In an everchanging world, time is of the essence. Therefore it is vitally important that time is not wasted. Technology has been developed in order for mankind to save time.
Introducing technology, e-learning tools and teaching methodologies should be properly researched, explored and tested before being introduced into today’s classroom. Time is needed to research and develop these tools. Over the past six weeks I have dedicated some of my time to researching a small number of tools that could be utilised in the classroom. I have experienced the highs of being so deeply engaged in what I was doing, that I completely forgot I was learning something new and exciting. I have also experienced the lows of being so terribly frustrated because technology was working against me and not with me and I just felt like I was wasting my time.
As Prensky (2005) states, engage or enrage. As a future Learning Manager it is important to ensure that students are engaged with the learning. Through the use of e-learning technology students can engage with learning using a meaningful application. The active process of learning occurs when prior knowledge is linked with new knowledge to construct meaning (Marzano and Pickering, 1997, p. 51). Therefore it is important when considering the use of e-learning tools that they meet these requirements.
Wikis are an e-learning tool that I would use in my classroom to facilitate group work. Secondary students lead a busy lifestyle as they are required to meet with the demands of school, work, sport and social commitments and it is difficult to find a mutually convenient time to meet in order to complete group work assignments. Wikis negate this issue as the students can leave their input on the Wiki page whenever the occasion arises. The work is then available for the other students in the group to interact with, add to and process. Also the work can never be lost or eaten by the dog. Group work that is well designed will develop cognitive and social skills (McInerney and McInerney, 2006, p. 293).
Voki Avatars is another e-learning tool that I will endeavour to use in my classroom. Voki Avatars introduce another character into the classroom and can deliver information in a more engaging manner. I thought it would be a great idea to use Avatars to introduce the weekly spelling list, however upon discussion with a fellow future Learning Manager it was suggested he could use Avatars in his Woodwork classroom to issue safety warnings. Avatars could also be used to ask quiz type questions or to simply deliver information. Whilst they are not interactive (unless you have the students create one) they introduce another dimension into the classroom environment and students are able to refocus their attention to this new character.
It is logical to me that Video and Digital Storytelling go hand in hand, but can also be used in isolation of one another. As a future English Learning Manager I believe these two e-learning tools compliment the broad spectrum of learning options within the English subject area. Topics that can easily be covered when using Video and Digital Storytelling include, but are not limited to, speech, language selection, writing styles and drafts and are important components of the Essential Learnings (QSA, 2002) that must be addressed throughout the curriculum.
PowerPoint is already a valuable tool that is used in many of today’s classrooms. However it has the capability to be so much more. Due to the time that is required to create a PowerPoint presentation, many teachers tend not to explore the different options that PowerPoint has to offer. For example creating a PowerPoint Quiz to present information could be utilised to establish current knowledge and then make links to new knowledge. This would also prompt classroom discussions surrounding the topic. HotPotato is a website that offers a number of quizzes which can be easily used within the classroom. I found many applications for these quizzes within my English and PE Theory classrooms that related to the students building on their foundation of knowledge.
Blogs are a great journaling tool that students can use to share ideas. I would also use Blogs as a training tool for netiquette. Ensuring students understood the protocols of remaining respectful and professional when interacting on the World Wide Web. I believe the subject of netiquette is an essential skill for life that should be addressed in any lesson that includes e-learning. Touch typing is another skill that seems to have been overlooked within the classroom. In order for students to be engaged with e-learning, they must also have the essential skills to operate the tools.
File storage could be used in a variety of ways in a classroom environment. I would include two methods in particular within my classroom. One method is to use file storage to provide exam material for the class and the second method would be to make extra topical information available to those students who wish to extend their knowledge or for those that a curious. Both of these methods will assist the student to be better organised and to gain control of their learning, also known as self management (Woolfolk, 1998, p. 231). Another reason for using file storage is the low impact on the environment. Also there would be no excuses such as ‘I lost the handout’.
