Quiz assessment task

Working Collaborativly on a Task
Tahlia, Gemma and I worked together on our Quizzes during our 3hour break between classes. We each had our laptops set up and sat in a circle like set up so we could see each other with ease. As our questions were in different orders, we would select one question and then all find it.

By working in this manner we were able to discuss the possible answers, which normal left it down to a possible two. From there we made are our own choice of answer. I found this a helpful process as it meant we could bouce our knowledge around to answer the questions.

I beleive I would have struggled with the task if not for collaborating with the girls.

Synopsis

E-Learning in the 21^st century is inevitable, and the way the current generation prefers to learn. Current technologies that exist have many educational and teaching uses, and are able to be used in teaching contexts to engage, encourage and promote learning in and outside of the classroom. However, teachers must also be aware of a technologies uses and monitor how it in used in the classroom (for example, how students could use a technology or who is able to view the technology). When teaching technologies to students it is important to ensure the structure used to teach is appropriate for the group of learners, as within the TPACK strategy of teaching. I have learnt a lot about technological tools, and have engaged in many different learning experiences. As a result I have chosen four tools that I believe would have the most value with in the classroom. These tools include Wiki’s, Digital Video tools, Prezi’s and Ipads.

Wikispaces.com is a great collaborative resource that can be created online. Wiki’s are an online space where a group of selected users can create and edit different pages. The flexibility of a Wiki means that a group of students can collaborate online in one space without being on a public site. Throughout my e-learning experience I have made my own Wiki and participated in a class Wiki on mobile phones. The class Wiki was simple to use; after I logged in and was accepted to join the group, I was able to edit the page. Follow the Wiki link to view my complete experience write up.

As a teacher Wiki’s are a great way to encourage students to engage in their learning, both in and outside of school. Wikispaces.com has education options so that they are safe for education purposes. Wiki’s can be used as a way for students to work in groups outside of school, providing them with more opportunities to collaborate together. They could also be used as a way for students to view tasks, and question or tasks could be posted on the Wiki for the students to answer/investigate.

Students can also benefit from Wiki’s as it can show them a different use for the internet. Some students can have the misconception that everything on the internet is true, and by showing them that they can make things themselves on the internet can help them understand that not everything is fact. It can also provide students with the opportunity engage online in a different form/context. However, student use of the Wiki would need to be monitored so that only relevant content was being posted. It is important to talk to students about the Wiki’s appropriate and inappropriate uses, and specify why this is so (discuss copyright, and who has the ability to see what they are posting). Instilling good internet practice is important so that student safely and responsibly engage with online resources.

The second tool is digital video editing and uploads, which is a great tool for anyone to use. Movies can be made using images, video recordings and audio files in programs such as MovieMaker (PowerPoint can also be used is MovieMaker is unavailable). These programs allow the use to edit videos, present pictures using different transitions, and play audio throughout the presentation. In the past I have used MovieMaker to create photo stories for family members, stop motion videos, and music videos. I found MovieMaker a simple and effective tool to use. Throughout my e-learning experience I was forced to use PowerPoint, as MovieMaker wasn’t working. PowerPoint isn’t as easy to use as MovieMaker, but with enough patience a similar result can be achieved.  Follow the Video link to view my complete experience write up. Once a movie is made it can then be uploaded and shared online using different video sharing sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Follow the YouTube link to view my complete experience write up.

This tool is useful for teacher to use in the classroom for assessment and literacy encouragement. Photos and videos are a great way to document learning, especially in investigation tasks. Movie making tools mean that teachers are able to compile photos and videos from a task into one file; this can then be shared with the students at the end of a term. Sites like YouTube are also useful for finding fun videos to show the class. There are many videos available to view that can help students engage in concepts such are life cycles. Care must be taken when using videos in class, as not all videos are appropriate. Some videos can contain incorrect information or be inappropriate for students to view, it is best to view a video all the way through before sharing it with students. Also sites like YouTube show ads and have suggested videos that show up after the video is finished. Teachers need to be aware of this so that no inappropriate content is shared with the students.

Students can also make use of these tools as part of their literacy program. Creating videos requires planning through the use of story boards. This can be used to encourage story writing and promote engagement in literacy tasks. Students can feel a great sense of pride and ownership as a result of creating their own movie. Activities such as these get students engaged in working with technologies such as cameras and the video editing software.

