My Learning Adventure

From the first lecture and tutorial for ICT and Pedagogy I was extremely overwhelmed with how much I had to delve into my understanding and beliefs on technology and ICT resources. I  never actually thought to much about the pedagogical side of using technology in the classroom. However I did think a lot about how I could incorporate ICT resources into my lessons whilst on my pracs. Not knowing that by doing this is was developing opportunities to either enhance or it could have hindered my students learning.Both of which I didn't know I was doing.  Whilst on my pracs I would watch the engagement of the students in my classes and think to myself how can I make learning more engaging for them.  Now I have a solid foundation to start from.

With my new found knowledge of the TPACK model I will be able to develop effective, purposeful and engaging learning environments that are based on my full understanding of students needs, the content area, the appropriate pedagogy and also the appropriate technology Mishra and Koehler (2006). Even though I do find it difficult to use I believe that it is so worth trying as it would make a difference to the students learning and also my teaching.

Producing the professional development video was a challenge I am not the best when it comes to using ICTs and technology but I managed to create he xtranormal videos without to much trouble. I can see how these would be fun and educational for students to use. It has also  really helped me to understand that teachers need to continually be enhancing their skills and knowledge, so that they can become better teachers for the students of today.

I am still building on my professional networking, this is something that I need to look into a little more, I am still a little afraid and unsure of how to go about it in a professional and ethical manner. Until then I will continue my learning of technologies, the pedagogies I use and the ICTs that I choose and how it will enhance my students learning and the learning environments that I create.

I have learnt so much in the last seven weeks through engaging and actively participating in these learning adventures. I hope to take my new knowledge and skills with me into the classroom, as Jason says I will probably won't use it for a few years as I will still be finding my feet....but I am ambitious and I hope to succeed in incorporating what I have learnt into my teaching practices.

Bianca x

The link to our professional Development video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNnHGIedzU

Reference List 

Mishra, P., Koehler, M, 2006, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teachers Knowledge, Teachers College Record, vol. 108 no. 6. pp. 1017-1054. 

Xtranormal and Connectivism

In the making of our video we decided to use Xtranormal to create part of our video. I have been finding it is a easy program to use but can sometimes be hard as it has certain features that you need to have the full version to use....but we are managing and it is coming along nicely.  I felt that this would be an engaging way to produce our ideas and the ICT we decided to use.

I have been researching a pedagogy which is described as connectivism. As I have previously stated  students of today are Digital Natives and they learn in a different way, connectivism provides a insight into the way in which these learners learn. They describe it as learning through different networks, informal information exchange that are all supported with electronic tools. Its a way of networking with other learners to develop and understanding of a subject matter and in doing so the students begin to enhance their learning by taking part in these virtual worlds (Siemens, 2004).

I feel that this really works with the project we are doing, we have chosen a content area being English and focusing on the ICT google docs to enhance the students learning in this area. Google docs being part of a network of people assists in the use of connectivism as our pedagogy.

Bianca x

Reference List 

Siemens, G, 2004, Connectivism:  The Learning Theory of the Digital Age, pp.1-6

Xtranormal Technology Inc, 2006-2011, Movie Maker-Xtranorma, Retrieved from http://www.xtranormal.com/

Professional Development Video

There are so many things to consider when creating a video... How all of our ideas will fit together in one short 10 minutes video. How will we create this video? What resources and planning will we need to do?

We finally came up with our idea!

Our pedagogy will be Connectivism
Our content will be english and focus is on text types.
Our technology is Google Docs

Google docs it's a great way to collaborate with other people over the internet. Using google docs you can write on the same documents at the same time from any where in the world! Its amazing : ) You can save and upload documents and let other people view them. Its secure you can add people that you want to see certain documents.

Nigel and I have been talking and sharing our ideas for the assignment through google docs, it has helped us stay in touch and keep track of what each other is thinking and investigating.

Students can use this in so many ways, we are currently exploring how students can use this in the classroom. We found out that there are a number of secondary teachers that are using this in their teaching. It allows students to work on documents at home or at school and the teacher can access them at any time to see how the students are going. This really streams in with the changing of my pedagogy...

I am becoming more of a Digital Native every day : ) I feel that this is a great way to capture students from the Digital Native era.. they will be more engaged in so many lessons.

Its great for students that want to collaborate and share ideas with other class mates over assignments just like Nigel and I are doing.

We also have a new member to our group : ) Bekky

WELCOME!

Bianca x

Reference List 

Xtranormal Technology Inc, 2006-2011, Movie Maker-Xtranorma, Retrieved from http://www.xtranormal.com/

The TPACK Model.......

The Tpack model how does this help me become a better teacher? From the lecture this week I have started thinking more about what the TPACK model means to me and how I can use it when planning for my students. There are three main parts to this model the Pedagogical Content Knowledge  which is how to teach a particular content or topic area. Technological Content Knowledge which is how to select and use technologies to communicate that particular content and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge which is how to use particular technologies when teaching Koehler and Mishra, (2006).

Through researching this model its has opened my eyes to what it is all about. It is used to educated and guide teachers when reasoning about their teaching. Teachers need to carry out effective implementation of ICT resources and technologies through a wide range of contexts, topics, and to engage and stimulate all students.They must do this by making sure that they are developing a learning environment that demonstrates their professional values, relationships and knowledge Koehler and Mishra, (2006).

It is important that teachers think about what educational and pedagogical technologies they can use when implementing activities. These activities all need to be aligned with the curriculum and key learning areas. The technological tool isn't chosen until last,  the curriculum goals need to be addressed and also the activities goals Hofer and Harris, (2009).

