PowerPoint
PowerPoint slide shows are a very useful tool that can be used in the classroom to engage the learners in topics and also find out their prior knowledge. This can be done by creating a presentation involving a quiz that the students complete to reflect on learning and for the learning manager to be able to see what they already know. In particular, I would use PowerPoint in a Technology unit, where the learners have to create International stores to show the students what they can do with it. A photo story could be created with hyperlinks linking to Google Earth and other internet sites where the students have gathered information to display climate, foods (recipes), clothing (designs) and other cultural traits.
This PowerPoint presentation would be done as a class and then the students would gather into their groups to complete their own slideshow. A reference page would need to be displayed and the students would need to be taught how to hyperlink pages to the sites that they received the information to assure no copyright laws are breeched. In the Science unit, the students could use PowerPoint to display their experiments and use it as a reflection and for assessment. This e.learning tool is very useful to engage students yet still adhere to the learning outcomes they need to achieve. All learners, no matter the diversity can complete this task as those who are below expectation can perform basic operations, yet the learners that need challenging can apply more complex presentations.
Blogs
Blogs have been used in my classes learning activities for the past year. The students have established their own blog page where they upload and link their work and reflect on their learning journey through blogs. For my teaching, I have ensured the students use blogs in their group work Technology task by reflecting on their daily learning’s and post to other members of their group ideas and group learning. The learners will be able to see their group’s page and see what they have done and what they still have to do. Blogs are also useful in group tasks to draw the learners together through this form of communication.
Digital Storytelling
The Engagement Theory (Keirsley & Shneiderrman, 1999) sits well with digital storytelling as the learners can engage in the activity and work together and feed off each others ides to develop a digital story. With the use of digital cameras and research, the students will be able to use this e.learning tool to create a summary of their learnings in the Technology and the Science unit. The Science unit could see the students using this as a journal description where they are engaged in the learning to produce a digital story to display their learning’s. The learning manager could create a digital story from the work from the last semester to display to the students what can be done and how it is created. This would allow both the learner and the learning manager to engage in new education of this e.learning tool.
References
Keirsley, G., & Shneiderrman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory. Viewed on 26/09/2009 from:
http://home.sprynet.com/-gkearsley/engage.htm
Wikis
In particular, I have created a e.learning lesson that will focus on genetic engineering using a Wiki. I created this page as a student in the class’s grandfather was to undergo a liver transplant and the topic of discussion arose as to what would happen and then we were discussing genetic engineering. The learners were really curious as to what this was so I created a learning experience for them to complete in their own time about genetic engineering. As it was not part of the Science unit plan, it still had learning outcomes that needed to be achieved (see geneticengineering08.wetpaint.com). This Wiki site I created and the students all went on to learn about what genetic engineering was and what they needed to achieve in the task. I went through instructions in the classroom as to how they follow the links on the left hand column of the page. I wish that I knew how to put a Voki Avatar on the introduction page but I created one and then had difficulty uploading it onto my Wiki page.
The learners were all engaged and had the option to complete the activity in class time at the computer lab and then could access it form home. They were all very enthusiastic as it was a topic they were interested in and not particular learning that was planned to discuss. I was challenged to create this page and the learners were also challenged to complete the task. The learners that had difficulty were paired up and shown what to do by me and the learners that needed challenging; an extension activity was offered to ensure that this learning task catered for all learning diversities.
Flickr
Each student was instructed to gather some photos of themselves and set up a Flickr account. The learners were engaged in this topic and all of the learners wanted to make many interesting changes to their photos. They then saved their photos and were instructed and demonstrated how to upload the photos onto their blog pages. This was done so that the learners were aware of how to complete this for when they complete their Technology and Science journals; they have access to their photos and can use them as evidence for their assessment.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Reflective Synopsis
My e.Learning journey has been a definite ride. From the day we had our first lecture, I remember sitting there thinking that there was no way in the world that I was going to be able to complete this course, but here I am, and to tell you the truth, I had a lot of fun and learned so much.
There were a few challenges that I faced, but I overcame them. As I am not in a school placement this year, it makes it difficult for me to picture in a classroom environment as my past learning experiences as a prac student, there were no ICT implementation for the students learning what so ever. Sad I know, but with all of us now competent in many different e.Leaning tools, I think that times are going to change.
