The End

The Things I've Learnt

This is the first blog that I have ever done, and through this experience I have fallen in love with the process. Being able to share my ideas and opinions on an online forum is great, but even better, I can re visit my posts and reflect on the thoughts in the past. Each topic is well connected, and allows me to think and build more of my own ideas about the topic.

Teaching and Learning Styles

Neroplasticity is a word that I love, and is a topic that I think about often when I think about teaching techniques and learning styles. Through this blog I have explored the multiple inteligence theories and the thinking hats. I love the idea of guided thinking and critical thinking that comes from the hats, using different perspective and the oppotunities that they create in classrooms. I also think it is important to know what learning style suits your teaching and the students thinking best, and the importance of catering for all students through this. The blog has also built on my ideas of left and right sided thinking. I now know that there is less a certain side that one person thinks with, but notice the connection made between both sides.

Gen Z

Through this blog I feel that learning about the generational gap is one of the key components to e-learning. Being able to understand and keep up with the trends, and the mind sets of students means that educators will be able to keep their education relevant and interesting. This was a favourite topic of mine as it allowed me to explore the concept of engaging students and making memorable teaching experiences.

All the tools I have Gained

Previously discussed Sound cloud Itunes/android app store Pod casts Youtube Reflecting on this, I feel that Audio is a good tool to use, but not the best.

Previously discussed Photoshop Flickr, Tiny Pic and Photobucket Abode BeFunky Youtube Reflecting on this, I feel that Images is a good tool to use, I love gifs and animating!.

Previously discussed Easy to Use Can Be Embedded Does not need internet access Reflecting on this, I feel that powerpoint is easy to use and relieable but students find it boring and is very over used. I would avoid it.

Previously discussed Entertaining Visual and Auditory Learners Can be created by students Engaging Easy to use teaching tool Reflecting on this, I love using videos, I think its a great tool which is easy to use and effective.

Entertaining Organised and Easy to read Can be created by students Unique Digital Tool (Can be viewed after and before class) Reflecting on this, Prezie is fun to use and watch, can be used for both students and learning managers.

By far my favourite tool! The opportunities for the collaboration of the class are limitless. Creating blogs for students to follow, or share and discuss content. It allows for all hours learning and communication in a safer online environment. I love the idea of blogging and will certainly use it in the futures. Reflecting on this, my favourite tool, and will definitely be using it!!!.

Week Six

Digital Technologies.

Mobile Phones

When people think of mobile phones in the classroom, they picture a teacher with their back turned, writing on the board, and million silent and distracting conversations going on under desks as students tap away on their phones to each other. Ignoring the 'Chalk and Talk' method of teaching, it is time for educators to stop fighting the loosing battle of 'No phone in my classroom!' because realistically almost every student carries one, and they certainly could sneak it in if they wanted too. As educators, we need move with the students, and keep them engaged and in a world that is becomming more and more digital, using the digital tools that the students are very adapt at using, is an oppurtunity that teachers can not afford to miss.

How can we use mobile phones productivly and safely in the classroom? Safety Phones do have a place in schools when students need to get into contact with thier parents or gardians. When there is an emergency at the school, or at home. Indipendant study The mobile phone is the seeminly perfect tool for student lead learning. The capability to quickly pulul from the pocket and easily google, or browse the web. Having a computer in every students pocket. Indipendant study The mobile phone is the seeminly perfect tool for student lead learning. The capability to quickly pulul from the pocket and easily google, or browse the web. Having a computer in every students pocket. Behaviour Management This allows students to self check, and control their own learning as well as learn self control. In the classroom, the use of mobile phones is a great tool, but of course will need to be supervised. This is a way for students to be able to direct themselves and other and ensure that the privlage is used correctly. Having the students involved with the behaviour mamnagement will let them show leardership and self management skills. Using Webtools Movile phones are very common, which means that educators will be able to move foward and create online learning journeys, PDFs, blogs and wiki accounts as well as a huge host of other educational web tools that sudents can access online. With students being encouraged to get a phone, then less students will be left behind from not being able to access this critical learning oppurtunities.

iPads and Tablets

Not just iPads, but other tablets are being created with more and more learning and educational oppurtunities. There are countless ways to use these devices in the classroom. Creating and designing websites Creating and editing movies Creating avatars Browing websites Engaging in teacher created web tools (Voki, wordle, blogs, prezzie) Watching youtube videos Engaging with educational apps Creating and scanning QR codes Self directed study (googling or browsing the web) Email and other communication methods between students and teachers Taking notes

iPods and MP3 Players

Another way to engage students with current technologies is the use the iPod and MP3 player. These are a safer option, as they don't allow for phone calls and text messaging, though they do allow students to message each other on social media sites. Though this is easily combated by blocking these sites. This medium allows students to focus on audio, though apps and webpages are still available. It is a cheaper way to allow students to use the same content that is viewable on a smartphone or iPad.

So Yay or Nay?

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Week Five

Moving foward

Education isn't just the standard chalk and talk anymore, as our students become more focused on technology, teachers need to follow. Some teachers are overwhelmed by the thought of creating digital literates, but as we explored in teh last blog there is a lot of places out there that teachers can go, to engage and excited students with content. Just like last time, where we focused on blogger, wiki, weebly, video, images and audio, we are going to explore some more digital tools for teaching.

Powerpoint

Education isn't just the standard chalk and talk anymore, as our students become more focused on technology, teachers need to follow. Some teachers are overwhelmed by the thought of creating digital literates, but as we explored in teh last blog there is a lot of places out there that teachers can go, to engage and excited students with content. Just like last time, where we focused on blogger, wiki, weebly, video, images and audio, we are going to explore some more digital tools for teaching.

Glogster!

One of my favourite online tool, which allows students to interact and engage with content, with student driven and independent learning.

Prezi

Prezi, the end all of teaching tools is like a mix of powerpoint and glogster together. It has the organised content and slide show feel like a powerpoint, but it also has the unique animations, movement and students lead exploration of content that a glogster has. Here is an example of a lesson prezi which was created and it looks and sounds amazing!

References

All images and GIFs sourced from google images

Serban, N. (2001). NYC is it sustainable? . Retrieved from www.prezi.com - See more at: http://reffor.us/index.php#sthash.SCNUI45T.dpuf1