The Learning Element – Drugs

This Learning Element was a revamp of an old one I had used the in past.  Glenn and I decided to try and incorporate more technology into the students learning and some current drug issues in today’s sporting world.  An interesting for Glenn and I was introducing new teachers to the LbD format.  Although we did not delve too deeply into how the learning processes work, it was interesting to see how people reacted to the process.  To summarise their thoughts, I believe they liked how the processes scaffolded the activities you teach into different areas providing a variety of learning tasks.  As Glenn mentioned in his presentation of the element, LbD provides teachers with a more interesting and engaging way to write units of work.  The process supports teachers in creativity and the end result is a combination of lessons that are far from the boring and repetitive worksheet style learning.

Glenn and I made a conscious effort to try and link the element to the new Connected Learning Environment that we are working with in ACT schools.  Xtranormal is a website that will allow students to make basic animations by simply typing text into a text box.  Students will critique and analyse each others work and comment using the CLC.  We also were interested in creating stronger links to what is current in todays society.  Ben Cousins is a famous AFL player in Australia who became addicted to drugs.  Recently he released a documentary looking at his habits and how it affected the community around him.  Glenn and I will ask the students to critically analyse the film and comment on weather it has been helpful or not in sending an anti drug message to young people.

Overall this process has been very exciting.  Technology is providing so many more opportunities for students to learn in new and interesting ways.  LbD provides the perfect scaffold to enhance creativity and promote engaging learning.

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