Blog Synopsis

‘You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.’ ~Clay P. Bedford (http://www.quotegarden.com/learning.htm). I have been told throughout my teaching degree to create assessment and learning activities that engage and enhance student learning. I love ICT’s (Informations and Communications Technology) and how it can create curiosity to learn. I have used powerpoints and youtube clips before but during the past weeks I have learnt so much more. I have investigated different e-learning tools that I can incorporate into the classroom that will be engaged learning. 'By 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 & Shneiderman, 1999)

I have not been in a classroom this year but I can remember my previous schools. My context is primary school aged students. I understand that today’s students are all ‘native speakers’ when it comes to digital language. They are born into and have grown up with technology and have developed a specific language and syntax when it comes to learning (Prensky, 2001). As part ‘native’ and part ‘immigrant’, I am now aware of these differences and the importance of how the e-learning tools are delivered within the classroom context. ‘The challenge[now] lies in shifting from teaching and learning about ICT to teaching and learning with and through ICT. This means rather than using technology to do old things in new ways, we want to do new things in new ways and use technology to enable and transform teaching, learning and the curriculum.’(Education Queensland, 2009). Teaching with technology also includes using higher order thinking strategies. ‘Higher-order thinking requires students to manipulate information and ideas in ways that transform their meaning and implications. This transformation occurs when students combine facts and ideas in order to synthesise, generalise, explain, hypothesise or arrive at some conclusion or interpretation.’(Education Queensland, 2004). Each of the frameworks built into their theory the higher order thinking strategies as well as engaging and authentic tasks. [link to framework post]

How I would use e-learning tools to transform, support, facilitate and/or enhance student learning.
I have looked analysed the different e-learning tools and believe many of them if not all could be used within the classroom to develop effective digital learners.












(Education Queensland, 2009)

I have chosen a number of tools that I personally could see myself effectively using in my future role as a learning manager that promotes creativity and intellectual curiosity for the students to learn and deepen their digital literacy, proficiency and knowledge. (Education Queensland, 2009)


Digital Tool 1: Blogs & RSS
I am really excited to use Blogs within my classroom context. Blogging is much more than journalling it is personal publishing (Educause, 2010). Teachers can use blogs instead of the conventional webpage. They can link websites and elearning tools to create easy access for students and promote the 'relate, create, donate' theme of the Engagement Theory(Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999). Also what I said in my post on blogs, 'Blogs can be used in the classroom for many things. Such as a personal journal. Students create their own blog that is secure and are able to comment on their peer's journals and encourage each other. A reflective learning journal is also great as teachers can see what the students are learning in a particular subject also because it is engaging for the students.' (Q: Blog - Verb or Noun?) Or even writing a newsletter and updating it for their parents to see. The RSS Aggregator would also be great to use withing the classroom as it could reduce the chasing up of assignment submissions and make my teaching more efficient. 'Also for students to see what activities their fellow peers had been up to. RSS is time-saving but also engaging as students can collaborate with eachother more easily. (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999) '(Can't keep up?? Get yourself an RSS Aggregator!)


Digital Tool 2: Images
I loved learning about images and the different e-learning tools out there that can be used withing the classroom. When students can interact with what they are learning about, their learning becomes more authentic and is consolidated. (Educause, 2010). If students are doing an assignment or learning task that requires photos and the student has no way of getting them, instead of looking on google images and not knowing what images you can legally use, with Flickr.com the 'Creative Commons' give you what photos that can be used. Picnik.com then allows the students to edit, change, enhance the photos to make their point. These tools don't have to be used in the Arts subject, they can be used in any context. Finally, Schools love free and legal applications that all students can access, as it doesn't have to be updated by the administrators every time it needs to be updated. (Picture Perfect World)

Digital Tool 3: Wikis & Websites
Wikis and Websites are great for collaborative work. Students and Learning managers could work together to upload images, create links to useful sites, add questions and findings and compile this information about a topic to build a great class site. If students want they can work on it at home or in their lunch breaks. For safety and privacy, students and teachers can modify settings so only their peers in the classroom can edit, modify and view the content of the site.
(Wiki vs Website vs Blog)


