Revisit Learning Theory

It's been a while since I finished my masters and whilst trying to find an old poster that I used to sum up learning theory I found the following concept map produced by Richard Millwood which was even better than my original. It is very well constructed and serves as a great summary of a vast subject.

Figure 1 - Learning Theory Concept Map (Millwood, 2013)

Several years on from completing my masters it is clear that my approach to teaching has changed. For years like many in my environment I have adopted an instructivism approach where I have taken a lead role like an actor on the stage reading and presenting a script of learning to my audience, working with educational objectives from Bloom's Taxonomy although albeit a modified version. The construction of power points presentations to support learning within the classroom and provide a road map for the session has been a tried and tested method. Now the presentations take a back seat, still there and still enhanced but mainly for the students to go over after the event on the ELE. They still form a part of my lesson structure but mainly act as guidance to keep me on track.

Many of my lessons now focus around the construction of knowledge rather than the instruction of knowledge. Groups work together to solve problems by doing something and one of the best tools I have for completing this is the model shown in Figure 2. A complete process model on the desktop that represents a fully working process. Learners are thrown in the deep end usually in pairs to solve a realistic task without any help from me. This is experiential learning at its best what in reality would be a dangerous situation which is broken down into a number of problem solving activities.

Figure 2 - IPC200 Process Control Model

Students get a great deal of self satisfaction getting it wrong, revising their approach and experimenting whilst they gain an understanding of a system they have never met before. They get wet and make mistakes before they learn that a systematic approach and analysis of the problem is required before delving straight into the controller.

On completion they reflect and construct a operational sequence chart on a wiki whilst the next group starts the process again. Once all groups are finished the wikis are compared and a final solution agreed. It is clear that the learner is is not a passive recipient of knowledge because I haven't passed on any information the learners have had to construct it.

What's more important it is clear the groups enjoy this learning and look for more activities like it. I am gradually obliging them, this activity just forms one a number of problem based learning activities which I continue to review as each course passes by.

References
Millwood, R.(2013) Learning Theory Concept Map. [Online] available from
http://cmapspublic3.ihmc.us/rid=1LGVGJY66-CCD5CZ-12G3/Learning%20Theory.cmap (Accessed  09 Jan 2015).

Memory Lane Part 2

Who'd believe that I retired from Refereeing football over twenty years ago after having served in West Devon and then Staffordshire for 12 years, before retiring at the age of around 30. In fact I took a break when my children were young and never went back. Retiring from the Staffordshire Senior league and Northern Premier league in 1991. I started in my last year at school when a certain John Maynard encouraged all the football team to take the course as it would be good for us.

Only a few of us went on to referee and I rose up through the local leagues to reach class 1 at the tender age of 19 and I hit the local newspaper as  I had broke some record in doing so.

My first outing to Home Park ( home of Plymouth Argyle for the uneducated) can be seen on the right was at the tender age of 17. Here I had been distracted by Nicky Bennett who used to be in the same school team as me. As I rose up the ranks so did many of my team mates and in fact I can remember booking a few of them along the way. I went on to referee or line at many great grounds both north and south, but resigned gracefully when I moved to Kent.

I sometimes regret stopping refereeing, I was on my way and young enough to make the big time but never got higher than the Northern Premier league with few FA Cup preliminaries and the odd amateur league final thrown in along the way.  I also wonder what would have happened if I'd kept playing and often look back with some regret here, life in the middle could be quite lonely I and wasn't a bad player.

I saved all sorts of memorabilia which may appear in a later blog but  I couldn't resist popping a couple of newspaper clippings here. The article to the left is my first fixture, Rangers Youth A v St Budeaux Athletic with fellow Burrington School first team players and good friends Nigel Thorne and Sam Sanderson getting what must have been their first fixtures too.

On reflection there are some other names on the fixtures that day that were soon to become very good friends.  Referees, Allan Roserveare, Vic Mason and Larry Hambly, who is the other linesman in the photo above. There was also a certain Brian Marshall on duty that day at Saltash he was a a very strong influence and an ex football league ref, sadly he died before I left Plymouth in 89.

A trip down Memory Lane

Something happened at work this week and it caused me to reflect on leaving BT back in 1995 and in particular one of the reasons why I left. Whilst a trainer in BT I took a contract to visit Nigeria and provide some training in 1992 and as a result of the success I was offered a further contract the following year to go to The Gambia which my boss refused. This was fair enough I had my teaching commitments but the following year a contract in Bangladesh was also refused and this time there was no reason, therefore this became a contributing factor for me moving on. This started me thinking I knew I had some records in the loft and thought I would revisit the trip to Nigeria and record it on my blog. Technology has moved on it has been almost 25 years since my trip to Nigeria so I thought I would have a bit of fun compile some information about the trip. I am going to add to this as I research more.