‘In a world of interactive gadgetry, the following opinions succinctly demonstrate the conflicting attitudes toward interactivity and the conundrum that confronts the implementation of computer-enhanced learning (CEL) environments(Sims, 2009).’The learners can use the e.Learing tools to assist with their learning’s. The learning that occurs in working with the problem enables students to develop new knowledge, as well as further consolidate their existing skills and knowledge (Sims, 2009).
By implementing ICTs into the learning experiences, the students are able to be engaged in the learning’s as it steers away from text book learning. It is suggested that online learning offers a greater contextual environment than that of the classroom (Kupritz, 2009). I think that online learning provides a variety of resources that the learners would really enjoy.
This assessment task was really informative and I have learned so many new tools to use. I cannot wait to incorporate Avatars and Picnik into the learning environment. I also think that GoogleEarth is a fantastic tool with a variety of safe educational learning devices.
I think that Wiki pages are a great idea for individual learning as with the quizzes to monitor the student’s answers and where they are at in the educational point of view. All of the sites that were explored all had some great qualities about them; but the only thing that worried me was privacy issues. Then I began to think, we are trying to control sites and protect the students in the school environment, but the responsibility does at the end of the day rely on the students. As they do have access to other technologies and can access inappropriate sites etc. on their own accord, however, we are in a way hindering their possible education by not allowing the students to access some valuable sources of information that is available to us.
As all students in Australia are entitled to an education, if Uncle Ernie’s holistic approach to Indigenous education were to be installed in all schools, and all grades, and all classrooms; and all students were aware and built a respect for Indigenous Australians, then the Australian population would be aware of the issues faced and hopefully inturn build a respect and form non racist and prejudice approach to these Natives. If we as Learning Managers begin to adopt this holistic approach and steer clear of Western views, to truly understand the culture that is embedded in the history of our country.
By looking at other blogs, I really got the hang of this task. I will take away so many tools and implement them in the classroom environment. I look forward to keeping you posted on other online adventures
Kupritz, V. (2009). The Medium is the Message. Viewed on 21/08/09 from:
http://www.usq.edu.au/electpub/e-jist/docs/old/vol3no2/article2/index.htm
Sims, R. (2009) The interactive conundrum I: Interactive constructs and learning theory. Viewed on 20/08/09 from:
http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/brisbane99/papers/sims.pdf
Hi all,
I can remember when I was at school and I used to have to carry a floppy disc around to access files, now SlideShare allows you to save it and upload it for others to also view. ‘SlideShare is the world's largest community for sharing presentations.- Individuals & organizations upload presentations to share their ideas, connect with others, and generate leads for their businesses.- Anyone can find presentations on topics that interest them. They can tag, download, or embed presentations into their own blogs & websites (NewsAlbum, 2008).’
When applied to the classroom environment, SlideShare would be useful to display visual demonstrations of a Varity of different topics. It could be incorporated and used as a learning tool with almost any topic. You could also upload digital photos taken in the classroom and create learning journeys for the students to view.
I found SlideShare to be difficult to understand and did not really find it engaging. I think that it is a good tool to use though as you can use other slides or create your own. I found a slide about natural disasters and I thought that is was well set out. When uploading my own files from PowerPoint, I could not get the audio to work. This frustrated me as I finally worked out how to do all of these new effects and it did not work on my SlideShare. I think that I need a little more practice.
Well, I’m off for now.
Ciao,
Amy
References:
NewsAlbum (2008) What is Slideshare where? Viewed on 20/08/09 from:
http://www.newsalbum.com/Read/296948-What-is-SlideShare-where/
I can remember when I was at school and I used to have to carry a floppy disc around to access files, now SlideShare allows you to save it and upload it for others to also view. ‘SlideShare is the world's largest community for sharing presentations.- Individuals & organizations upload presentations to share their ideas, connect with others, and generate leads for their businesses.- Anyone can find presentations on topics that interest them. They can tag, download, or embed presentations into their own blogs & websites (NewsAlbum, 2008).’
When applied to the classroom environment, SlideShare would be useful to display visual demonstrations of a Varity of different topics. It could be incorporated and used as a learning tool with almost any topic. You could also upload digital photos taken in the classroom and create learning journeys for the students to view.
