Comments for Punya Mishra's Web

Comment on All you can cheat, part II (a response) by Buckdat

Buckdat — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Hello Punya! Thank you for sharing! A very nicely crafted post!

Comment on TPACK (was TPCK) by Digital Storytelling: A Powerful Technology Tool for the 21 Century Classroom at Digital Storytelling

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:04:42 +0000

[...] and interesting review of digital storytelling, its process and how one can analyze it in the TPCK (technological, pedagogical content knowledge) [...]

Comment on Video Bingo in Alabama: Tech & change by Andy

Andy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:41:38 +0000

I think you are right… we create the “tool” (i.e. video bingo) out of some happy coincidence or need for efficiency (or an affinity for quickly moving colors and pictures)… then, over a period of time, the tool “creates” us (a la Vygotsky). Eventually, video bingo irreparably changes that which used to be bingo and/or what “fellowship hall game” really means to humans — not sure if it gets closer to or further from the Platonic form. I don’t think it happens all at once or in a predictable path. Like you said, at first it is just a pretty lame analogue with untapped transformative potential… but I think “how” it changes us and what affordances are exploited depends on who takes up the mantel most forcefully. Is it the capitalists or the altruists/progressives? How often does the “invisible hand” of capitalism push me in a direction that is ultimately good for my well-being? The more salient question for those in our field is who is driving change and the exploration of educative possibilities in online and multimedia learning? Can we ever truly lead in a capitalistic society? I think we play the role of the reactionary save those few fleeting instances where the ideals of capitalism, beneficial human advancement, and altruism align. Beyond that, I’m not sure we will ever redirect and harness the power of the Glauconian soul.

Comment on SITE 2008 Keynote by Mike P

Mike P — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:10:32 +0000

Awesome keynote. Thanks a lot.

Comment on All you can cheat, the web & learning by Punya Mishra

Punya Mishra — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:19:44 +0000

Jacquie, did you get a chance to read my more recent blog post in response to Patrick’s comment. You can find it at http://punya.educ.msu.edu/2009/11/13/all-you-can-cheat-part-ii-a-response/

thanks for reading (and posting your thoughts) ~ punya

Comment on TPACK Survey(s), now available by Singapore Survey

Singapore Survey — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:52:39 +0000

Hi, I found your site when i was searching for websites related to survey. I must say, your site is good. I like the layout too, its pleasing. I don’t have much time at the moment to slowly read your blog but I have noted it and I also registered for your RSS feed. I will return in a day or two. Thanks for a great website.

Comment on All you can cheat, the web & learning by Jacquie

Jacquie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:19:13 +0000

I agree with Patrick, the implications for writing test questions are enormous… However, if done correctly it should be able to give a much better picture of the student as a learner and their progress.

Comment on All you can cheat, part II (a response) by Punya Mishra

Punya Mishra — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:35:44 +0000

Stewart, Thanks for your note. You get it exactly right. Why should education be about (as you so aptly note) “tricking students, about placing little traps to trip them up.” If you see my previous posting about teaching for anticipation – it is all about “showing them the end”, the big picture as it were.

Back in May I conducted a workshop on creative teaching for MSU faculty and one of the ideas we came up with was giving students the final exam the first day of the class – not to evaluate them (though it could be a pre-test of sorts) but rather to let them know what they would be learning in the upcoming semester. Then when they do get to the final exam, you can compare (or better still) ask them to compare their performance on the first test to the one taken at the end of semester.

In my experience students, even at the end of the semester, don’t often realize what they have learned, or how they have changed over the past few months of engagement with content. It all happens oh, so gradually. By giving them the final test at the beginning and then again at the end of the semester you can make apparent to them just how much they have learned.

Additionally, the first test, as you said, shows them the end and raises the possibility of finding their own way. And if everything really works out, they could find a new end! How cool would that be.

Comment on All you can cheat, part II (a response) by Stewart Sternberg

Stewart Sternberg — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:36:45 +0000

I have been encouraging my students to cheat for some time. I remember a long time ago a speaker at a professional development session said: “Let the kids see the test. Give it to them at the beginning of every unit. Why not? Show them where you’re heading. Let them see it. Be transparent.”

I loved that philosophy. It’s not about tricking students, about placing little traps to trip them up, but about showing them the end and letting them find their own way, or at least letting them find their way and possibly finding a new end.

The net is the same way. Giving them open ended questions is a tremendous idea. It forces them to think for themselves and to work at a deeper level, drawing different sources together and managing connections, seeing cause and effect to create a synergistic response. Also, as kids search through different web pages, looking for appropriate and pertinent content, they are exposed to different ideas and it may spark other routes of inquiry.er

Comment on All you can cheat, the web & learning by Punya Mishra

Punya Mishra — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:31:37 +0000

Patrick, a response to your comment, is available as a new blog post. It just got too long to place here.

Amber, thanks for your comment.