Reflective Synopsis Assessment
How wonderful to be a student in today's schooling system! The digital tools available and technology if utilised and correctly implemented are engaging and fun for both students and learning managers.
In the course we were introduced to 3 different frameworks for ICT learning designs these were TPACK, Learning Engagement Theory and the Big Six. I like the Big Six framework as described on moodle it "is highly relevant for any sort of problem-based learning in any learning area. The Big Six approach ensures that you use ICT in all phases or stages of learning to maximise the outcomes for students. It has been a fundamental approach in many regions and districts in Queensland to ensure that ICT is integral to learning" (Aldred, 2010). The big six works on a process model for solving problems as outlined here
There are multiple digital tools that are available for learning managers and throughout this course we have looked at just a few web 2.0 tools that can be used in conjunction with digital devices such as computers, digital cameras and voice recorders.
My synopsis requires me to address which tools I would use in my classroom to engage the students and I believe the first tool that I would use would be the blogs. Blogs are a great communication tool that allows others to post questions and/or comment on the ideas blogged. Not only can they be used as an assessment tool as we are doing now but also as diary of events which can be incorporated into Early Phase Learning. An example of this is the learning manager sets up a blog, shows the students and asks them to generate questions to be posted. This is explained further on my Week 1 Blog entry - Blogs.
Therefore the next tool I would definitely use would be Google Maps. I never would have thought that they could be used in this way - Google Maps allows you to create your own maps and add pins for points of interest that can have a picture uploaded and text. In class we did this by taking a picture at the University then created our own map and pinned a point of interest to our map which we then posted on our wiki or blog. The google map I created can be viewed on my wiki space from my entry blog here I would also use Google Maps to introduce students to there surroundings either locally or globally. I would do this by asking them questions about landmarks in their town that they know of and then show them on the map, we could even create our own and add pins with information that they know about the landmark. Globally I would do the same; ask questions, show them where they are, provide information to them about that landmark and then point out the reference of where it is to where they are at the time. This visualising of what normally can't be seen other than in texts or on hardcopy maps is a real advantage.
Another tool that I would use in Early Phase teaching is the old Microsoft Office Powerpoint, although not for powerpoint presentations as it is commonly used for but for the use of interactive pages that it allows you create. In Week 2 we created a powerpoint that asked a question and gave answers that if you got correct it would hyperlink to another page with either a correct response or try again. The advantage of powerpoint allows you to add pictures, sounds and texts. I could see this as being used as an assessment tool, that is interactive and fun as it can be translated into a kind of game which can call on prior knowledge all ready known by the students. As fun activities you could also have students create stop motion in powerpoint something as simple as a dog chasing a ball.
The last tools that I could use are Glogster and Blabber. Glogster allows you to setup a safe online virtual classroom where you can post classroom projects, add blabbers just to name one of many online graphics tools. Blabbers are a tool that can be used by getting students to draw or obtain a picture, record their voice on a voice recorder explaining the picture and then joining them together making the picture talk with their actual voice speaking. Amazing what can be done and this can then be shown to the parents as part of their portfolio.
As noted earlier we used multiple web 2.0 tools, however I at this time could not comprehend how I could incorporate them into my teaching these being wikis, movie makers, podcasts, RSS Feeds and websites just to name a few. I think they are too complex for my students but it is most likely my naievity of these tools that makes them at this time not as user friendly to me, rather than them being tools that are not suitable for Early Phase teaching. However with the ever changing technological advances and the sharing of knowledge on the World Wide Web I am sure that in the future I will know exactly how to incorporate these into my teaching in the classroom.
Obviously I also need to take into account of the class infrastructure and architecture; are the resources available; are the web 2.0 tools supported and if not I will need to have a closer look at them and do some research to see if they can be used in any way.
When starting the course some 7 weeks ago I really questioned how I would introduce these tools and technology into an Early Phase classroom, how mistaken I was going to be. I realised it was not about whether students were going to be computer literate but rather it was more about exposing them to the technology that is out there including computers but also other digital devices such as voice recorders and digital cameras. It's also about students being actively involved with their learning and having choices of how they learn, by including ICT it can create a student guided learning environment rather than a teacher driven learning environment as experienced in the past.