Digital presentations are an important and useful tool for teaching and learning. Digital presentations include tools like PowerPoint, Prezi, and Glogster. Prezi and Glogster are online tools used to create interactive presentations. Prezi is the most useful tool for in the classroom. Prezi uses a ‘mind map’ like set up, and zooms in and out of different sections. I engaged with Prezi and made a short presentation about its uses. I found the program easy to use and the templates helped with the basic set up of the presentation. Follow the Prezi link to view my complete experience write up.

Prezi can be programed to move in a specific order, or be clicked to zoom in on specific areas. This is a great tool for teachers, as it creates a very visually entertaining presentation that can be used to engage students. As Prezi creates a large mind map of information, it can be useful for teachers to plan a unit of work. Activities and tasks can be entered into Prezi and presented to students so that they can see a unit in full. This allows students to see what they are going to learn and where that learning is going to lead them. Prezi allows the user to not only insert text, but also images and videos. This is what makes it such a good planning tool, as images of work sheets could be inserted so students can see when and why they are being completed.

In terms of students, Prezi may be more complex then programs like PowerPoint in the beginning. Prezi needs a bit more knowledge of technology, but it does have a better set up when compared to PowerPoint. This is because Prezi has such a large space to work with, and can be added to and shuffled with ease. Students could work together on Prezi (using one computer together) to present their ideas on a subject. The benefits of having a tool that can be extended and added to, is that it can continue grow as the students learn. Prezi is an internet tool and does need a login. The teacher would need to share the login with students (as students cannot make their own) so they could access the tool.

The last tool group was an open-ended choice, and I was inspired by a lecture on Ipads. Ipads have so much to offer in terms of teaching, learning and fun through the apple apps available. Technology is everywhere in teaching now and so many children engage with things like Ipads in their home life, so they are an appropriate tool for teaching in the classroom. I have an Ipod and have seen four year olds pick it up and ask to play games, which shows me how engaged in technology children are becoming. Also, the more demand there is for apps increases the likelihood of companies developing apps for educational purposes (Click the Link for list of teacher apps). Follow the Ipad link to view my complete experience write up.

Many apps are now available for teachers to help assist with keeping records on student progress. Teachers now have a more flexible ability to keep track of student progress using a small piece of technology, compared to a laptop or computer. Ipads can work just like a laptop and be connected to projectors so all students can view what is happening. The downfall to Ipads is security in terms of theft of the device. Passwords can be set on the device, as with laptops, but care must be taken so personal information is not accidently revealed to an outside party.

Ipads are also great for students to use, as many game apps have educational values. There are many different math apps and movie making apps that students can engage with to encourage learning (Click the Link for a short list of learning apps). There are apps for creating movies, which students can story board to work on literacy skills. Math apps are common which can help students extend their math knowledge is a fun way. The opportunities for students are unlimited, but of course teacher supervision would need to be in place to ensure students are on task.

Throughout my e-learning experience I have engaged in so many useful tools and technologies. The course has extended my knowledge and understanding of technologies in the classroom, and their benefits for both the teacher and student. The four tools elaborated are what I believe to be the most beneficial in the classroom for both the teacher and students. These tools are what I would choose to use in a class to integrate technologies into everyday teaching.

References: 

(Wirte up has been an opinion based reflection, which has been inspired by lectures and the following sites) 

Koehler, M. (2011, May 13). What is TPACK? Retrieved from TPACK - technological pedagogical and content knowledge: just another Dr Matthew J. Koehler site: www.tpck.org 

Managing e-learning. (2012). Retrieved from CQU moodle website: http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=15

Powell, W., & Kusuma-Powell, O. (2011). Books: How to teach now. Retrieved from ASCD website: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/111011/chapters/Knowing-Our-Students-as-Learners.aspx

