Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria1 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009...

Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria Austria 11

ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009

“ “Individualisation in the Individualisation in the learning process”learning process”

and the role of “GÖD-Lehrer”and the role of “GÖD-Lehrer”


““Individualisation in the learning Individualisation in the learning process” has been one of the magic process” has been one of the magic words in education policy of the last words in education policy of the last years. Teacher-centered instruction years. Teacher-centered instruction as a synonym for the one and only as a synonym for the one and only learning organisation is gone. learning organisation is gone. Educational institutions will develop Educational institutions will develop from places of teaching and input-from places of teaching and input-oriented knowledge transfer to a oriented knowledge transfer to a forum of discussing knowledge forum of discussing knowledge transfer, attitudes and opinions transfer, attitudes and opinions between the generations and between the generations and cultures, with clear common cultures, with clear common responsibilities for the aims of the responsibilities for the aims of the learning process.learning process.



The learners should have more freedom to The learners should have more freedom to design the mode, the time schedule or the design the mode, the time schedule or the way, how her/his talents are involved in way, how her/his talents are involved in the learning community. The transfer of the learning community. The transfer of these aims into the real classrooms is still these aims into the real classrooms is still far from realization in Austria, because the far from realization in Austria, because the classes brim over with more than 30 classes brim over with more than 30 students and the environment is not fit for students and the environment is not fit for group work or individual learning. But group work or individual learning. But there is common consensus, that there is common consensus, that information technologies and virtual information technologies and virtual learning communities are an important learning communities are an important part of the individual learning future. part of the individual learning future.



Some approaches towards learning concepts Some approaches towards learning concepts based on individualisation are discussed now: based on individualisation are discussed now:

Individualisation according to (e)contents and Individualisation according to (e)contents and learning scenarios; learning scenarios;

Individualisation according to places and Individualisation according to places and timetables of learning; timetables of learning;

Social impact on learning and self Social impact on learning and self competence; competence;

Evaluation and assessment of individual Evaluation and assessment of individual learning processes. learning processes.



Since e-learning was introduced at secondary Since e-learning was introduced at secondary schools in Austria in 1998, notebook classes schools in Austria in 1998, notebook classes and learning platforms have been established and learning platforms have been established and after some years clear constructivistic and after some years clear constructivistic learning arrangements have been realized. learning arrangements have been realized.

This development marks one important This development marks one important milestone on the way to more milestone on the way to more individualization by introducing e-learning individualization by introducing e-learning methods at school. But it also marks a methods at school. But it also marks a milestone for teachers-training and milestone for teachers-training and education!education!



As a consequence of e-learning, As a consequence of e-learning, interdisciplinary and cross-curricular interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approaches should be strengthened. approaches should be strengthened. Administration will be changed from class-Administration will be changed from class-oriented to individual learning paths.oriented to individual learning paths.

This means new and additional challenges This means new and additional challenges

for the teachers!for the teachers!



New roles for teachersNew roles for teachers

The role concept of teachers must be The role concept of teachers must be enhanced: additionally to his/her role as enhanced: additionally to his/her role as an expert in presentation he/she must also an expert in presentation he/she must also take on the role of an evaluator of self-take on the role of an evaluator of self-organized processes:organized processes:

Expert <-> Trainer <-> Coach <->EvaluatorExpert <-> Trainer <-> Coach <->Evaluator



New Roles for Students New Roles for Students Also the learning reflection and evaluation Also the learning reflection and evaluation

concept must be enhanced. First of all concept must be enhanced. First of all students should become qualified to reflect students should become qualified to reflect their learning path, to evaluate their own their learning path, to evaluate their own abilities (1) and to give feedback to others(2). abilities (1) and to give feedback to others(2). Most of the help and fault finding should be Most of the help and fault finding should be covered by the learning community, before covered by the learning community, before teachers evaluate the work (3). Therefore teachers evaluate the work (3). Therefore evaluation corresponds to the following evaluation corresponds to the following pattern:pattern:



