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

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