Just testing my linking skills

Wiki and Voki and  Prezi and Ipads

Never use technology in the classroom without a back up plan

Little Monster

I want one

After yesterdays Play Time and lecture I have decided that I want an Ipad. I have an old Ipod touch but after seeing all the apps for Ipads I see now why so many people have them. There are so many options and opportunities that arise from having one. For example:
My Mum works in Family Day Care and is always after different ways to engage her 4 year olds (and the interested younger ones) in learning. An Ipad would provide a great ingaging tool for the kids, especially 'Bugs and Bubbles' and any adventure related apps because the kids love lose sort of activities.
The bonous to apps is that they are continuing to develop more and more everyday. This means that is near an endless supply of opportunities to get young children engaged in learning, and fun is always the best way to go. Of course the use of this technology would need to be regulated so that children stay on task, don't look at things they're not meant to, and don't spend all day on the technology.
In a classroom, Ipads could be used as part of a reward system, something for fast workers to work on, or assist learners that are struggling with comprehending certain concepts. For example:
Students that arn't fond of maths, or find it hard to concentrate are given opportunites to use math based apps to help develop their math knowledge and understanding. What starts as a way of developing their math skills can then become their reward for completeing math tasks without the Ipad.
Ipad provide so many opportunites, and I can see then becoming part of every classroom as learning assistance tools.

Lets Talk You Tube

YouTube is a video broadcasting site used by people around the world for many different reasons. YouTube videos are posted for many different reasons. Some are educational and others are just their for a laugh in an attempt to become a trend. It can be a useful engagement tool in the classroom, but does come with its hazards. Its important to watch a video in full before showing it to students as some videos can seem harmless in the begining, but can go 'bad' as the video goes on.
Another thing that needs to be kept in mind is the 'suggested videos' that appear on the side panel of the site as well as at the end of the video. I'm sure there is probably a setting somewhere to regulate it, but is so I am yet to find it. There are many other video upload sites available such as Vimeo available, and they normally all provide private and public video uploads. This can be useful for student work as the private setting means that the video can only be found using the exact web address or even be password protected. The password protection setting on Vimeo means that even if the video address is given or the video is embedded a password is still required to view the video (great way to share videos with parents).
I made a YouTube account last year for a World Record event and found it easy to use concidering the videos I was uploading had to be made private during the event.

Wordle

Wordle is an online tool, which generates a picture using the most common words from a document, blog or website. The image created can then be edited to change the font, layout and colour sceame. Wordle has limited classroom uses, as it is basically just a way to present words.

Wordle can be used to present all different types of words. This provides the opportunity to use wordle to present things like:
   - Key Words
   - Spelling Words
   - Student Names
   - Goups (Months, days of the week, seasons)

Wordle can also be used to find the most common words used in a text, as the more a word is used the bigger it appears in the Wordle image. This can be seen below where 'Words' is bigger than all the other words in the image. This can be used to find the key words in a specific text.

Spell with Pictures :-P

My First Glogster Glog :-P

I thought Glogster was a lot of fun. Its fun and funny and looks really good at the end. In a school context I don't really see much benefit. It could be used to present a task or unit, but its main entertainment is the actual creation. Personally I think Glogster will stay as a personal use site, to make cool scrapbook things to share with firends.

What is Prezi??

E-Learning on Prezi

experimenting with photos, videos and voice recording

Using my built in camera, I took the following images. I then programed them into PowerPoint, and set the automatic transision time to 0 for all the slides. I then recorded my voice on the computers small microphone, basing it on a story a child had told me the other day. The recordings were then placed on the appropriate slides, and I altered the transition time for that slide so that the recording had time to play. Instead of saving it as a normal PowerPoint I went to the 'Save & Send' option and saved it as a movie (Under normal Circumstances I would have used MovieMaker to create a video, but unfortunatly MovieMaker on my computer has chosen to fail and will not opporate).

Making and editing videos is a great skill for teachers to have, as it allows them to work with any photos and video collaborations that have been done in class. For example, class videos could be made at the end of term to share with parents the experience the students have engaged with. However, parent permission would be needed even if the video or images are only being shared in class (note: any recording or videos can not be sent home to parents unless only their child is present, otherwise parent permission is needed).

Students can also use video editting software to create their own movies. This provides students with the opportunities to story board, script and act out their own movie and can provide them with a sense of pride and ownership when they reach the finished product.

Success!!!!! Photo uploaded :-P

I used PowerPoint to make my mums dream of visiting Sydney come true

PowerPoint again (cause its easy and awesome). I found that the lighter the background is, the harder it is to remove it all perfectly 

This was tricky. I took the original image and just tried to add the dude, but it didn't look right, so I cut the 3 of us girls out and layed us on top of the original image so it looks like the due is behind us. Fun :-P

Giving it a try

So MovieMarker isn't working, guess PowerPoint will have to do

The Score

The tally is now at Computer: 100 Me: 0 

At least that's what it feels like :-) 

Nothing seems to be working right for me at the moment. Everything just seems to be failing. First it was Blogger not allowing me to upload photos (now not even the window loads), now MovieMaker has decided to not work. 

