Reflective Synposis

Reflective Synopsis

 

 

Wow.... What a crazy six weeks it has been. Throughout the first six weeks of this course I have been thrown into the e-learning world under a personal mantra of 'Sink or swim'. It has been an amazing experience thus far as we have investigated so many new and innovative technologies that are highly educational and very valuable to the classroom.

 

There is currently no one 'agreed upon' definition for e-learning. Recently, Sangra, Vlachopoulos, and Cabrera (IRRODL, Vol. 12, NO. 2 . 2012) defined e-learning as,

 

'An approach to teaching and learning representing all or part of the educational model applied, that is based on the use of electronic media and devices as tools for improving access to training, communication and interaction and that facilitates the adoption of new ways of understanding and developing learning'.

 

Through implementing this definition into the e-learning concept teachers gain a clearer understanding as to what e-learning actually consists of.

 

The first activity in this course was a wiki-spaces activity. This was a scaffolded activity that required responses to the question ' Mobile Phones - Should they be used in the classroom?'. The scaffolding was done through asking the respondents to uses the Six De Bono's hats. My responses can be found through this link, Mobile Phones Wiki.

 

Throughout the preceding six weeks we discovered many new technologies that we were required to trial, reflect and post a reflection on our blog. The technologies that I have chosen to further analyse are Blogs, Podcasts, Glogster and Concept Maps.     

 

 Group 1

 

In this group of technologies we looked at wiki-spaces, websites and blogs. After looking at each of these platforms I have chosen to analyse blogs further. I have decided upon blogs due the their ease of use, ability to be adapted quickly and are able to receive real time feedback. 

Through creating a blog (whether it be class, group, pairs or individual) students can contribute to the overall learning environment of their class and the wider community (depending on the subject and safety constraints). By using blogs in the class room (depending on subject and groupings) students gain control of their learning and create an ownership of their work. Students are able to express themselves through their learning's and provide real-time feedback to one another through the comments section. Through this comments section, students undertake peer reviews and further their learning by constructive debate and discussion. I have undertaken a SWOT analysis of the use of blogs in the classroom, so please follow the link to this posting.

 

Group 2  

 

This grouping of technology consisted of digital audio, video, photos and podcasts. Through investigation into these technologies, there are many uses for all of them in the classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed using them all and will be using a mixture of them in the classroom during my embedded professional learning experience. I have chosen to further analyse podcasts from this group as I find the possibilities for this technology very exciting.

 

Podcasts can be delivered through a range of mediums or a combination of mediums. They can also be viewed on multiple devices and are accessible at anytime on these devices (computers, phones, tablets or mp3 players). Through this access it allows the listener/viewer (student) to revisit or catch up of they are unsure of something or missed any of the content presented.

 

As outlined by Macintrust podcasts have many advantages in the classroom. A reflective posting on podcasts in the classroom can be found here.   

 

 

 Group 3
 

 

Under this grouping of technology we were asked to create a Glogster, Prezi and PowerPoint. This was a very enjoyable and creative experience for myself as I had only ever worked in PowerPoint. I was amazed at the flexibility and freedom that can be incorporated in both Glogster and Prezi. I found that PowerPoint (for myself) was very much a step backwards with regard to the other two technologies in this weeks activities.

 

I have chosen to undertake further analysis of the Glogster tool as I feel this is a technology that is very suited for the classrooms of the 21st century.

 

 

Glogster allows users to create their own 'project or story board' in such a way that it is fully engaging. This platform is a great way for a teacher to present information in a fun, interactive and educational way that also allows for the students to contribute to their learning environment. I have discussed this educational tool in further detail using a SWOT analysis on my blog. Here is also a great youtube video on how to implement Glogster into the classroom.     

 

Group 4

 

From this group of technologies I have chosen to undertake further analysis of Concept Maps. As a user of concept maps in the past (hand written) I found this technology to be  interactive, easy to use and highly enjoyable. This is a great tool to introduce topics or subjects to the class as it allows for a platform where prior knowledge on the subject can be obtained. It can also be used as a reference sheet for terms, ideas and concepts whilst working through a specific topic or subject. The concept map is also useful as a conclusion to a subject/topic as students and revisit this at the end of the unit and add/subtract or expand this to coincide with their learning.

 

Through the use of this technology students can be scaffolded into specific areas that the teacher wants them to explore. This tool also allows for links to be inserted into it thus creating an interactive learning experience. By undertaking this type of 'brainstorming' activity students get a visual concept also of how their learning is going to progress and the steps that they will be undertaking. This topic is discussed further through my blog posting where I have undertaken a PMI analysis.

