Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Reflective Synopsis, Assignment One for E-Learning

REFLECTIVE SYNOPSYs!
 



Assignment Task One (800 words).



E-Learning refers to the use of electronic media, information and communication technologies in the classroom, aka ICT's. E-Learning can mean something different to everyone who uses it with some thinking of only "web-based self-study while others realize e-Learning can encompass real-time learning and collaboration"(The Herridge Group, 2013).

We each have our own ideas on what e-Learning is, but basically it's just different resources and technologies like media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and  video streaming; technology applications and processes such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM, and computer-based learning, as well as local intranet/extranet and web-based learning (Tavangarian et al, 2004).
 

E-Learning is used in each and every classroom; it could be the class T.V., overhead projector or computer we all grew up with, or the new projectors, laptops, iPads, cameras etc. that the students of today are so privileged to have. Technology is changing, and so is the way we teach. E-Learning is helping us create a better learning environment for our 21st Century learners.    
 


P is for Pedagogy

Pedagogy is the defined as the art of teaching. Dictionary.com defines it 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.


In my Week 2 Blog I stated the following: 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).
Pedagogy in the classroom can be implemented with the use of technology and resources such as the following:
 

 

Prezi is a good resource as it can be used on up to thirty computers at once which means the students can follow along on their own laptops at their own pace.


I myself love Voki and Prezi. I find that these are the least complicated out of all the resources available. Wordle is easy to use but I find that you can't save it as an image when you're done. However, you can print it, laminate it and put it up in the classroom.

I don't think using Wiki's and Glogster would work too well in a classroom situation as Wiki takes a while to load when so many people are on at the same time and Glogster takes ages to load, period. I believe in the term 'less is more' when it comes to technology in the classroom. We don't want to overwhelm the students.

KISS - Keep it simple, stupid.


Working Legally, Safely and Ethically

What would I use in my classroom? I would definitely do what I discussed on the following slides. That Faux Paw game seems pretty cool for students in primary school. I think maybe some of the games on NSTeens.org would be fantastic for the older age groups i.e. high school. Cyberbully zombies and evil cheeseburgers? Comics? FAN-TAS-TIC!


*Please ignore the incorrect spelling of research on page nine of the slideshow, mistakes happen*
 
Online Student Collaboration

Student collaboration is an important part of any classroom environment. Online collaboration has four general characteristics, shared knowledge between students and teachers, shared authority, teachers as mediators and heterogeneous grouping of students (Tinzmann M.B. et al, 1990).

Shared Knowledge between Students and Teachers
In traditional classroom environments information flows from the teacher to the student with information only going one way. With these new online environments it means that teachers can learn from students and ideas can be shared back and forth. Teachers can "build upon the knowledge, personal experiences, language, strategies, and culture that students bring to the learning situation" (Tinzmann M.B. et al, 1990).


For example, the students each set up a blog where they record their ideas about Romeo and Juliet and their own interpretation of each act. Other students, along with the teacher, are then able to comment on the blog and put in their own interpretation.


Shared Authority
In collaborative classrooms teachers share the authority with the students. The teachers can set specific goals within the framework of what is being taught and provide options for what that the students can do. This gives the students the opportunity to do what suits them best and how they best learn. "They help students listen to diverse opinions, support knowledge claims with evidence, engage in critical and creative thinking, and participate in open and meaningful dialogue" (Tinzmann, M.B. et al, 1990).

Teachers as Mediators
Through collaborative learning the students require to assist other students, work with others through the sharing of ideas and opinions, respect one another and work independently and as a group. The teacher is able to adjust the level of information and support for each student.

Heterogeneous Grouping of Students

"The perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of all students are important for enriching learning in the classroom. Thus, a critical characteristic of collaborative classrooms is that students are not segregated according to supposed ability, achievement, interests, or any other characteristic. Segregation seriously weakens collaboration and impoverishes the classroom by depriving all students of opportunities to learn from and with each other. Students we might label unsuccessful in a traditional classroom learn from "brighter" students, but, more importantly, the so-called brighter students have just as much to learn from their more average peers. Teachers beginning to teach collaboratively often express delight when they observe the insights revealed by their supposedly weaker students" (Tinzmann M.B. et al, 1990).
 
Here's a reference from my Week 3 Blog, which applies to this topic.

The Potential of Blogs in the Classroom

  • Improved literacy skills
  • Engagement
  • Collaboration - sharing of ideas
Kathleen Morris, a teacher at Leopold Primary School in Victoria made a blog for her class. She also wrote a blog called “The Benefits of Educational Blogging.”

On her blog site she states the following:
"Blogs are great because you can share work and achievements with a wide, authentic audience. 
Instead of just the teacher seeing the students’ creations, all of the parents and students can view the work and leave comments. 
Having a blog helps to strengthen home-school partnerships and build a sense of classroom community.
In previous years, Miss Jordan and Mrs Morris have documented clear improvement with students’ skills in literacy, typing, ICT, social interactions, and geography through blogging.
Blogging provides the ideal opportunity for students to learn about appropriate online behaviours and get experience using 21st century technologies."
 
 It can be seen that E-Learning is an effective tool in the classroom, whether it is used to implement pedagogical strategies, teach the students about internet safety or implement student collaboration.
Technology is advancing and so is our teaching strategies. What may work for one student may not work for another which means that we are required to use a variety of techniques to address all student learning areas. (Such as kinesthetic, visual, audio etc). Using blogs, vokis, prezis, wikis, slideshows and collaboration can address all of these learning styles.


Teachers must remember not to overwhelm the students or they will be packed full of information and have so much technology around them that they will not know what to do with it all. They will be like this poor possum - full to the brim. (Yes, that is a joke. Trying to lighten the mood here, yeah?)

Technology has the ability to create a paperless classroom, but is that a good thing? I believe it can be, if used correctly.

I myself am excited to put technology to the test in my classroom, there is just so much I can do! From apps on an iPad to blogs to CD's and DVD's. This is going to be an amazing experience. Some things will work, and others won't. It's up to the teacher to implement the technology and resources that will suit his/her students. Not everything will work for everyone.


Gabriella XoXo

 
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