Reflective Synopsis
Today’s world is being driven by technology which is constantly growing and improving. Evidently, technology is now a huge part of a child’s schooling experience. In turn the students of today and tomorrow are digital natives and therefore; they need their educators to be technologically savvy and to use technology to its fullest potential. This course, Managing e-Learning, has given the opportunity for an uprising learning manager to learn about different technologies that are now making learning more fun and interactive. An interactive white board is just one of these technologies that have become an everyday use in the classroom. Today, education is becoming more about real world application and student centred approaches as opposed to the old style of teaching that most have grown up with, the teacher-centred approach.
While every person is different there are active learning approaches that cater for this. Dales Cone (ACU Adams Center for Teaching Excellence, 2000) explains what is and isn’t the most effective ways of teaching. The cone shows that visual and verbal symbols are the least effective while direct, purposeful experiences are the most effective (ACU Adams Center for Teaching Excellence, 2000). Aldred (2010) comments that when immediate use of what has been taught is applied then retention is far more likely. Moreover, Dale’s Cone and Learning Pyramid (ACU Adams Center for Teaching Excellenc, 2000) clearly supports real life application as being the most effective way to teach. The previous blogs have been about just some of the technologies available to help assist the Learning Manager in his/her approach to a more student-centred learning outcome. This blog however talks about the technologies previously discussed that I would use as a Learning Manager in my chosen specialisations, English and History in secondary education.
SlideShare and Incompetech are two very useful tools that could be used hand-in-hand with one another. SlideShare is a website designed for the purpose of uploading PowerPoint or Open Office documents (Aldred, 2010). This site also gives the user the ability to upload audio files and to synchronise them with your slide show. SlideShare then turns the presentation into a video file which can then be saved to your computer or be embedded into your blog, WIKI, Facebook etc (Aldred, 2010). Incompetech is a Royalty Free Music website that allows you to use music clips of all different genres and feels without voiding copyright laws. There are numerous clips to choose from such as African, Silent film, aggressive and uplifting (MacLeod, 2010). For me as a Learning Manager I would use these two program sites as they would allow me to prepare for lessons and overall topics by using powerpoint presentations and saving them for future use. As this generation is the start of a more evolving technology, using these two programs would also support the use of ICTs in the classroom.
YouTube is also another website that I would use in my classroom. While there is a lot of irrelevant content on YouTube, there is also a number of clips that would prove to be very useful in both my teaching areas. However when used in class I would have to either pay very close attention to what the students were looking at or find the any relevant clips prior to the lesson and embed them into a WIKI or blog for cyber safety.
Another technology that I would find useful is Google Earth. In History for example Google Earth could be used for students to get an idea of where particular countries, cities and landmarks are in the world. As Google Earth has many capabilities such as zoom options, street view, and layering options, students have the ability to get a close look at buildings, beaches and cities that they would normally not be able to.
Video offers a quick and effective way to introduce topics, give a set of instructions etc. While using video can sometimes seem to be very technical there are simple ways to do it such as iMovie and MovieMaker (Aldred, 2010). However, SlideShare does allow you to do a very simple clip with the use of powerpoints as previously stated.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) ‘offer a single platform that delivers content’, (Aldred, 2010) assists in assessment management as well as an effective way to communicate between peers and the Learning Manager. The use of LMS is a highschool environment would be a great a way for the students to be in more control of their learning as well as helping them prepare for future education for example; university.
Interactive whiteboards are another technology that I would find useful as a Learning Manager. The board allows the class to work together as a group rather than individually on computers (Aldred, 2010). There are numerous advantages to using this technology including, having the ability to save a lesson for students who were unable to attend (RMTC, 2009). Further advantages include giving students the ability to create an e-folio which could include work samples and audio, the list goes on (RMTC, 2009). For me as a Learning Manager I could use the interactive whiteboard for brainstorming ideas, taking notes during discussions etc. This also creates a more student centred approach to learning.
