A Prezi

I thought that PowerPoints were exciting! This is a new tool that I am only now discovering (I wish I knew about this before). This tool is fantastic. I started by signing up for an education account (which is free) at a website called Prezi. This then lead to to some easy to view & follow youtube tutorials that explained the inside and out of how to create a Prezi presentation, and the benefits of them.

After I started playing, I couldn't stop. I actually used this tool to create a student-centred task for implication on my prac this week, so I will let you know how it goes. I think this is a great tool for all teachers to jump online and check out, and better still, its free.

Jump on, give it a go and let me know what you think.

PowerPoint in the Classroom

The pedagogy used in a classroom can have a huge impact on the engagement and success of a learning experience for both the learner, and the teacher. A common mistake that can occur is that the use of ICT can be an automatic engagement tool. I believe that the use of a PowerPoint presentation can be one of these misused tools in a classroom, or in any presentation for that matter.

Today I was introduced to a new way of creating a PowerPoint to make the content relevant, meaningful and interactive for the audience. An interactive PowerPoint is a new concept for me, which I have not before seen or used, but when I opened up the example, I was extremely impressed, therefore, decided to create my own.

The first step for me to creating my own interactive PowerPoint was to outline my storyboard. I did this in word using a concept map.I then printed this concept map out to provide me with an outline for how I would set out my powerpoint.

The next thing I did was create an outline in Microsoft Word. I had never understood this function of Microsoft Word before, however, after using, I began to wonder why I was not show this before. It made it easy for me to set out my slides, but I do think it could be quite an abstract concept to be teacher young primary students.

The final step to creating an interactive PowerPoint is to hyperlink the pages together and add the effects such as sound, images and transitions that will prompt engagement for the learners.

So what do I think about the use of interactive PowerPoints in the classroom? Well, I believe that any form of visual stimulus that will support learning in the classroom is a great way to cater for diverse learning styles. By making them interactive, I think that this also allows the students involvement in the lesson, or even sets them up to view it in small groups /individually. My experience with PowerPoints is that they should guide the learning, not be too wordy and must be directly related to the lesson they are being used for.

Let me know your thoughts.

Learning Frameworks

There are so many theories about teaching ICT in a classroom, all backed up with a set of Learning Frameworks. So which one is the right one? Who knows? It is understood that many different teachers have adopted different frameworks based upon their understandings, beliefs or uses of ICT in their classroom. I decided to examine two of these frameworks closely to identify how they are similar and how they differ. The frameworks I chose were 'The Big 6' and the 'Engagement Theory'. The Venn Diagram below is a collation of my findings.

Out of reading the two frameworks, the one I would prefer to work with would be 'The Big 6'. The Big 6 is a process model that outlines a set of problem solving skills (Eisenberg, 2001). Throughout the framework overview, it elaborates on this by suggesting that the solution to the information crisis is not to become bigger and faster, its to effectively utilise a set of thinking skills that will allow a learner to be smarter in the way they utilise information sources.

The 6 skills that are outlined and refered to in The Big 6 framework also appear to be transferrable. It does not specifically elaborate on this, however, when I took a closer look at the skills, they appear to be a process that would be easy to embed into a variety of key learning areas, possibly helping students to make the link to its relevance.

To make effective use of this framework in my future classrooms I would use The Big 6 terminology frequently when looking at assessment and researching tasks. I would explain the importance to the learners and encourage them to be using the appropriate language during class tasks. I would possibly even go to the effort of displaying a poster around the room for the students to refer to. By introducing the students to a framework, such as The Big 6, I beleive that it would help students to become more critically literate in the use of technology, and other key learning areas, for the emerging explosion of information.

The wide world of web.. at your fingertips

It seems almost too big to imagine, however, it is true! The web is available to do so many things at your fingertips.

When I initially considered the purpose of creating a website, I was thinking. "how could this benefit a learner in my classroom?". I suppose this could have been because I was a little naive. Now that I have explored both blogging and wikis, I have come to be able to tell them apart and identify their purpose in an educational environment.

So what makes a website different from a blog or a wiki? Well, I have come to discover in my research that the major difference is that a website is created and protected by one person (or group), and is unable to be editted by added to by any other user. So what does this mean for a teacher if they wanted to create a website for their classroom? Below is a PMI chart with my response.

Today I created my own website using a program called Weebly. This program provided scaffolding for me to create a website with easy to follow tutorials. I was able to name the website, create a style for display and add any multimedia I desired. After I created the basics, I started to consider what I would create a website about. I started to brainstorm a list on things.

Using the concept map, I further clarified the information for myself. I can now imagine a variety of ways in which I could create and use a website effectively in my classroom. On the other hand, all of the ideas I imagined above were very teacher structured. I imagine that in early primary especially, that would be the sole purpose when using a website in a classroom. As the students matured, as in upper primary, I would probably consider the opportunity of using a website as a key assessment where the students would use a program, such as weebly, to create a website as way of sharing research or information.

What are your thoughts on using websites, that are deliberately created, as a classroom tool?

The wonderful world of WIKI

I dont know which rock I have been hiding under for the last few years, but I am sure glad I came out to discover some of the fantastic resources that are available to me now, and later, as I submerge myself into a classroom learning environment.

