ICTS For Learning Design Wk 1 Learning Activities

Hi everyone,

Here are my responses to the Learning Activities for Week 1.

Q1 - Think about your own education -- what has it resembled to date? Was it a remnant of the Industrial Age or was it based around the skills required for the 21st century?

To be honest I do not recall much of my primary school days, however I do remember not much emphasis being placed on the new technologies evolving during that period such as the computers and the internet. These types of things would become crucial in the new knowledge economy, however even though their use and popularity were beginning to boom, the opportunities to learn these new technologies were few and far between. Even in my early years in high school in the late 90's, we were still being taught to use typewriters rather than computers. Other subjects such as cooking and sewing had more emphasis in the classroom than new technologies essential to the new knowledge economy. It wasn't until my senior high school years when we were allowed to select our subjects that the opportunity to use these technologies became more available. I think that only in the last 8-10 years has there been a dramatic shift towards the new knowledge economy and the skills and processes the younger generation need to succeed in this new economy have only started to be taught in the same period of time.

Q2 - Future work was written 10 years ago. Think about where we are now and the rapid changes that have occurred even since this article was written.

The rapid advancements in technology in the past decade have forced a definite change in the way of teachers and teacher education alike. The introduction of CQ University's Bachelor of Learning Management degree has seen a shift from the traditional mode of teaching such as "chalk and talk" to more innovative and effective ways that will help learners succeed in the world of the knowledge economy. Even now teachers are being referred to as learning managers because they do not just teach students but facilitate/manage their learning journeys. The strategies behind this degree are research-based and have been proven successful in the learning environment.

Another change we have noticed just recently, is the governments' attitudes towards education. The Australian Federal Government has promised Australians an "education revolution" and just recently unveiled it's draft for a National-based curriculum which will be rolled out from 2011. The government has also responded to this promise by supplying teachers with laptop computers and also unveiling a national broadband plan which will offer premium broadband services for the country. These moves by not only the Federal government, but also State and Local governments alike, show that they are aware of the necessity to educate the younger generation in such a manner to prepare them for the future, in this case the knowledge economy

There has also been an obvious shift from teaching in what we call Mode 1 knowledge and making it more transdisciplinary in the sense that learners are also being taught both Mode 1 & 2 knowledge.

Q3 - How does the author differentiate between Mode 1 and 2 knowledge and what implications does this have for you as a teaching professional?

From what I gathered after reading this article, the main difference between Mode 1 & 2 knowledge is the fact that the former is typically disciplined-based meaning it focuses on mainly one area of study, whereas when learning Mode 2 knowledge, learning experiences can be expected to cover a number of different KLA's. Mode 1 knowledge is usually produced on an individual basis, whereas Mode 2 knowledge can be characterised as being produced in teams. This point is particularly relevant to being successful in the new knowledge economy as it requires problem-solvers who are able to work together in groups to solve problems.

Q4 - How do Smith and Mienczakowski ideas work, or conflict with the three readings above?

After reading the first three articles provided for Week 1, it was clear the the authors were all adamant that there needed to be a shift in thinking in regards to education because of the demands of the knowledge economy. The works of Smith and Mienczakowski seem to describe strategies and theories which have been proven to be successful in the learning environment after extensive research on the topic. I think one point which they have made clear in their work, is that teachers/learning managers to become experts in regards to pedagogical knowledge and strategies rather than focus on the content being taught within the learning experiences.

Another point is that the previous three articles read before that of Smith and Mienczakowski stated in one way or another teachers must now be workplace-ready and futures-oriented to successfully manage the learning of their students. The Bachelor of Learning Management that has thus been introduced due to the research of such people as Smith and Mienszakowski is teaching our future teachers how to become successful learning managers.

Q5 - Post a synopsis of your ideas

To be a successful learning manager in the new knowledge economy, it is important that we gain substantial expertise in the area of pedagogical content knowledge and as a whole the concept of learning management. To be workplace-ready and futures-oriented means that we as learning managers will be able to handle any problems thrown our way, because in essence to be a successful student of the knowedge economy is to become a lifelong learner and good problem-solver. Understanding and gaining these skills may seem to be difficult but it is important to remember that it is courses such as this one that help us understand the ever-growing knowledge economy and that we ourselves as learning managers are too lifelong learners and need to adapt to any new knowledge presented.

Q6 - How valid are the speakers ideas about social capital and family values in today's children?


Teaching in the 21st century has dramatically changed in the last 10 years. I remember when I was at school, I either felt two ways about my teachers. I either was scared of them or I respected them. In today's society, it could be said that schools are a lot more dangerous than what they used to be. There are many suggestions as to why this is so, such as children having a lack of respect, videogames, bad parenting, etc. However it is hard to single-out the reasons behind it all. One thing that can be said is that everyone in society has a duty to play some role in helping sort out the problems faced in not only schools but society as a whole. As teachers today, we must not only teach our students the content presented on the curriculum but also about respect and values. It cannot be left totally up to the teachers though. Children need to be taught about these sorts of things in the different surroundings that they immerse themselves in outside of school. For example, parents should also take a large part of the responsibility for teaching their children about these things. Sadly, however, in today's society we are frequent to more unstable home enviroments and this is where other people in society must pick up the slack such as sporting coaches, extended family, etc. If children are not taught these things at school, how can they be prepared for life after school.