I found SlideShare to be difficult to understand and did not really find it engaging. I think that it is a good tool to use though as you can use other slides or create your own. I found a slide about natural disasters and I thought that is was well set out. When uploading my own files from PowerPoint, I could not get the audio to work. This frustrated me as I finally worked out how to do all of these new effects and it did not work on my SlideShare. I think that I need a little more practice.
Well, I’m off for now.
Ciao,
Amy
References:
NewsAlbum (2008) What is Slideshare where? Viewed on 20/08/09 from:
http://www.newsalbum.com/Read/296948-What-is-SlideShare-where/
VoiceThread
Hi all,
Voice threads are like online media albums. They are basically an online slide show of videos, voice recordings, images or other documents that enables viewers to comment on the thread (Weir, 2009). VoiceThreads has recently created a place; Ed.VoiceThread.com; which allows teachers and educators and students to join this secure site to give them access to this online learning tool. Teachers can use VoiceThread to publish or keep private or even add to their own personal site.
Voicethreard could be used in the classroom in a variety of different ways. I would use it for assessment pieces, to document learning experiences, for the children to access and show parents, to exchange with threads overseas by commenting on their threads. Although I found it hard to access appropriate images to display, in the classroom situation, you could upload photos of any learning experience that was completed and have the students comment on their work. This gives the students ownership of their learning’s.
The engagement theory (Kearsley, 1999) explains how tools just like this could be used to allow the students to be creative and explore by engaging their learning students. I am looking forward to trialling this tool with my class as I had never even heard of it, so implementing it should be a challenge, yet rewarding.
Wish me luck,
Amy
References:
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory:. Retrieved August 18th, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Weir, L. (2009). VoiceThread Extends the Classroom with Interactive Multimedia Albums. Viewed on 19/08/09 from:
http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-interactive-multimedia-albums
Voice threads are like online media albums. They are basically an online slide show of videos, voice recordings, images or other documents that enables viewers to comment on the thread (Weir, 2009). VoiceThreads has recently created a place; Ed.VoiceThread.com; which allows teachers and educators and students to join this secure site to give them access to this online learning tool. Teachers can use VoiceThread to publish or keep private or even add to their own personal site.
Voicethreard could be used in the classroom in a variety of different ways. I would use it for assessment pieces, to document learning experiences, for the children to access and show parents, to exchange with threads overseas by commenting on their threads. Although I found it hard to access appropriate images to display, in the classroom situation, you could upload photos of any learning experience that was completed and have the students comment on their work. This gives the students ownership of their learning’s.
The engagement theory (Kearsley, 1999) explains how tools just like this could be used to allow the students to be creative and explore by engaging their learning students. I am looking forward to trialling this tool with my class as I had never even heard of it, so implementing it should be a challenge, yet rewarding.
Wish me luck,
Amy
References:
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory:. Retrieved August 18th, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Weir, L. (2009). VoiceThread Extends the Classroom with Interactive Multimedia Albums. Viewed on 19/08/09 from:
http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-interactive-multimedia-albums
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Music on the Web
Hi all,
I just completed downloading music from incompetech. This e-learning tool provides music that is able to be played as it agrees with the terms of the Creative Commons Agreement (2009). Music that is downloaded off such sites as Limewire does not usually have copywrite on their files as it is not the original work from the original artist. Incompetech on the other hand is a learning tool that can be used without worrying about laws and regulations as all of its music downloads are original pieces.
This is great to use in the classroom, and when I was searching, I could not find any lyrics in the music created. This is great as sometimes lyrics take different mearning to different people and could offend students if used in a classroom situation. I would implement this tool during pack up time, reflective writing, reading and dance/drama because there are many different beats to choose from and moods to set.
As far as engaging the students is concerned, the learners in my class tend to rathersongs rather than percussions. Therefore, the learning manager plays video clips and songs from youtube. An example of this is the song Where is the love, by The Black Eyed Peas (2007).
Well that is my adventure by exploring music on the web,
Amy
Creative Commons Agreement (2009). Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
The Black Eyed Peas (2007) Where is the Love? Viewed on 05/08/09 from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojpbOJjrGBQ
I just completed downloading music from incompetech. This e-learning tool provides music that is able to be played as it agrees with the terms of the Creative Commons Agreement (2009). Music that is downloaded off such sites as Limewire does not usually have copywrite on their files as it is not the original work from the original artist. Incompetech on the other hand is a learning tool that can be used without worrying about laws and regulations as all of its music downloads are original pieces.