I attended school during the era of ‘chalk and talk’ and through this method of teaching I have gained the attitude that learning is for life. I was also able to gain some knowledge along the way. However the world has grown and changed and this style of teaching is not as effective. It is now imperative that as Learning Managers we develop a style of teaching that is relevant to the needs of today’s youth and relevant to the society in which we live. The use of technology within the classroom is necessary if our students are to survive in the urban jungle. As a future Learning Manager I will ensure that students gain the necessary skills to interact with all forms of technology and I hope that they adopt the same attitude, ‘Learning is for life’.
Reference list
Prensky. (2005). Cited on Moodle site FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, T3, 2009. Retreived December16, 2009 from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=18264
Marzono R.J., & Pickering D.J. (1997). Dimensions of Learning (2nd ed.). Aurora, Colorado: McRel.
McInerney, D.M., & McInerney, V. (2006). Educational Psychology (4th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.
Queensland Studies Authority (QSA). (2002). English: Year 9 syllabus. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Author.
Woolfolk, A.E., (1998). Educational Psychology (7th ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
ENGAGE OR ENRAGE
Prensky (2001) states that young people will be enraged if they are not engaged in education.
I found myself rather enraged a number of times when trying to engage with some of the learning tools prescribed during my E-Learning course at CQUniversity. I agree whole heartedly with Prensky and because I was not able to engage with these tools I did become enraged and unfortunately it that I will not return at a later date and make another attempt at engaging with these tools.
I had difficulty engaging with Picnik, TeacherTube, iTunes and Powepoint Quiz. I know I am partly to blame for some of the frustration, I have little patience, knowledge and confidence when dealing with technology and so this does not help me. But I do value my time and if ICT will save me time then I will persevere.
Problems with:
Picnik - I just counld not get past the first two pages. For 20 minutes I just kept going between the two pages. I needed to do something with the Adobe settings and I was pressing all the buttons I was prompted to press. But to no avail, I was lost in ICT space.
TeacherTube - I attempted to enter TeacherTube from the moodle website and a message popped up telling me I needed to be invited to join. I would really like to learn more about TeacherTube as I have been lead to beleive it is a great source of resources for teachers. So if anyone can help me here please do.
iTunes - Was very confusing, the instructions on the moodle site were not accurate. That was until several days later when an email arrived thanking me for downloading iTunes. Then everything fell into place. Intially felt like I was wasting my time, however I think I need to investigate iTunes just a bit more and I might get the hang of it.
Powerpoint Quiz - Again the moodle instructions were inaccurate. Perhaps this is due to me using the updated version of Powerpoint. Again I lost time and this enraged me as I value my time very much.
Overall I will investigate most of these tools further to see if I can use them in the classroom.
I found myself rather enraged a number of times when trying to engage with some of the learning tools prescribed during my E-Learning course at CQUniversity. I agree whole heartedly with Prensky and because I was not able to engage with these tools I did become enraged and unfortunately it that I will not return at a later date and make another attempt at engaging with these tools.
I had difficulty engaging with Picnik, TeacherTube, iTunes and Powepoint Quiz. I know I am partly to blame for some of the frustration, I have little patience, knowledge and confidence when dealing with technology and so this does not help me. But I do value my time and if ICT will save me time then I will persevere.
Problems with:
Picnik - I just counld not get past the first two pages. For 20 minutes I just kept going between the two pages. I needed to do something with the Adobe settings and I was pressing all the buttons I was prompted to press. But to no avail, I was lost in ICT space.
TeacherTube - I attempted to enter TeacherTube from the moodle website and a message popped up telling me I needed to be invited to join. I would really like to learn more about TeacherTube as I have been lead to beleive it is a great source of resources for teachers. So if anyone can help me here please do.
iTunes - Was very confusing, the instructions on the moodle site were not accurate. That was until several days later when an email arrived thanking me for downloading iTunes. Then everything fell into place. Intially felt like I was wasting my time, however I think I need to investigate iTunes just a bit more and I might get the hang of it.
Powerpoint Quiz - Again the moodle instructions were inaccurate. Perhaps this is due to me using the updated version of Powerpoint. Again I lost time and this enraged me as I value my time very much.
