Effective Use of PebblePad: A Collection of Case Studies from PebbleBash 2010 - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0956564100 ISBN 13: 9780956564108

Publisher: Pebble Learning Ltd, 2010

Synopsis

These case studies begin to capture some of the unique affordances of the personal learning system, PebblePad. It is a tool wholly founded on improving learning and we believe it to be without equal. However, it is just a tool - albeit one which is based on sound educational principles and borne out of extensive pedagogical practice. As a tool it relies on the people who use it to use it knowingly, insightfully and deliberatively. Just as there is an art and a science to teaching so there is both capacity and understanding associated with the best uses of PebblePad. PebblePad supports good teaching and learning. It has a reflective structure, supports individual and social constructivism, and is essentially dialogic in nature. Although it is possible to enjoy a certain level of self-mediated dialogue, supported by the scaffolding in the system, dialogue is always enhanced by audience: validated by valued others. These case studies now help to validate the experiences of those valued others who have been at the vanguard of implementing what is actually a highly disruptive technology. Disruptive technologies create tensions, challenge the status quo, are discomforting and unsettling. So why do people promote disruptive tools like PebblePad; suffer the mental and emotional anxieties experienced by many champions of change, and endure the chagrin and brickbats of colleagues and students alike? Because disruptive technologies like PebblePad are also transformative. They provide opportunities to radically enhance the learning, learning experiences, and opportunities of those with whom we engage. While this book is not a collection of proper research papers, the sum of this community s learning is more compelling than any other eportfolio research I have read. PebblePad works; though it works best when its use is considered. However, it is highly disruptive and so requires immense effort, resilience and fortitude from its advocates in order to overcome the cultural, technical and political challenges that are routinely encountered in institutions. These case studies and student accounts arose from the first PebblePad conference; a conference designed to inform and improve effective PebblePad practice by bringing together expert practitioners to share their experiences and the knowledge and insights they have developed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pebble Learning Ltd
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0956564100
• ISBN 13: 9780956564108
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160
• Editor: Poot Alison