The transformation of learning utilising ICT has astounded me by the engagement of students and teachers in a supportive learning environment. As I see it gone are the days of photocopied worksheets for activities and in with the new digital tools of today.
I only wish that I end up as one of the technological savvy learning managers who introduce a whole new look on teaching and learning.
References
Aldred, S. (2010). Effective e-learning design. Retrieved from CQUniversity moodle, FAHE11001, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91796
Eisenberg, M.. (2001, November 19). The big 6 skills [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%E2%84%A2-skills-overview/
Google. (2010). Google Maps. Retrieved from http://maps.google.com.au/
Kearsley, G. & Sneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Wikispaces. (2010) Wikispaces. Retrieved from http://www.wikispaces.com/
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Big Six Framework
Big Six Framework Outline
As I have chosen the Big Six Framework I thought I had better put some more explanation down of why and how I think it will work with me to engage my students.
These are the skills that will be used with Big Six
The Big6™ Skills
The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve an information problem. From practice and study, we found that successful information problem-solving encompasses six stages with two sub-stages under each:
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources
2.2 Select the best sources
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
(Eisenberg, 2010) viewed at http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%E2%84%A2-skills-overview/
As I have chosen the Big Six Framework I thought I had better put some more explanation down of why and how I think it will work with me to engage my students.
These are the skills that will be used with Big Six
The Big6™ Skills
The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve an information problem. From practice and study, we found that successful information problem-solving encompasses six stages with two sub-stages under each:
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources
2.2 Select the best sources
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
(Eisenberg, 2010) viewed at http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%E2%84%A2-skills-overview/
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Week 3
Powerpoint
This week we looked at powerpoint as a digital tool, which coming from an Administration position I never really thought of it as a digital tool just something that presented presentations.
I can see how this tool could be used in early phase by inserting pictures and sounds to create fun activities and the adding of hyperlinks to other pages in the powerpoint slide.
In particular we created a powerpoint document that had a picture of a cow and then added grouped text with boxes of different sounds that animal made eg. moo, woof etc. We then linked a sound that was relevant to each so when it was clicked on you could hear the sound as well as read it. We then created another 2 pages which had correct or try again on them, we added a symbol that then hyperlinked the page back to the first question if the one clicked was wrong or onto the next page for another question if correct. It was very interesting to see powerpoint used in this way and I would definately consider using in early phase as fun activities that they can relate to real life with real pictures and sounds or even as assessment tools.
Windows Movie Maker
We then used windows movie maker where at first we chose 2 pictures a fish and a field and then with a voice recorder we recorded our something about the fish etc. We then using windows movie maker imported the picture and the recording and created a small movie. With this tool you can also add text to display when playing the movie, time when pictures change and voice recording start and also add music to the pictures, text and voice recordings. It allows you to change the timeing in the tools.
I believe that this could also be a tool utilised in early phase with pictures being taken, students adding doing their voice recordings and then joining all together for a combined class movie on a specific topic being learnt.
Both of these tools can also be used to make stop motion animation either very simply with powerpoint or in more depth with windows movie maker, however with powerpoint you can just add clipart pictures to create simple ones which could be used with Early phase involvement or with multiple digital pictures taken by students then combined with music or voice recordings for older phase students.
This week we looked at powerpoint as a digital tool, which coming from an Administration position I never really thought of it as a digital tool just something that presented presentations.
I can see how this tool could be used in early phase by inserting pictures and sounds to create fun activities and the adding of hyperlinks to other pages in the powerpoint slide.
In particular we created a powerpoint document that had a picture of a cow and then added grouped text with boxes of different sounds that animal made eg. moo, woof etc. We then linked a sound that was relevant to each so when it was clicked on you could hear the sound as well as read it. We then created another 2 pages which had correct or try again on them, we added a symbol that then hyperlinked the page back to the first question if the one clicked was wrong or onto the next page for another question if correct. It was very interesting to see powerpoint used in this way and I would definately consider using in early phase as fun activities that they can relate to real life with real pictures and sounds or even as assessment tools.
