Reflective Synopsis

What is E-Learning?

The technological advancement into the 21st Century has seen a great deal of new technology that supports and improves daily activities such as contacting family and friends and researching information. For the I generation, being those who cannot remember life without internet or those under 20 years old, this technology is a way of life, a means in which to communicate, find information and experience different situations with a click of the mouse.

The National Curriculum highlights the importance of teaching and learning new technologies as it 'underpins the foundations of government, education, commerce, personal relations and every other aspect of modern society' (Lundy, K., 2010). The inclusion of technology as a Key Learning Area by the National Curriculum highlights the importance of the use and teaching of new technologies and online tools in classrooms across Australia.

In implementing ICT tools into the classroom, the opportunities to transform and innovate learning and teaching and plan engaging and valuable learning experiences, therefore enhancing the student's learning is limitless. Students are given a whole world of opportunities at their finger tips as their explore and research using online information sources. Hard copy information texts have been virtually overridden by the abundance of information accessible from home, school and on the road with use of mobile devices.

ICT tools are also a beneficial attribute within the learning environment as students are given the opportunity to source information, evaluate it's authenticity and accuracy and communicate their findings or understandings to their peers. The use of higher order thinking is utilised in this process as students apply knowledge, learn new knowledge and skills and apply these in new situations to draw conclusions.

It is a common misconception that these tools are solely computers and online programs. The use of other digital devices such as digital cameras, still and video and music are also beneficial in the classroom as tools of engagement or even used as assessment as students demonstrate their understandings and acquired skills.

As in all learning experiences, the importance of accommodating to all learner's needs and levels is vital when planning ICT tasks. The importance of profiling learners, as supported by Marzano and Pickering (1997) through the 8 learning management questions, allows learning managers to develop an understanding of the student's abilities and learning styles and deliver appropriate and engaging learning experiences. In relation to technology and ICT tools, learning manager's understanding of student's differing abilities, confidence levels and age and maturity is vital prior to introducing new and challenging ICT tools.

Safety and security is a primary concern when leading learning experiences that involve students accessing the World Wide Web and communicating with others outside of the classroom environment. Educating students about security when utilising these tools and the dangers of placing personal information on the Internet is necessary before allowing access to sites that request this information. The context of this education of security would differ for learners of different ages, abilities or familiarity with this online technology.

There are number of factors that cause limitations in implementing ICT learning experiences. Cox, Preston & Cox (1999) outline these as being a resistence to change by teachers, a lack of education of implementing these technologies into the curriculum, support and lack of resourses from school and in many cases a lack of confidence in the ICT area by the teacher. The Managing E-Learning Course is intended to educate pre-service teachers on the implementation of ICT in the classroom, educate and demonstrate the use of these technologies and increase teacher's confidence in delivering ICT learning experiences to a range of student's abilities and year levels. In implementing ICT tools in the classroom, the foremost limitation is availability of resourses. Although a majority of these tools are available online, resources may also include teacher's support in implementing these tools or education in using these tools. The Managing E-Learning course outlines not only how to use these tools but also ways in which to effectively intergrate them into learning experiences or units or work.

Although there are a number of limitations when implementing ICT tools into the classroom, the possiblities of enhancing student's engagement and learning outcomes are endless. Giving value to learning and providing the oppurtunity for students to apply previous knowledge, acquire new knowledge and skills and use this in meaningful contexts allows students to develop higher order thinking and complex reasoning process as per Marzano & Pickering's (1999) Dimensions of Learning.
The Department of Education's (2004) development of the Productive Pedagogies also discusses higher order thinking as the process of students transfering information and ideas to 'solve problems, gain understanding and discover new meanings'. As students use ICT tools they are using higher order thinking to learn how to manage and problem solve how the equipment operates, learn new knowledge and skills through exploration and research and demonstrate this understanding through creation of projects and communication with peers and educators.

