Digital Tools Reflection 4

This week we focused on the three main digital presentation tools; PowerPoint, Prezi and Glogster.

PowerPoint

After experiencing ‘death by PowerPoint’ on multiple occasions, I was losing faith in PowerPoint’s ability to engage students and thought that it was only effective in the area of delivering visual content. However, this week proved to be significantly insightful as I was able to explore the other capacities of PowerPoint and I have since transformed my understanding and perception of this digital tool.

I have explored the following Technical Aspects of powerpoint:

·         You Tube

·         Audio clips

·         Text and Images formatting and editing

·         Embed links to other websites eg. Glogster

·         Record a voice over of presentation delivery

·         Collaboratively work on PowerPoint in Backstage view

·         Embed internal hyperlinks to create an interactive presentation

·         Animation

·         Can create video file and embed PowerPoint into other digital
mediums such as Wiki

In addition to the use of a concise visual presentation tool I learnt that PowerPoint can be used as an interactive model. I now endeavor to use PowerPoint as a HUB to deliver my lesson plans. In the first ten minutes of my lessons I intend to have an interactive reflection task such as a multiple choice quiz. I had ideas of implementing a game prior to this week’s lesson however, was unsure on how to deliver it in a time effective manner as it can only use the first ten minutes of the lesson. However, now I can have it prepared and it will be more simple to facilitate and therefore will be carried out with to a higher level in the given time frame. Therefore, I feel as though conducting the quiz through PowerPoint creates a more structured task than what I had in mind.

I appreciate the idea of the virtual museum as it links the subject of history to its historical sources and artifacts which furthermore, instils a deeper appreciation of these artifacts and the institutions of museums into our learners. Children so rarely are able to visit museums and therefore, grow up without an enriched understanding of museums and their importance to society. I believe that this then limits our learner’s ability to connect with artifacts and grasps the reality of our history. I feel that PowerPoint being used in this medium enables schools that are unable to attend a museums an authentic learning experience that may inspire our learners to visit museums when they have the opportunity. One of my favourite learning experiences was visiting the Jewish Museum in Sydney and listening to Holocaust victims share their horrific experiences. It was very moving and memorable and through using this tool I hope to transmit some of this authenticity into my classroom. 

I also hope to inspire my students to engage with and create presentations that optimise all of PowerPoint’s tools to explore and undertake their learning experiences.  

Prezi

I have enjoyed using Prezi in recent assessments and find it a very creative and engaging digital tool. My only hesitation when using Prezi is that I find it slightly more time consuming to construct in comparison to PowerPoint. Prezi provides an alternative digital visual presentation tool to PowerPoint. Similar to PowerPoint, Prezi is interactive and has the capacity to encompass many digital tools such as you tube clips, audio clips, images and links. However, Prezi’s zooming features can be very beneficial as you can actively explore concepts and map connections. I intend to implement Prezi into my classes through creating tasks where the students will be required to use it rather than me presenting and facilitating my lessons through Prezi. An example of this can be found in my model this week as I have used PowerPoint as my lesson hub however have incorporated a link to Prezi which requires the students to actively map out alliance systems in World War Two. They are expected to use the arrows, zoom features and add frames with the treaty details in the appropriate places. This Prezi task will enable the students to identify countries, identify and research alliance systems and then actively connect the countries through visually indicating the alliance systems on a world map. In addition, the map does not have the country names therefore it requires them to call upon their geographic skills and locate the countries. The task creates the opportunity for the students to engage rather than me simply showing a slide with the alliances already indicated.

Glogster

I was unfamiliar with the programme Glogster therefore I was very excited when we explored this digital tool in our tutorial. I found Glogster easy to navigate and consider it a very creative and engaging tool as you use a variety of digital tools within your template. In addition, I appreciate that it provides so many creative templates and images- I feel that the children will really enjoy this and my secondary students will enjoy the freedom and individuality. Again, I intend on implementing this tool within student tasks rather than using it a medium of content delivery. In my model for this week’s tool I have created a task where groups are to present their key personality profiles in the form of a Glogster. I have initiated a Glogster with some tools to assist students however; I have left mine relatively empty so the learners can create their own Glogster without molding it into my example. Therefore, I have allowed them the opportunity to present to me their key personalities using as much digital tools and creativity as they like. I feel that Glogster would be a really effective medium for homework tasks to be carried out as it is a fun and creative tool. I also would like to use it to teach students to collate their research for assessments as it collates it into the one place and therefore it is easy to find and accessible anywhere and anytime (if internet Is available of course).  

Please visit my Wiki which has my model of the digital tools embedded on this page.

Link: http://elearningabc.wikispaces.com/Week+5+Digital+Tools+Model+-+Powerpoint%2C+Prezi+and+Glogster 

Through viewing my model I hope you can gain some insight into how I intend to utilise these digital tools in the learning experiences of my learners.  

Digital Tools: Visual literacy, Images, Audio and video's



Learning in the 21st Century; In and Outside of the Classroom

 Image Source: http://cegsa.sa.edu.au/2012/01/pd-events-term-one-2012/hand-on-education-keyboard-banner-image/

“Visual literacy is the ability to see, to understand, and ultimately to think, create, and communicate graphically” (Thibault & Walbert, pg. 1, 2003). Similar to literacy, visual literacy requires more than one level of skill (Thibault & Wlabert, 2003). Please refer to my graphic organiser that I have created based on the work of Melissa Thibault and David Walbert (2003) to ascertain the differing visual literacy levels.

Link: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/675

In order to create this image I used Microsoft smart art, took a screen shot of the image, pasted the image into another word doc, cropped the image, compressed picture and deleted cropped areas, saved and uploaded image onto blog. It is a pretty simple process to follow and I am sure once individuals complete the task often it will become relatively simple for them too.

