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Katie - Talk about how i use tools at school.

Kyah - Weeblys

Ben - Week 1 - Delicious

Reflective Synopsis...

E-learning is an important process in enhancing students learning capabilities. E-Learning is the concept of combining modern and innovative technologies into the learning design process. These days technology is becoming more advanced and more commonly used by everyday people. Students are the next generation coming through and there fore the use of technology is a common thing among them so it would come as no surprise that most students in a classroom are guaranteed to own a mobile, an iPod or mp3, a digital camera and/or have access to a computer. Many students will not only own some of these items but are able to do creative and marvelling things with them (Education 2009). With the wide range of readily available technology why not make it a part of our classrooms in whatever ways we can. ICT in classrooms is already used at a minimal rate, more so in high schools then primary schools. The use of technology such as computers can be quite difficult and have limits and barriers such as computers may be limited in their use or they may be widely shared and used throughout the school. Teachers must also stay current and aware of how to use and manage operating systems in order for them to be confident in teaching students how to use these programs and ICT tools in a classroom environment. Some deterring factors for the use of ICT in planning lessons is that in some schools computers and other ICT equipment is not readily available (Education, 2009). This can mean students being exposed to no technology at in the school environment. If a teacher is not confident in using the technology effective teaching and learning will not take place (Education, 2009). Some ICT tools such as wiki spaces can be useful as a learning centre in which all students can collaborate and draw information from as a collaborative effort but these ICT tools can also be harmful for some students if not monitored. ICT in a classroom opens p a wide range and whole new state of learning strategies, ideas and styles. Computers and ICT tools are generally used for assignments and assignment submission in most learning environments. If computers are not readily available at home for students their ICT usage is nothing more then what is available in their learning environment. Students are commonly given assignment time on the computers to discover resources online and get information from their sources. Programs like Microsoft office (word, excel, powerpoint, publisher) at a basic level are being used to create and present assignments. Emails are used minimally and mainly for students to send assignments or information to and from home. High school students are restricted by the limitations put on assignments and the submission of assignments, students are and can be much more creative with the use ICT tools. Many high school students have a large range of skills and the ability to design, and structure ideas and thoughts in many much more creative ways then a simple typed or written assignment on a piece of paper. Technology has made sharing knowledge and information so much easier, but storing large amounts of information in one place where anyone and everyone can access it at any given time. This information can not only be accessed but shared between many people at the same time.

People argue that the use of educational technology is not detrimental but in fact a positive teaching strategy (Education, 2009). If the right educational technology is selected by a teacher then students could be optimized and enhanced. When used correctly educational technology will influence educational outcomes. Teachers must follow some important steps to ensure that using ICT in a classroom is in fact helpful in maximising learning (Newhouse, 2002). While computers and technology are important before bringing them into a learning environment it is necessary to decide what the students, teachers or school wants to achieve. Deciding what is needed to achieve these goals in an efficient and structured way teachers are able to use technology productively. ICT in a classroom also opens up the argument that teaching becomes technology based rather than students centred (Newhouse, 2002). Though the students are becoming more use to technology and therefore a technology-based classroom is student centred and gives them a wide range of tools and room for creativity, critical thinking, collaborative work, and individuality in a fun and educational way.


In the synopsis I have chosen to talk about 4 of the ICT tools studied in the course. These tools are online blogs, weeblys, online forums and wikispaces. The use of online blogging and using blog sites such as blogger, or Ning can allow students to create a journal online. This also allows the teacher to regularly check student’s progress, updates, thoughts, and can help teacher’s structure the lessons based on feedback from the students on what they do and don’t understand in the classes. Considering the old method of journaling, writing down your thoughts on a book and the teacher looking at it, doesn’t give you the freedom of reflecting and editing at any stage and also can be difficult to mark or comment on. The freedom of blogging, you can come back and edit your work, others can look at it and comment, and you can create a page that suits you as well as what your working on. This also gives students the opportunity to reflect not only on there own work but also on the work and thoughts of other students giving them a wider perspective on a single topic. This also give teachers the opportunity to see what a student is thinking and when they think it and how other students can relate or unrelated to the thoughts of other students as well as the teacher being able to add their own thoughts as well. This creates peer teaching and tutoring and collaborative thinking in that all other students following that persons blog can see what he/she is doing and having trouble with and may be able to help. Valuable feedback can be gained from lessons through teachers checking the blogs of students as well as helping the teacher grasp an understanding of student train of thought.(more on Blogs). The use of wiki spaces as a learning place in which students can add, retract or synthesis ideas allowing much broader teaching range than simple classroom discussions. (More on Wikis). The possibilities for ICT in a high school classroom are endless. For e.g. the simple use of PowerPoint’s, Images and resizing, Prezi, Mind mapping online, Google and Google Maps, youtube. Using online forums can also advance a students learning in that you can discuss topics and information with anyone around the world. Students have the ability with online forums to ask an expert a question or discuss a situation with people who are relevant. For e.g. Wanting to know what its like living n another state while there is a cyclone there, students can get online and find and expert on topic and find people who are living it first hand to really get a great idea of what its like to be there. Many frameworks for teachers are available in today’s learning environments. Dimensions of learning, the big 6, productive pedagogies and blooms taxonomy name a few of these extensive frameworks. I have chosen to look into the TPAK. The TPACK framework is a way to think about effective technology integration, recognizing technology, pedagogy, content and context as interdependent aspects of teachers’ knowledge necessary to teach content-based curricula effectively with educational technologies” Harris, Mishra, and Koehler (2009, p. 393). (More on TPACK)