Today I decided to create my own wiki page, but before I jumped straight in , I took some time to find out what all the fuss was about. In doing this, I wanted to know what other people use wikis for and why they would be relevant to me. To find this information, I used other forums (blogs), youtube and wiki itself. The feedback I got from this research was extremely eye opening. Prior to this course, I would never have considered myself to be a 'digital immigrant', however, I now consider that would have been a very appropriate term for my lack of content knowledge.

So what did my research tell me about wiki?

From here I went online to wikispaces and created my first and only wiki. Within this wiki I had a play around at adding images, video, text and links. I was able to create a page which I hope I will get the chance to go back and edit. I found the website easy to navigate and edit which enabled me to feel at ease when working within it. If you want to check out my Wiki, it is available at http://wikibyemma.wikispaces.com/.

So what are my thoughts about using an online tool, such as Wiki, in the classroom? Well, initially I thought of all of the reasons why it would be inappropriate, such as anybody can contribute, things can easily be deleted or lost, and that there are not enough computers in a classroom to effectively suffice. After playing around some more, I went in search of some more information and found a site called smartteaching.org. This site provided me with examples of 50 ways in which wiki could be incorporated to create a more collaborative and interactive classroom.

After exploring these possibilities, I now feel as though I have taken off my tunnel vision goggles and can now see how managing online learning is not about limiting students to specific programs, but taking advantage of their skills and reaching them on a level that allows them to be creative and collaborative in a virtual environment. I believe that for most children, given this opportunity, they will flourish in their work and hopefully comfortable enough to participate with others effectively, regardless of whether it is group or collaborative work.

So... what are your thoughts?

Concept Mapping

Cennamo & Kalk (2005) elaborate on the learning theory that there are three influences of the learning process. The describe these as Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism. I took the time to researth these influences closely and came to the understanding that they can all play a role in the learning process, and with awareness, strategies and learning tools, can be incorporated into learning experiences to improve overall outcomes for the learners involved.

One tool I explored in particular was the use of concept maps. A concept map can be considered helpful when it is used as a tool for organising information. It allows a learner to sort new information using a visual representation and it is able to be personalised for each individual's differing needs. Alongside this, by allowing a user to sort their information, it can be a way of linking with prior knowledge, or even storing information into a long term memory bank. The benefits of using a tool like this is that it can be used to support cognitivism and the mental processing of new information.

To test this theory, I trialled two online sites to create my own concept map on the information I have learnt from this course so far. The two sites were: bubbl.us and Text2Mindmap. Both sites allowed me to add my own information to visually create a concept map, however, I found the most effective to be bubbl.us.

On bubbl.us, I was able to create a concept map as I went. This allowed me to add things easily while I watched. I was able to see the result instantly and stimulate new responses by drawing on my memory. Below is an example of the concept map I created through this website. I believe that this would be easy to incorporate into the classroom as the template is easy and you are able to work in with the template design to produce the best result.

The other site, Text2Mindmap, was a little more complex to use. This site required the user to create their text in a side panel using indentations to represent different types of boxes. Although the final result was just as effective as the one above, I would find it more difficult to implement using this site in a classroom, especially for primary students.

This is just my personal comparison of these two online programs. Why don't you give it a try and let me know your thoughts?

Learning Styles

So far in my study, both theoretical and practical, I have established an understanding that every student is unique and different in a variety of ways, including learning styles. Various theorists have differing views and opinions regarding this, but the one thing they do agree on is that each learner relies on different learning styles to engage them in a learning journey.

To reinforce this, I undertook the Memletics Learning Style Test (http://www.learning-styles-online.com/). This graph (right) is a representation of the results showing my dominante learning styles.

From the test, it appears to be evident that I learn best by physically doing things, socially and verbally. It also shows my weaker learning styles to be visual and logical. I feel that a short multi-choice test like this, at the start of a school year, could be beneficial for a learning manager to begin a profile of their new learning cohort.

Catering for a variety of learning styles in a classroom can be a difficult thing to do for any teacher, especially in the past. As we move on to a new century of technology and opportunity though, more tools are becoming available to support the delivery of learning to help cater for a diverse classroom. The introduction of ICT's allow teachers and learners a greater opportunity to interact with learning in a way that enhances engagement for the learners and extends learning opportunities.

With this in mind, although technology has the potential to increase and enhance learning experiences, a teacher needs to be technologically literate and have an understanding of its use and purpose in the classroom. Although there are many great tools available, being critical is important to provide meaningful and intended learning. It is also important to remember that these are great tools, but they do not override the importance of teacher-student learning opportunities.

Newbie to blogging

In the past, I have been a regular offender of reading and observing blogs created by others to find out information or answer queries. Although I realise this information is not always the most reliable, it has helped me regularly with troubleshooting and problem solving with many issues I have encountered.

With this in mind, I have never understood the underpinnings or full potential of how a blog actually works, nor the purpose they serve for an online community. After enquiring, I have come to discover that blogging is another way of acquiring and sharing 'news' with an online community. I feel that my new understanding will allow me to access and utilise this tool more effectively to benefit myself and also my future classroom.

The use of blogging in a classroom could have both positive and negative learning aspects. I believe that this learning could be shaped by the way in which a learning manager allows their learners to interact with and use this communication tool. I personally think that the exploration of critical literacy would be a great introduction to the purpose and reliability of blogs and how they viewed and utilised in society.

Throughout this blog, I will be exploring and evaluating a range of e-learning tools in relation to their relevance and purpose for use in an educational setting. I look forward to sharing my new knowledge with this community.