Synopsis

As our ever changing world in which we live in continues to evolve, so too does the rapidly developing world of technology. So what exactly is technology? According to Latham, Blaise, Dole, Faulkner, Lang and Malone (2006) the term technology refers to devices that are purpose-built to make life easier. Once upon a time a ball point pen was referred to as a technological advancement from the nib and ink device. These days however technological advancements are far more sophisticated. The use of digital tools such as blogs, wikis, digital videos, podcasts, Google, power point (prezi) and websites with in classrooms can be used to enhance already well developed lesson plans. These digital tools promote student engagement with learning activities and allow students to interact with each other. Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) refer to this as the engagement theory. They go onto say that technology can facilitate engagement in ways in which are difficult to achieve otherwise. With this engagement theory in mind, this synopsis will elaborate on suitable technologies that can be used in the classroom to transform, support, facilitate and enhance student learning. This will be supported by The Big Six Skills framework and the Dimensions of Learning.

As technology changes so too does the demands of students on both their teachers and the education system. Prensky (2005) states that the difference between students today to past generations is that students today expect to be engaged in everything they do. The concern is that as most things in the world continue to develop and improve education will be left behind. Prensky (2001) states that students are forced to eat what they are served up at school and what they are been served up is in most part stale and bland. He goes onto say that yesterday's education is been used for tomorrow's kids. A positive move to help overcome this is Smart Classrooms an initiative from the Queensland Government. Smart Classrooms look at transforming traditional ways of working into a digital way of working. Whilst Smart Classrooms is about incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the classrooms one of its main focuses is to ensure that old things are not just been done in new ways but that new things are done in new ways using technology. This outlook on education is sure to challenge teachers and engage learners.

Smart Classrooms is all about developing the kids of today for tomorrow through eLearning. Smart Classroom (2008) outlines its eLearning strategy to comprise of three interrelated and co-dependent components: first is digital pedagogy, second, digital content and third, eLearning spaces. Teachers delivering eLearning must remain or become flexible, adaptable and responsive to the challenges of ICT. During the completion of this blog I have personally trialled and experienced many different types of digital tools that could be effectively used in the classroom to enhance students learning and engagement. Not only is eLearning an important component of todays education but may well play a major part in the future of the country. Smart Classrooms (2008) states that eLearning will be key for economic growth and stability in the future.

The digital tools that have been used and commented upon throughout this blog have been done so with primary school kids and classes in mind. With so many different tools and technologies available there seem to be no limitations or barriers to their use in todays classrooms. However this may not be so. With the rapidly changing world of technology it is nearly impossible for teachers to be sufficiently and continually trained and for governments to provide all schools with the latest technologies. From my experience primary school kids are lucky to have more than two lessons per week in the school "computer" room. This leads to a common problem challenging teachers excessive loading times and software freezes. Having twenty seven students logging on to a website at one time has the potential to disengage students and destroy the confidence of the teacher teaching the lesson. Latham et al (2006) states that technology resources of a school dictate, to an extent, the implementation of particular lessons. Providing schools, teachers and students with technology in the classroom to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes must become a major focus of the government of Australia. Providing students with the opportunity to experience technology in school today will go a long way in ensuring tomorrow.

The opportunities that the effective use of technology offers to a primary school classroom are limitless. I say "effective use" because it should not be used to simply do old things in a new way. Smart Classrooms (2008) outlines, that technology should be used to do new things in a new way to enable and transform teaching, learning and the curriculum. Digital tools such as Google Earth (see blog comments) allow students to explore the real world at the touch of the button. Such a tool allows kids to relate experience and see firsthand the rest of the world. I agree with a comment made by Tessa on my blog that Google Earth (see comments) is an ideal tool for such subjects as SOSE and Math. Students can experience building tours in 3D and grasp the actual size of the world. This tool really is an engaging experience for students and most importantly allows teachers to do a new thing in a new way. Technology provides an opportunity for students and teachers to work collaboratively in and out of the classroom. Latham et al (2006) state, that the use of technology to enhance learning is only limited by imagination. Teachers need to embrace technology, step into the technological world of its students and acknowledge technology as a key to enhance deep learning.

Throughout my blog I have come to experience various digital tools that can be used to enhance a range of different learning situations. I have selected the following digital tools, podcasts, websites, blogs, power point (Prezi) and You Tube to enhance different learning purposes.