Digital Tool 4: Podcasting
This was really fun as it was not just limited to audio files. My posts on Blabberize and Movie Maker involves using audio files. Podcasting is great withing the classroom as it can be an independent task or a collaborative task. Students can either listen to Podcasts on different topics they are learning about for example; in early childhood they can use the free podcast 'Hooked on Phonics' which consists of songs on the different letters of the alphabet. Teachers can use this as a whole class activity or if the students have iTunes at home they can practice their letters in an engaging manner. For older students they can listen to audiobooks especially if they are vision impared. Podcasting is not limited to listening but also recoding the studnets vioces. Students can do an impersonation of a character from a book and a reporter could ask them quesitons about the character, or students could do an audio book review. Some ways podcasting can be used within the classroom:
- Students can record their stories they have written.
- Students can role play being journalists for a favourite newspaper.
-Students can interview eachother about their book review.
-Students can learn by listening to fun educational podcasts

See my blog post on the skills students develop when using podcasts. (Podcasting...Testing 1, 2, 3)












As this picture shows, ICT's are the future and as Learning Managers we need to be reading. We may not be 'native' learners with ICT's but we need to be life long learner who can take the knowledge of the students' learning styles and behaviourisms and create engaging and authentic learning activities and assessments that work with and through ICT's


Cheers,

Michelle


References:
Education Queensland. (2009). Smart Classroom. Retrieved 25 August 2010 from http://www.learningplace.com.au/deliver/content.asp?pid=37816.

Education Queensland. (2004). Higher order thinking, Retrieved 20th August 2010, from http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/html/pedagogies/intellect/int1a.html

Educause. (2010). Educational blogging, Retrieved 23 August 2010 from, http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume39/EducationalBlogging/157920

Educause. (2010) Engage me or enrage me, Retrieved 20 August, 2010 from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0553.pdf

Kearsley, G., Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 5 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm.

Prensky, M., (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved August 25 2010 from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf.


Appendix for Comments:
People's Comments on My Blog
Blog on 21st Learners: http://mbuckle.blogspot.com/2010/07/21st-century-learners.html?showComment=1283110736123#c6184514451086746458
Blog on Blogs: http://mbuckle.blogspot.com/2010/07/acvokiembed20026719320f7cc5f8db0e0bb9a3.html
Blog on Bubble us: http://mbuckle.blogspot.com/2010/08/bubblus.html

My Comments on Other Blogs
Laura M with Podcasts - http://lauraselearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/podcasting-and-vokis.html

Google Maps

We learnt how to use google maps to link a photo of an area to that particular area. We got in pairs and took a picture of a plant at the university and uploaded that photo. We then found the univeristy in Google maps and linked the photo to the uni. Below is a picture of what we did but click on the picture to go to the website where it is.





















Cheers,

Michelle

Word Play

Wordle.net - Type in any amount of text to see what words students use the most, points for less frequent words - It encourage students to expand their vocabulary



I thought this site was really exciting. Even though it only does one thing students can become aware of the words they use or even important words in an online text they are reading. The second best feature, and I believe it is the creative aspect of the tool, is you can change colour and position of the words.

Cheers,

Michelle

Can't keep up?? Get yourself an RSS Aggregator!

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and allows you to monitor other Blogs or Websites that have an "RSS Feed". You will be notified on any updates on blogs you are watching. Why is this useful? Consider monitoring the blogs of 26 students! How do you keep up with each new addition? It is onerous and very difficult to click your way through this many blogs. The RSS reader will make the task much easier. You simply visit the blogs that have an update. (Moodle)

I never knew what RSS actually stood for and what it did. RSS or Really Simple Syndication is a great way to keep up to date with sites that have an “RSS Feed”. We created a 'Google Reader' account in class which allowed us to follow new sites and other blogs without acutally having to chase each site individually. “Google Reader is a Web-based aggregator, capable of reading Atom and RSS feeds online or offline” (Wikipedia. 2010). My sister-in-law said that an RSS is like the Facebook news feed, where it shows all of the updates your friends make, is the same as Google Reader showing all of the updates of your favourite sites.

Using an RSS in the classroom would make life a lot easier for teachers to keep track of student progress and assignments to be handed in. Also for students to see what activities their fellow peers had been up to. RSS is time-saving but also engaging as students can collaborate with eachother more easily. (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999)

Cheers,

Michelle


Kearsley, G., Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 5 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm.

