Analysis of Digital Technologies

Example of Tools to be use in the Classroom:

Linked below is my journey through online spaces:

http://dominicagostevsky.blogspot.com/2011/07/online-spaces.html

The link below is the movie I put together using Movie Maker:

Tool 2 - Video using Images
Below is a link to my blog using the PMI method to compare PowerPoint and Prezzies:

http://dominicagostevsky.blogspot.com/2011/08/powerpoint-vs-prezzies.html

Below is a link to my blog displaying my attempt at using Mind Mapping:

http://dominicagostevsky.blogspot.com/2011/08/mind-mapping-great-tool.html

Also below was a group task regarding ‘Behaviourism’ and these are my views below:

http://dominicag.wikispaces.com/Behaviourism

Reflection Synopsis – Assignment 2

Learning Information Communication Technologies (ICT) has shown me how beneficial this tool can be in a leaning environment when implemented appropriately by the teacher. I imagine as a teacher it is essential to nurture the different styles of learning (log post, Learning Styles & my approach, 2011) and E-learning has shown me ways in doing this. Digital Pedagogies are to be implemented into students learning so that they are able to engage fully in today’s technological world. It will facilitate and build on their knowledge and skills. I believe it is necessary to be embedding this tool into the education of the twenty first century. It is essential that teachers engage their students with ICTs.

Studies show that students are using some sort of technology on a daily bases, for example, they messaging friends and parents via mobile phone or social web sites, research for homework, play music or movies on their iPod and so on (Web Aware 2010). As a future educator I believe we must link technological tools to all classrooms so that students can remain engaged in their learning. Prensky (2005) claims that students have certain interests and they are mainly in technology; this generation needs stimulating through where their interests lie. I believe if we embed such technologic gadgets into our classrooms we will engage students in learning. For instance, I took part in a wiki discussion that involved ‘Debono’s six thinking hats’; the forum discussion was about the use of mobile phones in the classroom and we had to come up with positives, negatives and so on.  Initially I was negative to having mobile phones being implemented into today’s classroom, however, following this forum I began to see lots of positive for the use of tools such as the mobile phone being a part of the classroom. Reading the article ‘Engage me or Enrage me’ by Prensky (2005) got me thinking. So I got my younger brother who is in year twelve to fill out a quick survey. Here are some of the questions I asked him:

            Q. Do you think a mobile phone would benefit you in the classroom?

            A. Yes, because when I don’t understand a word I can look it up on my dictionary app.

            Q. What other things could you do on your phone that may benefit your education?

            A. I can surf the net from my phone while I am in class.

            Q. Do some students miss use their mobile phones in class?

            A. The teacher thinks we are, but we think we can be responsible users.

 I believe there needs to be guide line in place for the use of mobile phones in the classroom. There are lots of benefits using this tool in the and yet there are some negative as well.

With the use of De Bono’s yellow and blue thinking hats I examine the use of mobile phones being used in the classrooms. Here is a link to my conclusion on the use of mobile phones in the classroom. http://dominicag.wikispaces.com/Mobile+Phones

There are legal and ethical requirements that schools must adhere to in ensuring that we are maintaining the safety of each child under our care. One thing we as educators need to consider when implementing mobile phones and other technological gadgets into the classroom is safety, for example, the safety of students using the internet from their phones is of great concern. Students can be very vague when it comes to the use of the internet and how to stay safe especially when using social networks. It is the schools responsibility to provide guideline and the teachers are required to monitor students use of the digital devices. Web Aware (2010) has provided some information on how to teach children about being safe on the net these are just some of the things they cover:

                        Cyber bullying

                        Marketing aimed at kids

                        Sexual risk and harm

                        Pornography

                        Violent and hateful content

                        Gaming

                        Excessive internet use

Summing this all up it has become quite clear to me how ICTs can be a wonderful learning journey. As a teenager I went through many challenges whilst using these tools in my education and social world. However, E-Learning has helped my rediscover how significant ICT is in today’s educational arena. I look forward to intergrading ICT into my classroom and with excitement show students how it all works.