Provided in the table below is a list of skills that are acquired, utilised and further  developed through Visual Literacy.

Skills involved in Digital Literacy

Observation Comprehension Vocabulary Identification Analysis Evaluation Deconstruction Compare and Contrast Explanation

As I study English and History I am constantly required to study visual sources. I would like to share with you the mnemonic that I use to scaffold my critical analysis of resources.

Week Three: Blogs, Wikkis and Websites in the classroom

Blog

Introduction to Blogging in the classroom:

This You tube clip outlines the technical features of the blog, the purpose of the blog and thoughts on implementing the use of Blogs in the classroom

Blog: A blog is a website that is maintained by an individual whom posts through varying mediums such as commentary, reflections, answers to activities and resources. In a schooling context the blog can be used as a part of an engaging and effective learning activity. Students can use their blogs to reflect on their understandings, fulfil carefully scaffolded activities set by their teacher and to collaborate and guide each others learning.

  

Setting up and posting on a blog is a simple task. The challenge arises when the teacher is required to establish a specific learning task with a clear learning outcome that incorporates the effective use of the blog. The lesson needs to ensure the blogging experience will benefit and authenticate the learning experience. However, due to the multitude of resources available, along with the knowledge learnt through this course, as a pre service teacher I am more excited rather than frightened of embracing this challenge.

The blogging experience incorporates both the Connectivism and Constructivism learning theory. Connectivism is employed through the social connectedness of the blog posts as the students will often share them with their teacher, parents and peers. If the task is designed and implemented adequately, it is through this sharing that the students will clarify resource and extend their knowledge and skill basis.

Constructivism is incorporated through the construction of knowledge and its refinement through communicating and sharing with peers. Students have access to others work, comment, discuss and guide each others learning.  It is through this collaboration that the students understanding are further enhanced.

I have constructed a PMI chart available on my WIKI to explore the pluses, negatives and interesting aspects of blogging in a schooling context.

Please feel free to contribute any thoughts, facts, research and opinions and leave a comment on the PMI chart

Link:  http://elearningabc.wikispaces.com/Blogging+In+the+Classroom+PMI

 Wiki

http://journalofhumannutritionanddieteticseditor.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/wiki.gif

Wiki is an interactive, informative webpage that anyone can potentially edit if the settings are not adjusted accordingly. Wiki pages create the opportunity for many to collaborate and share and enhance knowledge on a mass scale depending on the access settings. Again setting up the Wiki was not a difficult task however the editing features could be enhanced to make it easier for those who are less confident using ICT and to create a more contemporary feel.

Similar to the blog Wikis provide an authentic opportunity for students to learn, discover and problem solve collaboratively. 

The wiki experiences encompass the learning theory of connectivism, constructivism and cognivitism. Students are resourcing and connecting with eachother to deepen their understanding. Students are evaluaing, editing and enhancing their understanding through an online social interaction process just as we did last week with the mobile phone Wiki. Lastly, students are require to consider the activity at hand, synthesise their knowledge, contribute to the discussion and reflect on their prior knowledge along with knew knowledge learnt from the experience therefore reflects the cognitivism theory.

Wikis are an effective tool for teachers of the twenty first century to use. I will most definatley be using an interactive Wiki to scaffold the collaboration of class discussions in both English and History.

Some activity ideas I have are using a Wiki to discuss the themes and techniques used in a text. This will need refining as i am now aware that each activity needs very specific guidelines and outcomes. In addition, I though for history we could use a discussion based on establishing wether a source is secondary or primary.

Wikis are a great way to improve communication skills, ICT literacy skills and learners confidence when required to share their knowledge.

Website:

A website is a collection of webpages that is authored by its creator. Websites are particularly useful as you can embed a variety of different multimedias without great difficulty. I found designing the webpage quite simple and prefer the setup over the Wiki (however, i acknowledge each has their benefits).

 

Image source: http://xyzuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/membershipwebsite.jpg

I can set up a webpage for my classroom where all students can contiuously access templates and resources to assist them with their learning beyond the classroom.
I can also include summary notes, homework activities, links to you tube clips and games where the students will be able to further engage in their learning. It is beneficial as I myself and the students will be able to access it any where at any time - Even on their phones:)

Websites are extremely easy to navigate. The website could be used as a hub where i could link to both the blog and Wiki. That way the students could have the one domain where they receive their activities and if the activity requires the use of the Wiki they can easily follow the link.

Here is the link to the website I have created: www.elearningabc.weebly.com

Blooms Taxonomy

Image Source:

Surgey, G. (2012, September 12). Blooms Taxonomy: A practical approach for deeper learning  [Web log post]. Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://www.pedagoo.org/2012/09/blooms-taxonomy-a-practical-approach-for-deeper-learning/
 

TPACK: Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

Image Source:  http://giannisgualdino.edublogs.org/files/2013/03/TPAK-1nq1dwf.jpg

For optimal learning to occur , it is essential as a teacher I design and implement lessons that incorporates the introduction of knowledge and skills along with the effective use of ICT that will enhance the learners experience and understanding of the knowledge being taught. In order for me to effectively do this, I must implement lessons that meet the characteristics of the intersection in the concept diagram above; TPACK.

TPACK refers to the Technological, Pedagogical and content knowledge. Put simply the it is essential that I as a teacher have a high skill set in Technology, Pedagogy And Content Knowledge. Furthermore it is significantly important that the design and implementation of my lessons reflect these skills and knowledge which will then be transferred onto the learners as they engage in the learning experience.

TPACK Framework + My pedagogy = Effective teacher in the 21st century