"TPACK is developed authentically, rather than technocentrically (Papert 1987), as an integral aspect of instructional planning and implementation" Hofer and Harris, (2009). 

Bianca x

Reference List 

Haris, J., Hofer, M, 2009, Instructional Planning Activity Types as Vehicles for Curriculum-Based TPACK Development. Society for Information Technology in Teachers Education, pp. 99-108. 


Mishra, P., Koehler, M, 2006, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teachers Knowledge, Teachers College Record, vol. 108 no. 6. pp. 1017-1054. 

Augmented Reality and The Horizon Report

Augmented Reality


Linking the virtual world with reality. Allowing us to see things in the real world that we may not have an opportunity to see. I have used augmented reality before and didn't even know it, I use it when I drive with my sat nav.


I found the zooburst activity really interesting and cool. I think that using the programs like zoo burst, would really engage the students. It would give them the chance to express their creative side, be able to express stories through animation. It could be used for students with difficulties such as hearing, speech impairments they can have the opportunities to express themselves in a different way.  I think that using this application in the classroom would be a great tool for students to write reports, narratives and so many other forms of literacy. The initial lessons of teaching students how to use the program would have to be very structured and take some time, but after students had a chance to play around they would soon get it quite quickly.

These are a few videos that have given myself a better understanding of how these programs work.

Augmented Reality 

Zooburst 

I look forward to showing my supervising teacher ; )

The behavioural links are good for a reference tool. It shows you many different theorists approaches to behavioural management in the classroom. It also incorporates  technology tools that can be used. I will need to read more of these links to get a deeper understanding of their applications.

Horizon Report

The Horizon Report (2010) States that learning environments are changing and that we need to acknowledge this.... Teachers are beginning to see the importance of ICT's in the classroom and technology as a whole. Traditionally a learning environment has been a physical space, now the 'spaces' where students learn are becoming more community-driven, interdisciplinary, and supported by technologies that engage virtual communication and collaboration.

Information technologies impact how people work, play, learn, socialise, and collaborate.

It states that those who that the opportunity to learn technology skills are in a better position to obtain and make use of technologies. It puts them in front of the cue, it gives them opportunities for better employment and careers.

Bianca x

Reference List 

Johnson, L., Smith, R., Levine, A., and Haywood, K., (2010). 2010 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

Zooburst, 2010, Zooburst; 3D Pop Up Book. Retrieved from http://www.zooburst.com


You Tube, 2007, Augmented Reality by Hitlab. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKw_Mp5YkaE

Blogging in the Classroom

Blogging can be a great tool to develop students skills in using ICTs in their every day lives and how to communicate with other peers effectively and safely.

Meeting the GEM's was great, I learnt a lot from interacting with this class. It shows me how I can use ICT's in my planning and in the classroom.  These children looked and sounded really interested and engaged in the use of ICT is this because they are Digital Natives?

They seemed like they knew a lot about the programs they were using and really excited about using them. I am looking forward to implementing this in a similar way in the future. This really shows how much technology can play a huge role in every day life. These students are acquire technological skills in year 2 that will support their learning in the future. Thrupp (2008) suggests that the students of this generation are constantly interacting with a number of electronic devices and ICTs. These students are much more adaptable to using and learning about different devices. This is like second nature to them, hence why the Gems are so comfortable with their interactions with the blog and their other ICT adventures.

It was highlighted today about having the correct and appropriate ICT resources to enhance the learning environment. This refers to the TPACK model teachers need to be able to identify what appropriate ICTs they should use for certain content areas and also if these will cater for all of the students diverse learning needs within the classroom.

 I didn't really think to much about how and what ICT's I would use and why. I really just used what was at hand on most of my pracs. I thought at the time that I was using appropriate resources for certain content areas. I am not quite sure now after reading a few of the readings and also after the lecture today.

I really need to make sure and think about what ICT resources and technologies I use for certain topics and content areas. This may help with my teaching and the students participation and engagement in my lessons. 

Bianca x

Reference List 

Thrupp, R., M, 2008, A study of ICT-associated identities of primary-aged learners. ACEC, pp. 545-556

http://www.2mgems.blogspot.com/

Digital Immigrant or a Digital Native????

If I am Digital Immigrant do I not understand the students of today? because they speak a different language. As I am close to the Digital Natives I feel that it will be much easier for me to change and modify my thinking when it comes to the new students of today. As Prensky (2001), suggests that the teachers of today speak a totally different language from the students of today. The students are Digital Natives they were born into the Digital age they have grown up around so many devices and have had so many interactions and practice to acquire great skills around these devices.

I need to change some of my pedagogy... I  need to enhance my skills in technology and begin to understand what it has to offer me as a teacher. Teachers need to make there teaching as interesting and engaging as the devices and programs students are using..

The questions that I am asking myself today :

What do these devices have that we don't?
Do we need to change our thinking?

We also learnt about professional values in the lecture this week, this is something that I need to think about a little more in depth by right now I believe that teachers need to continue to develop their education and life long learning, by participating in their own professional development that builds on their existing skills. This is so that they can acquire a better understanding of new technologies and ICT resources. So that they know how to apply them successfully in their classroom practice. Hopefully over the weeks I can build on my understanding of what it means to be a teacher that has the capabilities to develop effective and efficient practice with ICTs.

Bianca x

Reference List

Prensky, M 2001, Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, On the Horizon. vol. 9 no. 5 pp. 1-6

The Drum Opinion, 2010, Digital natives vs digital immigrants, Retrieved fromhttp://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/28606.html