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