 Reflection, Analysis of the Tool:

I will use the PMI (plus, minus and implications) to discuss the use of ICT tools and how I could incorporate them into a learning environment.

Tool 1 – The Blog

The first tool I will be exploring is online communication using Blogger. Grant (2011, p.27) believes, ‘Social media – loves it or hate it, it’s the future of communication’, I believe I could effectively incorporate the use of Blogger into my classroom as I have found this tool useful myself and it has benefitted my learning through this course. Furthermore, I am becoming a much greater reflective thinker through my postings on my blog pages. This can be a valuable tool for teachers and students to use in their classroom. As they begin to interact on the blogger page one can begin to see the progress of each child. Furthermore, it enables teachers to see where they may be having difficulties.

Here is an example of where I can incorporate blogger into the classroom, throughout the year after each topic is studied students would post reflections and analyse what they have learnt on their personal blogger page. This would show the students learning journey throughout the year. The teacher, student, peers and parents can easily access it. Furthermore, students can discuss with each other the blogging topics, which can reinforce learning and develop wider perspectives on such information. In addition, students who reflect upon their work are using a higher order thinking process thus they are transforming their knowledge.

Tool 2 – Images using Movie Maker:

The next tool that I found interesting and proved to have some challenges was using images to make a movie through ‘Movie Maker’. Higher order thinking processes would be engaged while tackling this task. Students will need to consider what images they will use, how and where to place them in the film sequence, what sound to use the effects and script required to complete the movie. This would be a great art, language and mathematic unit of work for the children to undertake. The children will have a range of topics to choose from. They will then write a story to go along with it. Following this they will design and make the characters to go with their script and so on. Once they have made all the characters and props they will begin taking photos and creating sound effects and so on to complete the task. On completion of the task the students can celebrate by show their movie to a selected audience. 

Tool 3 – Power Point

PowerPoint is a creative tool that can be used by both the student and the teacher to present information to an audience. This tool can help students with oral presentations, as it can be very daunting for some individuals to stand in front of an audience. The tool allows individuals to embed visual, sound and animation to make their presentation more appealing to their audience. PowerPoint’s can make lessons more appealing to students, thus, retaining the student’s attention and keeping them engaged and focused on the lesson. For example, when having a lesson on insects the teacher can have insects with the sounds they make on slides so that they know what sound each insect produces.

I spent time making a PowerPoint and discovered new techniques such as, using my voice to record words. The way I would use this tool in the classroom is through getting students to write a poem on a particular topic then record the poem and place it on a slide. After that, the class can view the PowerPoint and discuss the topic using the ‘See, Think, Wonder’ concept. See, Think, Wonder (Pz Harvard, 2011) allows students to ask themselves:

            What do you see?

            What do you think about that?

What does it make you wonder?

Doing this activity with the PowerPoint presentation caters for a number of learning styles. Students are also practicing higher order thinking through reflection.

Tool 4 – Mind Mapping

The last tool I want to explore is ‘Mind Mapping’ using ‘Bubbl.us’ (2011) let me begin by saying I had never heard of this concept before I started this course. I had no idea how this tool could possibly help me as a teacher. However, once I explored bubbl.us I was surprised to find how helpful it can be in a classroom setting. Once you have done a little research on your project you can put this information into bubbl.us that can then help link your subject matter together and create a mind map. This is also a great tool for your initial brainstorming. Mind mapping is a very helpful tool for visual learners.

To conclude, there is an overwhelming trend with all these tools and that is they each can capture the learner and keep them engaged in their learning.

References:

Churches, A. (2009). Blooms digital taxonomy. Edorigami wikispace. Retrieved from

http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/bloom%27s+Digital+taxonomy+v3.01.pdf

Comber, B., Nixon, H., and Reid, J. (2007).  Literacies in place: teaching environmental communications. Newtown, NSW:

Primary Teaching Association.

