Podcasts

Wow, I’ve just explored Podcasting and I have discovered so much about this technology tool. I have always heard people talk about their “Podcasts”, and I’ve even been asked if my lectures are available on Podcasts. But I have never had any understanding with regard to what these people are talking about!
I’ve just done some reading about Podcasts however, and I now understand this tool to be an audio file, which has to ability to be played on a variety of media devices. Like the Google Reader feed, which automatically sends feeds and new blog entries to a stated domain, a Podcast feed, can allow all new Podcasts in the nominated strand, to be directed to the media device. This allows the owner of the device, to listen to the Podcast, as though listening to the radio, or a CD. Podcasts are an excellent way to represent information, as they can be listened to, whenever it suits the particular person. For example, within the University context, students could listen to a Podcast about a lecture they have missed, on the way home from work one day.
Podcasts can be created by anyone, and according to the “Magic of Learning” (2010), there are many skills that are developed as a result of Podcast creating, such as:
 Writing skills
 Speaking skills
 Presentation skills
 Communication skills
 Media literacy
 Oral fluency
 Technology skills
 Auditory skills
 Storytelling skills
 Information literacy

Although I have come to understand that Podcasts are a valuable and effective tool for conveying information and also for developing skills, I really don’t see myself implementing this tool within my classroom setting. Perhaps this form of technology could be used within Virtual Classrooms? However I really think that Podcasts are more suitable for University students, whom are on the go and can listen to these files while they are completing other activities.

Images

Today I performed some research about the use of images in pedagogical design. I think the use of images in the classroom, such as within displays, presentations, activities and resources, contributes enormously to the perception and understanding students have of the activity/display/presentation/resource. For example in displays, if I wanted to create a display on a recent excursion, students would find the display much more meaningful and personal, if I added some pictures of the students, that I had taken on the day, to the display. Also, adding images in this way provides any other viewers, with a background of the scene for the excursion, rather than just reading through pieces of text. In this context, I think images are definitely effectively used.
Within presentations, I think images can be an asset if they are used to supplement the text on the presentation, and hence, provide readers/viewers with more information. I don’t however, think images are effectively used in presentations if they hold no connection to the text or the viewer, and instead, have been used just to make the presentation look “pretty”.
Images can also be effectively used in activities, or resources. Sometimes, particularly in lower grades, students have trouble reading the text for activity instructions and so it can be effective if images are used, to explain the instructions as well. This way, students are able to read the instructions if they are capable, or look at the picture instructions.
Also, I have seen images effectively used to enforce behaviour and classroom rules. The teacher creates a poster with symbols and images expressing the various classroom rules and then when she needs to, she points to the image, and the students automatically know which rule she is referring to.
I think these ideas would be good to use within the classroom, particularly with a younger group where images speak louder than words.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) and RSS

I tried to explore creating my own Learning Management System today, but unfortunately there is a backlog and I couldn’t get any further with the system, however hopefully I will be able to experiment with this tool at a later date.
I have also set up my own RSS using Google Reader which allows me to be notified of any new Blog posts that the people I am “following” have created. I see great potential for this, and if anyone is trying to follow Blog posts, I would suggest you subscribe to Google Reader too, click here.
Within the classroom, I think Google Reader would be a good organisational tool for students with Blogs to use. Using this program, students will be automatically notified of new posts, which I think makes the posts much easier to follow! Upon implementing Blogs into the classroom, subscription to Google Reader, in my view, goes hand-in-hand.

Prezi

Creating my own Prezi was so much fun! Like PowerPoint, Prezi’s allow the creator to display information, but in an eye-catching, attractive way. Unlike some presentation software programs, Prezi has many features and is easy to use! To make your own Prezi, click here.

Although this form of tool, would be highly effective if implemented in the classroom, I don’t think I would feel comfortable incorporating this tool into an early childhood classroom, simply because I think it is too fancy and I think students in younger classes need simpler programs, in which they can create similar presentations, but in an easier, more direct way; such as using PowerPoint. However, in an older classroom, I think this program is fantastic! This program could be used for brainstorming sessions, in a similar way to a SmartBoard, where students can write their ideas onto the Prezi Canvas, and then come back later and add more detail!

PowerPoint

Today I experimented with making my own PowerPoint presentation, using Microsoft Office PowerPoint. This program is very easy to use, and if you are using it for the first time, it will even offer the use of a “Setup Wizard”, to help you through the steps and point out features to you.
I have used this form of technology tool a lot throughout both my schooling, and also now at University. However, it has never occurred to me to use this tool in the classroom! Being so easy to use, I think this tool would be easily implemented in a variety of ways:
 Used to display lyrics as students sing along to songs inside the classroom (for example, Unit lessons, “The Ants are Marching”)
 To display key points during the teaching instruction throughout a lesson, providing for a variety of learning styles, the PowerPoint display would cater for the visual learners.
 As an interactive activity as a class, creating a PowerPoint display on a Unit of work: what the Unit was, what the students have learnt, and how they will apply the newly learnt knowledge.
 As an aid to presentations on parade
 To display images or pictures collected throughout the term
 As an assessment task, for example, students are asked to write a report, and then present the information in a PowerPoint rather than a handwritten report

I really can’t see any negative aspects to incorporating this tool. It is so easy to use, that I believe students of any age could utilise its features and create interesting and individual presentations to display to others. I think this tool is absolutely worth integrating into my classroom!