Windows Movie Maker
We then used windows movie maker where at first we chose 2 pictures a fish and a field and then with a voice recorder we recorded our something about the fish etc. We then using windows movie maker imported the picture and the recording and created a small movie. With this tool you can also add text to display when playing the movie, time when pictures change and voice recording start and also add music to the pictures, text and voice recordings. It allows you to change the timeing in the tools.
I believe that this could also be a tool utilised in early phase with pictures being taken, students adding doing their voice recordings and then joining all together for a combined class movie on a specific topic being learnt.
Both of these tools can also be used to make stop motion animation either very simply with powerpoint or in more depth with windows movie maker, however with powerpoint you can just add clipart pictures to create simple ones which could be used with Early phase involvement or with multiple digital pictures taken by students then combined with music or voice recordings for older phase students.
Week 6
Google Maps
This week we uploaded picture on wiki and google my map as per the below link.
I learnt that with Google Maps they can be used for other purposes than just finding out where somewhere is in the world. What I learnt was that you can actually create my maps from the maps already available. This week we took a picture at the University and then created our own online map of where that picture was taken and added a pin so that if you clicked on it you could see where it was and add text to it.
This would be useful to setup with your class or design a unit using other digital tools for an exploration topic adding pictures and text for notes of interst. I could see how this could be used with Early Phase students to get them interacting with real life experiences, whether fictional or non-fictional.
http://traceye-learning.wikispaces.com/Penguin
This week we uploaded picture on wiki and google my map as per the below link.
I learnt that with Google Maps they can be used for other purposes than just finding out where somewhere is in the world. What I learnt was that you can actually create my maps from the maps already available. This week we took a picture at the University and then created our own online map of where that picture was taken and added a pin so that if you clicked on it you could see where it was and add text to it.
This would be useful to setup with your class or design a unit using other digital tools for an exploration topic adding pictures and text for notes of interst. I could see how this could be used with Early Phase students to get them interacting with real life experiences, whether fictional or non-fictional.
http://traceye-learning.wikispaces.com/Penguin
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Week 5
This week we looked at wordle, Tagcrowd and various other tools that can animate pictures or you can make vidoes with.
I have had a look at glogster and will probably choose a tool like blabber working with early years, this could be in one picture animated with blabber using a voice recorder to record something from a student about the picture. This is great for Early Phase as it can be used to show parents of learning experiences and to go in portfolios. I was actually surprised how much you there was on these digital tools and how interactive Early Phase students could be in setting them up.
Wordle can be a great way to play and dislplay text you can choose the layout and colours to highlight certain words
http://www.wordle.net/create
Digi Books
We also looked at setting up a digi book from Windows Excel another new tool that I never thought could be used other than for databases. It works by adding in a picture then typing text on a sheet. If you then choose the next sheet do the same thing and so on creating an electronic type of book. To add voice to it you actually then just press the tab talking heads and it reads the text albeit in a funny voice but you can also change this to sound different. Voila you have a digi book created with your students.
I have tried this for my own use with my children by adding a picture of them and then adding text (sight words from school) to create short sentences. It was a hit and enjoyed by all.
I have had a look at glogster and will probably choose a tool like blabber working with early years, this could be in one picture animated with blabber using a voice recorder to record something from a student about the picture. This is great for Early Phase as it can be used to show parents of learning experiences and to go in portfolios. I was actually surprised how much you there was on these digital tools and how interactive Early Phase students could be in setting them up.
Wordle can be a great way to play and dislplay text you can choose the layout and colours to highlight certain words
http://www.wordle.net/create
Digi Books
We also looked at setting up a digi book from Windows Excel another new tool that I never thought could be used other than for databases. It works by adding in a picture then typing text on a sheet. If you then choose the next sheet do the same thing and so on creating an electronic type of book. To add voice to it you actually then just press the tab talking heads and it reads the text albeit in a funny voice but you can also change this to sound different. Voila you have a digi book created with your students.
I have tried this for my own use with my children by adding a picture of them and then adding text (sight words from school) to create short sentences. It was a hit and enjoyed by all.
Week 4
This week we looked at podcasting using podomatic and resizing photographs.
Podcasting allows you to publish audio files, which allows your students and others to access them. I found it interesting that you can use them with itunes and if it is linked each time a podcast is added it just goes in to your itunes list. I have seen podcasts used by lecturers to University students mostly to those external. It allows the students to access lectures from anywhere without having to attend classes.
Great idea if you are teaching to students globally.
This is my attempt at a podcast.
http://traceywoznitza.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-03T16_18_12-07_00
Podcasting allows you to publish audio files, which allows your students and others to access them. I found it interesting that you can use them with itunes and if it is linked each time a podcast is added it just goes in to your itunes list. I have seen podcasts used by lecturers to University students mostly to those external. It allows the students to access lectures from anywhere without having to attend classes.
Great idea if you are teaching to students globally.
This is my attempt at a podcast.
http://traceywoznitza.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-03T16_18_12-07_00
Monday, July 26, 2010
Week 2
This week in class we signed up for a wiki and website. We also touched base on the Teaching Frameworks that we can use.
Teaching Frameworks
TPack is a framework that acknowledges that subject area experts know their content and know the digital tools that combine with pedagogies for learning specific content.
Engagement Learning Theory - Engaged learning, we mean that all student activities involve active cognitive processes such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, and evaluation. In addition, students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities.(Kearsley & Schniederman, 2009)viewed at:http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Big Six framework is a framework that is highly effective for use in problem based learning in any area from kindergarten to higher education learning and is used globally.
After reading throught the overview I have decided that I will use the Big 6 Framework for my assessment.
These frameworks are all similar in that they achieve promote higher order thinking and utilise the ICT digital tools best suited to the subject area while incorporating the pedagogy.
Wiki's are online tools where users/guests can edit, modify, add and remove information. As teachers we can set up a wiki and by giving our students the name of the space have them access and communicate online within a learning experience.
However like everything there can be an occassional hiccup when you have too many users/guests accessing and writing to the wiki at the same time.
But don't be disheartened luckily you can get back the history for a previous date which is mighty handy if material is lost.
This is my wikispace:
http://traceye-learning.wikispaces.com/
Websites
We then created an account for our own free website from weebly.com.
Websites are different to blogs and wikis because you can decide on what is displayed and can be accessed on your website and noone is able to edit, modify, comment or remove information.
This is my website:
http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php
Teaching Frameworks
TPack is a framework that acknowledges that subject area experts know their content and know the digital tools that combine with pedagogies for learning specific content.
Engagement Learning Theory - Engaged learning, we mean that all student activities involve active cognitive processes such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, and evaluation. In addition, students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities.(Kearsley & Schniederman, 2009)viewed at:http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Big Six framework is a framework that is highly effective for use in problem based learning in any area from kindergarten to higher education learning and is used globally.
After reading throught the overview I have decided that I will use the Big 6 Framework for my assessment.
These frameworks are all similar in that they achieve promote higher order thinking and utilise the ICT digital tools best suited to the subject area while incorporating the pedagogy.
Wiki's are online tools where users/guests can edit, modify, add and remove information. As teachers we can set up a wiki and by giving our students the name of the space have them access and communicate online within a learning experience.
However like everything there can be an occassional hiccup when you have too many users/guests accessing and writing to the wiki at the same time.
But don't be disheartened luckily you can get back the history for a previous date which is mighty handy if material is lost.
This is my wikispace:
http://traceye-learning.wikispaces.com/
Websites
We then created an account for our own free website from weebly.com.
Websites are different to blogs and wikis because you can decide on what is displayed and can be accessed on your website and noone is able to edit, modify, comment or remove information.
This is my website:
http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php
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