Learning objects
The NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) has developed a range of learning objects to support the teaching of the Mathematics K-6 syllabus. Learning objects are small re-usable digital resources that can be used with a web browser. A sample of these learning objects was distributed to NSW primary schools towards the end of 2003 on a CD-ROM with the teaching resource Fractions: pikelets and lamingtons. The objects included a digital version of a geoboard, a number ribbon, a pikelet sharing application as well as a fraction track. In addition to the learning objects developed by the DET, The Learning Federation (TLF) an initiative of the Commonwealth and State governments, has produced a range of learning objects to encourage student learning and support teachers in Australian and New Zealand schools.
Investigating learning objects in Mathematics K-6
The project, Investigating learning objects in Mathematics K-6 is a partnership with the Department of Education and Training and Microsoft, as part of the Partners in Learning project. The project was established in 2005 to develop and support a simple method of using learning objects in primary mathematics lessons. Even though many learning objects have been developed, they are currently infrequently used by teachers. The project commenced in 2005 in nine rural schools and has expanded each year to currently include 82 schools. The schools who have participated in the project have taken part in professional learning to integrate learning objects into the teaching of Mathematics K-6. For further information about learning objects access the learning objects website at
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/mathematics/k6/learning objects/index.htm
Learning objects project 2008
With the increased access to the latest forms of technology in rural schools in NSW and the growth in interactive whiteboards, as well as the "Connected Classrooms" initiative, the Investigating Learning objects in Mathematics K-6 project provides a practical way of using these new technologies for learning mathematics.
To expand and strengthen the project into 2008, the use of communication software Bridgit and video conferencing, together with interactive whiteboards will be a focus of the professional learning. Demonstration lessons and team teaching via video conferencing and Bridgit, will show teachers how to effectively integrate learning objects into a mathematics lesson. Consultants, teachers and students can connect to other classrooms demonstrating how to use a particular learning object to teach or reinforce a concept.
Connecting classrooms
Combinations of using these new technologies give rise to three models of connecting classrooms to the outside world.
1. From the classroom to the outside world 2. From classroom to classroom
‘Virtual demonstration lessons’ using Bridgit
Bridgit conferencing allows you to share computer desktops over the internet. The remote control function allows you to take control of another participant’s desktop for demonstration purposes. The Department has a licence and its own dedicated system for Bridgit. You can start or join a conference at any time, right from your desktop. Used in conjunction with an interactive whiteboard, Bridgit conferencing can create a ‘virtual demonstration lesson’.
Diane Read, Project Officer, Microsoft Mathematics Learning objects K-6, has been involved with trialling various models of supporting teachers in rural and remote schools. One model, connecting from Ryde State Office to the classroom, has proved to be a very successful method of providing professional learning at a distance.
Ballimore Public School, a P5 school situated 40kms north-east of Dubbo in the Western NSW region, has participated in these ‘virtual demonstration lessons’ to teach mathematical concepts. The lesson, ‘Sharing pikelets’ using The Pikelet cutter learning object was taught in a team teaching situation with Lea Berry, a teacher at the school. The lesson plan, with accompanying student worksheet, was
downloaded from the Sharing pikelets website prior to the lesson. The Bridgit conference was created by Diane and the class, which comprised 11 students from Stage 1 to Stage 3, joined the conference sharing remote control of the lesson on the interactive whiteboard using Smartboard tools.
The introduction included the use of a webcam to enable the children to see ‘the face’ from Ryde State Office, Diane, to make the personal connection for the conference. As the webcam required more bandwith, it was only used for a short period of time. Key questions were posed and the students shared and recorded the strategies used to solve the problem in the form of sharing diagrams. For example:
How would we share 4 pikelets among 3 people?
How many pikelets would each person receive?
Sharing diagram
Explain how you worked it out.
The Pikelet Cutter was then used to solve a second problem before the children worked in groups or pairs, either on the interactive whiteboard or computers in the classroom, solving a variety of similar problems structured to the student’s stage of
learning. At the completion of the lesson, a reflection session focussed on the different strategies used to solve the problems.
