Week 2 Review on Digital Environments and Pedagogy

It's Week 2!

Pretty sure this is my favourite class at the moment..... But don't quote me on that. Seriously, don't.

Digital Environments
Digital environments are used to connect your students to a) other loci of information, b) a variety of multi-modal resources, c) assignment recourses and d) a learning space for collaborative negotiation of learning.

Pedagogy, what is it?
Pedagogy is basically the art of teaching! How awesome is that? Nice and simple definition; I like it.

Teachers should cause learning. Dictionary.com defines pedagogy as:

ped·a·go·gy:  [ped-uh-goh-jee, -goj-ee]  Show IPA

1. the function or work of a teacher; teaching.2. the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.

It's not quite the same as 'the art of teaching' and 'what goes on in school classrooms' but that definition definitely does the job.
Teachers are creative, innovative and bring ideas and techniques into the classroom. Pedagogy is an art, as is teaching.

Digital Pedagogy:
Digital pedagogy is "a new way of working and learning with ICT to facilitate quality learning experiences for 21st Century learners. Digital Pedagogy moves the focus from ICT tools and skills, to a way of working in the digital world". (Education Queensland, p.3)

Students are expected to operate and create using ICT's in the Australian curriculum. Technology should be incorporated into all areas of teaching and should be made readily available for students use. Teachers need to be 'technological savvy' in the classroom; it's a professional requirement. These students are 21st century learners, they thrive on technology! Teachers need to learn to deal with it.

 Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK):

TPACK is introducing technology into the pedagogical framework. The term pedagogical context knowledge was first introduced by Shulman.

 To teach all students according to today’s standards, teachers need to understand subject matter deeply and flexibly so they can help students create useful cognitive maps, relate one idea to another, and address misconceptions. Teachers need to see how ideas connect across fields and to everyday life. This kind of understanding provides a foundation for pedagogical content knowledge that enables teachers to make ideas accessible to others (Shulman, 1987).

"So in short, you MUST have technical skills.
You MUST know your content
You MUST know how to deliver your content so that your students learn effectively."
Oh, is that right, is it? Well I believe this class, FAHE11001, will teach me how to apply technology in the classroom and assist me with my technical skills. I doubt it would help me with the rest, but I believe I've got that covered... Or more so; will have that covered.
So, I google searched TPACK and guess what came up? This: http://www.tpack.org/. CHECK IT OUT!

Blooms Taxonomy:
There are three demains of educational activities (Bloom, 1956):
Cognitive- mental skills (Knowledge)
Affective- growth in feelings or emotional areas (Attitude or Self)
Psychomotor- manual or physical skills (Skills)

This topic really goes over my head... But from what I can gather technology isn't always an essential part of the classroom. If you can do something better without it then go ahead! Year 10's and above benefit from technology more as they are more work orientated. Year 8's and 9's lack focus and concentration and need to understand the importance of ICT's in the classroom for work purposes.


Now... DeBonosHats - Mobile Phones in the classroom, yes or no?



A bit too much information all on one page! There is so much to read.... And too much for my stupid internet to load!
So I shall just put my thoughts here, if that is ok.

White Hat- Half of all teens own smartphones - this means they could access google, apps, music, the like.
Red Hat- I feel that the students will try and push the boundaries if mobiles are allowed in the classroom.... It could get bad. Bulling is a serious issue and is more often done through the internet. If we allow students to use cellphones the attention goes from teachers down to the vibrating, buzzing device in their pockets or pencil cases.
Yellow Hat- Sure, students could use it effectively to do research or check emails.... Maybe even take notes.
Black Hat- Students rely on facebook and texting as a single form of communication so much now days! They are forgetting how to communicate face to face and are loosing their people skills, which is essential. Not only will students have less focus in the classroom but more bulling will occur!
Green Hat- What if we give the students laptops to use or ipads instead set up so games can not be used without a passcode or password? Would that work? Would they still be just as distracted? At least they wouldn't have their phones...right?
Blue Hat- The big picture... Bullying, self-harm, student grades and attendance... Would that really get better from simply letting students have their phones? Not a chance!



Cheers,
Gab

References:

 

Department for Children, Schools and Families, Personalised Learning- A Practical Guide, http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/00844-2008DOM-EN.pdf (vii), 10/7/13.
InTime, 1999-2001, Teacher's In-Depth Content Knowledge, http://www.intime.uni.edu/model/teacher/teac2summary.html, 10/7/13.
Shulman,  L.  (1987).  Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform.  Harvard Educational Review,   57 (1),  1-22, 10/7/13.