Nyssa’s Blog

Image made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: source

Michelle’s blog posting ‘A Study Into Interactive Whiteboards’ in response to Jane Gees article, looks at the use of interactive whiteboards to engage students in learning and the integration of ICT into the teaching process. She discusses the idea that Interactive Whiteboards can increase student engagement yet may not necessarily pedagogical outcomes. Michelle talks about her inexperience with Interactive Whiteboards however expresses interest in how their use may affects students and their learning. I am with Michelle on this as I am yet to see or use an Interactive Whiteboard. When used with students this tool can boost students self esteem through having the opportunity to present their work to the remainder of the class and benefit students learning and engagement. I agree with Michelle’s concluding statement that this interactive tool has the opportunity to motivate students, broaden their knowledge and develop their developing digital literacy skills.

Image made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: source

I have just read Robyn’s blog post on Dave Nagel’s article ‘Can Technology Drive Change in Professional Development?’ In her post Robyn discusses how technology is not just for teaching our students but to help teachers stay up-to-date and to constantly review their teaching practices. Robyn looks into the notion that teacher training needs to move forward from the ‘one stop workshops’ and toward a more sustainable professional development. I agree with Robyn in that ‘poor teacher preparation and lack of support have negative effects on both students and the education system. She goes on to state that this is the main reason for teacher turn-over being due to lack of support. Other barriers listed by Robyn include: ‘lack of funding, poor pre-service technology integration programs, lack of access to tools, lack of communication with stakeholders adn basic lack of understanding of the importance of professional development’.  

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ 

Available at: Source

I recently read Bob Sprankle’s blog post ‘Teach from Home’ on his experiences with an Apple program called iChat. In his post Bob recalls a day he had to stay home to look after his child. He finds himself worrying about how his students are going to progress throughout the day as he had barely any time to prepare appropriate notes for the substitute teacher. Due to today’s advanced technology Bob uses the iChat program to teach lessons, talk to his students, ask them questions, hear them and show them everything that they needed as if he was there.

According to the Apple website, iChat can be used for video chatting and delivers the clearest possible sound. Users can show files, photos and presentations in full screen as the other end looks on. iChat’s can be recorded and both ends can observe and control a single desktop, ideal for collaboration with a colleague or your class.

It is incredible that Bob was able to give the instructions to his class via iChat and then hand it over to the substitute giving him peace of mind that his students were not going to be ‘disadvantaged by his absence’. With the use of this program teachers can be assured that their planned experiences are going to be taught and that they will not fall too far behind. Any issues can be confronted as the teacher and their class have constant contact throughout the day.

As mentioned in the article a positive of using this technique is that students got a taste of what Distance Learning is about, as well as exposure to this type of technology.

It was interesting that the substitute teacher reported back to him that the ‘student were mesmerised’ by the technology and continued to be engaged throughout the remainder of the day. Students may well remain focused on a day that may be seen as a ‘bludge’ day with a substitute teacher. This technology sounds exciting and easy, however having not used the iChat program myself I am unsure as to whether teachers would find it challenging. As pre service teachers it may be interesting to ask…

Would you consider using iChat in your classroom? How and when would you use it?

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

 Constructivism and Constructionism… apart from the one differing letter in the wording what is the difference between these two views? 

Ackermann discusses this idea thoroughly in the article entitled ‘Piaget’s Constructivism and Papert’s Constructionism: What’s the difference?’‘ Ackermann draws attention to the idea that integration of these two views can enrich our understandings of how people learn and grow. Piaget’s ‘Constructivism’ is refered to as ‘a window into what student’s are interested in, and what they can achieve at different stages of their development’. Children have particular ways of doing and thinking that they construct over their life time, due to experiences and individual ideas. Constructivism alternatively focuses on ‘the art of learning… the ‘lerning to learn’ and the significance of making things’. 

However it is interesting to  note that both are concerned with knowledge being actively constructed by the individual and their interactions in the world. If we are to agree with this notion, teachers have a responsibility to offer their students time to engage in hands-on exploration and the ‘constructive process’. 

I agree with Ackermann in that there isn’t a problem here with these two slightly differing views. It is important however to address the implication for education of each. Ackermann suggests that according to Piaget teaching is always an indirect experience, meaning children themselves interpret what they will from what they hear and in light of their own prior experiences. Secondly, Piaget’s argues that the transmission model of human communication is not satisfactory, knowledge is instead aquired through interaction with the world, other humans and things. And thirdly a theory of learning that ignore the issues of resistance to learning, is not in line. 