I like Bridgit because it makes learning fun and helps develop skills for communication. Also Bridgit is even more fun if you play games on the internet. (Tony French, Year 3 student Ballimore PS)
I enjoyed the Bridgit conference because it gives you experience for communicating through the computer. When you’re on the internet you can discuss things, and people can help you in situations. I really enjoyed the meeting we had with Diane Read. I especially liked it when we played the
pancake game. I think Bridgit will be a good program for the future. (Emily Wilkinson, Year 5 student Ballimore PS)
It was really cool writing on the smartboard. I really enjoyed seeing Diane on the webcam. (Ruby, Year 2 student Ballimore PS)
The children were all enthusiastically engaged in the conference. They thought the live webcam image of Diane Read was ‘pretty cool’. The webcam certainly enhanced the overall conference because the children could see who they were talking to and realised that they were actually interacting with Diane via speaker phone and Smartboard.
The children were all keen to use the Smartboard when working with the Pikelet Cutter. They worked in multi-stage groups of 2 or 3 to discuss and solve pikelet sharing challenges on PCs and the Smartboard. Peer tutoring was evident throughout the session.
I believe that the accessibility of Bridgit and learning objects has exciting applications in the classroom as a teaching and learning tool for both teachers and students. (Lea Berry, Teacher, Ballimore PS)
Bridgit dialogue box
Webcam image of Diane
‘Virtual demonstration lessons’ using Bridgit and video conferencing (VC) Another model of professional learning using Bridgit, video conferencing and the interactive whiteboard has been trialled with Rowena Public School, a P5 school situated one and a half hours south-west of Moree in the New England region. Mathematics lessons integrating learning objects have been team-taught with the teaching Principal, John Melrose. John, hesitant at first to use these new
technologies in the classroom, realised that learning together with the students was effective and is now keen to participate in Bridgit and VC lessons.
Thanks so much for forcing me to participate. It was ...interesting at first, but now I feel very comfortable with the entire concept. The parents are overjoyed as are the students and staff at the progress the children have made with fractions and other maths concepts. We certainly want to be part of it next year. It's great for the whole class and can be open-ended allowing for an extension program as well. (John Melrose, Principal Rowena PS)
The lesson focussed on the fraction concept, using the Ribbon Maker learning object. Students began by folding a strip of paper into fifths then sharing strategies. The fraction double number line was then used as an off-computer task to teach fifths. How to use the Ribbon Maker was demonstrated using Bridgit before the children worked through the activities using the Ribbon Maker on their laptops. The VC was recorded and will be used as a professional learning model with other remote schools.
Double number line
Rowena PS Ryde State Office
A student explaining how he folded his strip of paper into fifths
Demonstrating how to use the fraction double number line
Demonstrating the Ribbon maker learning object on the interactive whiteboard
Students using the Ribbon maker learning object on their laptops
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Student comments
Thankyou so much for all the great lessons you have given us. I'm sure we all enjoyed having to learn Maths on the net. The video conferencing is a great idea to communicate. I learnt lots of useful skills that will come in handy one day. (Emily Wheeler, Year 5 student Rowena PS)
Thanks for the math lessons I really enjoyed you showing us how to use the smartboard too. I particularly enjoyed fractions. I have found that the lessons help me in tests. (Jack Radford, Year 4 student Rowena PS) Both these models, connecting from the classroom to an outside expert, were very effective models of professional learning at a distance because:
• the lesson can be collaboratively taught from your desktop and/or VC room, without the need to travel long distances
• it was a non-threatening environment, the classroom teacher was still in control of the lesson
• using the remote control option in Bridgit conferencing allows shared involvement with computer tasks
• the teacher was shown how to use VC and Bridgit in a meaningful way • the children were collaboratively involved in the lesson, and were learning
alongside the teacher
• using VC provides the consultant access to see inside the classroom.
Another model, connecting classroom to classroom has been successfully used with a group of remote schools in the Moree district. Warialda PS, Bingara CS, Bellata PS and Croppa Creek PS, as part of an Australian School Innovation in Science,
Technology & Mathematics (ASISTM) project, used VC and Bridgit for a Maths challenge. Each school provided ten open ended questions for the other schools to answer. The schools constructed a mathematics learning resource using technology and shared their resource over VC.
A third model, a virtual demonstration, was used to train the regional mathematics consultants in the use of Bridgit. The consultants joined a video conference which is held each term. A Bridgit conference was created and the consultants shared
desktops remotely.
Using new and emerging technologies has the potential to improve student learning outcomes. It has been an exciting and engaging learning experience for students and teachers.
Resources
Learning objects website
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/mathematics/k6/learning objects/index.htm
Sharing pikelets website
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/mathematics/k6/learning objects/sharingpikelet/lp.htm
Double number line Fraction track website
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/mathematics/k6/learning objects/fraction_track/stage2.html