caribbean educators’ network: a framework for informal online collaborative knowledge-building

Caribbean Educators’ Network

A framework for informal online collaborative knowledge-building

and sharing

Dr. LeRoy Hill, University of NottinghamCamille Dickson-Deane PhD (cand.),

University of Missouri - Columbia

What is CEN?

Social Network comprising of

Synchronous and asynchronous technologies (i.e. forums, discussion groups, webinars, etc...)

Used to encourage critical and reflective dialogue between its members

Most importantly its free

The network is built on the NING social networking platform that has a number of asynchronous and synchronous social network technologies (i.e. forums, discussion groups, webinars, etc…) to encourage critical and reflective dialogue between its members.

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Why is it needed?Challenges in teacher education

Little attention is given to teacher education/continuing development in the Caribbean (Carrington, 1993)

Miles (1995) also states that the efforts that are made are

under-resourced, unsustained, designed for a “one size fits all”, imposed rather than owned

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Proposed solutionRobinson and Latchem (2003) suggests the use of open, distance and information and communication technologies (ICT)s

New research in online teacher professional development context can assist

Hence

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Where is the Caribbean?

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

•approx. 30 countries•at least 40 islands

CARICOM

CEN statistics

1078 Members

approx 30 countries represented (including the US, UK, Canada, India, Mexico and some others)

All divisions of education are represented (special ed, higher ed, primary, secondary, nursery, government (ministerial), etc...)

Twice the number of females than males

Age spans 19 - 71 years

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

CEN Demo of site

http://www.caribbeaneducatorsnetwork.com/

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

CEN Framework

Based on Vygotsky’ (1964) socio-cultural theory

Analyzed based on Leont’ev (1978) and Engoström (1987) activity theory

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Network Activity (2008-2009)

Members expectations garnered from members’ profile page of a member

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

CodeFreque

ncyTo learn from colleaguesTo share ideas with colleaguesTo network with colleaguesTo interact with colleaguesWas invitedTo collaborate with colleaguesTo meet colleaguesTo belongTo communicate with colleaguesTo socialize with colleaguesContinuing professional developmentTo discuss issuesTo encourageTo motivate othersTo volunteerWas class projectWas curious

26191877543221111111

Network Activity (2008-2009)

Sessions conducted in Elluminate

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

Date Session TitleDurati

on

# of Attendee

s

14th March 2009Testing of room and

features02:25:57 11

21st March 2009 First live session of CEN 02:28:08 214th April 2009 Introduction to Moodle 02:01:57 12

18th April 2009Connectivism (Guest -

George Siemens)02:10:39 12

9th May 2009VIP Demo (Guest–Quang

Luong) 01:33:08 12

20th June 2009 Reflective workshop 01:25:04 6

Network Activity (2008-2009)

RSS FEEDS

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

CODE

MEANING

F

Friending’ (Friending is an informal befriending process of individuals in social networks.)

MCComment on member page

GCComment in group discussion

E Taking part in event

CG Created new Group

MJNew Members announcement

FPFeatured member profile

JG Joined Group

CEN questions

What ICT Tools and techniques hamper the network’s existence?

What is the web-based technological literacy level of the average CEN member?

How does culture affect the members’ motivation to participate in CEN?

How do CARICOM members define sharing and collaboration?

How can the activity theory framework be used to mediate the collaborative efforts in the CEN groups?

How can the activity theory framework be used to mediate the collaborative efforts in the CEN groups?

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL

THANK YOU

QUESTIONS?

AECT 2011 Conference, Jacksonville, FL