Kate’s Blog

This article discusses how a teacher has implemented Internet based activities into her classroom. Harris (2007) talks about the learning advantages created by various schools who frequently email and correspond in three different languages (Voice of Youth) to each other. With the an increase in multicultralism (students with second lanuage) in Australian schools this type of activity has many benefits. Harris (2007) says it enables students to have a voice and communicate with other students world wide (aimed at secondary years). Do you think this activity is suitable for primary classes?

One of our tasks this semester was to create a Digital Story on either imovie or Photostory (i used this program). I found this assignment creative, user friendly and highly rewarding when you view the end product. I think with more time and practice, my digital story could have been of a higher standard. Walker (2008), claims that like all tools, it takes practice to produce an effective digital story. In addition, a good digital story comes froma strong question and a powerful narrative.

Walker, T. (2008). University Information Technology. Sydney: Inside Tufts

I have not had the pleasure of using this amazing new classrom technology. After reading the article it is esay to see why any teacher would want one of these devices in their classroom. Jenkins (2008) talks about how her children learn best when they are doing it themselves. and this way learning is more child-directed. Has this new technology pathed the way for more collabrative learning? And do students benefit on a higher level from the use of these devices? 

(www.flickr.com.au)

I found this article extremely relevant and important. I think the main point to highlight is the advantages of online e-zines…advantages that normal magazines do not obtain. Yu Lu (2003) believes the key feature of e-zines is the opportunity they provide for interactivity between readers and between authors and readers. E-zines now invite readers to be part of the production process, both by filling out surveys and by submitting their own work for publication in the e-zine (Yu Lu, 2003). Will e-zines make magazines obsolete? And do e-zines contribute to the classroom?    

Yu Lu, M. (2003). Evaluating and Selecting Online Magazines for Children. Sydney: Eric Digest.

This article outlines six essential ingreadients that will motivate and encourage students to learn. Are you incorperating all of these aspects into your curriculum ? Choice, challenge, control, collabration, consrtucting meaning and consequences.  Teachers need to provide students with these fundamental elements when engaging in class activities. What do think happens when learners are motivated and are on task? I imagine the effect of learning can be very powerful.

(www.flickr.com.au)

Wang, S. & Han, S. (2001). Six C’s of Motivation. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 6th Feb, 2008,

from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Six_C%27s_of_motivation

It was interesting to see the dramatic increase in technology whilst I was on my practicum. Nearly very classroom has an interactive Smartboard and Kindergarten use the computer room twice a week. The real eye opener was the activities Kindergarten children (age 5) were completing and enjoying. It really makes you think, if technology is this advanced now, compared to when I was in primary school, what does the next decade hold for the future generation? An important issues to raise is teachers will need to be continually updating their knowledge and skills to keep up with students. What do you think?

(www.flickr.com.au) 

I have many differing views on this interactive computer program. To begin, I found designing the task challenging and difficult to comprehend. This was mainly to do with my lack of knowledge in this area. As I proceeded with the task and became familiar with it’s content and structure I slowly started to see the benefits of the online activity. I now agree with Kearney & Young (2007) when they state that implementing this learning design helps build bridges between theory and practice in Education courses. Did anyone else find designing the activity challenging?

Kearney, M. and Young, K. (2007). An emerging learning design based on analogical reasoning. Sydney: LAMS Foundation

(www.flickr.com.au)

This article has insipired me to implement this exact activity into my classroom. Warlick (2003) talks about how digital storytelling can make the student become the teacher. I believe, this to be important in education, as it empowers and motivates students to learn. Allowing children to produce their own TV production, provides learners with the opportunity to learn new skills and increase their communication skills in a fun and interesting manner. Providing students with these experiences means they are in an active role, not passive.

Warlick, D. (2003). Tech learning. Sydney: Teach Education.

                                                            (www.flickr.com.au)

Reading Sami Spilsted’s post on electronic portfolios has got me interested in this area. To be honest my knowledge is not extensive in this department, however with the extra resources Sami put online, Teacher Tap, Portfolio resources and Yolanda Abrenica’s summary, I will be a well informed student-teacher very soon. If you are interested in this area check the links out, they are user friendly and very informative.

Today our e-learning class was introduced to the creative program Comic. Our goal was to find images that portrayed our thoughts on what meaningful learning meant to us. We used the photo as a pictorial metaphor to explain our personal views on learning. As a finishing touch we took our photos on the icamera. The software comes with over 500 different Comic style layout and design page templates to choose from, which makes it easy for teacher or student with even with minimal computer skills, creativity and design skills and knowledge to create masterpieces (Politi, 2007).

Politi, M. (2007). Using Comic Creator Software. USA: Planetwide Games Inc.

                              
                                                       (Sellars & Slack Smith, 2008)