 

 

Safety

 

Student safety is of paramount concern. Internet student safety is one of the major issues arising from the shift towards technology based learning (e-learning). Each school has an Internet/computer student safety policy or procedures that they have to adhere to. Each unit of work that requires the use of technology should have a lesson (if not a lesson then an amount of time) allocated to the teachings of student safety on the Internet. The following link is to Education Queensland's policies in regards to this subject.     

 

In my classroom I would follow the schools policies and procedures in regards to this matter. I would also ensure that I had a signed contract from the students stating that 'any misuse would result in lose of privileges in regards to the use of computers' and a signed form from parents and/or guardians stating that they agree to let their child/ren use the Internet and other technologies.  

 

 

Conclusion

 

Throughout this first six weeks I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience with technologies that I did not even know existed. Through exploration of these technological platforms, I have changed the way I think about technology in the classroom. This course has made me think about the ways in which the teaching profession is changing and how myself as a Pre-service (and actual next year) teacher am going to use these wonderful, engaging, and interactive resources to further the learning experience of the students that I will teach.

 

Through this first six weeks I have felt my views and apprehensions with technology in the classroom change dramatically and I feel that this change is for the better. This has been a great journey (so far) and I look forward to the rest of this course.     

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 

The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. Building an Inclusive Definition of E-Learning: An Approach to the Conceptual Framework. Sangra, Vlachopoulos, and Cabrera (IRRODL, Vol. 12, NO. 2 . 2012).

 

Source retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ983277.pdf 

 

Mobile Phones wiki-space

 

http://fahe11001-3-11.wikispaces.com/Group+3+Mobile+Phones

 

Education Queensland Cyber safety/ Cyber bullying. (Internet safety resources)

 

http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/behaviour/qsaav/docs/cybersafety-cyberbullying.pdf

 

Education Queensland Schools Polices (ICT safety)

http://education.qld.gov.au/web/schools/policy.html

 

Matt's Preservice Blog

 

http://matthewvaughan86.blogspot.com.au/
 

Macintrust

 

http://www.macinstruct.com/node/43

 

Reading Rockets - Concept Maps

 

http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/concept_maps/

 

 



Concept Maps

Concept Maps

 

 

Concept maps are a great tool for introducing a topic or gathering prior knowledge from students about their new subject. I found working with this tool to be a great experience and one that I will definitely incorporate into my teaching.

 

 

Through the creation of a concept/mind map ideas are developed faster and knowledge is gained much quicker. This was a great experience for myself. Below I have done a simple concept map that outlines the PMI for Concept Maps .

 

 

 

 

This concept map was created with smartdraw.



Glogster

Glogster

This tool was great deal of fun, something new that I had come across and is something that I can definitely see myself incorporating into my future classrooms. Through this I have decided that this is the medium tool that I will be expanding upon for further reflection. For this further reflection I will be using the SWOT analysis tool. 

Strengths

* Easy of use
* Interactive
* Can incorporate all learners and learning styles
* Viewership is well controlled
* Can be group or individual work
* Strong applications to declarative and procedural knowledge (Michael Richardson Blog)
* Adaptive format

Weaknesses

* Time consuming 
* Is a technology based format so needs a computer and Internet to function
* Students may become 'overloaded' by the kinaesthetic of the Glogster and forget the importance of the content. 

Opportunities
 * Allows for creativity
* Is a method of combining written, visual, oral and technology texts into one form. 
* Could be used as an interactive homework sheet or activity sheet.  
* Integrates technology into the classroom

Threats

* Internet and computer reliant.
* Technology does not always work.
* Safety needs and precautions for the internet (monitoring content) need to be in place.


This tool is a great way for children to become involved learners. Through this tool the students have control of every aspect of their 'Golg', from its look to its content. If scaffolded in the right way in the classroom this would be a fantastic way for students to integrate their technological skills into their everyday classroom learning.


Here is a great video on how to use Glogster in the classroom. YouTube

PowerPoints

PowerPoint's

 

The PowerPoint tool is for all intent and purposes a great method of communicating a presentation or idea. This way however is now becoming more mundane and out of touch with the learners and learning style's in today's world. 

 

I found learning via PowerPoint presentations to be very teacher and content focused. PowerPoint's can be interactive to a degree but there are so many more platforms out there that are now more effective teaching platforms for interaction in the classroom to occur.      

Below is my PowerPoint for a recycling unit that I will be undertaking in my first placement school.

This is a great tool for 'lectures or business meetings' but in today's day and age and with the abundance of other great interactive and communication tools out there, the PowerPoint has likely come to the end of its cycle in the modern day classroom.  
 