Grant, A. (2011, July). One chick geek. Profile magazine.

Magazine, p. 27

Fasso, W2011, Readings: Group 2 technologies, CQUniversity Australia,

http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/file.php/17116/MobileWeek2/html/Readings2.html 

Retrieved 10 August 2011

Visible Thinking. (2011). See think wonder. Retrieved from

http://www.pz.harvard.edu/vt/visibleThinking_html_files/03_ThinkingRoutines/03c_Core_routines/SeeThinkWonder/SeeThinkWonder_Routine.html

Web Aware, (2010). Media awareness network. Challenging cyberbullying. Retrieved from

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/wa_resources/wa_shared/backgrounders/challenge_cyberbullying.cfm

Tool 4 - Mind Mapping A GREAT! tool

https://bubbl.us/ 

Wow GREAT tool!! Once you get the hang of it… It took me time and patience to figure out how to add bubbles on bubbl.us (2011). Overall after figuring out how to add bubbles I consider Mind Mapping as a brilliant tool to use with students. In the past I never liked planning as I thought it was a waste of time and I was all over the place with my ideas. Discovering Mind Mapping has made me realise planning can be all over the place with simple words and ideas that link. This technique has helped me plan in my other subjects. Furthermore, I will be sure to use Mind Mapping in the classroom to encourage students to research tasks and gain ideas for their assessment items.

PowerPoint Vs Prezzies

PMI - PowerPoint
ü    Instruction are clear to understand   ü    Popular too Commonly used   ü    Fun for presenting information, which can engage students   ü    Can have Videos, Pictures and Images ect.   ü    Keep track of time as it allows you to monitor the presentation	û  You need buy the software for you computer   û  When hyperlinking you need to have the accessible link available (e.g. USB)   û  When trying to upload a PowerPoint to Blog found it difficult		ü  Fun way to explore new styles of learning   ü  Can give confidence to students when doing an oral test   ü  Students can creatively engage with technology
PMI - Prezzie
ü Fun Website     ü       Has tutorials which show you how  to easily set up a Prezzie   ü  Can be used for a range of activities   ü      Free   ü     Easy to upload images   ü    Others can edit your Prezzie	û  Time consuming as it took me a bit of time to figure out the tool   û       Unsafe for children as anyone can view the Prezzie   û  Users have to have their own   account	ü  Has a new and exciting zooming technique that could engage students ü  Easy to link to online spaces

Slides have been about for 50 years and Prezzi claims to be the way of the future, with its latest zooming performance (Prezi, 2011).  However, PowerPoint has not yet been pushed aside as it has updated features that can allow users to create a presentation using images, sound, videos and lots more. PowerPoint is available and easily accessed on computers that have the Microsoft Office pack. Furthermore, you will find that all school computers have access to this tool making it very user friendly. Whereas, Prezzie is only accessible online, making it hard for a user to use the tool if they are not connected to the Internet. So I believe that it would be much more beneficial for the use of PowerPoint in the classroom because of its simplistic format and easily accessed.

Week 1&2 - Wiki Activities

Behaviourism

Structure in classrooms is required so that the students understand what is needed of them. If the students are aware of what they should and shouldn’t be doing they have a better perceptive on what the consequences would be. If there is no behavior management in the classroom learning cannot take place. Allowing the students to have an understanding of what the teacher’s expectations are will help them to choose their actions more carefully.