Connecting students to real life contexts in learning such as through communication and collaboration with peers through Wiki or development of websites, the value of the learning taking place is made evident to students. Marzano and Pickering (1999) also discuss this in Dimension 2 as students develop a sense of 'academic trust' as teachers effectively and consistently implement tasks that students consider to be meaningful and valuable. In implementing learning experiences that integrate ICT tools, learning managers need to be constantly aware of ensuring that these tools are not simply used 'for the sake of it' (Department of Education and Skills, 2004). The Department of Education and Skills (2004) discusses the importance of teachers considering the use of ICT tools in their learning experiences and whether the task could not be completed without ICT, the task would be more effective with ICT or if ICT would motivate student's learning. This was applied throughout the exploration of ICT tools in the Managing E-Learning course through the use of blog entries reflecting on the use of these tools in a learning environment. Many of the tools experienced were intended to be used in a classroom context. The relevance of the tools to learning however, differed. The use of these tools may have been to:

- Allow access to information and communication of information and developing understandings. This may have been through search engines such as Google or Bing. Communication with others is also a feasible way in which to access information such as through chat rooms, emails or collaborative learning places such as Wikis or Blackboard.

- Consolidate and refine learning. This involves the organisation of learning through the use of graphic organisers, such as concept maps. This allows students to make sense of the learning and tools that they have experienced. This was explored through personal blog entries and learning taken place about the exploration of the ICT tools used and the effectiveness of the implementation of these tools in the class was reflected and commented on.
- The transformation of information through the use of ICT tools allows students to consolidate their learning and develop new understandings, incorporating higher-order thinking skills and complex reasoning processes. Students may apply their understanding of texts and literacy conventions to communicate their understanding of a task or concept online. Through scaffolding the student's learning, the students will have a greater understanding of the purpose of tasks and apply new understandings in different situations.

- Presenting information to an audience is evident through online tools such as blogs and websites, collaborative learning tools such as Wikis, creation of digital images and videos and online conferences with students within the classroom or on the other side of the world. As students present their understandings and acquired knowledge and skills, they are consolidating the learning that has taken place and reflecting on the process of their learning. Through the use of blog entries, Managing E-Learning students were given the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills and present findings and knowledge about ICT tools, collaboratively learn with peers and learn from other's contributions.

In presenting these forms of ICT tools in the classroom, the importance of scaffolding student's learning and identifying the purpose of completing tasks, such as learning collaboratively with peers through Wikis, students are given the oppurtunity to work alongside learning managers in creating quality and meaningful learning experiences relating to ICT tools.

The use of ICT tools in the classroom has undoubtedly transformed the way in which teaching and learning takes place in that students are given a world of oppurtunities to learn and explore with a click of the mouse. Generation I are undoubtedly skilled in adapting and learning new technologies through applying previous knowledge to unfamiliar experiences. As illustrated in the preceding blog entries, the opportunities to effectively engage students in tasks through ICT tools, allow students opportunities to work individually and collaboratively in using and learning higher order thinking and complex reasoning processes and find information for themselves rather than being 'spoon feed' rely on the learning manager's effective implementation of ICT tools in learning experiences.

Each of the tools detailed below have been explored and evaluated to assess the effectiveness and concerns of implementing them in learning experiences.

- In exploring the use of Internet sources such as Google and Google Earth, the effectiveness of allowing students to access information and make informed judgements about the authenticity of this information allows for a greater understanding of the concept that any person in the world can place information on the Internet and the importance of articulating the authenticity of this information.

- ICT tools such as Wikis, blogs, Internet websites and web conferences allow students to work collaboratively to engage in new ICT tools, make meaning of new knowledge and apply knowledge in new situations. As students communicate their understandings of new knowledge and skills they are consolidating this learning and aiding others learning. These tools also allow students to communicate their understandings of concepts and connect with the world outside of the classroom. A described in preceding blog entries, education about security when using these online tools is imperative in intergrating these into the classroom. Students need to be aware that information placed on this tools can be accessed and commented on by any person and how to deal with this if it happens.

- ICT learning tools that allow students to present information and developing understandings may also include Wikis, blogs and websites as well as Prezi, PowerPoint, Voki and Concept Maps. These were explored throughout the Managing E-Learning course and identified as effective in engaging students in learning, through entertainment value but also as a literacy aid that allows students to use different and likely new literacy functions and conventions in presenting information in different ways.

