Managing ICT-enhanced environments

a. Do you think the classroom environment chosen is appropriate for the learning activities? Explain why.


The classroom environment was appropriate because instead of a classroom, the teacher used the computer laboratory. This enabled different learning style to take place. There were also sufficient computers for each pair of students which allowed all students to be engaged at the same time. Each of the students knew exactly their roles as they worked in pair and this encouraged discussion to take place thus learning in the process. The computer laboratory was well equipped with the necessary tools and technology for the teacher to utilize and to conduct a student-centered learning lesson.



b. The students seem to be focused and on task. What strategies do you think the teacher has used to achieve this outcome?


Unlike what was being observed in the first short video where the teacher used lightings to get the class attention and the "cup" system to help himself to identify students who required assistance, Daphne (the teacher in the video that I chosen) did not used any of these creative strategies. Instead, she ensured that at any one time, there are tasks for the students to complete like participation in the discussion forum, organising their mindmaps, etc. When there were some occasions where the students were disengaged or working too slowly, she would repeat her instruction, adding “please hurry up”.



c. What potential classroom management issues can possibly occur? What proposed solution(s) do you have?



Some issues that might occur are:

• A breakdown in the computer system
• Students might get overly excited and decide to take their discussion offline.
• Students might be doing they own things using the computer such as playing games, surfing the internet instead of doing what is necessary.

Here are some solutions I proposed:

• The teacher should have prepared a contengency plan in case of any breakdown of system. For example, she could postpone the presentation and maybe reenforced on certain learning points regarding the topic.
• As seen in the video, even though there was one occasion when there was an outburst from one corner of the class and fiery exchange took place, the teacher still allowed that to happen. It all depends on how far this discussion is leading and how productive is this discussion in relation to the discussion topic given. In the video, the teacher heard and knew that this offline discussion did spur some thinking in some students thus allowed it to take place.
• The teacher can instead of just sitting at her desk, she could randomly walk around or stand at the back of the class as most of the misbehave students like to sit there. If not she could co-teach the class with another teacher. This way, more help can be available if the students encounter difficulty in understanding or even using the technology.