My final post for the EDC3100 unit. I have to admit I struggled in the beginning to find the benefits of blogging. Now at the end of the semester I realise how much I actually enjoyed the task of having to reflect on ICTs and my learning journey.
The following clip is a TED talk. Conrad Wolfram asks some really engaging questions and has some brilliant ideas on how we should be teaching maths.
Enjoy and thanks for reading!
Alana
My feelings are very similar to Nicole’s. My mentor was very reluctant to use ICTs. She would even refer to activities we did in the computer lab as being done just to tick the ICTs off as done. It was sad for her students, but gave me more drive to make sure ICTs are integrated in my class room.
There seems to be an APP for everything! Technology really is transforming the way we live our lives!
Today I found an app that is a tool for teachers to use in reflecting on their use of technology in the classroom. It is based on the RAT framework (Hughes et al, 2006). You type in the activity/ learning experience and the app steps you through the various stages of the RAT framework. At the end you get a table that shows you how well your technology ideas compare to Replacement, Amplification and Transformation.
The tool will greatly assist teachers in planning lessons that successfully integrate ICT.
Thanks for reading!
Alana
In most of our everyday lives technology is integrated into a lot of the things we do and without us knowing it. We’ve become so accustomed to technology that it’s just how we do things now. One example that comes to mind is banking. When was the last time you filled out a withdrawal or deposit form? Banking technology like eftpos and Internet banking have been integrated into our everyday lives. We don’t simply use eftpos for the sake of it, for most people it’s the only way to get money out or pay for items.
In the classroom it is so important that we don’t fall into the trap of using ICTs just for the sake of it. It should be integrated into the learning session in a way that adds value, encourages higher order thinking and that the technology is essential to the learning.
This link provides a table with great examples comparing the difference between using and integrating technology in the classroom.
Thanks for reading,
Alana
So being a student teacher, currently studying an ICT subject I was delighted to catch this story on the news tonight!
According to this news report, students in Qld will soon be able to access exciting technology such as lessons taught in a virtual reality! Touchable HD screens that connect with iPads are replacing interactive white boards. Robots that interact with students!!! Schools have already started purchasing 3D printers allowing students to design and print movable models. Inspiring and engaging students through real life simulations. Students can see their ideas and imagination come to life!
The possibilities are truly endless, and I am so excited at the thought of becoming a teacher in this radically changing society!
Thanks for reading!
Alana
So a quick search on the internet and you can find many lesson plans. The following site has some brilliant lesson plans/units that are derived from the Australian curriculum and incorporate ICTs!
http://www.australiancurriculumlessons.com.au/?s=ict
Lesson planning whilst on prac seemed to be never ending! But with some really good ideas from this website I was able to adapt them to my context.
I truly don’t know where I’d be without the internet! The ability to ‘google’ everything has become so ingrained in my life! Even my 6 year old will say “just google it” if I don’t know the answer!
Thanks for reading!
Alana
Student engagement is so important. This blog provides a link to research that shows the potential to influence student outcomes that engagement has. In my last blog I wrote about students being digital learners, they want to be engaged, and they want to be engaged through technology!
The Interactive Whiteboard…
It has to be the best thing sliced bread!
Honestly, I never truly understood that saying…was the introduction of sliced bread really that innovative? How did people even eat bread before that? Did folks just take small bites out of the sides of large, whole bread loaves? Hmm, could’ve been messy!
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is that they’re pretty great… to say the least!
Without doubt, that bad boy was fired up every single day throughout my professional experience, acting as my trusty sidekick while I pretended to know what I was doing!
From the morning interactive calendar, to the projection of our daily flag, the interactive paragraphs that we punctuated together and to the online attribute blocks …it was simply fantastic and most importantly, it was clear to see the potential, which this ICT had in enhancing students’ learning experiences!
I have…
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After spending 3 weeks in a state school I’ve been able to see first hand the difference and impact not having technology readily available to students has. We live in a technological world; we learn, we entertain, we communicate through technology.
The following link to a youtube clip made in 2007 has some stats that I believe may still be true today in 2015.
According to this video:
76% of teachers have never used: wikis, blogs, and podcasts.
63% of teachers do not let students create with technology on a weekly basis.
61% of reading teachers don’t use digital storytelling software.
These stats aren’t surprising, but disheartening 😦
I know there are many children being disadvantaged because they don’t have access to technology in the classroom on a regular basis. I don’t have a solution to providing more access to technology for all students, but that’s what we vote governments in to do!
Today’s students are digital learners!
Thanks for reading!
Alana
So it’s been over a month since my last blog! Time really flys when you’re having fun! The reason I haven’t managed to blog the last few weeks is because I’ve been busy completing my practical experience.
I’m currently a teacher aide in a private school so it was really good to be able to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of student learning in a state school vs private school.
The number one difference I could see walking into the classroom was their lack of resources, mainly ICT resources.
The state school has one computer lab that all students have to share. My class was alocated 1 hour per week. By the time we walked up, logged in fiddled with passwords etc it was about a 40min lesson.
In contrast the private school I work at, from grade 4 up bring their own device to school. Grade 4 students have an iPad included in their booklist. Students in the lower grades share laptops, approx one class set between 2 classes. The use of these technologies is incorporated into the majority of their learning day.
Such a vast difference in ICT usage and there was a clear difference in ability levels too. Not only in the students abilities, but the teachers and staff abilities to use the ict’s effectively too!
This week will be a big catch up week. Assignments to finish and blogs to catch up on!
Thanks for reading!
SAMR model: engage in deep learning and authentic contexts.
During the recent training seminar I attended the SAMR model was introduced and highly recommended to all teachers looking to use effective information and communication technologies.
SAMR: Substitution, Augumentation, Modification and Redefinition
Just like the RAT model (Replacement, Amplification, Transformation) used in my studies, SAMR can be used as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of ICT’s used in the classroom.
The following link is to the SAMR ladder. An interactive graphic with videos, articles and research that can be easily used by teachers planning for rich ICT learning sessions. The ladder guides the teacher through the SAMR model offering reflective tools and questions designed by Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura, Ph.D.
Thanks for reading!
Alana
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