IWB example

My thoughts on tux paint

I think tux paint is really good to use in school. I found it really easy to get to grips with (easier than textease!!). It would be interesting as a teacher to really think about the cross curricular implications for using this programme, as I feel there are other ways of making use of it rather than just Art. I think the children could make an excellent firework display using this programme or design a t-shirt or to research the styles of different artisits e.g. Picasso!

My pictures of Autumn

Autumn Pattern

Here is my pattern. It's got quite autumnal colours in it however I think its ended up looking a bit like a flag! Never mind. I'm sure children would enjoy this.

Autumn Picture 1

Tux paint is really googd. It has SO many different things that you can experiment with. I think it offers children of all ages the opportunity to release their creative side.

Video - creating a whiteboard lesson

This gave insight of how to use an interactive whiteboard in your lessons. It became apparent to me just how much technology has advanced since I was at primary school. It made me realise that I should practise making use of this opportunity as this is something which could be really beneficial to children in the class (and I think also encompasses the styles of all types of learners e.g. V.A.K). For instance, it can provide links which instantly get children interested, connected and involved in their learning. It enables us to use resources in a much more powerful and detailed way than ever before. It keeps children engaged. As teachers I think it's important to practise and experiment with this technology rather than be afraid of it. This way, we have an opportunity to reach to all of the kids in our class and to do it with confidence and in a way which will hopefully benefit all.

''10 ways to use a digital camera''

This reading lended appreciation to the ways in which digital cameras can be implemented during teaching and provided some fab examples! I particularly liked the idea of creating a 'video booth' as an opportunity for children to record their thoughts and feelings on a particular topic. I also very much like the idea of allocating a 'photographer of the day' role to kids; I think it would be really interesting to see what pictures they could come up with independently, given the chance! An excellent cofidence booster to be given that role too. Plus, I liked the idea of children being able to take 'snapshots' of their day home with them. This is a great way for parents and carers to be kept up-to-date on what their children do day-to-day at school. Why limit it to the classroom? I also see this as a great way for families to get involved at home too. Although you'd need to think of the practical implications of this: e.g. not everybody will have a digital camera. Maybe the school could loan one? Not sure. Using a digital camera can help to children to remember the process of learning... not just the end result, which is why it's important to think about ways they can be used. This is something which can be done right across the curriculum, not just in R.E. E.g. the video booth is something you could do as part of Literacy; getting kids to adopt the personalities of certain characters in books. I think adults get scared at the thought of lending the use of technological equipment to kids through fear that it might get damaged or broken, and this puts them off doing so. Therefore it's really important to give children that opportunity despite what the end result may be. I think they deserve that chance and it would be interesting to see what they came up with... you can only learn from your mistakes afterall!!

Labelling my pig

Here is my pig. Labelling this was quite straight forward although children may struggle with the arrow bit (as I did). That said, it's all about the practise and experimenting anyway!

My SNAKE ''shape poem!!''

Well, here is my snake shape poem... tadddaaarrr!

I found it quite difficult getting to grips with textease. I think it's because I am so used to using other systems and textease is something new to me. However, I think it's an excellent tool to use with children, especially young children. This could be an excellent way of introducing young children to ICT. The fact it is effectively a 'blank' page means that children can type where they want and experiment with different sizes of text with a few clicks of the mouse. The icons are also handy for children as they don't get confused with the words associated with them (although this is something that I found annoying as an adult!!). I think textease is really beneficial and children can really be creative with their ICT without the boundaries of some, more commonly used programmes e.g. MS word.

My thoughs about blogging

Blogosphere link – http://www.teachers.tv/video/167

Steve O’hear from the teachers tv video ‘blogosphere’ thinks blogging has an important role to play in education. I agree with this although I think there may be drawbacks as a teacher. So in theory, yes, but in practise, maybe not. The school they focus on in the video has the full support of the Headteacher, Mr Rob Thomson, who is described as a ‘blogging convert’, hence blogging is something that is encouraged throughout this particular school which I think is a great and innovative thing. Due to the enthusiasm from both staff and children they even provide extra curricular blogging club facilities. I think this particular school is working proof of the positives of blogging. However I also think that putting this into practise in a school which gives little support (e.g. the head does not back it) may prove quite difficult. It was clear from the video that the school featured saw blogging as very much a part of its ethos. I feel that for safety and practical reasons, blogging is something that can only work efficiently with total backing from the Head; all staff need to be on board and work together in moving this concept forward and making use of it across the curriculum. I don’t think that blogging is something that can be done as a teacher alone. Staff need to be educated and supported in this area to ensure that children benefit from it in a safe and secure way. From watching the video, I have thought up some initial strengths and weaknesses of blogging in primary schools:

Strengths
· Offers many cross curricular opportunities.
· Stimulating for children – gets them involved in learning without necessarily appearing to do so.
· Bringing out children who are unsure of themselves for whatever reason.
· Children actively involved – a direct and instant way for children to express themselves and have opinions without having to go through an adult (could enhance critical thinking).
· Children have their say – can communicate with words, pictures and links etc.
· Provides an extra motivation to do work – enhances creative and independent learning.
· Can be popular especially for children who don’t like writing.
· Can potentially enhance literacy skills.
· Encourages children’s thoughts and opinions.
· Encourages interaction with peers.
· A good learning tool for Autistic/ SEN children – gets them connecting with the world and helps them to express themselves.

Weaknesses

· Can only work effectively with full backing from the school.
· Security – got to be really careful with safety hence why so important to have all staff on board, especially IT techs who know how to set up ‘net nanny’s’ etc.
· Communication is a one way process – children can express their opinions but not able to get feedback from peers due to safety (a vicious cycle).
· Some parents may object for safety or religious reasons.
· Internet bullying.
· Interaction is computer based not people based… not learning social interaction skills, more how to communicate via a machine.
· Literacy skills may be hindered due to spell check. Children are less aware of their mistakes if they are ‘automatically’ corrected.
· Not entirely inclusive - SES/ family income issues – we must recognise that still in today’s technological climate, not all children have internet access at home. Therefore it would be unfair to set blogging homework if not all your class have internet at home.

Meaningful learning and ICT

I have learnt from this reading that good use of ICT at school can really help in promoting and developing meaningful learning; learning which has a context and a purpose. ICT offers children the opportunity to construct their own meanings through a variety of different methods and so aids learning because there is a purpose to it. Jonassen characterises learning by being: active, constructive, intentional, authentic and cooperative.
ICT can help make learning more meaningful by:
Active – by using computers, children are actively and creatively engaged in their work. For some, who are put off by writing in literacy for example this is a good way to encourage enthusiasm. Children are able to actively explore and attach meaning to the features of a pc e.g. icons, menus, buttons and in doing so will be more familiar in later life for use in the workplace. Kids love to play games. Games can be exciting and challenging and can introduce ways of overcoming barriers and achieving goals.
Constructive – Kids can experiment with cause and effect and adapt or modify from their experiences; finding what works and what doesn’t. They can make their own artefacts using digital photos, video, audio etc.
Intentional –Kids have the freedom to experiment with what they want the computer to do and so set their own goals for learning. Internet enables kids to research topics of interest. This is meaningful to them as it is what they want to find out.
Authentic – Access to world knowledge through internet e.g. Google Earth. Able t experience other places and cultures
Cooperative – Using power of technology to support communication, collaboration and cooperation. Working together on things using a computer, sharing tools, knowledge and ideas. Enabling learning between learners and between schools, even between countries. ‘Cooperating beyond the limits of the classroom’ children have the opportunity to extend their learning using ICT at home.
Criticisms: We should make sure at school that learning is directed to some extent e.g. lots of children if left alone with a computer go straight onto games. We should make it constructive in school time so that they benefit from what ICT has to offer. While it’s great to encourage children to cooperate in practise it might be slightly more challenging as there may be problems which arise from sharing a computer (e.g. all want a go at the same time) therefore children need to establish working rules before hand. Children might rely on spell-check and so not realise that they are spelling certain words incorrectly. Not all children have computers at home so while it is a great opportunity for those who have we should be sensitive to those who may not and think of ways to help/encourage them in school time to enhance skills.
I think these concepts pretty much tie in with the ICT programme of study which proposes that during Key Stage 2, children ‘use a wider range of ICT tools and information sources to support their work in other subjects’. During this time children should cover:
· Finding things out (talking about, preparing and interpreting information using ICT) – intentional, authentic, active
· Developing ideas and making things happen – intentional, active, constructive, authentic
· Exchanging and sharing information – cooperative, authentic
· Reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses – constructive, active
ICT is great because it is so cross-curricular. You can pretty much tie it in to any aspect the children are following in class. Plus children get the chance to explore and develop their ideas and ICT skills plus have fun at the same time!