Managing inappropriate behaviour will enhanced the students learning ability. This will teach the child self control as well helping them understand the way they need to interact with others. When they have misbehaved the child will get an opportunity to reflex on their behavior. This allows the child to begin to see that inappropriate behavior has consequences.

http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/behaviour.htm

http://www.bfskinner.org/BFSkinner/SurveyOperantBehavior.html

The use of 'Mobile Phones'

I believe this is the opportunity for teachers to relate to pupils using knowledge of the tool in various classroom activities. To sustain 21st century learning as a future learning manager I think embedding technology into classroom activities will motivate the students to remain engaged. Yes, there a down sides to face with using mobile phones. There will always be the few students who take advantage of the tool; with correct disciple procedures in place this should prove to be a usual classroom practice for the few students who always find joy out of disruption. Lets face the facts majority of children under the age of five know how to use a phone and surprisingly enough by the time they reach primary school a high percentage have their own number. This is a connected generation and I think we need to stay one step ahead of them and be connected ourselves. The link below takes you to my wiki site, which looks at some of DeBono’s six thinking hats methods:

http://dominicag.wikispaces.com/Behaviourism

Tool 2 - Video using Images

http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

Check out the movie on the link below:

http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php

Tool 2 - MovieMaker

My first uploaded videoclip of my weird dog! Yogie-Bear

I discovered hours of fun using Movie Maker! This tool allowed me to edit a movie recorded from my iPhone. I played with the sound, picture effects, time, voice recording and cutting tool. I would use this tool in the classroom, as I believe it could help engage students in activities making the task fun and motivating. It would be the teachers duty to monitor the tool among students. The downside is if you don’t know how to use moviemaker it can be quite confusing and  take hours from your day. However, it is easy to upload the movie to YouTube the link it to you online space.

Tool 4 - Images

Time spent playing with images. It was fun spending time exploring how to crop images and add effects. The down side is some students may find it difficult to hold the camera still to take the picture. I would use this tool in the classroom with students or on excursions (Camera). For instance, the students can you the tool to create a stock motion animation. This can involve taking photos, selecting specific ones and editing them. Afterwards, placing the image onto a specific background that could relate to a topic of study. Then the students can present their work in a class discussion and be assessed.

Online Spaces

Over the last few weeks I have explored the use of Wiki, Blogger and Weebly. At first this was all very overwhelming for me. I honestly did not think I could ever get the hang of these new web tools. However, now it is one month into E-Learning and I have had so much fun creating websites, making a talking Voki (Bono's six thinking hats (VOKI)), using Wordle, Screen Shots (E-Learning Week 3 Yeepee!!), linking items to personal online spaces and exploring so much more other tools.

Technology is incredible! I am definitely going to use these tools in the classroom for activities. For instance, I would use blogger to allow students to access resources online. These resources could be homework tasks and lessons that students may have missed. The blogger could also be an advantage to the student as they could share schoolwork, gain support, receive feedback and reflect on their schoolwork. Furthermore, students could set up a school class blog and become pen pals with another school class around the world. Additionally, allowing the students to interact and experience the other culture through higher order thinking.

I believe students will benefit from the fun and challenging moments in exploring and using social networking. Also allowing the student to use higher order thinking as them come across difficult challenges when using online tools.

E-Learning Week 3 Yeepee!!

This afternoon in E-Learning we looked at ways technology could enrich a child’s learning. Simone and I considered the TPACK framework and how we would practice it in a lesson teaching Ancient Egypt. We both decided it is important to make the lesson real for the children so they would want to engage in the learning activity. We thought an interesting tool to use would be Google Earth allowing the children to explore and find where Egypt is. Then using Scribble Map the children could mark all the landmarks they would want to visit. Subsequently the class would discuss what they would pack if they were to go to Egypt. Allow the students to spend time on the computer developing their researching skill. Furthermore, allowing higher order thinking to take place.

Oh yes I also remembered… Always Have Plan B! That is what I have below an example of a screen shot of Egypt. This is just in case the internet decides it does not want to work.

Bono's six thinking hats (VOKI)

Debno’s six thinking hats method was developed in the early 1980’s. I think this method would help encourage student’s to view information differently. This would be a great tool in classroom discussion showing children all the different positions they could take. For example, looking at transport from a black hats perspective. The negative things that arise using transport, or a yellow hat looking at the positives of transport etc. 