The effective integration of ICT tools in classroom contexts allows learning managers to enhance student's learning and engagement in tasks. As students become more familiar with ICT and online tools, acquire knowledge and apply this knowledge to different situations they are developing higher order thinking and complex reasoning process that promote life long learning. As detailed, there are a number of limitations that affect the effective and productive implementation of ICT tools in the classroom. Learning Manager's understanding of these technologies and confidence in implementing them is vital in student's perception of these tools and effective utilisation of them. ICT tools in the classroom allow students to engage in learning, make meaning of learning, facilitate their own learning and develop skills and acquire knowledge that allow life long learning.

References
Cox, M., Preston, C. & Cox, K. (1999). What Factors Support or Prevent Teachers from Using ICT in Their Classrooms? Retrieved 20th August 2010 from www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001304.htm

Department of Education and Training. (2004). Productive Pedagogies: Classroom Reflection Manual. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Queensland Government.

Lundy, K. (2010). Open Submission to the National Curriculum Consultation. Retrieved 20th August 2010 from http://www.katelundy.com.au/

Marzano, RJ., & Pickering, DJ. (1997). Dimensions of Learning Teacher's Manual (2nd ed.)Aurora, Colorado: McREL.

Collaborative Learning

Freya's E-Learning Blog
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Powerpoint


Powerpoint is the only tool so far in this course that I have had prior experience using. It is a very easy tool to use however I think people need to be aware of how to use it in the right way to engage students. For instance many powerpoints I sit through have coloured backgrounds and writing which usually do not engage me. After looking into powerpoint further there is so much more to it which can be used in the classroom. Powerpoint does not just have to be a presentation that teachers have created for students to sit through. The Online technology learning centre (2005) sugguested other ways powerpoint can be used.
Excursion slide show: This allows students to review and apply the knowledge they learnt on the excusrion and put it into their own powerpoint rather than writing about it.
Autobiographical stories: Students can create their own autobiographical story and scan their own photos on too. These could be used and then shown to an audience on a parent night.
Poetry redings: Students can create slides displaying their personal poetry with a voice recording.
Interactive book report: Students can create a powerpoint based on the books that they have read and then share with the class.
Obviously there are different ways to use powerpoint in the classroom rather than having students always sit through a presentation that there teacher has created. Animated effects, slide and bullet transtions with sounds, graphics and cartoons can also be used with powerpoint. Variety is the key to keeping the attention of students. Overall there is much more to powerpoint than people realise and can be very effective in classroom learning when used in the right way.

1 comments:

Sara said...

Hey Freya, I had a narrow minded view of PowerPoint prior to this Managing E-Learning course. Exploring it's many features and tools however, I have also began to understand the difference between using PowerPoint as a presentation that students have to 'sit through' but rather as a collaborative learning aid that allows students to demonstrate their understandings of concepts. The use of this technology as a literacy aid is also a great idea! I'de never thought of PowerPoint in this way.

Toni's Managing E-Learning Journey
Thursday, August 26th 2010
Videos

This is a video from you tube about the Solar Systems and how significant in size of each planet. When viewing this video, I was shocked that there are other planets that is bigger than the sun. I consider this video as a learning tool and an engagement tool. There are many videos from YouTube, and some are really good to use as another digital tool for the classroom.

Students can choose from an array of videos about the Solar System that would fit into their report or task that would enhance their knowledge of learning. Learning Managers can also use this type of video not as a science lesson, but as a maths lesson or cross into other KLA's.
I would use videos in the classroom as the students would be more engaged and involved by looking and hearing the information as long as it was relevant to the topic. Looking at TeacherTube is another resource for Learning Managers, as this is more educational and more student friendly in its content.
Go to YouTube and search videos for your lesson.

1 comments:

Sara said...
Previously considering YouTube to be an entertaining online tool to access music, the use of YouTube or TeacherTube as an educational tool to engage learners in now apparent. Thankyou Toni

Sara's E-Learning Blog
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Google Earth

The online phenomenon of Google Earth entertained people all over the world with images of their houses, work places, people on the street, landmarks, tourist destinations, the possiblities are limitless. According to Wikipedia (2010), Google Earth was originally created in 2004 as EarthViewer 3D and released as Google Earth in 2005.