For the purpose of accessing and gaining information I believe the use of podcasts to be a unique opportunity to engage students. Podcasts are readily available from reliable and educational sources. My post on podcasts in this blog reveals my belief that podcasting could be used to communicate with schools on the other side of the world hence allowing students to access and gain new, real and reliable information. Podcasting also strongly relates to Kearsley and Shneiderman Engagement Theory framework. Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) state, Engagement Theory is based upon the idea of creating collaborative teams that work on ambitious projects that are meaningful to someone outside the classroom. They go on to say that this can be summarised by relate, create and donate. The process of creating a podcast is just this. You must plan and gather relevant information, record the information and finally upload the podcast for others to access and gain information.

To consolidate information the use of a classroom website is ideal. Such a tool provides the opportunity to provide clear and open communication between teacher, student and parents. I used Weebly.com to create my website. Visit it at http://techinthecroom.weebly.com/ . Whilst it is basic at this stage I can see the potential to create a website that is not only a great way to communicate but one that helps creativity, collaboration and sharing of information. Smart Classrooms (2008) outlines that digital pedagogy used effectively can transform teaching and learning to provide rich, flexible learning opportunities. A website allows this through students been able to access their learning and information at any time.

A blog by definition according to Pulman (2009) is an online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. With this in mind I believe a blog is a great digital tool to transform information to develop new understandings. From my experience of creating and publishing posts on this blog is that they are easy to use and allow the user to embed pictures and videos. In a classroom situation a blog allows students to share experiences, improve communication, post their opinions on a subject and learn from each other. Marzano and Pickering (2006) outline in the Dimensions of Learning how attitudes and perceptions be it positive or negative influence learning. Part of creating positive attitudes and perceptions is to recognise and provide for students' individual differences. A blog caters for this through the many different applications that can be applied to it. It provides students with choices and varies activities within the classroom.

Depending on what information is to be presented there are many different digital tools that can effectively portray your message. For the purpose of delivering a presentation of information to a primary school class I have chosen Prezi as the most effective way to do it. The program Prezi at Prezi.com allows the user to bring the screen to life. View my prezi here. Whilst my prezi is basic I can see the potential of such program after viewing other prezis' at Prezi.com. Ideal for younger students as the movements, word insertion and picture insertion are truly captivating.

As an engagement tool I find the use of You Tube to be most effective. With such a variety of material available a user can find anything they need. However I expressed in an earlier post regarding You Tube my concern for its overuse. Whilst there is no doubting its ability to engage students its overuse could negate the ability to connect students to the lesson. You Tube is very easy to use and can be embedded into such tools as blogs and wikis.

Throughout the past six weeks creating this blog and experimenting with digital tools online I have come to realise that technology should not be feared even by an inexperienced users like me. Technology should be embraced, enjoyed and made available to all, especially the students of today to allow them every chance to prosper in the future. Technology in the classroom is certainly not about re-introducing old stuff in a new way. It is about engaging students. Engaging students to enhance deep learning and allow them to define and solve problems, make decisions about their learning and present their findings using the appropriate digital tools. Eisenberg (2001) outlines this in The Big Six. He states that The Big Six Skills are also essential life skills. Whilst technology will never stand still as lifelong learners we must embrace it and continue to explore it to enrich our classrooms.

References

Eisenberg, D., & Berkowitz, B. (2001). Big6 Skills overview. Retrieved July 17, 2010 from http://www.big6.com/

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91796

Latham, G., Blaise, M., Shelley, D., Faulkner, J., Lang, J., & Malone, K. (2006). Learning to teach: New times, new practices. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press

Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D.J. (1997). Dimensions of learning teacher's manual. Denver, CO: Mid-Continent Regional Educational Laboratory.

Prensky, M. (2001, October). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon. MCB University Press, Vol.9 No.5.

Prensky, M. (2005). Engage me or enrage me. Retrieved August 12, 2010 from Educause: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0553.pdf

Pulman, A. (2009). Blogs wikis podcasts and more. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Queensland Government Smart Classroom. (2008). Retrieved July 17, 2010, from Queensland Government Web site: http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/pdf/scbyte-elearning.pdf

Online Peer Collaboration Links

What on Earth

Podcasting 2

Justin

Tessa

What on Earth

Google Earth and Maps

What a fantastic tool for teachers to use to demonstrate and illustrate to students so many great things about our planet. This program allows its users to move from one corner of the earth to the other and every where in between. For younger students it allows them to grasp the size of the earth its continents, countries, oceans and seas. The proram has the capacity to literally walk you down any street in the world. From there buildings and houses can be viewed in 3D. The list is endless and includes, weather patterns, sea levels, real-time earthquakes, 3D building tours and even the solar system.