E-Learning Week 2!

TPACK?
Technology
Pedagogical
And
Content
Knowledge Framework

Digital technology is the future. To embed this knowledge into teaching children will enhance the students understanding. Furthermore, preparing students with levels of knowing, from simple to complex knowledge (Bloom, 2011). There is a range of software available for educational purposes and I believe this would be very feasible for classroom learning. For example, the use of a computer could include visualisation, modelling, presentation, simulation, organisation and learning objectives. Furthermore, the Internet has a vast amount of limitless resources. However, it is up to the teacher to design learning using digital technology so that learners can come to distinguish what is know, and in the way the teacher knows it. Pedagogical-Content knowledge occurs when the teacher can design lessons with the pupils in different forms to make learning comprehensible for the students. TPACK teaching would assist future students in developing skills and preparing them for real life perspectives.

Creativity & Students

Creativity is important for future generations we need to allow children to have experiences with being creative. 

Do we get educated out of creativity? I found this question quiet interesting as I watch (Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?). 


Throughout school I was always encouraged by people to avoid creative subject: dance, music, art, and so on. This is because they thought they were not relevant for my future. I now believe we need to encourage and build on a students future allowing them to express themselves through creativity.

Learning Styles & my Approach...

Q. In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson?

Our goal as teachers should always be complex thinking. In a class of 25 students I would support the students different range of learning through the ‘Pedagogy Approach’. This approach requires the teachers to focus on the mindset plus skills necessary for effective teaching and learning of the student. Furthermore, this approach caters for the different learning styles using various methods that support students in the way they learn beast (Moodle – Week 2, 2011). For instance, at the start of a lesson the topic can be explained to the students as a group having an overview of the topic (catering for Kinaesthetic Learners). The class can then discuss the topic (catering for Auditory Learners), helping the students comprehend the activity through conversation (Florida, R, 1969, p.68).  Followed by a practical demonstration involving they students (catering for Visual Learners). This method I believe can help support students who learn differently and encourage them to engage in their studies.

Know Your Learner

In completing the Felder and Solomon learning style test I realised that I am a ‘Visual Learner’. I do agree with these results because when I reflect on myself I recognized that I use numerous visual elements to aid my studies. For instance, pictures, colours to highlight my work, notes from lectures and visual information to help me memorise the information. 

The learning experiences I believe would cater best to my studies would be having practical example embedded into theory lessons. This would help me understand what is being spoken about, putting it into action for myself. Likewise keeping me engaged as I can become uninterested listening to tedious lectures.

As a future learning manager I would require techniques that would cater to all learning styles (Auditory, Visual and Kinaesthetic learning). I have started understand that each learners’ have a range of attributes and different style that need to be considered when planning lessons. This is how ICT could be a great tool to work with in the classroom as it has a variety of tools that can benefit each learning style. For example, a bright colourful website on learning math’s found at ‘Maths Fun’:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/games/dstar-puzzle.html

This would be great tool for a visual learner as they can be captured with the colours and interacting of the website. Furthermore, gaining knowledge learning about maths.

Oh what fills my head when I think about E-Learning!

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3830185/E-Learning

E-Learning hmm what did I expect? Well let’s start by saying I didn’t know what to expect entering uni midyear. However, I have made it through my first week of lectures woohoo!I do enjoy fiddling on the computer and learning new things. The only thing that concerns me is writing all your comments and feeling on a webpage. I was never one to post much on FB. The comments of people seem to show how boring there life is (I’m bored, I’m eating, I’m driving… Do we need to know all this?) Technology these days and socialising online has never caught my eye. I like real face-to-face chats when I socialise. Sometime online we can read a message totally wrong or totally miss the point of what was said. This is just my opinion and I’m open to other views or Maybe I will experience some transformative thinking lol :-D