ICT E-Learning Scenario 1 Activity B

From the scenario, we can see that Mrs Xing’s ICT lessons ended in a disaster and not having met the objectives she had set out before the lesson. I agree with Jin Xun that the learning objectives were not met due to Mrs Xing poor classroom management. As in any classroom setting, lessons conducted in a computer lab will also need good classroom management to ensure that learning can take place effectively. In her case, she had failed to manage her class effectively to ensure that lessons were conducted smoothly.

Based on the posts I read, many agreed that Mrs Xing should have set firm ground rules before the start of the lesson. I agree with this point as in a computer lab, firm ground rules like not switching on the computer and logging on to the internet until told to do so by the teacher will help Mrs Xing to manage her class. When these ground rules are set out as pre-emptive measures, the computer lab will not turn into a rowdy place. Moreover, Mrs Xing should have a seating plan for her students to conform (Chai and Wan eds, 2010). A seating plan will allow the teacher to have a control of students sitting arrangement and minimize talking and disruption. I think Mrs Xing can place the more talkative and weaker students in the front rows of the computer lab to give them close supervision.

I like Jin Xun’s idea of suggesting Mrs Xing to bring in additional laptops for the students whose workstations are not working properly. To ask those students whose workstations are not working properly to pair up with their classmates should be the last resort as this disrupts the learning of the two students and the other two who had to share the workstations with them. The students will not be able to get the fullest experience they could have when compared to using their own workstation.

Mrs Xing can bring in collaborative learning in this ICT lesson to help lessen her load and to manage the class properly. Many of us have suggested that the students can do peer editing to lessen Mrs Xing load and by doing peer editing, the students will be able to spot their peers mistakes and critique their essay. This is a good way to improve one’s writing skills. I would also like to suggest that for those students who finished faster than other students, a reward such as allowing them to surf the internet to research on more information for their essay would keep them occupied and not let them disturb the other students. Of course, the ground rule on not surfing on unrelated stuffs and gaming should be enforced.

I guess with better classroom management and clearer instructions, Mrs Xing would be able to make the essay edits lesson using ICT tools to its fullest potential and the students will be able to benefit from it.

References:

1. Chai, C.S. & Wang, Q.Y. Eds. (2002). ICT for self-directed and collaborative learning. Singapore: Pearson.

2. Video Clip on Secondary School level