Hi I'm Tom Kramer - Marcus Clark Learning Technology Mentor 2009
I'm excited about being a Learning Technology Mentor (LTM 2009). Its a programme that was commenced with great success last year and I wanted to carry on the work this year.
I'm a great believer in technology making life interesting (sometimes frustrating) and productive. As an avid follower of developments in the field for over 20 years, the march of PCs and IT has finally seemed to permeate all parts of work and social existence.
Around 4 years ago, I was exposed to a Learning Management System at UWS by a student who asked me to upload content. He wanted to be able to access it at home. What a revelation! The class seemed to be better prepared for lectures and more engaged. The impression that the unit was being taught in 'another' way added reassurance and another resource. However, those were early days, and these systems have subsequently been built with amazing features that go way beyond just capturing content.
There are amazing developments which energise students while saving teachers' time, effort and their social life. These include online assessments, videos, audio. journals (blogs), webinars etc etc.TAFE has all these available to you.
I went on to serve as a technology mentor at UWS in 2007. It was a satisfying time. I was involved with the introduction of a new version of the system which has taken learning to a new level and is now pervasive. It has succeeded in making devotees of teachers who were scared of new systems and has energised students.
Marion Ashworth and I will be co-operating as mentors in Marcus Clark during second term 2009. We look forward to meeting you and getting you excited about technology.
Please contact us. My email is (thomas.kramer@tafensw.edu.au) and Marion's is (marion.ashworth@tafensw.edu.au).
Sorting the wood from the trees ..
First week in. The options are amazing me. I'm going to spend the off-teaching fortnight fiddling & playing with as much of it as I can. The kids are getting excited about the mooted e-beam demonstration tonight (15APR). Wish us luck.
- Moodles
- Wikis
- E-Beam - not sure of its application in a business training context but I'm sure it will slap me in the face soon..
- Adobe Connect - The Travel & Tourism area is screaming for this. It is a means to attract evening students. Their enrolments have suffered lately. Casting the net wider through a virtual classroom may increase numbers.
- Anything else I can get my teeth into, subject to peer needs and wants.
2009 - 2010 - Case Study
Time moves on.
Over the course of three semesters - from Semester 1, 2009 through to Semester 2 2010. I've been involved in a huge, exciting learing curve. From shedding baby teeth through to becoming a teacher and administrator of my section's (Travel, Tourism and Events) foray into online teaching, it's continuing to be a great ride.
Please click on the link below to see our Wiki devoted to our ride. There's Moodle images to view and an Adobe Connect recording of a class conducted in JUNE 2010.
karensmentoring.sydneyinstitute.wikispaces.net/Travel+Tourism+and+Events