Aldred (2010) comments on how PowerPoint is one of the most commonly used software for producing presentations. It is very easy to use and allows both teachers and students to produce presentations that are smart, educational and fun. I think PowerPoint would be one of the main programs that I would use, not only due to its simplicity but also because there are so many different things you can use it for; such as topic introductions and student assessments PowerPoint allows you to while presenting go back and fowards between slides whenever necessary. This allows you to refer to something on a previous slide if required. It also allows you to add photos, clip art, shapes and charts or diagrams. This would be a useful program to use no matter the content or topic.
Voki Avatars in this course were used to introduce each week’s module (Aldred, 2010). Avatars are a creative way to do this in the classroom whether it is to introduce a new topic, give instructions or just to have some creative fun. The avatar can be just about anything you want such as a smiley face, a dog or cat or the former president of the United States of America, Bill Clinton (Oddcast Inc., 2008). Oddcast Inc. (2008) suggests that the advantages of using Vokis include student motivation and encouraging creativity.
Finally, Blogs, WIKIs and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) are all useful technologies to use in a classroom. Firstly, a Blog or Web Log are a way to journal different experiences or new information (Aldred, 2010). They are really easy to set up and could be used as part of assessment or a way to monitor students understanding through required regular entries. Aldred (2010) states that ‘Blogs in education are only limited by your imagination’. Blogs are a really good way to set up tutoring or a support network for students. Furthermore, WIKIs are similar to blogs however they are can be created individually or as a group (Aldred, 2010). However this is one of the biggest problems as anyone can change the content. Although as the owner of the WIKI you have the final say in the changes. A WIKI would be useful for students to work on group web based assignments that require large amounts of information to be collected based on a particular topic. A RSS feed makes the monitoring of favourite Blogs, WIKIs and other websites possible, as long as the site has an RSS Feed. I am more than likely to use Blogs and RSS Feeds rather than a WIKI as students are able to express themselves individually and are able to comment on one another’s Blogs rather than changing the content. Students also have the ability to ‘follow’ one another throughout their learning journey and offer help and support where ever needed.
As a Learning Manager and a lifelong learner I am committed to learning how to use teh current technology along with the technology to come. I am also committed to give students the best possible learning experience I can give using ICTs as much as possible while ensuring real world application is possible where ever I can.
References
Aldred, S. (2010). Active learning and learning diversity. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=44149
Aldred, S. (2010). Applying digital pedagogies 3. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53486
Aldred, S. (2010). Applying digital pedagogies 4. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53489
Aldred, S. (2010). Applying digital pedagogies 5. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53491
Aldred, S. (2010). Digital pedagogies 2. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53496
Aldred, S. (2010). Introduction to digital pedagogies. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53474
MacLeod, K. (2010). Incompetech creative industries. Retrieved from http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/
Oddcast Inc. (2008). Voki. Retrieved from http://www.voki.com/
Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RMTC). (2009). Interactive whiteboards. Retrieved May 6, 2010 from http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/whiteboards.html
The Albilene Christian University Adams Center for Teaching Excellence. (2000). Why use active learning. Active Learning Online. Retrieved from http://www.acu.edu/cte/activelearning/whyuseal2.htm
Blog Comment List
Picnik and Flickr comments
Laura said...
Hi Amanda
I have set up my Flickr page. I find it similar to facebook also. I can't seem to see any of your pictures. I have uploaded a few and I'm editing them using PicNik. I am just messing with the different settings, I don't really know what they mean!
Laura : )
Amanda said... (me)
Oh I will have a look at why and get back to you.
Amanda said... (me)
Hi laura
The reason you are unable to see my pictures is due to my privacy settings. I have them set to friends and family only. Please add me as a friend. However i will change the privacy settings. :-)
Zelina said...
Hi Amanda,
I love playing with images, like you said student's can express a lot through the manipulation of pictures. I love taking photos of scenery and manipulating it to have stark contrast.