Class of 92 - You should be able to spot me :-)
Charles Ndefo, Chris Ashikodi, Sigismund Bademosi, Vincent Odunlami, Ebenezer Anjorin, Emele Kalu,  Ifeanyi Ukwanna, Owdade Aborode
Emmanuel Adeneye, Yekini Kareem, , Steve McGowan, Samuel Aro 

My Driver - the name will come back to me

The business end then, and into my classroom, the facilities were more than adequate back then I had an OHP whiteboard and flip chart what else did I need. I had also prepared a number of video walk throughs and a several boxes of photographic slides.

 My view looking into the class a varied and interesting group of Nitel Engineers with qualifications that ranged from HNCs to Degrees but all wanted to soak up all I had to say. I was in my late twenties and although I was under a lot of pressure I was well prepared. Just look at the quality of the notes provided, all having been brought with me through customs. I knew from the off that I had to hold back the notes I had been warned that some of my students may not come back once they had all the notes. Unfortunately Nigeria being Nigeria back then I had had all my pens, calculators and various other goodies removed but for some reason my notes didn't interest them.

 Obviously it wasn't all work the weekends were free and I was fortunate to be staying with two seasoned overseas BT planners, I remember their names, Frank Day and Dave Hardman, both were a great help and certainly looked after me. During the weekends I was shown a few sights and had opportunity to lay on  few of the local beeches, We had to be carful but as long as we were sensible it would be fine, well we thought so anyway.

Dave Hardman with the locals.

I found the whole experience fascinating and sat for hours chatting to the locals who would happily climb trees and feed me on coconuts and fruit. I in return would give them a few Nara or let them have my hat or the odd football shirt. 

Oranges for all, this was one shirt they didn't want but all my football shirts  never made it back to the UK.

The beeches were lined with tropical plants and palms, very quiet and a very relaxing before returning to the classroom on the Monday, The course was three weeks long and there was little time either end to enjoy Nigeria so I made the most of the weekends.

Just one of the many beautiful beeches outside of Lagos..

Sadly it was not all good news and some of the consultants working on behalf of Telconsult in the group had decided to visit a religeous shrine and gardens on the Sunday. It was a long drive and I didn't fancy wasting an oportunity to relax in the sun. Needless to say Frank, Dave and I lounged around the pool, played tennis and cooked some burgers. That evening news broke that a car containing Peter Barratt and David Parsons had been highjacked. Both had been shot David died at the scene having been shot in the neck area, he bled to death, although press releases later stated that it was a head wound. Peter had been shot twice but the bullets appeared to miss any vital organs.

On the Monday I returned to teaching somewhat apprehensive but I had to continue the course. On the journey home Monday evening my car broke down. I had a driver who's job was to look after me but I was stranded on the side of the road, somewhat concerned given what had happened the day before. Then something amazing happened a taxi pulled up and i the front seat was Peter he had been shot twice and was being moved from one hospital to another. They gave me a lift back to my flat on the way which gave me a change to find out what had happened. Peter was still shaken and David who had known for years had not survived so heaven only knows what Peter must have been feeling at this time.

I will add to this as I find more information twenty years on and some technology advancements mean I should be able to add to this article. Will I be able to track down Dave and Frank?

Something completely different

I thought I would share my summer project with my readers. This year the OU have changed the start time of the module I tutor and a pleasant outcome has been a summer free of marking. With all this spare time on my hands I set to a little project at the top of the garden. The shed was constructed last year and this was detailed in a  Previous blog entry this stage was to create a decking area and make more use of the land at the top of the garden.

Before Having disposed of the old shed

A baron land was transformed last year with the introduction of a shed, well 'Man Cave'. It's a retreat for me to relax and unwind and this summer has seen me expand on this and create a decking area around it all part of the master plan to make the top of the garden more usable because the views are fantastic especially in the winter when all the leaves have fallen.

 I won't bore you with all the details just share a few pictures.

The same view after project completion.

Finally looking up the garden its a climb to get there and the next stage is to line the footpath with a few hand rails to make coming back down easier. This summer I will look at tidying up the middle section, ideas are welcome.

The view up the garden

I now have a little retreat where a peaceful evening can be spent in peace and almost quiet. However I have to say its been a really pleasant change and I one of the most relaxing summer breaks I have had.

Its been a busy year

Without getting in to detail those of you that know where I work will know there as been some upheaval  as I was moved to temporary teaching accommodation for twelve months  whilst my normal teaching block was refurbished. Now I have been back in for 6 months I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Its fair to say that it actually went quite smoothly looking back and it was worth the upheaval I think.

I have however been able to change a few things and one particular change has been the introduction of a multi-purpose IT and online learning environment, Where un-hindered internet access comes into the classroom for both project work and teaching. I don't think my colleagues quite realise what facilities I have offered up. The journey continues.

Throughout my masters I shared the limitations I was presented with in a strictly controlled learning environment and thankfully they are now starting to relax a little. Now I just need to get a few more fellow practitioners on board and see the room get more use. I guess it will take a while.