Are these guidelines of value to you? What other implications do these theories have for education?

Ackermann goes on to discuss that what Piaget’s theories overlook, Papert’s takes off. There is this notion that ones inner feelings and ideas are key in the learning that will take place. Ackermann argues that expressing these ideas makes them tangible and ‘real’ which in turn sharpens them and helps us to reconvene and communicate more effectively with others. In conclusion the two theorists believe that knowledge in fact is suituated, it is dependent on the context. Both Piaget and Papert hold the view that children are the constructors of their knowledge and that this construction and continual reconstruction occurs through their personal experience. While both Constructivism and Constructionism do differ in many ways as suggested in the article, they do have some similar streaks for example they are both constructivists and developmentalists.

I have just read Kathryn’s post ‘Should we be listening to the Natives?’ about Marc Prensky’s article which looked at the importance of teachers moving from the 20^th century ‘analog age’ in to the 21^st century ‘digital age’. I agree with Kathryn’s statement that teachers need to keep up to day with today’s technology and that student’s learn best at school when things are interesting and relevant to them. However, I like how Kathryn draws attention to the fact that if all learning and classroom goings on are revolving around technology what if there is a black out or other issue? I don’t think that we can place all the ‘eggs in one basket’, as with everything ‘technology has its limitations too’. While technology needs to be an integrated part of every student (and teacher’s) learning we need to be aware that students need to get into the real world to discover, explore, create, and have hands-on experiences…

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: Source

I have just read Freya’s post ‘Is It Okay to Be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher? A Response’ and having also read Karl Fish’s blog ‘The Fishchbowl’ I would have to agree with Freya’s stance. I don’t think that it is okay for teachers to be illiterate when it comes to today’s technology I believe that each of us should be continually working towards learning new technologies, as hard as it is (Trust me, I know after this semester). It is for the benefit of all our future students. I aim to be a life long learner and I want to model this in the hopes that my students will also have a great love of learning throughout life.

That being said, I agree with Freya’s comment that all educators should achieve a basic level of technological capability and those who do not should be embarrassed rather than proud. Rest assured we have the time to learn. Karl notes that in order for us to teach it, we have to do it, as Freya states ‘How can we model it if we aren’t literate ourselves? We have a duty to learn alongside our students’.

Freya makes reference to Karl’s remark: “If a teacher today is not technologically literate – and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more – it’s equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn’t know how to read and write’.  

It sure makes you question, is it the same? I am not sure that I would fully agree with this remark, I think that English basics, such as reading and writing are the core of the majority of our daily life experiences. That being said I feel that it is highly important to think about how much technology is actually in our lives and the lives of our students…

I liked Freya’s comment that ‘more support and understanding is needed’ for those teachers who have been in the profession for awhile and are struggling to keep up. I believe that the important thing is that we continue to learn.

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: Source

Here is my short iMovie. A great program to use as a teacher and with your students.

iMovie Education and e-Learning

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: Source

Made available under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Available at: Source

In her blog posting titled ‘Digital Footprints’, Maree writes about how the internet is full of information about her and her professional experiences accessible to anyone who finds it. Maree makes reference to Richardson’s article ‘Digital Footprints in the Digital Age’ which looks into this phenomena. Digital footprints are ‘being woven into the fabric of almost every aspect of our lives’. From anywhere anyone can access the variety of information about you, you professional achievements, interests, and pictures of you through a variety of online sources.

This information is vital to understanding as ‘social Web technologies have an influence on those students who are connected, even the younger ones’. It is an important thing to think about and for our students to be aware of as they are growing up in this day, environment and with this wide variety of technology. Our students may not think about these things naturally, being seen as somewhat ‘naive’, it is our duty to educate them on the various issues involve the Web for their privacy and their safety. Students are participating in a range of online activities and tools that we aren’t teaching them about, and ‘in the process they are becoming Googleable without us’.

So how do we as teachers address student’s use of technologies and the internet?  We need to ensure that they are well educated and act wisely about ‘the many facets of technology’ and help them in becoming aware of the global audience, of who is out there and what they are able access.

This is my Comic Life, relating to my current views of e-Learning…

My Comic-Life