Thursday, 31 March 2011
Sensation
Sharon took our class on a trip to sensation where we had to set up a trail using QR codes and iPhones. The science elective followed the codes with our help however I found that the task was manageable enough to follow without too much previous ICT knowledge. I liked this as it gave the ICT group a chance to play and proved achievable for every member of the group. If this activity was used with a class this would provide a sense of achievement and motivation to continue the task. It meets the Curriculum for Excellence principle of Challenge and Enjoyment and enhances the learning of particular scientific knowledge. Instead of superficial play at each station pupil's would receive a deeper learning experience. I would use this with a class as it is quick and easy to create and can also be differentiated by age and/or ability.
Nintendo DS
During the module Colette gave us an input on games based learning using consoles. I enjoyed the consoles but I found some of the games annoying (as usual). The game I was unsure about was Professor Layton as it was logical and challenging but too slow paced for my liking. I played a gardening game which I found boring and less engaging than the virtual worlds for the iPad. I played another game similar to Brain Academy which I liked as it was word puzzles and had activities where it was possible to beat my score however there was only a limited amount of progress which could be made per day which could be frustrating for children. My least favorite game was Artemis Fowl which I found was just a book series. This wasn't engaging as a game however I feel the novelty of the console could engage pupils and spark interest for reading. Overall I feel that the consoles are useful in education but think that iPads can provide the same learning experience.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Promethean Training
'Interactive whiteboards enable improved delivery and pacing, whole-class teaching, interaction and discussion, and relate to increased motivation for both teachers and pupils.' (Passey et al., 2004 cited Hall 2010)
This is a statement I believe to be very much true after the training I received for the Promethean interactive whiteboards today. Similar to the Smartboards, the Promethean boards use many of the same method to make simple learning more engaging. For example, the different revelation methods during activities and the camera tools were alike in both programs. I think this is a positive thing as the skills learned in one can be easily transferred to another. In my opinion I prefer the Promethean as it is what I myself was taught on and have used in my own teaching practice.
I think that undertaking the tutorials online was easy but remembering the skills learned in them was hard as without the software on my laptop I didn't have the hands on experience. Learning with the program today was a lot easier and will stick in my mind better than before. This probably implies that I am a kinaesthetic learner rather than a visual learner. The pupils in my future classes may learn better using the board in a hands on way as well which is why a lot of the activities that can be created are perfect for pupils use as a class.
This is a statement I believe to be very much true after the training I received for the Promethean interactive whiteboards today. Similar to the Smartboards, the Promethean boards use many of the same method to make simple learning more engaging. For example, the different revelation methods during activities and the camera tools were alike in both programs. I think this is a positive thing as the skills learned in one can be easily transferred to another. In my opinion I prefer the Promethean as it is what I myself was taught on and have used in my own teaching practice.
I think that undertaking the tutorials online was easy but remembering the skills learned in them was hard as without the software on my laptop I didn't have the hands on experience. Learning with the program today was a lot easier and will stick in my mind better than before. This probably implies that I am a kinaesthetic learner rather than a visual learner. The pupils in my future classes may learn better using the board in a hands on way as well which is why a lot of the activities that can be created are perfect for pupils use as a class.
A Week in Nursery
The nursery pre-visit week which was undertaken recently was very interesting and enjoyable for me. I found the the worries of placing theory and practical issues together were not so apparent in practice. I found that, on discussion with other students and through my own experience, the more important factors of the week were settling into the nursery team and interacting with the children. I found that I was able to do this and still use theory to compare with observations I made of how the nursery was run. I found myself more interested in how the nursery works, sitting in on a meeting helped me really see how to team gelled and how I could learn from their own reflective approach. I feel that I have been very fortunate to be placed in the nursery I am in as there are very strong bonds between the staff however they are welcoming and helpful to me as well. As I continue to research and experience life in the nursery I feel I will learn a lot about using theory to support practice.
When I was in the nursery I kept an eye out for the different ICT tools used. There were the obvious such as computers and televisions (also a digital microscope which was unused as far as I could see) but there were also resources such as toy cash registers, telephones and calculators.
At first I would not have considered these to fall under the category of ICT, rather number as Brenda has mentioned, however Hall (2010) states in The ICT Handbook for Primary Teachers that as, 'play is the means by which young children make sense of their world,' it is then the teachers role to,'raise children's awareness of technology in the world around them and create safe settings which model a range of real world scenarios.' p.99.
According to Hall, using everyday items such as the battery operated toys in nurseries helps the children with the following;
This list points out how through playing, the children are already picking up essential ICT skills and knowledge.
When I was in the nursery I kept an eye out for the different ICT tools used. There were the obvious such as computers and televisions (also a digital microscope which was unused as far as I could see) but there were also resources such as toy cash registers, telephones and calculators.