References

Education, T. o. (2009). The importance of ICT. Retrieved august 20, 2010, from Ofsted: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/The-importance-of-ICT-information-and-communication-technology-in-primary-and-secondary-schools-2005-2008
Koeler, M., & Punya, M. (2010, June). TPAK. Retrieved August 26, 2010, from http://www.tpck.org/tpck/index.php?title=Main_Page
Newhouse, P. (2002, December). The impact of ICT on learning and teaching. Retrieved auguat 24, 2010, from Western Australian department of education: https://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/downloads/pd/impactreview.pdf


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TPACK frame work

The TPAK model is simply this: “The TPACK framework is a way to think about effective technology integration, recognizing technology, pedagogy, content and context as interdependent aspects of teachers’ knowledge necessary to teach content-based curricula effectively with educational technologies” Harris, Mishra, and Koehler (2009, p. 393). Content Knowledge (CK)Content knowledge refers to the understanding that a teacher possesses about the subject which they will teach to students.Some examples of Content knowledge are: Primary school science, high school history, undergraduate art or graduate-level astrophysics. Harris, Mishra, and Koehler (2009, p. 397). Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) encompasses the knowledge and techniques of teaching and learning in a classroom environment For example, using different learning styles such as De Bono’s six thinking hats and David Keirsey’s Temperament styles (Harris, Mishra, & Koehler, 2009). Technological Knowledge (TK) In comparison with Content and Pedagogical understanding, Technological knowledge is constantly changing. Therefore, it can be a difficult area to define. This also means that any definition of Technological knowledge is in danger of becoming outdated within a short period of time (Harris, Mishra, & Koehler, 2009). Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) “Pedagogical Content Knowledge is the intersection and interaction of pedagogy and content knowledge. PCK is consistent with and similar to Shulman’s (1986) conceptualization of teaching knowledge applicable to a specific content Area” Harris, Mishra, and Koehler (2009, p. 398). Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) Technological Pedagogical Knowledge refers to how teaching and learning can alter when different technologies are used in the classroom. For example, using an interactive whiteboard in place of a normal whiteboard (Harris, Mishra, & Koehler, 2009).

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Google maps

View Adelaide in a larger map

Using google maps to place pins and links on particular places. photos can also be linked in.

students can use this for assignments and for showing places and things that you can find in these places.

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Image resizing

Using a program call MobaPhotos and a digital camera we could resizes photos so they could be uploaded onto the internet.

This program is a portable USB program that you save on your USB and can use in any computer compatible to the program and run it straight from your USB, theres no installing just download it and save it and your all ready to go.

this program is a quick easy and effective program that can be used to resized images so that the take up less room in power points, assignments, internet pages.

Additional information and downloads for MobaPhotos found here: MobaPhotos

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Images ...

This image above could be used in a classroom for any mapping exercises of the world. The image is blank and not labelled giving the students a clean start to be more creative. The teacher also has the ability to change or edit activities that could use this blank map more then once or for a particular activity. Teacher can get students to label places they know on the maps and work together to find as many as possible. Using images in a classroom can create a new way of students seeing things and comprehending them. For example the amounts of places that are in the world and how big it actually is. This can enhance the comprehension of many topics to a student by getting them to see beyond what they know. A simple image can to one person mean nothing but to another mean the world and can simulate creativity and individual critical thinking from each student giving a wide range of ideas and thoughts about a single image. In a geography lesson you could give each student a map of the world and show them which countries go where. Or in a lesson where mapping is involved you could set up an interactive white board and use Google maps to give your students a more in depth look at countries, distance, size, land mass. You can also using google maps get students to plan a trip from on country to another finding how fair it would be from one destination to another.

