Introduction
E-learning is the term given to teaching and learning with the World Wide Web. This includes the use of digital tools but also the use of devices such as; cameras, voice recorders, phones and computers. The use of information and communication technologies in learning gives students the opportunity to be creative, imaginative and innovative. Current multimedia software and Internet access bring a large array of text and image-based information into the classroom. Technology with it's ability to provide and retrieve information and its uses as a communicative tool are slowly changing schooling and education as we know it. It is becoming less about word-based text and is now focused on multimedia; including sound, picture and moving image (Abbott, 2001).
“powered by technology, fueled by information and
driven by knowledge.” (Tinio, 2002)
The above quote I think generally sums up students in secondary. Of course all students are individual but growing up in the information age has had them exposed to a lot of information and communication technologies. When given those tools to work with secondary students will engage with content on a deeper level. Whether it be a simple video clip or using an interactive whiteboard, students in the secondary sector need to be exposed to the technology that they have grown up with and are familiarised.
Body
I have selected four tools; Blogs, Wiki's, Weebly and Glogster as i believe that they all transform, support and enhance learning.
Blogs are a writing device that allows students to keep a running journal that can be edited with ease. Videos, images and sound can all be uploaded onto their blog posts. Students can also follow other people's blogs. This would be a great learning tool as students could connect with professionals of their subject area. Or it could simply put them in touch with other students.
Blogs give students the opportunity to reflect upon their own learning. They can also explore their peers learning. Blogs also allow teachers to monitor a students' progress and observe the way they are thinking. Most students in the secondary sector have used basic instant messaging programs, they are going to refine their communication skills to write in a more professional tone.
Wiki's are an online tool that can be used for individual or collaborative learning. This tool is great for teachers to set up research lessons or a webquest. All materials for the lesson are placed on the Wiki, students access it and follow the links and work through activities. It could also be used for a class to collate information as it has settings as to who can edit it. Like the blog you can upload videos, images and sound onto the wiki, you can also create tables and graphs. This tool could be used for any subject. Or again as a reflective activity. This tool could be used as a group activity or for a research assignment. As it allows many people to edit within, it would be a great collaborative tool. Wiki's would be great to use within a lower secondary classroom, for guided Internet activities.
Weebly is an interactive design tool. It allows students to create their own websites. They can upload videos, images and sound to support their text. It could be a great multi-modal form of assessment. Students could be given a topic, they research and using ICT's generate a informative website that shows what they have learnt throughout the unit of work. They could find multimedia to help represent and give evidence of their topic. Through weebly they can create photo galleries, connecting pages of text and link directly to other sites or multimedia. This interactive design tool would provide a creative way to present information that is engaging and enhances learning. Students could look into topics more deeply and make links between the real world and school. This tool would be effective in a secondary classroom as a means for assessment, instead of a written exam or assessment. Students could use multimedia resources to create a multi modal assignment.
Glogster is a creative, imaginative and innovative way to produce information. This online tool allows students to make a scrapbook poster. They can change and adapt the background and animated icons. They can also add text, images, sound and video, can also draw. Students could also use this tool for understanding new concepts or knowledge, as a way of mapping out their general thoughts and refining them. This is a great way for students to develop a visual representation of their thoughts and learning. Again could be individual or collaborative tool. Could be used as a concluding activity to reflect on learning at the end of the learning experience.
For more information on the above tools click on the appropriate links below
Wiki's, Weebly's and Blogs
Glogster
Students in the secondary school need to be engaged in a variety of activities, that challenge them intellectually. The tools above challenge students to think in complex ways and also develop their social interactions between peers. Students in the Middle Phase cohort need to have situations to engage with peers, work collaboratively, learn how to use knowledge meaningfully and link learning to the real world or past experiences. The ICT tools above allow students within the Middle Phase sector to express themselves creatively and gives them opportunity to reflect and refine on the knowledge and skills learnt. (Knipe, 2007)
TPACK
Technological and Pedagogical approach to Content Knowledge
The TPACK framework shows a great way to mesh pedagogy, content and technology whilst catering to individual students' needs. This framework breaks down each aspect of teaching and learning and examples of how they could be seen in the classroom. It also gives ideas for teaching and classroom strategies. The tools that I have chosen (descried above) all incorporate factors of the TPACK framework. The TPACK framework takes learning theories, productive pedagogy strategies and professional knowledge to make engaging and intellectually challenging pedagogy to apply to learning experiences.
For more information on the TPACK framework click on link below
TPACK Framework
Conclusion
Overall I believe that ICT is not a thing of the future, it is here and now. Students are interacting with various multimedia and digital tools today. Teachers need to incorporate these tools within the classroom if they want to support the transformation and enhancement of learning within their students. Without these engaging ICT's students will become disinterested in not only school but learning in general. For students to continue their lifelong learning they need to be intellectually, creatively and socially challenged. The use of ICT's in Education gives them that challenge.
References
Abbott, C. (2001). ICT: Changing education. London:RoutledgeFalmer
Knipe, S. (2007). Middle years schooling: Reframing adolescence. Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.
Tinio, V. (2002). ICT in education. New York: United Nations Development Program.
McInerney, D. & McInerney, V. (2006). Educational psychology: Constructing learning. Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.
Snowman. (2009). Psychology applied to teaching. Milton, QLD, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia
Links to comments
Amanda
Kyah
Emma
No comments:
Post a Comment