Once again I have spent far to long playing around with another creative and very worthwhile tool. I have found it reasonably easy to use although I must say that I have not really scratched the surface when it comes to all that google earth and maps has to offer. With a little more time (perhaps after this assignment) I look forward to exploring the planet through my computer. Amazing!!!!

Podcasting 2

YES it worked!!!! Whilst there is a stutter, the voice over maybe a little quick and it's not the most riveting podcast it is still a "podcast".

Now that I have calmed down a little and am thinking clearly I can see how much fun you could have using podcasts within the classroom. The more practice you have recording, downloading and publishing them the easier it will become. Like most (if not all) of the digital tools this blog has looked thus far podcasting allows students to think, create, analyse, evaluate and apply their new knowledge. According to Pulman (2009) there three steps to producing a podcast: planning, recording and publishing. Throughout this experience students are engaged in their learning striving to get to the final product.

Podcasting gives teachers and students the opportunity to communicate with anyone in the entire world. A school may adopt another school from say England and complete work together. This incorporated with google earth allows for younger students to learn about the size of the earth and where different countries are located. Ideas and uses are endless.

Podcasts allow teachers to turn their classrooms into news rooms, radio stations, the moon or even a gold field, the options are endless. Podcasts can be used at the beginning, middle or the end of a unit of work. For example if the class is doing a unit on Bushrangers the teacher could present the class with a podcast of Ned Kelly talking about how life was back then.

Podcasting allows students to work collaboratively, sharing ideas and learning from each other. Used in the correct context this digital tool presents teachers and students with a unconventional yet very effective learning mechanism.

Podcasting 1

http://s0041972.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-19T22_14_12-07_00

Now the question is has the past six hours trying to get to this stage actually worked? Please click the link above to find out. The other way to find out is to read podcasting 2 (still to follow). The tone and thought process behind podcasting will give it all away!!!!!!

You Tube - A Vision of K-12 Students Today

You Tube continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages throughout the world. Whatever it is you want to view you can. There is someone out their that has experienced, attempted, tested, viewed, captured and the list goes on what we want to see.

In the classroom You Tube can be used effectively as a tool to hook your learners into a new unit of work or ay particular lesson. Whilst an effective and visually stimulating tool You Tube is most useful when it is used in moderation. Students will soon tune out of such a digital tool if it is used for every lesson. Teachers need to offer their students a variety of technological tools within the classroom.

You Tube can also be used to help a teacher visually explain a difficult concept to young learners. I have used You Tube to help students be able to visualise difficult mathamatic concepts. For example the use of PI and how it is used to solve maths problems.

The You Tube clip I have embeded was chosen after I had viewed many clips to do with twenty first century learners. I guess you could say it hooked me in!!! I like the way the music, the kids expressions and the signs all work together to create the emotion of the clip. This particular clip for me is all about engagement and communicating the needs of todays learners. For these needs to be met there are a number if dfferent issues (locally and nationally)that need to be considered and acted upon to ensure that the students of today are given the best possible opportunity to experience technology with in their classrooms.

You Tube is a worthwhile digiatal tool to use within the classroom so long as it is not overused.

Digital Video

Digital video, what a versatile tool to include in the running of any classroom. I used Windows Movie Maker to create the above digital video. Once I got to know the basics of this program I found it reasonably easy to use and create a video. There are numerous options to personalise your video with options on music, voice over, font, colours, movement of pictures and font in and out of the screen. The list is endless.

In the classroom the use of digital video allows students express their work through visual, audio and text representation. It allows students the freedom to seek, locate, use and finally present their digital video how they see fit. Digital video allows for the quieter students in the class to feel more comfortable in presenting work infront of their peers. This is achived through the video itself and students not having the daunting task of standing and presenting infront of their peers.

From a teaching perspective a digital video maybe used as an introduction to a new topic. An exciting or emotional video could be used to hook the learners into the new unit. A video would be ideal to begin a creative writing lesson. The teacher could show half a video and set the scene for the students. The students then create the end of the story.

Digital video is a tool that can be used successfully by both the teacher and the student within and out of the classroom.

My Prezi 2

Tehnology and the Classroom on Prezi

So it seems I have hit a bit of a snag trying to embed my Prezi!!!! It has been saved and contrary to the message above it does exist. Use the link above (I hope it's there) to visit my Prezi.

Flickr & Picnik

This beautiful picture of my daughter (left) represents my continual feelings of ahhhhhhhhhh as I continue to explore different digital tools. Whilst the journey thus far has been enjoyable it has also been frustrating having to fiddle with new technologies that I have not used before.