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Power Point

Students and teachers in a classroom environment can effectively use PowerPoint in a variety of ways. For example you can:
1. Edit images in power point by changing shapes and colours
2. Create a sideshow that can showcase information found in assignments
3. Use a sideshow as a backing for a speech in which images flutter across the screen whilst you say your speech.
4. Power point can also be used as a mind mapping page - Simply by adding shapes and lines onto a document in power point will allow you to create a mind map
5. PowerPoint’s can be used in music lesson as a creative way of making music to fit a scene or mood - to create an animation using PowerPoint and then after it is created then make the sound effects to go with their slideshow.
Many students enjoying the hands on feel of using a computer in all classroom environments, especially when it’s a unusual class to use a computer in like music or drama. The use of power point can create motivation to have more effects and better information and presentation but also create a fun and individual style of presenting information and skill. This new and innovative way of adding ICT into a lesson that would not normally use computers can help motivate the students to want to create and learn in class and can give motivation to do more work at home by using tools they learn to use at school.

DaniiBella Xx

The BIG six

The Big6 is basically a model in which the thinking of people of all ages is broken down into 6 stages which have 2 sub levels per stage.
In a learning environment the Big6 or elements of the big6 can be used in every problem and every activity a student is given.
Every assignment at school requires you to:
1. Define your task and what it is you have to do – the information, the problem. Knowing what information is needed.
2. Finding different ways and places to access and use information- find as many sources as possible and identify them. Select the best of them.
3. Locating and accessing information - Locate source (intellectually and physically) and find information within the sources
4. Using the information- engage with the information (read, hear, touch, see), pick out the relevant information.
5. Synthesis- Organize and present the relevant information
6. Evaluation- judging the product (effectiveness) and the process (efficiency)

The Big6 thinking process is used in everyday thinking process of everyone.


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To learn more visits: The Big Six, this is were I accessed my information.

Wikispaces !

Wikispaces to me are a general mixture of a forum and a plan old website. You can create a wiki and add your thoughts and ideas o share with others but this information can also be accessed, changed and added to by others working in a collaborative group. Wikipedia is a massive online wiki space in which online information is added and continually updated by users around the globe. A wiki is different to a blog in that a blog is your own individual learning and thoughts while a wiki space can be updated and changed by multiple users. Wikis can be used in classroom for individual and collaborative work as they students can create edit and present information in a way that suits them and can be accessed by others wishing to add, change or learn about a topic. The use of the wikis in class can allow students to create a site of their own and present information in witch other students can learn from or add to from different views and opinions of a single topic. By creating their own wiki in their own personal style the student is able to set out their work in a way that suits their learning style. The student’s work can then reflect what they have learnt on a topic and also help teachers understand and look into what students would like to learn from topics studied. Students collaborate online to get effective learning results. They are able to comment and collaborate on any thought posted onto the wikispace. Students enjoy any activities in which they are able to collaborate and gain feedback from their peers.

View my Wiki here : DaniiBella93

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Weebly

Making your own website seems pretty hard. But it can be so easy. Weebly is an online site that you can create, personalise and share you very own webpage. Using weebly in school can enhance creativity with students. Simply get each student to create there own webpage on a topic of there choice and set a task outline on the general information and audience in witch they have to present it. The students can then access each other’s sites and in a fun creative way learn new things about different topics and even comment and add opinions on the said topic. Though creating your own website can be a daunting challenge for some students for others it can be an opportunity to explore their ICT skills and create a page that is individual for those who it presents to be a challenge it can become an opportunity to learn new things about ICT and in some cases to become collaborative by working with a more sufficient and knowledgeable student they can learn new things. Many students love the opportunity to use computers in a classroom environment, it breaks the boredom of reading and copying from the board a textbook and being talked at by teachers and creates an individual and creative classroom working environment by keeping students engaged in what they are doing. In creating an activity or assignment that allows the students to contribute their individual thoughts and ideas into the creation of a webpage will enhance their learning.

You can View my weebly here : DaniiBella93

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Blogging

During he term we discussed the concept of blogging. In a nutshell, to me, blogging is just an online version of a journal. I have always had trouble remembering past reflections, and have always had trouble analysing things I have previously done or read for others, so the easy, useful concept of a blog can be used for future references, to comment others opinions and for collaboratively working with others and would be useful to a teacher and students in a classroom. The use of a journal / blog give students the opportunity to reflect on what they have learnt and to share with others their thoughts and opinions. The use of reflection through blogs gives the students the ability t revisit what they have learnt and this can help the transition between long term and short term memory. Blogging can create critical thinking of not only students personal work but of the work of others, this can enhance how students see things and can give them responsibility of there own thinking and learning and gives them the opportunity to be individual and in control of how they want to learn and what works for them. Online bloggers can change the fonts of texts, the size and also the colour of chosen texts allowing the students to be creative and make the work they do there own and have the ability to create a fun and free environment while still educating students. Students can add background pictures or artwork and change the layout of their chosen blogs to suit them and their personality. ICT skills can be developed and enhanced through the use of bloggers, students will have to create log in and passwords giving them responsibility, and will be able to change settings and also can learn to format in HTML.
The use of blogs in convenient and I think would be a useful tool in a learning environment for both students and teachers.

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