Weebly Website

Today I explored how to create my own website using www.weebly.com and I found it an excellent experience! It was so much fun to be able to design my own page, edit features and insert text. Websites are far different from Blogs or Wiki’s in many respects. Unlike Blogs and Wiki’s a Website can only be edited or commented on by the author/creator. This means that the information on the webpage becomes frozen once the creator has made any changes or updated information, and other viewers of the website are unable to make any changes, or post any comments/information. To see my Weebly website, click here.

Although Websites are different to the other technology tools I have so far demonstrated, there are many positives to using this form of technology in the classroom.

P:
 Very easy to create
 User-friendly and easy to navigate around the website
 Could be used in a variety of easy ways, within the classroom
 Attractive layout
 Variety of tools and features for creating an attractive and personal site
 Easily managed
 Could be used by any age group

M:
 Comments and information from other sources/viewers cannot be added or posted
 Because comments can not be added, creating a Website does not incorporate collaborative work
 Would be used more as a source of information or instruction, as opposed to a medium for conversation and sharing

I:
 Teacher could add home work tasks, similar to the use of a Virtual Classroom, which students then work on at home
 As a whole group, could be used as a reflective tool and posts of information made to the website are the reflections of students after completing tasks at school
 Teacher could post websites and online activity sites onto the page, which students could work through at home, or in ICT time at school

I see many opportunities for the use of this tool at school, at home, and in the classroom. I think this would work very nicely in a number of different ways within my own classroom, and I will endeavor to apply this tool in a variety of ways!

Wiki

Today I became a member of Wikispaces which is a similar program to blogspot.com. However, I found it an incrediably confusing program to use! Despite reading the instructions on “How to create your Wiki”, I still spent 45 minutes attempting to work out how to edit my page. I still have had no luck in working this out, and as a result, if you access my Wiki, at http://www.wikispaces.com/user/my/katepollard, all you will find is a blurb on my profile and that’s it. Whilst I was reading up, about Wiki’s before creating my own, I thought the idea of a Wiki sounded really appealing because Wiki’s seem to be such an effective way of communicating with other people. Others can join onto the Wiki and edit information. This tool would be excellent for collaborative exercises, where members of a group need to organise an activity. Having a group Wiki, would allow the group members to each go online at different times and edit information. However taking into consideration my personal experience in creating a Wiki, I would not implement this tool with primary students in the classroom. I think the technology is too complex and is not user-friendly, and basically, if I can’t work out how to use the program, I have no hope of helping my students to use it.

Concept Maps

Today I attempted using the online program text2mindmap to create a concept map. At first, I had no idea how to use the program however the easy to read instructions made it easy for me to work out the process and come up with my own map! In my opinion, concept mapping is such an effective way of expression thoughts and ideas, and can even be used as a planning process for students. Within the classroom, concept mapping can be used in a variety of Key Learning Areas. This is so, because concept mapping can be adapted to suit whichever topic is being explored in that subject area; how good is that! Within the classroom environment, I envisage that concept mapping could be successfully implemented as both a whole class activity and also as an individual activity. As a whole class, concept mapping is successful for brainstorming activities, where many ideas and suggestions from students need to be collated and organised together. On an individual basis, I can see that concept mapping would be highly effectively used:
1. As a planning tool for students. Allowing students to outline all of their ideas on a topic, using a concept map, before commencing the task or assessment.
2. As a tool for reinforcing new knowledge and reflecting. The teacher could ask students to construct a concept map outlining all of the new knowledge learnt from the previous topic covered.
In experimenting with concept maps, I also explored using the bubbl.us online program. I found this program much easier to use and manipulate, and due to the colours and formats, I would advise that this is a more applicable program to use for younger primary school students. Whilst text2mindmap created a good concept map, I think bubbl.us would be easier for students to understand and more engaging. After exploring these tools, I would most certainly implement their usage in my classroom environment!

Blogs

Upon beginning this course, I had a limited idea about what a Blog actually was. Often I have heard people talk about their Blogs, but it isn’t until now, that I actually understand what they were all talking about! I am definitely still finding my feet and trying to work out how to use the vast range of features on a Blog, but I am enjoying learning how to use this tool.

After reading up on Blogging, I now realise that it is just another way of communicating with others. Blogging allows users to share ideas online! Blogs are a Web 2.0 tool, which allows a creator to offer information, newly learnt knowledge or practical facts about various topics in the style of a journal entry. Blogs are effectively created for both educational and professional uses which offer readers valuable opinions and information personally gained by the Blog owner; and right at your finger-tips!

With technology on the rise within society and schooling, personally Blogging sounds like an advantageous activity to use within the school environment. Using this medium for learning would allow students to share their ideas, responses and reflections on various topics taught throughout the curriculum, or in general. This form of collaborative learning, not only incorporates peer sharing and communication, but also produces friendships and deep, meaningful conversations. These are just a few of the advantages that I predict Blogging within classrooms would produce, however the positive impact student Blogging would have on writing skills and reading skills, I believe would also be noticeable.

Although this digital tool seems to be highly effective, as I am currently in a Year Two class, I cannot see a foreseeable use for this technology within this year level. Despite the facts that this tool would be beneficial for learning, I believe that it is not a tool suited to this age level, taking into consideration technological competencies. However upon teaching other age levels, Blogging is most certainly a tool I would consider implementing within my classroom!