VLE- Assignment Two: Our Food, Our Heritage
Link to VLE Platform
Building on my previous school’s Heritage trail, I have started working with my colleagues to use the trail as a stimulus for a food project entitled “Our Food, Our Heritage”. Structured along the lines of problem-based learning, Year 9s form their team and approach the task as food journalists. Their aim is to come out with a presentation to discuss our local food. Their presentations can be in the form of podcasts, vodcasts, story book, journal, blog, game, quiz, etc.
What I am looking at will be mapping out pupils’ thought processes, metacognitive processes and presentation skills. It is only a dipstick to see how the scaffolds suggested for the project have helped pupils in these areas and to see how well the pupils are able to handle technology in a cooperative way. If possible, I will want to see the collaborative aspects of the project.
I am also looking forward to expand the scope of this project to collaborate with an Australian school so that Singapore pupils can exchange their findings and learn about Australian food as well. It will also be interesting to speak to schools around the world and exchange views on local food and customs. What an interesting way to teach National Education as well as other cultures of the world.
I have sketched my thoughts at http://www.twiddla.com/93303, it is a online collaborative environment which I hope my FLE friends will visit and add their thoughts at this map.
The location of Pei Hwa Secondary Singapore, Singapore, is indicated with the pin in the google map. Click on this hyperlink to see the map of the Jalan Kayu Heritage Trail.
Tim's Comments
Hi Judith,
I like the flexibility your project will offer to the students in terms of the different ways that they can express their learning.
One tension that I have struggled with in the past relates to the level of responsibility that I have to explicitly teach the students the tools to complete the task (ie. the ones you list under Discussion, Publication, Reflection). For example if I offer a video as a valid media format to submit an assignment, am I expected to teach the students how to do this well (good conventions + the technical bits). As a result of this subject I have had recent discussions with staff at our school on if/where we can teach some of the skills required to create the media you have offered. Particularly as sometimes we assume that all of the students are comfortable in using these tools because of their generation.
All the best with the project.
Tim.
Judith's reply
Thanks Tim for your input. I truly appreciate it.
I do understand the creative tension you face between technical and content skills. Part of the reason why I took on this module was to address part of this concern I have had for years. Thus, I tried to scope my project back to pedagogical concerns like discussion, reflections and scaffolds of a lesson. I hope to gain some insights with this project.
Back in Singapore we have a IT Masterplan for all schools and a ICT baseline from different levels. It tends to cover the basics like video editing, powerpoint creation, flash, word processing etc. So in a way, the pupils have no problems in realising these technical stuff- it is the quality of discussion I am more interested in.
Let's see how we go.
Cheers!
Judith
Julie's Comments
Hi Judith,
i like how this activity allows for children to express themselves in different ways, especially through the use of techonology! It would be so boring if the children had to report their learnings simply on pen and paper; but this the children something to be excited about!
Also, definitely love the networking of the Australian schools and learning about the other cultures. It will definitely stimulate the children's learning and give them something to look forward to when learning something new!
Best of luck!
Judith's Reply
Hi Julie,
Thank you for your comments.
Part of the reason for me to explore the use of online tools is to facilitate students group work. They have feedback many times that they find it difficult to meet.
Yes, I like the possibility of meeting different cultures across the miles through the topic on food. Do you think students from your country would like to be part of this? We could explore this possibility.
Cheers!