Wikipedia. (2010). Google Reader. Retrieved August 15th, 2009, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Reader

Blabberize

Blabberize is an e-learning animation/simulation tool that can be used to engage student learning about a particular topic or subject. For example... the letter 'E'

Movie Maker

This was fun! Creating a movie for people to come to Australia. Students can make movies about many things. An animal, a person or nation that have been studying; it can be used to communicate, reflect and alalyse student's work. Using Digital Video is an authentic activity that promotes collaborative learning skills and intrinsic motivation (Students in the Director's Seat).

Below is a movie that encourages people why they should come to Australia:
(Images were taken from flickr.com and I sung the song titled 'I still call Australia Home' by Music and Lyrics by Peter Allen)




Until next time,

Cheers,

Michelle

Podcasting... testing 1, 2, 3

I personally have listened to podcasts for personal leisure but I never realised I could use it within the classroom. A podcast is an audio file; listeners can subscribe to podcasts on iTunes.



I have learnt that podcasting can be a very effective tool within the classroom and there are many skills students will obtain when they use podcasting. To the left is a picture from the langwitches blog.

Some ways podcasting can be used within the classroom:
- Students can record their stories they have written.
- Students can role play being journalists for a favourite newspaper.
-Students can interview eachother about their book review.
-Students can learn by listening to fun educational podcasts.

I was looking on iTunes for a podcast or vodcast(video file) that could be used in my classroom and saw that students were interviewing eachother about their book. Students are not just doing a book report but an audio report. Students could listen to these reviews and choose their own books. Students could also use this podcast as a reminder of what questions they can ask.
(To find the podcast go into iTunes and type in the search - LES Book Discussions)

I look forward to using this pedagogy in my future classroom.

Cheers,

Michelle

Picture Perfect World

I have learnt about different sites where you can download photos, and edit them.

Flickr is an incredible website. It has thousands of photos and videos that can be used by different people. Each photo has a specific licence and it is under the Creative Commons. I never knew about Creative Commons before "Creative Commons is a non-profit that offers an alternative to full copyright." This means people can use other people's photos according to the licence. Some photos you only have to give credit for; others you can only use and edited version, and another type is if you have the same licence. This is a great website for students as they can upload and organise their photos or use photos from the website and know they are not using them illigally.

Picnik - is a website that allows you to edit all of your photos from the same site.

This is a great e-learning tool for the classroom as students can edit photos without an expensive program (maybe more benefitial for the school board) like Photoshop etc.

Below is a photo that was taken from flickr and edited in picnik. This could be used in a SOSE unit of work, using edited photos to show the effects of pollution.

Cheers,

Michelle

Powerpoint

(Flickr)

I am no stranger to powerpoint but I would be the first to admit that I don't know everything about it. As a student in highschool I would use powerpoint with text and pictures to show my class what I would be talking about in an oral presentation. Even as a learning manager I have used powerpoint to try and engage the students and motivate them to learn. I would add motion to the pictures or even add sound or a youtube clip. Now looking back, I'm thinking how could it be engaging.

The Engagement Theory says that 'students are intrinsically motivated to learn due to the meaningful nature of the learning environment and activities.' (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999).
This means that for Powerpoint presentation to be engaging the content must be meaningful and allow students to interact with technology.

Some ways we learnt in our tutorial includes using PowerPoint as a test type activity where the student answers questions and when they get it right it takes them to a page that congratulates them and they go onto the next page. PowerPoint could also be used in creating a movie. students can create their slides and upload it to Moviemaker. If PowerPoint is linked with an interactive whiteboard students can interact with the slide presentation.

I look forward to expanding my personal knowledge of Powerpoint so I can use it effectively in the classroom.

Cheers,

Michelle

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory:. Retrieved August 15th, 2010, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Wiki vs Website vs Blog

In our tutorial in week 2 we had to create a wiki which is: a website that allows multiple users to create, modify and organize web page content in a collaborative manner.

The only wiki I had ever heard of before this tutorial was Wikipedia. Which lecturers and teachers tell me is not a legitimate site, as per the definition of a wiki it can be edited by anyone and everyone.

There are some positives to a wiki in a learning context. All students in a classroom can edit the wiki page from home, at school and it can help the students become independent, because they don’t have to ask the teacher for the classroom password for the webpage etc.