At first I would not have considered these to fall under the category of ICT, rather number as Brenda has mentioned, however Hall (2010) states in The ICT Handbook for Primary Teachers that as, 'play is the means by which young children make sense of their world,' it is then the teachers role to,'raise children's awareness of technology in the world around them and create safe settings which model a range of real world scenarios.' p.99.
According to Hall, using everyday items such as the battery operated toys in nurseries helps the children with the following;
- develop and interest in ICT equipment and apparatus
- identify and explore everyday uses of information technology in a meaningful context
- talk about uses for ICT in their own lives and represent experiences through role-play
- understand how to operate simple equipment and perform simple functions independently
- turn to appropriate equipment in their play in order to communicate information
- be aware of the dangers associated with some equipment, such as electrical switches, and of the need to work within simple safety guidelines
- use correct technical vocabulary
This list points out how through playing, the children are already picking up essential ICT skills and knowledge.
Collaborative PowerPoint
In the last week the class engaged in a collaborative PowerPoint in google docs.
I found this activity very useful as we were building on our ideas from the games based learning input and presenting them in a PowerPoint format. This would be beneficial to children as they would and improve their skills in this program. The fact that the activity was in a google doc was very helpful as each member of our group could have their own computer and contribute to specific slides, this eliminates the annoyance of crowding around a computer to work together which creates a difficult situation.
The result of each person contributing from their own computer is that teamwork is made much easier than it had previously been.
I think that as well as building on previous ICT skills, using the google doc PowerPoint enables the Health and Wellbeing outcomes;
I make full use of and value the opportunities I am given to improve and manage my learning and, in turn, I can help to encourage learning and confidence in others.
I found this activity very useful as we were building on our ideas from the games based learning input and presenting them in a PowerPoint format. This would be beneficial to children as they would and improve their skills in this program. The fact that the activity was in a google doc was very helpful as each member of our group could have their own computer and contribute to specific slides, this eliminates the annoyance of crowding around a computer to work together which creates a difficult situation.
The result of each person contributing from their own computer is that teamwork is made much easier than it had previously been.
I think that as well as building on previous ICT skills, using the google doc PowerPoint enables the Health and Wellbeing outcomes;
I make full use of and value the opportunities I am given to improve and manage my learning and, in turn, I can help to encourage learning and confidence in others.
*Responsibility of all
I value the opportunities I am given to make friends and be part of a group in a range of situations.
*Responsibility of all
Crazy Talk
As I extend and enhance my knowledge of features of various types of software, including those which help find, organise, manage and access information, I can apply what I learn in different situations.
Blackbeard introduced a task for finding adjectives and verbs.
I feel both could be improved by using the microphones to use our own or others' voices instead of typing.
This Curriculum for Excellence outcome represents what I have learned whilst using the Crazy Talk program. I feel that learning the new software and putting it into practice with the tasks we were given would help me in my future practice not only with the patience I am slowly gaining throughout the module but also as an opening stimulus for future lessons.
We made two talking characters, one relating to our wiki and the other for introducing a writing task. These served two different functions. The character for our wiki was giving extra information on what has already been written whereas the character of 'Blackbeard' which introduced the writing task had the potential to be the beginning of a context. It could be expanded in a number of ways across the curriculum, much like the games based learning activities from previous inputs.
We used Kelly Holmes for our wiki as the theme is Healthy Lifestyle.
Blackbeard introduced a task for finding adjectives and verbs.
I feel both could be improved by using the microphones to use our own or others' voices instead of typing.
Eilidh on Holiday
Our bear has arrived in Germany and through the blog we have seen her arrive and settle in to her new home, we are the only group left without a bear being sent to us as the students in the university we are paired with have not began their term yet. It's exciting seeing everybody else receive their bear so I can't wait to meet ours and take him/her into nursery.
However I feel that this activity could benefit any age group in primary school. I feel that the bear blog activity not only builds pupils' ICT skills but by linking to another country enables the learning in social studies, particularly the outcome;
By comparing the lifestyle and culture of citizens in another country with those of Scotland, I can discuss the similarities and differences.
However I feel that this activity could benefit any age group in primary school. I feel that the bear blog activity not only builds pupils' ICT skills but by linking to another country enables the learning in social studies, particularly the outcome;
By comparing the lifestyle and culture of citizens in another country with those of Scotland, I can discuss the similarities and differences.
SOC 2-19a
This links into our task for Voices of the World from February. We have recently seen the responses and I feel a sense of achievement in the fact that we have created something and people from across the world have replied. I loved to hear that the voices had been recorded rather than typed like ours and feel that if a class did this activity they would feel proud of their work.
It is a good way of learning language whilst linking into social studies and creating a deeper learning experience.
This links into our task for Voices of the World from February. We have recently seen the responses and I feel a sense of achievement in the fact that we have created something and people from across the world have replied. I loved to hear that the voices had been recorded rather than typed like ours and feel that if a class did this activity they would feel proud of their work.
It is a good way of learning language whilst linking into social studies and creating a deeper learning experience.
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