LEARNING TOOL 1: VOKI

1st Learning tool is Voki

VOKI

GROUP 3 TECHNOLOGIES

GROUP 3 TECHNOLOGIES

Now we have started doing more hand on things I am really starting to like this class =)

So the first tool that we got to discover this week was Power Point.

This tool is a commonly used program in the classroom. It has many features and is very simple to use. When using power point you are able to add pictures sounds and movies. Make storey boards and make learning fun! PowerPoint is a great tool allowing students to be creative when doing presentations. Using little knowledge with power point you and your students are able to make something creative. Using power point you can make interactive resources for you students.

The second tool we used this week was PREZ this again is another presenting tool that makes learning fun and interactive. You are able to use videos sound pictures and text. Make a fun and creative display. Prez has the ability to zoom in on what you are focusing on. So far this week with all the tools Prez has been my favourite I can see myself using this in a class room present weekly topics to the kids. It is a great tool that would keep children engaged. Working the tool Prez is very simple the editing is very straight forward too. Prez is a great tool with unlimited things to its very creative. http://prezi.com/pghunecytkje/how-to-brush-your-teeth/  

Third tool for this week was creating a glogster. This is another fun creative tool that allows students and teachers to express them self. You are able to use pictures videos sound and text. Many design templates are available to work from or u can just start your own. This is a very simple tool as well the only problem I have had with this tool is being able to save it .Other than that I can see my students being very creative with this tool.

WEEK 4 REFLECTION

Engagement Task 1: Resizing and uploading digital photos

The tool used in this engagement activity was Mobaphoto http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/MobaPhoto.shtml

Once you have downloaded this software it’s a great tool to have. You can use it on any computer as long as you carry it on a flash drive with you. This program is so easy to use. The program is used to change the size of a picture file for either downloading or uploading. It makes it a quicker process because the file isn’t so big. One problem with this software is to make sure you keep the original picture as well. The original is a better quality. You don’t have to use this exact software it is free to download. There is many other converting software you may find on Google or you may already have. To convert photos you need a computer, not only a computer but an internet connection so you can download a software to use and to also upload the pictures. This tool for converting pictures to fit on the internet would be useful in many ways not only for the teacher, but also for the student. As a teacher you could use this in your class room when making web sites for the students to participate on or even for making a web site for parents to have a look at what their child has been doing in class. Taking pictures of their progress and projects and uploading it online so parents can have a look. Converting these pictures would not take as long uploading and not take up as much space. There might be a chance if you don’t convert it won’t fit.

Engagement Task 4: Digital Audio recordings

To make an Audio recording you need some sort of recording device or microphone. You are able to purchase headsets with built in microphones also most laptops have built in microphones. Many students own a mp3 or IPod touch or IPhone. These can all be used to make audio recordings. A school doesn’t need lots of these resources just 2 or 3 students can share if there isn’t enough money in the budget you need to look at your resources and use what is available. Making an Audio recording is a very useful tool it can be used in the classroom in so many ways. It’s exciting for kids to hear their own voices and have that shared with the class. You could use audio recordings for presentations using it in slideshows. Students can be confident with assessment because they don’t have to face crowds they can just have it listened to instead. They can edit recordings and be creative. I really enjoyed making a recording and also going on the Voki site and creating a character. I will definitely be using this tool in my class room! Students can have what home work needs to be done or even work activities said to them by different characters. Making learning and interaction so much more fun !

Engagement Task 6: Podcasting

Podcasting is the way of the future. Keeping teachers connected with parents or teachers connected with students. There are so many great ways you can use a podcast. Class lectures, audio tours, orals, School news, personal learning and much more. An idea I  had when I thought what kind of use could I  have using Podcast in My class room I thought about using it as rather than post cards you have podcast. Students can connect with students from multiple countries telling them what they have learnt and what they have been up to in the class room learning about different cultures and also learning to communicate with technology. Students can take ownership in the work they produce they can work in groups or on their own be creative. You don’t need an IPod you can research all different pod casts through Google. Podcast are a great way of learning because you do not need to be glued to the screen you can be exercising or doing anything all you need it to listen.