With use of satelite imagery and photography, images from all over the planet from the Eiffel Tower, Paris to camels and their caretakers having a water break in Nigeria are available to be viewed by any person with access to the Wide World Web. Why spend money on expensive holidays when, with a click of the mouse you can visit the Victoria Falls or Mt Everest?
As with the entertainment value, the educational possibilities of Google Earth are endless. Researching African elephants? See real life pictures of a herd of elephants on the move.
Incorporating Google Earth into the classroom would also be valuable in engaging students in learning experiences. Have the students participate in a capital city scavenger hunt or use the ruler scale to find how far landmarks, such as the local hospital are from their school to find how long it would take to get there using different modes of transport.

2 Comments:

paul said...
Now those are some great ideas...
Google Earth does offer great potential.
Other ideas? Interview relatives and do a family tree of former addresses. Go on holidays on Google Earth and create a blog of things you do and places you go. Too much fun...

Sara said...
I previously thought that Google Earth was simply an entertaining, comical tool to look at our homes and peek over people's fences. Through exploring its' many functions however, I have developed a greater understanding of the educational benefits of implementing it into the classroom. It may also be an ideal way in which to discuss the lack of security that the Internet offers. Although number plates and people's faces are blurred, that any person can take photos of things that can be seen from the public domain, such as on the street and publish the images on the Internet is phenominal.

Toni's Managing E-Learning Journey
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Weebly

Weebly is an online, free, widget-based Web site creator. It uses a widget style format, allowing users to create pages with only a few clicks by dragging and dropping different page elements (images, text, or interactive content, etc.) onto a page and filling in the content.
I created my weebly web page easily and quickly. It is also simple to add paragraphs, movies, images or audio. Students will be able design a web page without any difficulties as it tells what you can do next by showing it with arrows.
Grade three and upwards will be able to use this website for projects inside and outside of school. It has many more programs than a wiki has, but still simple and easy to understand. Please go and see my weebly site, I have only added a little bit, but I will be definately be adding more to it as the weeks go by. Toni's Weebly
I would use the study of dinosaurs to use in a weebly site, as students can add videos and images of dinosaurs. They can add their own activities for other students to do, or choose a safe activity from another websit to put in. Other weebly uses could be an interactive book report, or for early childhood learning managers a recipe book.

1 comment:
Sara said...
Hey Toni,

I also enjoyed creating a simply, easy website. The simplicity of creating this website however, brough forward the issue of security associated with students using this technology and including personal information but also the notion that any person can add and edit information on the Internet, making researching information and evaluating its authenticity something to be considered

Sara's E-Learning Blog
Monday, 16th August, 2010
Voki

Accessing Voki and exploring its' features, I was highly amused at being able to create and edit 'My Voki' with a few clicks of the mouse. Straight away, the possibility of using Voki as a way to engage students or as a 'hook' at the beginning of a unit of work or learning experience became obvious. The use of Voki by students may also be a possibility as an interactive literacy task as students are able to hear what they write.

2 comments:

paul said...

There is no doubt the 'voki' has the potential to engage the students. I believe, however , its usefulness would diminsh as the learners' ages and level increased. Whilst it does have the facility to incorporate aspects of sound pedagogy, its real value is in its ability to (hopefully)'hook' the learner and then have their learning enhanced by a 'meatier', less gimmicky tool.

Sara said...
I support this in that learning managers need to look at ICT tools as a way in which to enhance student's learning rather than just for the sake of it. As an engagement tool, this technology would be greatly effective. If this takes away from the learning or the experiences however, another 'hook' may need to be considered.


Blog Entries
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/functionality-of-blog.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/wikis-as-collaborative-learning-tool.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/these-are-results-from-my-learning.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/weebly.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/prezi.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/being-member-of-generation-y-powerpoint.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/get-voki-now.html
http://saralearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/google-earth.html