This is great to use in the classroom, and when I was searching, I could not find any lyrics in the music created. This is great as sometimes lyrics take different mearning to different people and could offend students if used in a classroom situation. I would implement this tool during pack up time, reflective writing, reading and dance/drama because there are many different beats to choose from and moods to set.
As far as engaging the students is concerned, the learners in my class tend to rathersongs rather than percussions. Therefore, the learning manager plays video clips and songs from youtube. An example of this is the song Where is the love, by The Black Eyed Peas (2007).
Well that is my adventure by exploring music on the web,
Amy
Creative Commons Agreement (2009). Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
The Black Eyed Peas (2007) Where is the Love? Viewed on 05/08/09 from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojpbOJjrGBQ
File Storage
My Shape Fun worksheet.
Today i played around with File Storage. I used a free tool called Media Fire. Here, I can upload files to my account and save them. I can then use the URL that it gives me to then transfer my files for access to blogs and wiki pages. I found this tool a very practical tool as I can store all of my work to it and then publish it. ‘Creating a free account lets you easily manage and share all of the files and images you upload to MediaFire at any time from any computer just by logging in to your account (Mediafire, 2009).’
If I were to use this e-learning tool at school, I would need to ensure that all of the students work that was being uploaded disclosed no private information or pictures that would breach confidentiality. As the URLs can be used and accessed by people all around the world, it is a risky tool, yet can have its advantages. I believe it is a good idea to store your work so that it can be accessed anywhere that has the internet, however, once uploaded; anyone can download this and have their very own copy.
As long as no private information was to be disclosed, I believe that it would be fine to use in a classroom situation. The items uploaded can be organised into different files and folders, just like a hard copy; only the files are stored and will always be able to be accessed. I think that this is great for learning managers to use to store their work.
In a classroom scenario, the learning manager could upload different files onto the account and then post them so that the students can access them from home or wherever they have access to a computer. This is also a great tool to use to ensure that parents are informed of the learning’s the students are making and allows for others to access the information for their own personal use.
File storage on the internet links to the ICT Learning Design Model as it uses the three strategies (Ausinfo, 2003).
Learning Tasks: The learners will have clear understanding of the requirements
Learning Resources: The students all have access to the files in and out of school hours.
Learning Supports: The learning manager will be able to upload additional learning experiences to ensure all students are being challenged.
I really want to take photos (with parental permission)of the students completing their cultural stalls and dances and upload them onto my MediaFire so that the parents who are unable to attend the presentation are able to have an insight into their child’s learning’s. I do have mixed feelings about this e-learning tool however, it is great to have a place where files can be accessed at all times and I can control who accesses them. I cant wait to implement this learning tool in the classroom and see what feedback I get from the parents.
Shall let you know
Amy
References:
Ausinfo (2003). The Learning Design Construct. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm
Mediafire. (2009). What are the benefits of creating a free Mediafire account? Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://support.mediafire.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=26&nav=0,1
Today i played around with File Storage. I used a free tool called Media Fire. Here, I can upload files to my account and save them. I can then use the URL that it gives me to then transfer my files for access to blogs and wiki pages. I found this tool a very practical tool as I can store all of my work to it and then publish it. ‘Creating a free account lets you easily manage and share all of the files and images you upload to MediaFire at any time from any computer just by logging in to your account (Mediafire, 2009).’
If I were to use this e-learning tool at school, I would need to ensure that all of the students work that was being uploaded disclosed no private information or pictures that would breach confidentiality. As the URLs can be used and accessed by people all around the world, it is a risky tool, yet can have its advantages. I believe it is a good idea to store your work so that it can be accessed anywhere that has the internet, however, once uploaded; anyone can download this and have their very own copy.
As long as no private information was to be disclosed, I believe that it would be fine to use in a classroom situation. The items uploaded can be organised into different files and folders, just like a hard copy; only the files are stored and will always be able to be accessed. I think that this is great for learning managers to use to store their work.