Here is my wikispace if you would like to see what one looks like.
MBuckle http://mbuckle.wikispaces.com/


We also had to create a website using Weebly. This site allows you to create your own website, decide what content you want on it and the layout of the website; only you can edit it or add to it.
The great thing a website can be used for in a learning context is using it like a web quest or even for showing parents their childs work. There is no use in using a website just to upload pages of black and white masters, but rather to inform. A website within the classroom would also be benefitial for the students is using it as a source with lots of websites for a specific topic. This would save students having to spend hours on the internet looking for a credible site. Where if the teacher finds the sites for the students and adds it to the website for that unit, it would save time and students could start refining their information sooner.

Here is the address to my weebly website: http://mbuckle.weebly.com/

I hope this has helped your understanding of the difference between a Wiki, a Website and a blog.

Cheers,

Michelle

Bubbl.us

Using Bubbl.us to show what it can be used for.





Using Bubbl.us to show what concept maps are used for.

https://bubbl.us

Cheers

Michelle

Learning Theory

There are three learning theories covered in this course:

1. Behavioursim

The Behavoiurist theory focuses on the premis that learning is a response to practicing the behaviour or knowledge needing to be learnt. This is done through positive reinforcement of correct behaviour and is gradually withdrawn as the behaviour is learnt.

A digital tool that was used in one tutorial class was based on a behaviourist design and it can be found at http://www.multiplication.com/flashgames/FishShop.htm .

2. Cognitivism

'Cognitivism is a theory that developed in response to Behaviorism which focuses on how the mind processes and uses information... The implementation of cognitive theories in eLearning often involves the use of schema, or mental maps to help organize the learning content (Allen 2007, 41). Cognitivism also deals with helping the learner tie the material into existing information to help memorize the content (Modritscher 2006, 6). '

http://elearningpedagogy.com/cognitivist.html

3. Constructivism

'Constructivism is a theory pioneered by Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner, which takes the ideas from Cognitivism that the mind is more than just a 'black box' responding to stimuli, but focuses on the processes involved in learning.... Constructivism is often applied in an elearning context through real-world simulations, collaborations with other students, and by giving the learners access to point-of-need knowledge resources. '

http://elearningpedagogy.com/constructivist.html

During one tutorial, the Lecturer identified another theory - Connectivism.

'Connectivism was proposed by George Siemens as the learning theory for the digital age. It identifies the networked nature of learning with computers and the internet. Siemens stated that it is no longer possible to know everything, that it is more important to identify how and where to find knowledge than it is to know. In other words, the pipeline and its connections is more important than what is in the pipeline.'

http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91792

Cheers,

Michelle

21st Century Learners

I am looking forward to learning about how I can use digital technologies to provide learning opportunities for my future students. I see on the new and even on television shoppping advertisements the need for knowledge in digital technologies and how the children of today's societied are more knowledgeable and 'tech savvy'. If this is the case I believe it is essential for teachers to tak a hold of technologies and use it in the classroom.

I have learnt that children learn differently and teachers need to be aware of their learning styles. Now I am learning what digital resources are out ther to engage students and enhance learning, for all styles.

Students can find what their personal learning style is from various websites. One that I used to find my learning style is: learning-styles-online.

My main learning styles are: Social, Aural and Physical, as you can see from the image below.

There are many other websites and theorists that teachers can use to profile their students. Howard Gardiner is a theorist that realised students learn differently and developed eight different intelligences and tests to detect those intelligences. You can find more about the Multiple Intelligences here.

Cheers,

Michelle

Q: Blog - Verb or Noun?

A: a blog can be either a verb or a noun.

Define Blog:
A blog (a portmanteau of the term "web log")[1] is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
"Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. (Wikipedia, 2010)

I am not a stranger to blogs as I have a personal blog and you can view it at http://michellejbuckle.blogspot.com/ but I know that I do not know everything there is to know about blogs and I am excited to learn more about how blogs can be implemented in my future classroom.

Blogs can be used in the classroom for many things. Such as a personal journal. Students create their own blog that is secure and are able to comment on their peer's journals and encourage each other. A reflective learning journal is also great as teachers can see what the students are learning in a particular subject also because it is engaging for the students.

Cheers,
Michelle

Wikipedia. (2010). Blog. Retrieved July 28, 2010, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

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