The impact of IT supported The impact of IT supported collaborative knowledge collaborative knowledge

building activities on local building activities on local secondary school classroomssecondary school classrooms

Dr. Nancy Law, Dr. Allan Yuen

Ms. Elaine Wong & Mr. Johnny YuenAcknowledgement: QEF, RGC, UGC

The Tool: Knowledge Forum

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Online collaborative knowledge building platform

Virtual Knowledge

DomainInterface Interface

In other words, it mediates processing among human mind.

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Knowledge Forum

Virtual Knowledge

DomainInterface Interface

Students cannot learn from Knowledge Forum.

They learn by interacting with knowledge through Knowledge Forum

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Knowledge Forum (KF)KF is a problem-centered collaborative knowledge medium that operates over a computer network. KF includes knowledge building and management tools for:

Collaborative learningProviding scaffolding supports for building idea networksProviding graphic functionalities for developing concept mapsIdentifying knowledge gaps and advancesViewing database from multiple perspectives

The functional design of KF is an embodiment of the knowledge building principles proposed by Carl Bereiter & Marlene Scardamalia.

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

We hope that KF can help students to develop their:

Thinking skills

Meta-cognitive skills in learning

Abilities to collaborate with others

Life long learning skills

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In order to become a knowledge builder…

Students need to learn to carry out by themselves:

Identifying frontiers of knowledge

Judging what constitutes an advance in knowledge

Research activities 2001-2004

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2001-2004 Learning Community Projects

About 20 schools have been involved at various points during the life of this project Subjects include:

Integrated SciencesPhysicsChemistryCivic EducationLiberal Studies, HistoryDesign and Technology

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

2001-2004 Learning Community Projects

Various learning schemes and learning projects organized:

Peer Tutoring Project (2002)

Assessment for Better Learning Project (2003)

Promoting Higher Order Thinking Through Knowledge Building Scheme (2003)

Go Up Stay High Science Design Competition (2004)

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Research Focus & Output

Dimensions for Study:

Knowledge building developmental trajectory

Design and implementation issues in knowledge building

Idea interaction between students in knowledge building discourse

Misconception and pathway of conceptual change in knowledge building process

Findings and publication:

http://lcp.cite.hku.hk/Literatures/

Impact to local secondary school classroom

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Extension of classroom discussion

Students can discuss after school or during weekends, whenever and wherever!

The online environment is a place where less active students can speak out

Students with different learning capabilities can be grouped together to form study group for more productive discussion

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Peer Tutoring

Through presentation or group discussion, students can present their output from discussion to their classmates or schoolmates.

It achieves the objective of peer tutoring, while also creates the drive for students to move on in their discussion for better achievement.

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Learning through real problems

E.g. solar cooker or flight device

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Self-reflection through journalsStudents can reflect on their performance based on their reflection journals

For example:

2nd reflection jounal

LSS 4EFONG SIUWA

Mar 15 2004(03:39:52)

NewInformation

This week I understand what the project we do and thanks formy groud members. But unfortunately, we have the Englishpresentation so we don t have enough time to discuss theproject.And few imformation also is our problem.

What wehave learn

We have got two methods about the project since now on-----by using the water pressure and the hot ballon.I think wecould discuss those further more.

difficult to understand

LSS 4E LIMANSHAN

Mar 21 2004(11:49:33)

1 Largest learning gain this weekI had read many websiteabout the flight this week.Also , I found some method : 1)Using water 2) Using water and the parachute 3) Using waterand the parachute that is by spring of clockwork However allof them are d

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Better learning skills

Students are more able to identify their weaknesses in their learning

Students know how to “ask questions”

Train students to look for solutions, which can always be added-onto or improved, rather than looking for merely answers, which stops the discussion.

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Integrate learning activities with curriculum

We have teachers who have integrated Knowledge Building into the following curriculums:

Form 1 Integrated SciencesForm 3 Design and TechnologyForm 4 PhysicsForm 4 ChemistryForm 4 Computer StudiesForm 6 Liberal Studies, HistoryAnd so on…

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Use of Scaffolds

Scaffolds can prompt students to think along the line

It also trains students to write logically

Establishing a scalable network of knowledge Establishing a scalable network of knowledge building schoolsbuilding schools

設立一個可持續、擴充的知識建構型學校網絡設立一個可持續、擴充的知識建構型學校網絡

QEF Project 2004-2006 Introduction

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Goals and objectives

(1) To promote and enhance students’ lifelong learning capacities through the integration of computer-supported collaborative knowledge building activities into school curriculum

(2) To provide opportunities for local teachers and students to interact with peers around the globe and to participate in collaborative knowledge building activities within and outside of their own classrooms

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Goals and objectives

(3) To build up the resources necessary, so as to facilitate effective dissemination of good practices to extend the network of schools engaged in knowledge building after the completion of this project

(4) To build up an international collaborative learning network and a model for the sustainable integration of computer-supported knowledge building in schools in Hong Kong such that the model for dissemination and support can be transferable to any agency or institution that is interested in providing such support structures

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Activities and major components

Students’ level: School-based knowledge building

Online courses on knowledge building

Joint school collaboration

Virtual meetings (international collaboration)

Conferences

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Activities and major components

Teachers’ level: Facilitation on students’ knowledge building activities

Online courses on knowledge building

Virtual meetings (international collaboration)

Conferences

Engagement in action research

10 July 2004 http://lcp.cite.hku.hk

Project characteristics (1)

Close connection of the formal school curriculum to knowledge building activities:

Topics assigned by teachers on KF will directly build on school lessons but the level of investigation will be higher

Schools work under a joint schedule and common framework

Students to have culminating events (presentation, written reports) to wrap up learning experience and outcome

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Project characteristics (2)

Teachers’ engagement in action research:

Joint effort of teachers and researchers to explore and evaluate various evaluation parameters and methods to assess students’ cognitive and meta-cognitive learning outcomes

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For More Information…

If you are interested to know more about our new QEF project…

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Or simply contact us!