In a classroom scenario, the learning manager could upload different files onto the account and then post them so that the students can access them from home or wherever they have access to a computer. This is also a great tool to use to ensure that parents are informed of the learning’s the students are making and allows for others to access the information for their own personal use.
File storage on the internet links to the ICT Learning Design Model as it uses the three strategies (Ausinfo, 2003).
Learning Tasks: The learners will have clear understanding of the requirements
Learning Resources: The students all have access to the files in and out of school hours.
Learning Supports: The learning manager will be able to upload additional learning experiences to ensure all students are being challenged.
I really want to take photos (with parental permission)of the students completing their cultural stalls and dances and upload them onto my MediaFire so that the parents who are unable to attend the presentation are able to have an insight into their child’s learning’s. I do have mixed feelings about this e-learning tool however, it is great to have a place where files can be accessed at all times and I can control who accesses them. I cant wait to implement this learning tool in the classroom and see what feedback I get from the parents.
Shall let you know
Amy
References:
Ausinfo (2003). The Learning Design Construct. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm
Mediafire. (2009). What are the benefits of creating a free Mediafire account? Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://support.mediafire.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=26&nav=0,1
WIKIPedia
Wikipedia is a free web based encyclopaedia written by volunteers from all around the world. Almost all Wikipedia articles are able to be adapted by users (Wikipedia, 2009). The problem with this being that it is not a reliable source for information as anyone can go on an edit the topic to talk about anything they wish. Because anyone can access editing rights on Wikipedia pages, it makes it a hot topic of discussion on education as to weather Wikipedia is useful for learning or just a hindrance.
I have used Wikipedia many times before as I found this e-learning tool to be a very quick and simple way to gather an understanding of a topic. The thing is that I am very weary of what I believe, but I do use this site to gather a basic understanding.
I remember back when I was a little girl and we had the Britannica Encyclopaedia collection. Before the internet was available at the drop of a hat, I used to have to research by looking things up in the good old hard cover encyclopaedia. This became frustrating because there was only one section on the subject and if I wanted additional information, off I had to ride on my bike to the public library.
Now that Wikipedia is available to me with ease, I tend to opt for that option. However, I think that if it were to be used in the classroom environment, then the students would need to be aware of how it is not an academic resource. 'Because Wikipedia is open to collaborative editing and can be edited anonymously, assessments of its reliability usually include examinations of how quickly false or misleading information is removed (Wikipedia, 2009).'
A few weeks ago, a studetn in the class came up to me and told me that people live on mars. I asked her how she received this information and she went on to tell me she got it from Wikipedia. The site she received it from looked professional and like it was a reliable resource, however it opened a large discussion with the rest of the class questioning different websites reliability. Now I don’t think those year sevens will enter their high school years relying on Wikipedia.
Until next time,
Amy
References:
Wikipedia (2009) Reliability of Wikipedia. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
Wikipedia (2009) Wikipedia. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
I have used Wikipedia many times before as I found this e-learning tool to be a very quick and simple way to gather an understanding of a topic. The thing is that I am very weary of what I believe, but I do use this site to gather a basic understanding.
I remember back when I was a little girl and we had the Britannica Encyclopaedia collection. Before the internet was available at the drop of a hat, I used to have to research by looking things up in the good old hard cover encyclopaedia. This became frustrating because there was only one section on the subject and if I wanted additional information, off I had to ride on my bike to the public library.
Now that Wikipedia is available to me with ease, I tend to opt for that option. However, I think that if it were to be used in the classroom environment, then the students would need to be aware of how it is not an academic resource. 'Because Wikipedia is open to collaborative editing and can be edited anonymously, assessments of its reliability usually include examinations of how quickly false or misleading information is removed (Wikipedia, 2009).'
A few weeks ago, a studetn in the class came up to me and told me that people live on mars. I asked her how she received this information and she went on to tell me she got it from Wikipedia. The site she received it from looked professional and like it was a reliable resource, however it opened a large discussion with the rest of the class questioning different websites reliability. Now I don’t think those year sevens will enter their high school years relying on Wikipedia.
Until next time,
Amy
References:
Wikipedia (2009) Reliability of Wikipedia. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_of_Wikipedia
Wikipedia (2009) Wikipedia. Viewed on 18/08/09 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
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