The 16th International Conference on Learning University of Barcelona, Spain 1-4 July 2009

1. The 16th International Conference on LearningUniversity of Barcelona, Spain1-4 July 2009 Views on the Use of Knowledge Forum: Hong Kong Primary Students’ Perspectives Presented by: Sally Wan & Patrick Lam Date: 3 July 2009

2. Introduction • Knowledge Forum (KF) • Based on knowledge building theory • collaborative database developed for this process of ‘knowledge building’ • defining problems • hypothesizing • Researching • collecting information, analyzing and collaborating knowledge creation • knowledge acquisition deep inquiry

3. Introduction Knowledge building projects Key learning areas International collaboration KB projects

4. Knowledge Forum Applications Key Learning Area Chinese Language: literature, writing English Language: film review, writing; festivals Math: circle (π, circumference, area) International collaboration projects HKG-BCN: ecosystem, safari design HKG-UK: wildspaces, environmental threats HKG-BCN: alternative energies HKG-BCN: food and nutrition

5. Research design and methods • Objective: • To explore the students’ perceptions upon the application of KF • Mixed methodology: mixed methods • Focus group interviews with 12 students • Open-ended survey to 18 students • Triangulation • Time of the study: May 2009

6. What is the meaning of KF to the students? eXchanging ideas “KF is a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas…for example, building on others’ notes and raise new ideas.” (Student J, Focus Group Interview 1) “On KF view, we can write about our own ideas and we can build-on each other and at last we can create new ideas.” (Student B, Focus Group Interview 1) “KF allows our notes to be altogether. During the class, only 4 people can be into one group and during the class, it is noisy for the groups to do discussion.” (Student R, Focus Group Interview 2)

7. Findings (2) bUild-Ons... “Build-on is to let others know what I am thinking about others' notes. It also shows what I think about others’ notes.” (Student M, Focus Group Interview 2) “Through build-on, for example, others can point out my faults and then I can know my faults and make corrections. Then I can be better.” (Student J, Focus Group Interview 1)

8. Findings (3) deepen understanding “KF helps deepen discussion. If during the class, our discussion is just too shallow.” (Student J, Focus Group Interview 1) “KF is better … as the teacher may not give us to discuss at the class, time is very short; with KF, we can get more ideas from others and make our own self-improvement.” (Student K, Focus Group Interview 1) “Through getting different ideas from others, we can get a deeper understanding of the topic being studied.” (Student L, Focus Group Interview 1) “Apart from new information that was found by ourselves, we can put all the things together and think collectively and think more and get deeper understanding of the topic.” (Student A, Focus Group Interview 1)

9. Knowledge cReATion Findings (4) “Apart from new information as found on our own, we can gain collaborative knowledge and create more ideas.” (Student A, Focus Group Interview 1) “New festival, sometimes we cannot think. As it requires much creativity. We can think more and get more ideas by build-on notes on the KF.” (Student O, Focus Group Interview 1) “Sometimes use simple words/sentences to write a note and then our English can be better. Searching information can be deepened. Sometimes the topic can be better understood.” (Student H, Focus Group 1) collaborative learning

10. Findings (5) Did the students like KF? “I can learn the knowledge that cannot be learnt in a lesson.” NEW learning “I can discuss freely, no longer limited within a group. It requires me to search information from different sources, write a new note, get ideas from others’ notes, think collectively, know some more new knowledge.” “KF is very convenient. When we post our own opinions there, others can read and reply. We also can post the notes even If we don’t understand their notes and wait for their replies. We ourselves can solve others’ problems and it is more convenient and faster than face-to-face discussion.”

11. Findings (6) Did the students like KF? boundLESS learning “On KF, someone raises a problem. If I don’t know how to answer, I can think with more time and think about how to answer it. Others can voice their feelings and give responses on it. And then there can be more add-ons.” (Student I, Focus Group Interview 2) “I can go online and use it at any time I want and it’s very convenient and we can discuss together. The interaction is very high.” “We can use KF for cooperative learning, discuss and share with members, and we can login KF at any time. We can focus on the specific topic and discuss.”

12. Findings (7) Did the students like KF? international COLLABORATION “If we have KF, we can have idea exchanges with other international students.” (Student S,Focus Group Interview 2) “We can learn more English and search more information about the topic. KF is better than non-KF. We can learn more English. For example, we can learn more about nutrition in the topic ‘Food and Nutrition’.” (Student K: Focus Group Interview 1)

13. Findings (8) Did the students like KF? international COLLABORATION “We can have exchanges with other countries. I feel that this helps me understand the cultures of other countries and there are many different kinds of the functions of KF. This online knowledge building platform really raises my interest in English language.” “It (KF) helps me to learn. Because I can use this platform to communicate with my classmates and even Spanish students. It also helps improve my grammar because I need to use my words to express what I want to say.”

14. Findings (9) Did the students like KF? eXchanging ideas + improvement “When others raise questions and we really can answer and we can provide new methods to solve them. On KF, sometimes when we find the problems, we can try to answer them.” (Student R, Focus Group Interview 2) “I can express and share my views, and respond to others’ views on the KF. This makes me learn a lot and we can share what we have learnt after some field trips.” “It (KF) not only can raise my thinking skill, but also let me learn how to correct and add-on others, that is much better.”

15. Findings (10) Did the students like KF? eXchanging ideas + improvement “I can learn more knowledge, and discuss with others online. My ideas may not be so good, they need more ideas from others, then the best points can be raised. Using KF can deeply discuss the relevant problems.” “I am able to exchange my own views and suggestions with others. It (KF) allows me to discuss my suggestions, and raise certain suggestions, and let others discuss my suggestion and others can know the advantages and disadvantages of that suggestion.” “On KF, we can raise our ideas with each other. We can possibly see others’ ideas, and make discussion and suggestions. This helps our critical thinking.” “We can write our own different views. We can also build-on others’ opinions. This greatly helps me to voice my views with confidence. ”

16. Conclusion • KF: interactive collaborative platform for learning collaboratively “I suggest using KF not only for 2-3 years, after being older, we already get used to using KF.” (Student R, Focus Group Interview 2) knowledgebuilding