Prezi's

Prezi's are amazing!!! This is the most fun I have had with a presentation platform for a long time.

The format that Prezi presents is a great interactive tool is a breeze to get used to and adapt. Throughout my undergraduate program I had never come across this platform before but will definitely be using this tool in the future. 

This is a great tool for students to present their learning, assignments or oral presentations on as it provides the information all on the one page with easy access. 

Below is some useful ways a Prezi can be used in a classroom:

Retreived from Prezi

Here is my attempt at a Prezi!!!

Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcasts can be either a visual or audio recording that is posted onto the internet from listening and/or viewing.

Upon investigation into this medium it is evident that this is an invaluable tool for learning, sharing and creating ideas and meaningful discussions. I was blown away by the vast amounts of podcasts in iTunes and the content that was covered.

The Western Australian Department of Education website shares the following view towards podcasts,

'Creating a podcast allows students to share learning experiences. It provides them with a world-wide audience that makes learning meaningful and assessment authentic. Teachers can use the technology to provide additional and revision material to students to download and review at a time that suits them. The flexibility that such time-shifting offers makes podcasting a valuable educational tool'.

Some advantages of podcasts in education are:

* Allows students to access content at anytime.

* If students miss the content due to being absent they are able to revisit it

* Great for revision and study purposes

* Incorporates many different learning styles

* Is a mobile format (can be viewed/listened to on many devices at anytime)

Disadvantages include:

* Is one way communication

* Can become slow and boring if speakers voice is mundane

* Not all students may have access to internet or a device that is compatible

There are many sites that offer podcasts, below are some of the ones that I looked through and found highly valuable and educational;

ABC National

ABC EdPod

iTunes

Also here is a list of tips for integrating podcasts into the classroom.
 

References

Western Australian Department of Education

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/podcasts/ 

50 Podcasting Ideas for the Classroom

http://www.podiumpodcasting.com/pdfs/podiumTopTipsGuideWEB.pdf



Digital Audio

 

 

The platform that I used for this engagement activity was Audioboo. This was a great site and very easy to use. I made the recording through my iPhone and then embedded it through their website. 

 

I found this to be a very useful tool and could be implemented into the classroom teachings very easily. Audioboo's could be very useful in the classroom context through providing students feedback, self reflection on work, class reflections on topics and even a way for teachers to communicate with parents and care givers (where internet access and computers are available). 

 

Below is my first attempt at an Audioboo

 

   

listen to ‘First audio test’ on Audioboo

Digital Videos

 

 

This video was made in Windows Movie Maker.

 

 

The process of making this movie was at first very complex, however once I become familiar with the program and its functions it was a very quick and easy process. This tool would be very suitable for use in the upper primary schooling sector and beyond.

 

 For the evaluation of this tool I will use a PMI evaluation:

 

Positives:

 

* Easy to use

* Interactive

* Prior use likely

* Engaging

* Plethora of resources

* Mobile/portable

* Peer assessable

* Easy to navigate regardless of the program or platform

 

Minuses:

 

* Students can easily get distracted or off task

* Reliance on technology (malfunctions)

* Disrupted learning due to interruptions and questions

 

 

Interesting:

 

Video and movies are now one of the biggest ways in which we as a greater society. Through using this medium in our students learning experiences they are becoming effective communicators in both theirs and the greater communities environment (for example, YouTube).   

 

 

Implementation into the classroom:

 

Through this type of medium students are given the ability to investigate, expand and create their own learning. This learning tool is a great way to engage students in their own learning and allow them to express their creativity into a specific topic. 

 

This type of learning experience is very much apart of the ACARA curriculum and needs to be imbedded where possible.

 

 

References:

 

www.youtube.com

 

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/Information-and-Communication-Technology-capability/Introduction/Introduction

 

 

 

 

 

 





Uploading Photos 

 

Through investigation in these engagement activities, I have used several photos and images to explore the uses of the suggested tools. I found MobaPhoto and Flickr were generally good to use and manageable.

 

I used befunky.com to manage and manipulate a photo of a Jelly Fish from my computer. I found this tool to be really easy to use, very engaging and lots of fun.

 

 

 

Through adapting the learning experience with photos, students will have a much more in depth and engaging learning experience. Photos allow students to express themselves in different manners and are a highly effective form of non-verbal communication.

 

Through this tool students could be uploading photos of their workings in class, sporting photos and many other aspects of the schooling day that forms a story board of their learning experiences throughout the school.

 

However, the restrictions and safety measure that apply to the Internet and the posting of images needs to be adhered to at all times. Student safety on the Internet is of paramount importance.