After playing around on the very useful program Picnik I was able to change the colour of the picture to further illustrate my frustration (hence the red face) towards playing around with these digital tools. The original picture was much bigger which meant I had to re size it in order to place it in this post.

According to Kearsley and Schneiderman engaged learning include activities that involve active cognitive processes. Such programs as Flickr and Picnik do this by allowing students to make decisions, evaluate, create and re-create. Through these cognitive processes students learn and improve on such skills as communication, expressing themselves and their imagination. The use of programs like Flickr and Picnik within the classroom have the potential to add variety and stimulus for learning.



Now that I have re-sized, cropped, coloured and uploaded the three featured photo's I feel more comfortable with using such programs as Flickr and Picnik and look forward to using such programs in the future.

My Prezi

OK so once again I have experienced another digital tool that could be used within a classroom. After playing around with Prezi it seems to be an advanced kind of Power Point presentation. I really enjoyed my experience on Prezi and can see how addictive it could get.

Been a first time user I found certain functions a little confusing and frustrating to use. This can be seen by viewing the embedded prezi which I created. I found it difficult to change certain headings in the prezi once they were part of it. An example of this is in the "power point" bubble where there are two of the same headings. I couldn't delete one of them!!!!!

Viewing other students prezis makes me realise what a great tool this could be in the classroom. The way you can get the prezi to manoeurve to make presentations visually stimulating for students. Words, statements and pictures can be hidden with in other words and at the press of a button you are navigated towards or away from it.

Having more experience with such a tool will no doubt make navigating and creating visually stimulating presentation easy.

My Website on Weebly

Throughout my propfessional life I have had very little (none really) experience with creating and communicating via websites. Yes of course I have looked at, searched through and used many different websites to gather information.

The initial set up of my website via Weebly I found to be very easy even for a novice like myself. Instructions were clear and simple. To visit my website please go to http://techinthecroom.weebly.com/. At this stage it is a basic set up with a page added to it.

The following SWOT annalysis is concerned with the use of using self created websites within the classroom.

Strenghts:

• From my first experience they are easy to create, update and maintain.
• Allows students to experience and use technology.
• Students are able to collaborate their learning through the open communication a website offers students.

Weakness:

• Not all schools have access to a computer or the internet. Whilst this problem is becoming less and less it still exist.
• Students may be more interested in "playing" on the computer rather then "learning".
• The lack of class time students get to use school computers.

Opportunities:

• Improve communication between teacher, student and parents.
• Teacher can offer support and advice on any problems a student may be having with their work (assignments, homework and general work).

Threats:

• Lack of funding from government and therefore lack of computers in classrooms.
• Required support from home to use such a technolgy.

Overall I see the use of websites within the classroom as a positive thing. It allows students to experience and use technology first hand. The only concern that I have is that all students have access to it.

Here We Go Again: Wiki vs Blog

Here we go again symbolises another day in the world of technology for me. For some blogs and wikis are a part of everyday life but for others they are not. From there users can either embrace this new way of communicating or they can turn a blind eye to it and forever remain in the wilderness. I would now like to announce on my blog (thats right my blog!!!!!) that I am officially ready to embrace this form of technology!!!!!



Visit my wiki on the following address: http://mjdjfish.wikispaces.com/What+the+Wiki to view my understanding of what a wiki is and how it differs from a blog.

What the BLOG

I guess now that I'm "blogging" I should put it out there my understanding of what a blog actually is and it's functionality for today's learners.

After panicking, stressing and finally settling down and doing some worthwhile reading I have discovered that the blog has derived from the word 'weblog' hence the word 'blog'.

A blog is simply a tool used to publish information online. A blog allows the blogger to publish up to date posts on whatever it is their blog relates to. Generally a blog belongs to one person. However followers of the blog are able to make their contributions on the posted information.

Blogs allow today's learners to easily communicate and share their experiences on the given subject. Students no longer need to be in a classroom forum to have worthwhile discussions. Individual blogs that can be viewed and used by an entire class can only broaden and deepen the opportunity for learning.

Week 1 - Concept Map

Wow it actually worked!!!!

For the past two and a half weeks I have put off completing this task due to my feelings towards all this "e-learning" stuff!!!!! However now I've completed this first (simple) task it feels good.

The use of such concept maps (see bubbl.us) in the modern day classroom allows students and teachers to collaborate and align their thoughts on new and previously studied topics. The use of different colours allows ideas to be easily sorted into relative topic areas. It's quick and easy to use and can only make teaching, organising and learning more enjoyable for everyone.