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

ICT and Pedagogy Week 1

Wow what an overwhelming start to the semester!!

We were introduced to some new technologies and ways of teaching today. Some of them I knew about but most I didn't know much or anything about at all. For example how games can be apart of learning I never really thought that they would be educational until Jason pointed out some facts today.. like how it develops higher order thinking skills,cognitive skills and problem solving.

Another clip which was short was on augmented reality which has really caught my eye. I am thinking of ways I could incorporate it into my classroom. I hope we learn more about it in future lectures.

There are so many different technologies and devices that are available to incorporate into your classroom, which I believe would engage the students of today. They are always using technology at home, with their friends its every where. To incorporate it into the classroom it would be a benefit for both the teacher and the students.


I have been involved in a few professional development days with my prac teachers over the last few years. So I knew a little about professional development, but these days were just about teachers learning how to use new technologies and programs. They never really pointed out ways to develop your professional values, relationships, knowledge and practice. After ready the first set of readings I am beginning to develop an understanding of what professional development is really all about.

Bianca x

Reference List 

Queensland Government, 2011, Smart Classrooms: Professional Development Framework. Retrieved    from http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/pdframework/index.html.

Bianca Wicks

Introduction to ICT and Pedagogy