Young children could make some really interesting images where as older children would be able to have a purpose behind their work, I'm trying to think of a way of bringing it into assessment but I'm coming up blank, Do you have any ideas?
Zelina
Amanda said... (me)
Hi Zelina
Bringing photo manipulation into assessment is tricky. However maybe this could be done through
* Students manipulating an image to show how they felt while completing a specific assignment or term.
sorry, all I can come up with at this time. But would really like to hear more ideas regarding this.
Bec said...
Hi Amanda,
Picnik's are a wonderful way to get creative with photos and to be able to upload them through Flickr is very easy to do so. All ages can enjoy using these sites to be creative and use there imagination while changing the way there original photos first looked. This will be a great tool to use in teaching.
Amanda said...
Hi Laura
I agree with you, that Flickr and Picnik are great tools and that they can be easily adapted to the classroom environment. I do feel that, like Facebook and other social networks that the site should be monitored. Because as you have said above, it is too easy to manipulate a photo to make yourself as a perfect image, however fake.
SlideShare and Incompetech
Trish said...
Hi Amanda'
I also had trouble adding sound to my power point. At first slideshare would not enable the aniamations so I changed to authorstream. This site allowed the animations but not the sound. I tried again with slideshare to create a slidecast but to no avail. I love the power point.
Cheers Trish
Sylvia Hamilton said...
The sound has to be mp3 format. Then you go to slidecast and it offers the option to upload mp3. Upload your sound and then you have to fit it with the slides, so that what your saying is in time with what everyone sees.
Annie Cox said...
I too struggled to add the sound to my powerpoint. :( however the pizza receipe looks great :)
Digital Storytelling
Zelina said...
I agree with how you could use this in a classroom. Using a variety of methods to assess where our students are helps us to assess all of our students in all aspects of their studies and development. Schooling isn't just about writing essays anymore it's all about getting in there and showing skills in all areas.
WIKIpedia
Dallas said...
I agree with you in regards to Wikipedia having a wealth of information on all topics but my only concern is how credible and reliable the information is? As anybody is able to create a Wikipedia we need to be mindful of who the author/s are.
YouTube
AussieTeacher said...
Hi Amanda,
I really like you blog and have found it interesting and engaging - mission accomplished, well done. I too agree with your summary uses of YouTube in the classroom, according to the last paragraph above. The more you brainstorm about the possibilities the greater the opportunities that these technologies present for us to be effective teachers for the future.
Kindest regards
Peter Spencer
Lauren-McM said...
Youtube brings endless possibilities to the classroom, for instance a teacher trying to get the children to learn the ABC's or counting to 10 and all other verbal instructions have failed this brings a new exciting way to engage the chidlren in learnign these topics.
You just have to type in the right thing and your choices are endless, monitoring for the unrelated and PG rated clips.
Blogs I commented on
Laura’s Blog
Flickr and Picnik
Amanda said...
Hi Laura
I agree with you, that Flickr and Picnik are great tools and that they can be easily adapted to the classroom environment. I do feel that, like Facebook and other social networks that the site should be monitored. Because as you have said above, it is too easy to manipulate a photo to make yourself as a perfect image, however fake.
Technology and I
Amanda said...
I agree with wat you have said about internet safety. You really don't know who is out there. I also have a facebook page and have many friends on there. However it appears to be a little simple to get a page, all you need is an email adress pretty much. A friend of mine created a page for her teddy bear. While this is only a 'fun' page it shows how easy it really is. Furthermore, I also am aware of people who just add anyone so they can have the most friends or so they can level up in the different applications associated to the site. I agree with you that there should be more 'reporting' of inappropriate pictures, status updates and applications.
Trish’s Blog
Synopsis
Amanda said...
Hi Trish
I agree the possiblities are endless. I think bloggs are going to be a very useful tool when it comes to encouraging students and keeping them interested.
Amanda
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