garyshort.org

On the surface with limited information it sound exciting. I have questions though:
1. What do you mean by "revision material?" Stuff that has been gone over in the class and is needed to pass the test?
2. Just because you give a keyring usb/mp3 player does not mean they will automatically listen. As always I have a concern about content presentation.
Will the material be in a format that the kids will want to listen to and retain? How do you know they aren't going to overwrite and put what they feel is important - i.e. spending quality time with "Britney and Jenna" or listening to the latest boy band.
3. Sponsorship of educational material, I know it is early in the game but will Coca-Cola want to sponsor a section on nutrition and will they have a hand in content development? Or are the kids going to craft the content? Or if you are doing a segment on human reproduction will the existing combatants have equal access to present their point of view? Or prevent the class from hearing anything but their point of view?
I know, too much too soon but I am curious always.

Gena

Hi Gena,

Firstly, hello and thanks for stopping by. Next, let me take your points as you expressed them.

1. By revision material I mean content that has been created to help with the reinforcement phase of learning, not a replacement for the teacher actually teaching the subject matter.

2. You are so right; but then again a teacher can't produce any material and be certain that a pupil will use it. What makes it more likely that they will use this is that it's in a medium they are already into and they will have a hand in creating it. So, even if they don't use it, they are still getting reinforcement by the act of creating the content. Sneaky eh? :)

3. With regard to sponsorship, you are right, it is early in the game. I've not really thought about it, but I wouldn't see sponsoring companies having a hand in the creation of the content, that would be under the direction of the teaching staff as they are best placed to decide on content. The sponsoring companies would (for example) provide branded pen drives and / or MP3 players with their logos on, that sort of thing only.

Hope this answers your questions, if not get back to me, and I hope you will stay tuned to see how it turns out. :)

Hi,

I am currently working at the Central University of Technology, Free State in South Africa. I do loads of research into academic innovation most of which I have just started. I have also recently started a blog that I am sad to say I neglect.

Please read my views on Podcating in Higher Education. http://academicinnovation.blogspot.com/2006/10/uses-for-podcasting-at-tertiary.html
I hope you find it to be of some value!

Nico Baird

Thanks Nico, very interesting

Gary have a look at http://filmsforlearning.org I'm working with the lead school to take this further. It would be great to see your work with Students published up on the site. The site is free to use, and the only ask is that users look to see if they can contribute a film to increase the learning opportunity.

Cheers
Paul