E
learning is also known as ‘Electronic Learning’. E learning is about combining
learning theories and styles with digital pedagogy to provide the learner with
the adequate knowledge content. Over the first few weeks of this course we have
discussed learning styles and learning theories and how every learner may learn
in a different way. Felder and Solomon proposed the concept of learning styles
and provided that every learner is different and teachers need strategies to
support these concepts (Felder, 2013). A few examples of learning styles are;
visual, aural and physical. Examples of learning theories are; behaviorism,
connectivism, constructivism and cognitivism. These concepts provide teachers with
a platform, so they can distribute knowledge content to every learner.
When
we finally understood learning styles and learning theories, we then discussed
digital pedagogy, frameworks and technology to help us connect with our
learners. Two significant frameworks are ‘TPACK and Blooms Taxomony’ (TPACK,
2013). These two frameworks are about incorporating the correct pedagogical
strategies, with suitable modern technology to provide learners with adequate
knowledge content. TPACK for example; is broken down by incorporating the ‘T’
for technology, ‘P’ stands for Pedagogy and ‘CK’ stands for content knowledge. As
future learning managers, if we are able to combine these three concepts
together in a classroom, our students will engage and connect better in a
modern atmosphere and have a greater chance of learning and understanding the
topic (TPACK, 2013). Over the past six weeks we have analyzed web tools and
have created a blog, to discuss different types of digital tools and how we can
provide knowledge through digital pedagogy. I think it is important that 21st
century teachers involve modern technology and modern tools into the classroom
to help prepare students for modern life outside of school.
We
created five blogs over five weeks to discuss three digital tools each week. In
these blog posts, we briefly discuss the three digital tools for the week and
then discuss into depth, one of the tools per week. In the blog posts we have
used a PMI Chart or SWOT Analysis to discuss the implications of a certain tool
in a classroom environment. I believe both the PMI and SWOT charts were clear
and effective scaffolds to highlight implications in the classroom. Please
refer to Appendix 1 for an example of
a PMI Chart and Appendix 2 for a link directly to my blog that shows examples
of completed PMI charts.
The
reflective synopsis below will discuss each weekly blog post and the implications
to the tools in the classroom for those weeks.
Mobile Phone Wiki: In
the first week, we discussed the implications of mobile phones in the classroom
through the incorporation of the six de bono’s thinking hats on a digital tool
called a ‘wiki’. The six de bono’s scaffold was very effective, it was evident
who was for or against the topic and the scaffold provided us as students the opportunity
to interact ideas, which improved our communication skills and our knowledge of
the topic. For this wiki I took a positive stance on why I believe mobile
phones should be included in the classroom. In current times, smart phones are
no different to Ipads or tablets. Phones and Ipads both have the option of
calling contacts and internet usage. I believe the use of Ipads and phones in
the classrooms need to be monitored by teachers for the safety of students, to
protect students from cyber bullying and the wider community. The point of this
exercise was to become familiar and understand the potential of the six
thinking hats scaffold and use wiki’s and blogger, two web 2.0 tools. At the conclusion
of the mobile phone wiki activity we utilized a blog to reflect on our
experiences. Please refer to Appendix
2 for a link to my blog page which
shows my blog entry for this activity.
Tool 1 - Blogs: The
first three tools we looked at were blogs, wikis and websites. We are using
blogs as part of our assessment item in this course. Out of the three tools I
chose to report on blogs. A blog is where an individual has full control of a
page, including posting, editing and removing of material. The individual has
the opportunity to post words, videos, music to their page and followers can
comment on the material posted. Blogs and wikis differ as a wiki can be edited
by anyone, to attract ideas from everyone’s thinking. Blogs would be an asset
to any classroom. As an Industrial Design and Technology educator I would have
the ability to upload YouTube clips, images of a project, procedures of how to
complete a project and the tools and resources needed to successfully carry out
tasks. Blogs allows students to interact and gain an understanding of what the
educator is discussing. This would improve the student’s communication barrier
and knowledge content about the tasks set. The link of my blog page in the
appendix, will give you an understanding of a blog and how it could be used in
the classroom.
