Reflective Synopsis

Being involved in this course has opened my eyes to the vast amount of technologies available when it comes to planning for lessons in the classroom, in addition as I gained new knowledge in this area I felt that after years of being inexperienced with the computer and other technologies, I can finally say that I have updated my understanding of how Learning managers (LM) assist students to learn now as we work in the 21st century (Student-Teacher orientated), compared to the old way where the teacher stood at the front of the room, writing on the blackboard, which is known as Teacher directed learning, (Teacher – Student orientated). My use for a computer was to use face book to keep in contact with my family and friends who live away, to write my assignments onto Microsoft word to print out when I completed them, listen to music and up load photos from my digital camera onto Picasa 3, which I thought was already clever enough for me. At the very start of this subject I found it very hard just to sit in front of my computer and spend endless hours doing activities and learning about sites, computer netiquette, internet safety, and attempting to complete the tests that followed my study. When I read that I would have to create a Blog for my assessment task two, I felt that I was beaten. I was very careful in reading and learning everything I had to do, and it took a lot of my inner determination, discussions with fellow colleges and making sure I read and than re-read what I was required to do. I made a start to my Blog late in the course, but when I did I found myself enjoying what I was doing. Now that I have completed it, I understood that I was just scared of the unknown, I am glad I felt this way as this will help me understand how students will feel when they are introduced to new information and learning’s. As I began to gain knowledge and understanding of this subject I found that my interest level shot up quiet quickly, my mind was always thinking of the wonders I could create with my future students, and how grand this technology was when using it as a collaboration tool within the classroom. Prensky “divided learners into two categories when it comes to technology Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. Students today are mainly ‘native speakers’ of the digital language of computers, video games and the internet. So what does that make the rest of us? Those of us who were not born into the digital world, but have at some point later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology are, and always will be compared to them, Digital Immigrants.” (Prensky, 2001, p. 1-2) I rank myself as a digital immigrant, I was introduced to computers only one year before I left high school, therefore my experience with computers was very little. After high school I had only physical jobs, where using a computer was not required. The time I started using the computer again was for my Learning Management course. I would like to say here that I tried very hard to keep up to date with my learning’s, I spent many hours looking at the sites and trying to understand what I was learning. I feel that I spent most of my time going through the week to week activities on Moodle writing new information down into a note book, so I could complete the tests involved, as this is how I learn as a learner, I need to write things down to fully understand what I have learnt. My preferred way of learning is with a teacher in the class so when I had learning difficulties, I could speak to them in person.
The ICT’s that I have been introduced to throughout this subject has opened my mind to being able to incorporate them into learning in any situation. Kearsley & Scneiderman stated “By engaged learning, we mean that all student activities involve active cognitive processes such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision making and evaluation. In addition, students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities. Engagement theory is based upon the idea of creating successful collaborative teams that work on ambitious projects that are meaningful to someone outside the classroom. These three components, summarized by Relate-Create-Donate, imply that learning activities: occur in a group; are project-based; non academic focus.”(Kearsley, 1999, p. 1). The best example I have seen of this was through viewing ‘Message Stick 1 & 2,’ these two videos showed how an enormous amount of learning was made through a hands-on approach to the students learning. The students participated in making a film giving each student the chance to work in their preferred style, with real equipment and real people. The confidence this project brought to the students involved was worthwhile to see. The fact that this way of learning did not have an academic approach encouraged the students to feel at ease with the project. This was a great way for me to learn personally how to incorporate indigenous perspectives into my teachings. Uncle Ernie Grants Framework suggests “embedding indigenous perspectives into School Curriculum is best done by using a holistic approach that encompasses – Land Language Culture/Time, Place and Relationships.” I believe that it is important to understand the culture around each individual indigenous student, in keeping an open mind and planning activities that are real, and have a non academic structure when teaching these students.
The sites and computer gadgets learnt in this subject were – Blogs, Wiki’s, Voki’s, Wikipedia, Mahara, You Tube, PowerPoint’s, Spark Plus, Google Earth, Gizmo’s, Skype, Establishing URL’s, Interactive Whiteboards. There were also a lot of frameworks and engagement theories and readings to help us to understand all the different types of learning’s that can take place and how they take place. The ones I plan to use in my class when I am teaching are –
~ Blogs – These can be used instead of written journals of any learning and subject. They can be used not only at school, but can be used at home for further learning’s, or revision. A great example is with ‘Natalie’s Blog,’ this is where Scot Aldred set out extra assistance for this student, the blog had open links and information for her to do on-line. I like the idea of students doing a project together and being able to read each other’s blog’s and make comments where appropriate, and also allowing the students to look back on what they knew at the start of an experience, compared to what they have learnt.
~ Voki’s – These characters can bring excitement to any lesson.
~ Mahara – This site took me awhile to learn to use it correctly, once I knew how to use it correctly I was excited at knowing how this can benefit any assignment given to older age students. As I am hoping to teach prep, grade one, I don’t feel that I will be using it in my class, although I feel confident that Mahara has plenty of benefits and would be happy to discuss this site with fellow teachers if the opportunity came up.
~ You Tube/PowerPoint’s – Although there are many You Tube videos that I would not encourage my students to use, I understand that there are many videos that I would use in my classroom. The benefits in adding visual items to a lesson can help create different ideas and show students the diverse range of people’s ideas. PowerPoint’s are great to introduce to any age students. The students can be shown how to make their own for a project or the teacher can play their PowerPoint while they are introducing new learning’s. It is important not to make the PowerPoint overcrowded have too many point forms as this would add confusion instead of assisting the lesson.
~ Skype – This was a great tool to use when I needed to contact my assessment three group members, while I was working on the assignment. I found that I could also talk to people overseas when I needed to for free. I can’t see me introducing it to my students but I can envisage sharing it with fellow teachers.
~ Google Earth – This amazing tool can be incorporated into any geography class, allowing you to show the students the actual place they are learning about. The students could also have a go individually or in small groups just so they know and can explore how to use this site.
~ Interactive Whiteboards – Although I haven’t yet had the chance to see one of these in person, I have seen through this subject just what they can do. They are very amazing and I can envisage using these in any subject, to enhance interest and learning’s.
Using the ICT’s and considering the frameworks mentioned is important when it comes to teaching the students of today during this 21st century. It is just as important for the Learning Manager to know and understand how to use the equipment to enhance the learning that can take place.