Overall I will investigate most of these tools further to see if I can use them in the classroom.
Wikis
Are a fabulous, interactive tool that engages students to be creative while deepening their knowledge with a topic that they are engaging with.
I am looking forward to implementing Wikis into my classroom. My ideas for my Englsih classroom include: writing a newspaper article, creating an advertisement or home page for a charity organisation. This would require the learners to engage in real world situations within their community and therefore develop an understanding of what is going on in their negihbourhood. It would highlight any problem areas and the learners would need to offer soluitons to these problems.
In my PE theory classroom it would be a textbook or paper regarding different bodily functions or systems. You could swithc topics every copule of weeks so that by the end of the year you had a complete classroom encylopedia. The learners could then use these to study for up coming exams.
The ICT Learning Design Model (Adapted from Oliver, 1999) is evident when using Wiki as a tool in the classroom. 1. Learning Tasks - should be broad enough to enage students with the key content areas. This section of the model relies on the teacher selecting something of real world value for the student to engage with and can be achieved by chosing something that is relevant to the child or the community. 2. Learning Resources - Wiki as a resource ensures that the learners can be creatively engaged. 3. Learning Supports - If the goal is for the learner to gather information that can later be used for a exam review then this can also be achieved using Wiki as it becomes a permanent record for the learner to refer to many times over.
I am looking forward to implementing Wikis into my classroom. My ideas for my Englsih classroom include: writing a newspaper article, creating an advertisement or home page for a charity organisation. This would require the learners to engage in real world situations within their community and therefore develop an understanding of what is going on in their negihbourhood. It would highlight any problem areas and the learners would need to offer soluitons to these problems.
In my PE theory classroom it would be a textbook or paper regarding different bodily functions or systems. You could swithc topics every copule of weeks so that by the end of the year you had a complete classroom encylopedia. The learners could then use these to study for up coming exams.
The ICT Learning Design Model (Adapted from Oliver, 1999) is evident when using Wiki as a tool in the classroom. 1. Learning Tasks - should be broad enough to enage students with the key content areas. This section of the model relies on the teacher selecting something of real world value for the student to engage with and can be achieved by chosing something that is relevant to the child or the community. 2. Learning Resources - Wiki as a resource ensures that the learners can be creatively engaged. 3. Learning Supports - If the goal is for the learner to gather information that can later be used for a exam review then this can also be achieved using Wiki as it becomes a permanent record for the learner to refer to many times over.
Quizzes
Unfortunately I was not able to use this fantastic tool on any students as school has now finished for the year. However I was able to think of how I could use this tool in the classroom when I am out on Prac next year.
The Hot Potatoes web site has a number of quizzes that I could create for multiple uses and that could be reused many times over. Here are my suggestions:
Gap-Fill Quiz - Your basic quiz that requires the student to fill in the gap.
When I first introduce this quiz it would be something that I have created, therefore setting an example for the students. They would need to read the sentences and research in order to fill in the gaps. However the next introduction of this quiz would be for the learners to create a quiz, therefore requiring them to research, create and them have their peers complete the quiz.
Crossword - Another basic quiz of creating a crossword. What a great way to learn this weeks spelling words. Have the students create the crossword and use the meanings of the words.
Jumbled sentence - Simply rearrange the words to make a sentence. This would assist the learners in sentence structure. When they are creating this quiz, they would need to include verbs, nouns and would therefore need to know what these words looked like.
Jumbled Word - Simply rearrange the letters to form a word. Another great way to learn words from the weekly spelling list.
Ordering - This quiz asks you to put the list of items in a particular order. I would use this in a PE Theory lesson. For example the order of organs a piece of food would travel through the digestive system.
Matching - Simply match the would with the picture. Again I would use this in a PE Theory class, simply match the function with the organ.
Overall a very engaging tool as the teacher can create a quiz and set an example for the students. The students are then able to create their own quiz. These quizzes can then be used for exam preparation and the students can create it for themselves, knowing what their needs are.
