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.

Who Would Have Thought!

WOW my first ever blog!!!!!! It may not be a big deal for most but it is a significant step in the use of technology for me.

Last year I was faced with the daunting task of creating a Web Quest and now this (blogging). Once again I am consumed by a feeling of been overwhelmed and intimidated by technology and my lack of experience in this field. The picture of my daughter gives you a visual of how I am feeling. I will however use the experience I had creating my Web Quest to turn these feelings of uncertainty into a productive and original blog that will give my followers (I hope this is the correct term) an insightful view into technology and its use in the classroom.

I look forward to the challenge ahead and my next blog!