that allow participants to take active responsibility for some aspect of organisational learning. Learning is transferrable and an asset – so the more you members are skilled, the better the overall organisation will perform.

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Busy on Thorn Tree!

abousnakis — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:46:36 +0000

We, not only do I get to lean more about the destination I want to travel too, but I am also helping out a fellow emt1-er! Prue and her partner are visiting Germany this year, and has therefore asked me to gather some info for her from my travel learning community.

Part if their trip is travelling along the Rhine - so I have had some great responses from people out there advising of the best town to stay in, and what the best itineraries are. Not only do people comment on places to visit and suggested itineraries, but also attractions, prices, timeing, accommodation and heaps more!

Helping out Prue means I am actively learning stuff on topics that interest me, and then reinforce it by passing it onto Prue - so we both benefit!!

If anyone would like me to contribute to the Thorn Tree Travel Forum on their behalf on a location around the worls they are travelling to or have a special interest in, just let me know.

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Prague anyone?

abousnakis — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:17:54 +0000

So while I have helped a few people out with their travel plans, it is now my turn to seek some advice. I am going to stage my questions one at a time over the coming weeks in order to monitor the differences in responses.

My first question has been about Prague. My husband and I recently decided that we wanted to make a diversion to the Czech Republic on our way to the Greek Isalnds this year. Not knowing much about the country or the city, I have posted my question on my e-learning community (Lonely Planet’s the Thorn Tree Forum). It will be interesting to see what people come up with!! Similarly, if you have any feedback or comments for me on Prague, then please respond…

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Well and truely part of a learning community…

abousnakis — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:36:55 +0000

So I am really addicted to the Thorn Tree Travel forum. I just love providing advise to people on their esxciting vacations, but also love getting feedback on my trip to the Greek Isands this year.

Neuschwanstein castle in Germany

So far I have helped out a Mexican guy who wants to travel to Neuschwanstein castle in Germany/Austria, and another guy who wants to stay in alternate non-mainstream pleaces in France and Italy… Half the fun is reminiscing and keeping the memories real!

Neuschwanstein castle in Germany

I wish I had known about this last year when I was planning our big European adventure - I would have saved so much money from buying books, but also leant so much from oher people’s real world expereices. A community like this provides such neiche feedback - its time conserving when travelling, and convenient as well. A great package!!

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Week 5 Readings

abousnakis — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:42:03 +0000

Social learning - Chapter 2 Ian R. Cornford

This chapter outlines 2 major perspectives of social learning: the history and it’s imortance and Bandura’s observational learning model.

The history goes into detailng the perspectives of Piaget and Vigotsky - two theroists from the twentieth century. Piaget’s theory (Genetic Epistemological Theory) focussed on intellectual stages which are outlined by ages - and what the developmental properties of that stage are. He focussed on the cognitive functions and social interaction.

Vygotsky’s theory was based on the Social-Cognitive approach. His theory endeavoured to explain the links between the development of children’s behaviour and their cognitive processes with socialisation and language. He also refers to theories of scaffolding and readiness - teachers/parents providing support as they attempt to learn behavious.

Bandura’s social learning theory looks into the social, cognitive and physical aspects of learning. His Observational Learning Model accounts for a way to learn effectively through observation of others and modelling. The stages include:

1. the attentional processes (including modelled events and observer attributes)

2. the retention process (cognitive construction and observer attributes)

3. the production process

4. and motivational processes

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Assignment 1 / Part 1

abousnakis — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:49:16 +0000

here is the link to my assignment: http://abousnakis.edublogs.org/assignment-1-part-1/

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Found a community…

abousnakis — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:04:16 +0000

After searching the net and with Anne’s assistance, I have now been accepted into an e-learning community.

This is the first time for me (an virgin of some sort you could say) as I don’t even belong to FaceBook or My Space or any of that stuff (shock! horror!).

So I have joined the Lonley Planet Thorn Tree Travel Forum http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/login.jspa. My husband and I did some travelling last year and are off again this year so being part of this community will definately be fun and worthwhile!

Really looking forward to it - I have noticed though that it is addictive and need to stop getting caught by my boss…

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