This tool fits in perfectly with the Dimension of learning as the students Acquire and integrate the knowledge and then are able to use it meaningfully (Marzono and Pickering).
The Hot Potatoes web site has a number of quizzes that I could create for multiple uses and that could be reused many times over. Here are my suggestions:
Gap-Fill Quiz - Your basic quiz that requires the student to fill in the gap.
When I first introduce this quiz it would be something that I have created, therefore setting an example for the students. They would need to read the sentences and research in order to fill in the gaps. However the next introduction of this quiz would be for the learners to create a quiz, therefore requiring them to research, create and them have their peers complete the quiz.
Crossword - Another basic quiz of creating a crossword. What a great way to learn this weeks spelling words. Have the students create the crossword and use the meanings of the words.
Jumbled sentence - Simply rearrange the words to make a sentence. This would assist the learners in sentence structure. When they are creating this quiz, they would need to include verbs, nouns and would therefore need to know what these words looked like.
Jumbled Word - Simply rearrange the letters to form a word. Another great way to learn words from the weekly spelling list.
Ordering - This quiz asks you to put the list of items in a particular order. I would use this in a PE Theory lesson. For example the order of organs a piece of food would travel through the digestive system.
Matching - Simply match the would with the picture. Again I would use this in a PE Theory class, simply match the function with the organ.
Overall a very engaging tool as the teacher can create a quiz and set an example for the students. The students are then able to create their own quiz. These quizzes can then be used for exam preparation and the students can create it for themselves, knowing what their needs are.
This tool fits in perfectly with the Dimension of learning as the students Acquire and integrate the knowledge and then are able to use it meaningfully (Marzono and Pickering).
Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling is as the title suggests. A person telling their story using current digital technology. Storytelling is an expression of one's experiences. Creating your story using multimedia tools simply adds to the creativity and expression. As a future English teacher I can see that Digital Storytelling could be an entire unit plan, that can then be broken down into specific subject areas. Such as writing the narrative or script, drafting many copies, oral speech presentation and then of course there is the interaction with technology which is essential in today's classroom.
Kearley and Shneiderman (1998) affirms that learners need to interact with ICT's for them to be truly engaged in learning. Digital storytelling can achieve that goal of engagement with learning through ICT's and the best thing is that the students probably won't even realise that they are in deed learning.
Kearley and Shneiderman (1998) affirms that learners need to interact with ICT's for them to be truly engaged in learning. Digital storytelling can achieve that goal of engagement with learning through ICT's and the best thing is that the students probably won't even realise that they are in deed learning.
PowerPoint Quiz
This was a fun and creative way of learning information and research.
This tool would be very engaging for students as they could include all of their fav things like, music, pics and be very creative. All this while they are learning. You just got to love it.
Check out the very small powerpoint quiz that I created, I hope you don't get caught out.
http://www.mediafire.com/myfiles.php
This tool would be very engaging for students as they could include all of their fav things like, music, pics and be very creative. All this while they are learning. You just got to love it.
Check out the very small powerpoint quiz that I created, I hope you don't get caught out.
http://www.mediafire.com/myfiles.php
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Blogs
I think Blogs are a fantastic journalling tool for anyone.
It can also be used as a great discussion starter.
I have already planned to use Blogs in my future classroom, that is why I have signed on as Mrsb, therefore retaining a level of professionalism for the students.
Jounalling is a good way for students to organise their thoughts. It is also a good reflection tool as students can look back and see just how far they have come.
Blogs are also a great source of information. When reading other peoples blogs you are able to look at the same topic using different eyes and therefore you get a different perseptive on things.
Keep on Blogging.....
It can also be used as a great discussion starter.
I have already planned to use Blogs in my future classroom, that is why I have signed on as Mrsb, therefore retaining a level of professionalism for the students.
Jounalling is a good way for students to organise their thoughts. It is also a good reflection tool as students can look back and see just how far they have come.
Blogs are also a great source of information. When reading other peoples blogs you are able to look at the same topic using different eyes and therefore you get a different perseptive on things.
Keep on Blogging.....
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