References
Kearsley, G,. & Shneidermann, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved March 25, 2010, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon. MCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001.

Blog Comment List!

I realise I am supposed to do a blog comment list! I have made comments on some blogs and also made comments on my colleagues forum posts. I am upset that I didn't keep these dates and times, I am hoping that this doesn't mark my end result of this subject down. I am aware of the great work my fellow peers have done with their blogs. This mistake I have made with this part of the subject has made me more aware of what to do next time this kind of assessment is given to me. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Scott for the opportunity this subject has given me and my professional development. I thought at the start I wouldn't be able to do something like this, but I have and I feel so much more prepared for teaching students in this 21st century, and understand that there is so much more to learn with technology.

INCOMPETECH

I have chosen a piece of music 'CHEE ZEE BEACH,' that I could probably use in a game of 'FREEZE.' I would use it in the prep age group. I would also ask the children what sort of instruments they can hear being played. This piece of music is Latin, and the instruments being played are - Marimba, Guitar, Steel Drum, and Percussion. I would want to show pictures of the instruments that are being used. This is a Light and breezy lovable piece. Bright, Grooving, Humorous 2010. I have been playing this tune while I have written on my blog, and find it happy and an enjoyable piece to listen to. Great sort of mood changer, and for me it keeps me focused and alive.

Royalty Free - Kevin MacLeod - Video Game - 2010

Interactive White Boards

I haven't had the opportunity yet to experience Interactive White Boards in the classroom, but after reading about them and seeing visual examples on how they work, I simply can not wait to have a play. It is so amazing on what they can do to all students learning. The students desire to want to participate is immense, bringing the shy students out of their shell and keeping the louder students more in line. The whole class wants to be engaged, and it does bring out their competitiveness within a large group. This tool allows the students to tap into visual auditory learning. I can only see positive learning with the Interactive White Boards, and I hope that the school that I end up teaching at, does provide these boards. I'd just like to say, how lucky are our students of the 21st century, and how great it is to be a learning manager at this time as well.

Google Earth

How great is this tool. You can sit at your computer desk and take yourself away on a holiday, without leaving your chair. The information on the area's you choose to look at is amazing. For example when you look at 'The Great Barrier Reef' the information on this whole area is real and eye catching. To use this in the classroom would have heaps of benefits, you see the actual living things on your computer, this definitely beats text books and pictures. The information is so informative. To use this in a classroom would benefit all learners, and students could work in groups collaboratively, gaining huge amounts of knowledge and using the gained knowledge for any sort of assessment they're given. I would highly recommend this tool to my fellow colleagues at uni and when I'm working in schools.

You Tube/Teacher Tube

Learning is so much fun, who said it had to be hard and confronting???Well as a child I felt so scared because my teachers made me feel 'incompetent' and 'dumb!' I have learnt that if you change your teaching strategies to fit in with all learners standards, that you can make it fun and exciting, and all children can gain confidence with in themselves. What better way than introducing some excellent and catchy songs and video clips, from You Tube. This is the very first time that I have experienced You Tube, and it was so easy and interesting. I can't wait to use this in my classroom. The educational benefits are of high standards for the 'slower' learners as well as the students that excel in their learning. I would as a learning manager, allow every child to view You Tube either as a group, or individually. The students who find the Australian alphabet a breeze, I would encourage them to learn the alphabet in another language, so many opportunities!!!!How exciting!!
After looking at Teacher Tube, I have made the decision that in my line of teaching, Early Childhood, I prefer You Tube. I see some educational benefits with Teacher tube, but to me You Tube is so much more user friendly. I believe that if I did spend more time practising, I would find an easier way to make Teacher Tube work for me, and therefore for my students.

Powerpoint's

PowerPoint's are an excellent tool for creating unique pieces of assessments. They are user friendly and offer alot of benefits for all ranges of students and learners. You can create speeches or talks and use the PowerPoint to guide your way through your presentation. Being able to video record your self talking in front of a video camera and then transferring your footage onto your PowerPoint gives you the opportunity to give public speeches or class speeches without the fear of standing in front of the audience. The amount of things you can do on a PowerPoint is immense, giving every student or learner the opportunity to learn in their preferred way. Adding pictures, music, writing and real photo's plus much more can enhance every persons creativity and uniqueness in the making of PowerPoint's. This sort of tool allows authenticity where students can work as individuals, as well as in groups which encourage collaboration. The one big problem I have had is trying to upload my practise attempt onto this blog. If anyone could tell me hopefully before tomorrow, Friday the 7th May, yes this assessment is due then, so I won't hold my breath. I understood quite well how to use the PowerPoint, and see it is a great tool for all students to test their abilities in using computers. Following is a very basic powerpoint, Don't laugh too much, I just wanted to have a turn on this tool.

New microsoft office power point presentation cats

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