Self evaluation -> Self evaluation ->

Peer evaluation -> Peer evaluation ->

External External evaluationevaluation



Approach Virtual LaboratoryApproach Virtual Laboratory In the last years new concepts of In the last years new concepts of

engineering education and e-learning engineering education and e-learning environments in the laboratories have environments in the laboratories have been improved at colleges of engineering been improved at colleges of engineering in Austria (students aged 14 to 19). Some in Austria (students aged 14 to 19). Some important elements are studies, whether important elements are studies, whether systems in laboratories and construction systems in laboratories and construction lessons can be substituted or even lessons can be substituted or even completed by virtual systems and completed by virtual systems and simulations.simulations.



In a project technical and didactical solutions In a project technical and didactical solutions

of virtual laboratory concepts have beenof virtual laboratory concepts have been

approved of. Online labs and laboratoryapproved of. Online labs and laboratory

simulations play an important role as an simulations play an important role as an

enrichment for theoretical lessons and for enrichment for theoretical lessons and for

preparations of laboratory work of the preparations of laboratory work of the studentsstudents

especially in VET.especially in VET.



By the means of the Austrian education By the means of the Austrian education

authorities „the implementation of innovative authorities „the implementation of innovative

and expanded learning strategies could now be and expanded learning strategies could now be

realized at an undefined dimension by using realized at an undefined dimension by using

digital environments and devices.digital environments and devices.

Futur(e)Learning intends to encourage pioneersFutur(e)Learning intends to encourage pioneers

and settled teachers as well.“and settled teachers as well.“



The role of the Austrian Teachers UnionThe role of the Austrian Teachers Unionin the field of e-learning:in the field of e-learning:

1.1. Prevention against the misuse of teachers Prevention against the misuse of teachers pioneering spirit by the employer.pioneering spirit by the employer.

2.2. Fighting for less students in a classroom.Fighting for less students in a classroom.

3.3. Succeeding in getting better environment Succeeding in getting better environment and working conditions in classrooms and and working conditions in classrooms and schools.schools.

4.4. Separating teachers work from the technical Separating teachers work from the technical assistance and care of the systems.assistance and care of the systems.



5.5. Considering the increase of Considering the increase of administrational work by changing from administrational work by changing from class-oriented to individual learning paths class-oriented to individual learning paths in working hours of teachers.in working hours of teachers.

6.6. Training for teachers introducing e-Training for teachers introducing e-learning methods at school has to be learning methods at school has to be provided and financed by the employer.provided and financed by the employer.

7.7. Access to Internet for all teachers free of Access to Internet for all teachers free of charges.charges.



8.8. In initial education „Blended learning“ In initial education „Blended learning“ should assist direct learning and not should assist direct learning and not replace it.replace it.

9.9. VE(ducation)T should not be reduced VE(ducation)T should not be reduced only to training using the instrument of only to training using the instrument of e-learning.e-learning.

10.10. We consider e-learning as a useful We consider e-learning as a useful instrument and additional alternative in instrument and additional alternative in LLL.LLL.


11.11. Approval of the expenditures (PC Approval of the expenditures (PC equipment etc.) for the teachers “third equipment etc.) for the teachers “third workplace” at home by tax exemption.workplace” at home by tax exemption.

12.12. Providing legal protection for teachers in Providing legal protection for teachers in the field of copyrights and the respect of the field of copyrights and the respect of intellectual property.intellectual property.



Finally the union has to find a way Finally the union has to find a way between protecting the teachers from between protecting the teachers from negative results of the introduction of new negative results of the introduction of new techniques like ICT, but not playing the techniques like ICT, but not playing the alleged role of preventing progress in alleged role of preventing progress in technology and science.technology and science.



Danke für die Danke für die Aufmerksamkeit!Aufmerksamkeit!

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria1 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009...

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Transcript of Helmut Skala, GÖD-Lehrer Austria1 ELFE 2 Regional Seminar Brussels, 19-20 JANUARY 2009...