Tool 2 - Podcasting: Images,
podcasting and digital audio and digital video were the next group of digital
tools that we discussed. For this activity I chose podcasting and digital audio
to discuss in my blog for week 3.
Podcasting
is simply a sound file uploaded online. Podcasts
are created by a group of people or an individual and the content is displayed
by video or audio, in a live or downloaded setting. I believe podcasting
and digital audio would be an asset to learning. Students for example, could
research a topic and create a podcast about the topic, which would be viewed by
anyone on the web. Students or teachers could also listen to another podcast to
gain knowledge and skills. As I have been researching podcasts and digital
audio, I have understood that these digital tools would be fantastic for Visual
and Aural learning. In my blog entry on podcasts, there is a fantastic YouTube
clip that’s shows teachers how podcasts could be integrated into the classroom. Please refer to Appendix 2 for the link to the video.
Tool 3 - Glogster: The
next three Web 2.0 tools are PowerPoint’s, prezi and glogster. I discussed
glogster in my blog in week 5.Glogster is an interactive modern tool that can
grasp the interest of a child and engage a whole classroom and is often
referred to as an interactive scrapbook or poster. A glogster page allows you
to write descriptive blogs, edit the background, upload images, videos and
music and embed links into your poster. Glogster is allowing teachers and
students another dimension to explore by adding videos and music to a poster or
scrapbook. Regular scrapbooks and posters only contribute to a visual learning
style, but glogster is providing a visual and aural learning style. This will
give students a better chance of understanding and engaging with the topic. I
have provided an example of a glog page, off the website ‘deporter’, the link
can be found in the Appendix 3. If you also follow the link to my blog I have
YouTube’s clips about glogster and an example of a glogster page I made.
Tool 4 - Mobile Phones: The
last three digital tools that we discussed were Ipod touches, mobile phones and
Ipads. These three devices are very similar, but unique in their own respect.
Their similar attributes consist of being able to call or text, internet
coverage and all can download apps. In my blog entry I focused on mobile phones
and the implications it caused in the classroom. Mobile phones or as there
known these days as ‘Smart Phones’, have so many more capabilities, besides
just calling and texting. Smart phones are like having a social network in the
palm of your hands. The smart phone gives the user the control to follow their
friends and families movements through social media, eg. Facebook and Twitter.
A smart phone also gives the operator the opportunity to use internet coverage,
download apps for educational or pleasurable purposes. You can read articles or
newspapers, play games or connect with others in the palm of your hand. I
believe Mobile Phones could change the face of education. Teachers could use
the educational applications on the mobile phones for teaching purposes in the
classroom. For eg, students could download a free app that could help them
spell or learn to write, or even help them understand a math’s equation. I
believe teachers need to accept mobile phones into the classroom. In my blog
entry I have some YouTube clips on how to setup an app and how mobile phones
could be used in the classroom.
Conclusion:
Over
this six week journey I have gained a greater knowledge of web tools and how I
could incorporate them into a modern classroom. I have gained knowledge on new
technologies, frameworks, scaffolds and how to integrate digital pedagogy into the
modern classroom. I think with the way the modern world is changing, it is a
necessity that schools incorporate modern technology into classrooms, otherwise
the students are going to struggle to reach their maximum potential in the
future. In this reflective synopsis I have only covered 12 digital tools, but
there are so many more technological options out there
that could benefit a classroom. Students want to learn in a fun and interactive
environment and as learning managers it should be our prerogative to provide
this environment. Let’s use these tools in the classroom, let’s freshen up
education and bring a new approach to teaching, so to speak. As Albert Einstein
quoted “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative
expression and knowledge.” (Einstein, 2013)
Appendix 1:
PMI CHART- Example
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Plus
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Minus
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Interesting
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Appendix 2:
James Sherry Blog Page
Appendix 3:
Deporter
Webpage:
References:
Einstein.
A, (2013) Retrieved from:
Felder.R.M. (2013) ‘Know your
Learner’ (moodle site) Retrieved from:
TPACK,
(2013) ‘TPACK’ (moodle site)
Retrieved from:
