The Reflective Synopsis
It’s time to reflect on my learning journey and examine the significance
of ICT’s in the modern classroom. Firstly let’s touch base on e-learning.
E-learning is such a broad term that has been defined by AADM Enterprises Inc.
as
“The use of any electronic
technology to aid in the acquisition and development of knowledge and
understanding in order to demonstrate and positively influence behaviours.”1
Personally e-learning is a set of electronic educational applications
such as the web, computer programs, virtual classrooms and digital
collaborations which can deliver many interactive activities to students.
E-learning is now becoming a highly used theory within the classroom.
Unfortunately I hadn't really thought about using ICT’s in a
classroom till I started this course.
There are many reasons why e-learning has become an important element
within the classrooms of the 20th century. Technologies have
allowed learning to become an exciting, compelling and engaging experience. A
great example is Shakespeare. You can read the book and gain images in your
mind but it can then be brought to life through video.2 Learning
has now been transformed into an active experience with a large emphasis on
interactivity. E-learning has allowed for students to manage their own learning
and this is effective as each student can modify it to their personal learning
style. Coming from a rural district I can see the positive effect e-learning
can have for those students who are disadvantaged by distance and isolation.1 How
do I know this about e-learning? Well over the past 5 weeks I have undertaken
research in this particular area. Many articles and websites have been analysed
to produce a compelling blog which you can look at by clicking here.
The following reflective synopsis will provide you with a brief refection of a
number of e-learning tools which have revolutionised the way teacher teach and
learners learn. These tools can be very effective when used in the
classroom of many key learning areas. These tools include blogs, videos,
Glogster and Google earth.
To start with I would like to talk about the
Wiki activity which was undertaken over the past couple weeks. Personally I
wasn’t a fan of using wikis but they can be a very engaging activity. Initially
we were asked to create a wiki of our own and you're able to see my individual
one by clicking here. We were asked to contribute to a DeBonos wiki
discussion on mobile phones too. Click here to see the final piece. A wiki supports
learning through a collaboration of many students opinions. Michael
Richardson has brought up some great points about wikis within his blog (Thursday 14th March) which
you are able to see by clicking here. Its a tool which could be very successful
within the classroom is used correctly. In week 2’s blog I
discussed that fact that it’s not about the technology but more about the
digital pedagogy. Teachers these days must
decide on the content and then make a decision on the types of technologies
which can be effectively utilised. This relates directly to Technological
Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK).
Tool 1 – Blogs
Blogs are known as an easy way to share thoughts and discuss hot topics.3 They
can however be used for many other things, one being able to collect and share
digital resources or chronologically arrange information in the form of a diary
or journal.4 This tool can be implemented into classrooms to
allow students to interact in engaging activities with their colleagues and
teachers. There is an option on blogger which allows you to create a team blog.
This could be a great tool to use in an HPE class where all students can give
feedback and ask each other question. I would be thrilled to use this tool
within my classroom. As a HPE teacher I
could use a blog for students to reflect on what they have learnt each week as
well as ask any questions they have in relation to the topic or upcoming
assignments. To check out a PMI that I performed plus my thoughts on
Blogger click here. This all sounds really exciting but there is a
serious side to blogging. It’s crucial to make sure that the working
environment is ethical safe and secure. As a teacher it’s critical to educate
your students on safe practices. Evaluate the service before starting to find
out its privacy settings and how to turn on password-protected blogs.5 Click here to read more about safety when blogging.
Keep your students safe!
Tool 2 – Video
Video is a very powerful tool that can be used in
the classroom when taught with the right pedagogy. For students who are visual
learning this tool is perfect! Video can be seen as future for education as our
classrooms are now wired and connected.6 Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation embraces
the power of video. Over the 5 weeks I have read reviews on TeacherTube and most
say the power of videos in education is amazing.7 It’s
understood that using video to teach can help students understand concepts and
retain information. Research has indicated that using the digital tool video
can improve learning.8 A direct quote from the article says “teaching methods that include the use of video and audio will, in
effect, reach more students and provide more opportunities for neural
development and learning."8 To read the
article that goes into more depth click here. Using
video in a HPE would be worthy as students could present and analysis
biomechanical moments in their sports. This could lead students to identifying
faults and modifying their technique for improvements. Just like blogging,
videos need to be ethical safe and secure. If students are wishing to upload
their presentation to blogger for example, they must get parental permission
and avoid using student’s names as if this information was in the wrong hands
it could be used inappropriately. Teachers should refer to the schools
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) when using digital images and videos in the classroom.9
Tool 3 –
Glogster
Glogster is an online education platform which I
believe is very creative and engaging for students. This is a tool I will be
using for a future HPE assignment for sure. I think of it like an interactive
online poster. Students can get so much excitement and motivation when creating
a Glogster. It can also encourage creative problem solving, can expand digital
literacy, promote independent problem solving, demonstrate understanding of
curriculum objectives, enhance formative and summative assessment pieces, and
provide differentiated instructional activities.10 As a HPE
this is a great tool to present as the students can add images, videos and
audio to back up their report. The question is though, how safe is it?
Well I’m happy to inform that Glogster has many safety features. Teachers are able to register and generate safe and secure passwords.
These accounts are able to be made without the use of email address or contact
information and the teacher can access all students projects/activities.10 Teachers
can be faced with the problem of students using copyrighted material on their
Glogster. Fair use allows for a limited use of copy righted material without
gaining permission from the holder. For in depth information on using
copyrighted material click here.
Tool 4 – Google
Earth
Google Earth- The digital world at our fingertips.
This is a digital tool which is able to explore the world from anywhere. Google
Earth allows you to discover 3D buildings, imagery and terrain, cities and
local businesses. This tool also allows you to travel back in time and look at
historical images. With great pedagogy teachers can utilise this tool to engage
students. A science teacher would be able to use this technology to explore the
earth biomes and habitats, explore rich resources and look at under water
terrain not only in Australia but on all other continents.11 The
main key learning area which would benefit from this digital tool is geography.
Teachers would be able to get students to compare different types of geographic
representations and even look at a variety of different cultural landscapes
around the world. The amazing things about this tool includes that fact that
it’s free, It can be used for all grade levels and subject areas and it can
bring new perspectives on old subjects. Without good pedagogy students may lose
interest and become bored so yet again it’s not about how good the tool is but
how good you utilise it in the classroom. For some examples of projects and
classroom ideas using Google Earth click here.
Conclusion
Teachers are now using technology more frequently
in the classroom than we have ever seen before. Technology will be forever
evolving and I believe we need to adapt or prepare to be left behind. As I
established earlier we need to look beyond the technology and into the
effective pedagogy. Research has discovered that technology has many positive impacts on education. Teachers are now getting
students to explore the world beyond a textbook. It's fact that students no
longer sit and listen to their teacher but get actively involved and excited to
learn via exploring the possibilities of technologies. Yes there is bound to be
challenges and I have witnessed some while discovering these tool but they will
help us interact with the world and allow us to learn 24/7. The one really
important thing I got out of this learning experience was that when you use
ICT's you must be organised and have back up plans where possible. Using ICT's
in the classroom was a daunting thought at first but now I can see that
the possibilities are endless. I look forward to discovering more
educational tools in the future.
References
1AADM eLearning.
(2009).What is eLearning? Retrieved 1st April,
2013, from http://www.aadm.com/moreinfo.htm
2Knight.,
J.(2003). Why is E-Learning so important? Retrieved 2nd april,
2013, from https://www.google.com.au/url?
3Google.
(Updated). Blogger Features. Retrieved 1st April,
2013, from http://www.blogger.com/features
4Department of
Education. (2013). Blogs in Education. Retrieved 13th March
2013 from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/
5Microsoft Safety
and Security Centre. (2012). Safety Tips on Blogging. Retrieved 2nd April,
2013, form http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/security/family-safety/blogging.aspx
6EnglishCentral
Schools & Teachers.(n.d.). Using Video in the Classroom. Retrieved
2nd April, 2013, from (http://ddeubel.edublogs.org/files/2011/06/Using_Video_In_The_Classroom-20mn397.pdf
7Jodie,
TeacherTube- Teach the World. (2007). Why Use Video in Education.
Retrieved 20thMarch, 2013, from http://teachertube.blogspot.com.au/2007/03/why-use-videos-in-education.html
8Library Video
Company.(n.d).No Child Left Behind: Scientific Research Indicates that Using
Video in the Classroom Improves Learning. Retrieved 20th March,
2013, from http://www.libraryvideo.com/articles/article18.asp
9Teachtoday.(2008). Using
Digital Images of Students. Retrieved 2nd April, 2013,
from http://www.teachtoday.eu/en/Teacher-advice/Using-ICT-Equipment-at-School/Using-digital-images-of-students.aspx
10 Glogster
EDU. (2007). Create New Glog. Retrieved 27th March,
2013, from http://edu.glogster.com/
11 Google.
(n.d.). Google Maps – Education. Retrieved 2nd April,
2013, from http://maps.google.com/help/maps/education/learn/index.html#tab=science
