Discussion and reflection on the Mobile Phones in Education Wiki

The task this time was to individually read linked resources to the topic for discussion and then analyse this using De Bono's Hats tool, then finally contribute our ideas to the wiki. 

My experience -
This is an interesting task to follow from the learning styles wiki as it continues with some of the same ideas but requires higher levels of ability.  While the content is interesting, I feel the real lesson in this activity is in what we actually did.  We had to add to our knowledge of analysis using PMI to include De Bono's Hats which is far more involved and requires you to look at information from more diverse perspectives.  It is yet another activity which has allowed others thoughts to be made transparent and allows for networking to continue.  The collaboration of information extended my thinking on the topic to include ideas that I had not thought of myself, reinforcing just how powerful collaborative learning is in enabling learners to acquire more information efficiently.  This input from others has the potential to change the way an individual perceives and reflects on information which could potentially make the learning more worthwhile and interesting.  The activity allows for people to voice their own opinions but it also can hide those in the cohort who are not participating. These people can be hidden and can take the information which has been added without gaining the benefits that participation allows (i.e. actually thinking about the information).

• So how does this link to learning theory?

This is collaboration and connectivism at work as individuals were asked to add their ideas to the wiki.  Behaviourism was involved through the reinforcement of behaviour.  This activity is constructivism in nature as we used our prior knowledge in assessment and added another tool to our assessing skills.  The information added to our knowledge which may be of benefit to our future career as teachers.  Further information on this topic was provided through the collaborative ideas that were posted on the wiki.  All five of the dimensions of learning were linked to this activity.

• How has this scaffolded my learning?

This activity has given me a tool which allows me to analyse information from multiple diverse perspectives and shown me how this can benefit myself in my own learning and how potentially this type of activity could prove very effective as a classroom activity.  This is a great stepping stone towards understanding the benefits of elearning opportunities.  It has reinforced my belief in the benefit of collaborative learning and shown me that this is a great way to extend individuals knowledge of topics and how it has the ability to change peoples perspectives.

• Why use a wiki for this activity?

A wiki is still a great tool to use for this type of collaborative information grouping.  It not only allows for extension of skills but knowledge and abilities as well.  The wiki allows all thinking to be transparent and easily built upon.  The wiki supports networking which is vital to continued education opportunities.