I've tried everything. 

All the troubleshooting options have failed. 

I just doesn't want to open no matter what I do, and I haven't done anything to the system (which is what the troubleshooter suggests). This is computers at their worst. When you know that something works and how to use it, out of the blue it stops working. 

Extreme frustration trying to do an assignment that involves computers, and having them fail when you need them. 

I found this and thought it was cool. Has some interesting ideas. Plus I wanted to embed something :-P

Teaching in the Digital Age: Smart Tools for Early Learners from Hatch Early Learning

Computer Fail

For some random, unknown reason, my computer will no longer let me put pictures on my Blog.
Not good :-(

Making a Website

Websites make up the Internet, and they are about so many different things.

I used Weebly to make my own website. The setting up of the website was surprisingly easy, actually easier then making the Wiki or the Blog.

The set up of the page itself was just a simple drag and drop. The hardest part about the website was deciding what it was going to be about. I decided on a site that was aimed at illustrating the fun that could be had with GISHWHES. Check it out here. 

SWOT for website use in the classroom

Using a website in the classroom context has its positives and negatives. if it was to be used as a teaching resource or student task, it would require a lot of monitoring of what students are using in their posts. As with all Internet posting sites copyright laws come into effect and students need to understand its importance in order to use these sites appropriately.
If used appropriately, a website would be a good way for a group of students to express information on a particular subject (eg, group work on animals, where the website outlines everything about the animal)

Making and using a Wiki

My computer finally allowed me to open the Wikispaces website and set up my page

https://daleselearning.wikispaces.com/ 

The set up was the easy part, its the working out what to do with it, that's the problem. I hate making things like this and not knowing what to really do with it.

The space itself however, is very useful in a classroom situation.
I contributed to a class wiki on the use of mobile phones in the classroom. It was great to be able to read what others wrote on the topic, and it was easy to edit. However, it was hard to work out where to write at first, because the layout changes when it is in edit mode. We had to post using the 6 thinking hats, which I really didn't like. Maybe its just the way my brain works but those hats just confuse me so much. I understand how they are meant to be used to organise thinking, but for me I find it a confusing prossess. Also having the Wiki set out in the hats is what  made it so hard to edit, because the page has so many tables and lines trying to divide it all up. 

Strengths:
- groups can work on and edit a page, which then allows the whole class to view that groups ideas
- versatile
- be used and edited by multiple people (selected members)
- has settings that make it safe for students

Weaknesses
- confusing for those who haven't experienced them before
- opened to be viewed

Opportunities
- Connect the class
- allows the class to connect and edit the space as a whole

Threats
- needs constant guidance so that no inappropriate information is posted by the members

Thinking about Blogs

We went over how Blogs can be used in the classroom in class this week and it got me thinking. Blogs are very versatile. they can be fun, informative, creative. They can be used to express an opinion, tell a story, share photos, and present information. its funny to really think of the possibilities that arise from its creation.
This Blog is a journey of learning, and an expression of ideas. This can be used in classrooms to; however they are public which isn't very safe for student information. My grade 4 prac class last year had a Blog. The teachers uploaded photos of the class's activities and events they participated in. I thought it was a great resource. the students loved hearing when the site was updated, and would go home to show their parents. It was also great that even after I left I could still check out how their class project was going. This in a way proved the danger of having the Blog, because anyone could access it and see the class and what they had been doing.

I made a SWOT diagram to properly express my ideas

(used SmartART in Microsoft Word to make this)

technology teaching fail

Gotta love it when the lecturer is trying to teach you about technology and the technology stops working. Thats the way technology works is it not?

TPACK in plain english (because thats the only way I understand it)

TPACK stands for:



TPACK is a concept developed to show an idealised way to teach using a visual representation of 3 knowledge circles.