Engagement Task 7: Digital Video

Students can use digital video for projects. As the slideshow flicks through the children can also put their own digital audio with the movie Explaining facts and information on what is being shown. They can add music and express their knowledge on a subject. I think digital video is a great learning tool. You can download some software for free all you need is a computer and internet connection. Many schools have the opportunity to use computers why not let the students use them to express themselves.  An Idea I had was if you could get funding purchase some Ipods about (3) and let three children each week take one home for the weekend and take pictures or videos of their weekend, and on Monday they can come to school and produce a movie that can be played in front of the class. There are so many different activities you can do with this tool.

WEEK 3 REFLECTIONS

MY OH MY!! Well this week for me has been a lot easier than last week’s work.  The more hands on is better than reflecting. So this week we were talking about the different tools here’s what I thought about them.

WIKI

Ok so my thought on the wiki is I really don’t like them. For me when we were doing the hat activity in class I lost interest because everyone was over righting every ones work, because we were all attempting to go on at the one time. So If I was to use this technique in class I would be afraid that my students to would lose interest in the activity. There might be good things about a wiki but so far I’m not a fan. I do like how you could do small group work activities and work together getting every body’s inputs. Wiki is more a sharing site. You share your ideas and answers. It allows everyone to have their own say

BLOGING

Oh dear has this been a stressful subject. Blogging is going to be a very useful tool as a teacher. Students can upload work assignments and have not only the teacher but also other students give constructive criticism. The only problem for me so far with blogging is just getting use to it. But put that aside and you have a great learning tool. Students can use their imagination and connect with so many other people. Just keeping an eye on who your students are communicating with would be my main concern and keep an eye on what is being uploaded. It is a journal style tool so students have the ability to have their say and make their own opinions up. They have the chance to get ideas and become inspired by other students work. As they learn something new they post how they feel about it and what their opinion is. I know I would use this in my more mature class rooms, so students can reflect on what has been happening in class. It will also give a clear idea on what stage a student is at. As a teacher you can see if what your teaching is actually getting through to the kids.  Its also a great way for a student to get feedback from their class mates and also give feed back.

CREATING A WEBSITE

Making a website is so far my favourite tool; I can see myself as a teacher using this function. The imagination and creativity that students will be able to express is exciting the information that can be learned will be so useful and never ending. Using a web site in school activities is such an engaging activity. A major point that students will need to understand is the copy right plagiarism and referencing. Making sure also you as a teacher monitor what is being uploaded. Creating a web site is so easy and can be so creative. You have the opportunity to upload pictures videos and web links. You can use a website as a learning tool in any grade level sharing information on line so the students can access it or even showing links to education games.

For all these tools listed above they have something in common you need Internet access. Most schools have Internet access and even most students have phones. You just need to look at what resources you have and what you can use. Not all schools have enough computers for every student to access.

REFLECTION ON PRENSKYS : ENGAGE OR ENRAGE : CONNECTIVISM

Reflection on Prenskys:

     Today’s curriculum does not suit today’s students. I agree with Prenskys thought’s. Teachers today are Digital Immigrants. My belief and understanding on today’s students are they are all mostly digital natives. They understand technology from a young age. Teachers on the other hand have not been bought up with the skills and knowledge of technology. For students to excel in their school work teachers need to know and be aware of how to teach them new skills in ICT. The curriculum of the past is not for the future it needs to be reassessed

Engage or Enraged Argument…
It best describes the students of today Engage kids or enrage them. You are dealing with a new generation. Make it exciting. Use tools and other teaching methods that get them excited. Look at them as individuals and find out what it is that will engage them and get them to participate. For some students a teaching method may work but for others you might have to think of another way.

Reflection on Connectivism

I do agree that a learner does need to know how to find the information they are looking for. Information is changing all the time. And we are living in a digital age where life will also change. This is used in class rooms all the time students research online searching the web for facts and information for assignments.

My First Post Week 1

WEEKLY REFLECTION

So this was my first Week of uni and I am so confused !! Hopefully it gets better and I start to under stand about Blogging a bit more better..