Each ring represents a different type of teaching knowledge. The technological ring represents a persons knowledge of technology. So, their knowledge of how to use different softwares etc. The content ring represents the knowledge of what is to be taught to students. This is the specific contents, such as engllish, art, science, etc. The final ring is for pedagogical knowledge, which is the knowledge of how to teach something to someone. You may know a lot about computers and mathematics, but don't know how to go about teaching that knowledge to someone; thats a lack of pedagogical knowledge.

These rings connect at four points which represent the combined knowledge of teaching.

Technological and Content Knowledge is where there is knowledge of technology and content but not pedegogy; so the knowledge can't be taught. Technological and Pedagogical Knowledge is when there is knowldge of how to teach technologies, but not in a particular context. Content and Pedagogical Knowledge is where there is knowledge of how to teach content, but not technology within the content. The centre join is TPACK, where all the forms of knowledge are present.

The creators of TPACK later added another aspect to TPACK which was 'context' (seen as a broken circle around the outside). Which represents the context in which this knowledge is being used (eg, primary or secondary education). The aim of context was to show that the use of the knowledge will differ, depending on the context in which it was being used.

Koehler, M. (2011, May 13). What is TPACK? Retrieved from TPACK - technological pedagogical and content knowledge: just another Dr Matthew J. Koehler site: www.tpck.org 

(Tahlia said I need a title) The New Android Tablet

Today was interesting. Went and got a tablet from Kmart (just an android one) for my mum. It's small and looked simple enough online, but in the short amount of time I've had to play around with it I've realised that it sucks (to put it in a nice way)

- The screen isn't touchy enough, so it doesn't recognise my actions
- It won't let me set the right time
- The keyboard mixes up my letters
- The apps are hard to find and get
- the screen is just to small to work with

I know I've only just got it (and reading the instructions would probably help), but I think that because I've played around with Ipads and Samsung Tablets I'm picking on this poor cheap wannabe :-P

This is the hard part about having so many options in a variety of price ranges, and wanting to get the same quality from all sellers. But, it is not possible. At least this is for my mum, and now I know that something of this standard is not what I am interested in. It is not something that I think would be helpful throughout my study.

I want a more portable device (my laptop is was to heavy and chunky) to bring to Uni, so I can instantly download materials, but money and choice is slowing me down. Ipads are awesome and so many education apps are available, but you can't use Microsoft word or anything. A Samsung Tablet on the other hand can be connected to Microsoft, but it's with Android (maybe it'll work better on a better device).

Technology is so confusing. Somebody please make it simpler for the simple minded.

On another note: MEL was very interesting today. The words were a bit big and confusing, but I think it'll get better. I found myself zoning out during the lesson; hoping its just a bit of tiredness.

Making the Blog Fun

Gemma M showed me how to get fish. Now I have 5 fish and a Cheeky Quote corner. This blog stuff is getting interesting

Thinking about Computers

I got bored the other day (I know what you're thinking: How can a Uni student be bored?), and decided to have a little play around with my computer. I found out that GISHWHES (a super awesome record breaking scavenger hunt) was going to happen again this year, and wanted previous participants to make a promotional video to get more people interested in the fun event.

I'll admit, I was super excited, but didn't have a clue as to what to do. 

I remembered making a PowerPoint into a video for a previous assignment, and thought this would be my best option for attacking the task. The only problem was that I needed music for the video, and I hated the trial and error associated with getting music to run right with my PowerPoint's.

So instead of mucking around with PowerPoint, I made the video without music and then put it into Movie Maker. And presto.....I made a cool movie :-)

Not only did I challenge myself a little, it also killed an hour of my time :-P

Computers are Fun

First Post

My name is Dale, and I am a second year student in the BLM Early Childhood program. My technology knowledge is fairly high due to my age :-P but there are still things that I find difficult.

This is my first proper blog (I do use Tumblr which is a picture based blog) and I'm hoping it turns out ok.

I was looking forward to starting Managing E-Learning, as I believe technology is important in the classroom and I want as much technical knowledge as possible. I think I'm going to do alright in this subject, as long as everything explained properly. I find it hard to understand some concepts if they aren't explained in depth, or have visual links (Like those help pages on the Internet when your trying to install something, and it tells you what to do and has a picture of what the screen should look like.... I like them; they really are helpful).

Although today's lesson was .... not really informative (to much time was spent talking about what the course was meant to teach us and how we should express ourselves online), I am looking forward to future lessons.