Jun
16
CarTOONing around
June 16, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
After seeing Alex’s post on Toondoo i decided to try it out for myself! I had alot of fun playing around with all the different tools and it was very simple to use. I think children would love creating their own cartoons on different topics!
Jun
15
Making History Come Alive
June 15, 2008 | Tagged film, interviews, podcasts | Leave a Comment
Jun
10
Digital Creativity?
June 10, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
I read an interesting article recently by Anthony Jones titled “Encouraging creativity with digital technology in early primary classrooms”. It was centered around an investigation of children’s creativity during computer-based activities.
Jones (2004) stated that many teachers think as one of the major benefits of technology in the classroom is in “the opportunities it offers for creativity, thinking and problem solving” (p. 1). Prior to this e-learning subject, i certainly wouldn’t have thought of computers as being used to express creativity, but more as a necessity for boring things like word documents and excel spreadsheets.
This investigation was focussed around children in early stage 1 who were all between 5 and 6 years old. In the investigation the children were required (over the period of a term) to produce a number of art works. These were in the form of pencil drawings and directed digital drawing tasks using the software “Microworld” . In both instances, there was evidence of the children using creativity, however it was evident that the computer classes were more beneficial and enjoyable to the children. It was said that after each class the children would walk around the room to see what their classmates had created on the computer and would often be begging their teachers to let them print their artworks to take home to mum and dad!
Through this study, it can be seen that even very young children are capable of creativity when working with technology in a computing environment!
Jun
10
Making movies
June 10, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
I recently made a digital story using the program imovie! It was a really interesting experience as i had never done anything like this before. I found the program fairly simple to use, and you can do lots of cool things like add music, voiceovers, and slide transitions.
All in all…good fun!
Have a look: click here!
Jun
10
Webquesting away…
June 10, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
For an assignment, i recently made, along with fellow blogger Alex, a webquest. It is directed at teachers, and aims to broaden their understanding on deBono’s 6 Thinking Hats and how these can be incorporated into the classroom.
Have a go at working through it!
May
10
Technology in the Kindy Classroom
May 10, 2008 | | 1 Comment
For prac this semester i have a kindergarten class, and instead of using a whiteboard, they use a smartboard. I have found this use of technology really interesting, and have used it quite a bit for my lessons. The kids love using it and are completely engaged when it is in use. It is such a great tool for getting children involved in the lessons. With its interactive nature, it creates a ‘hands-on’ environment for learning, which is very effective. The classroom teacher often uses the smartboard during story time. There are a large number of online stories to choose from and the children absolutely love them. Before prac, i don’t think i would have thought of technology such as a smartboard being of any use in a kindergarten classroom, but i can now see the profound impact it has on their engagement and learning.
Apr
21
Constructionism vs. Instructionism
April 21, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
I recently read the transcript of a speech given by Seymour Papert via video conference to educators in Japan. In his speech he discusses the difference between constructionism and instructionism, stating that technology can enhance the way children learn, rather than simply enhancing teacher instruction. He relates this to children learning mathematics at school. Learning for children (especially in mathematics) needs to be grounded in the real world, and therefore relevant. If children are simply rote learning mathematical formulas and equations on paper then it has no relevance to them. We need to show children that scientists, bankers, engineers and a multitude of other professions use mathematics everyday. And technology can help us do this. Papert gives examples of children creating calenders and even pictures – the theory behind which is grounded in mathematics. But the children are stimulated and interested. This speech was given in the 1980’s, and technology has come so far since then – imagine all the new programs we have access to now in 2008. Children need to be able to use knowledge, not just learn it, and technology is a great way to start.
Apr
11
Stuffing Technology!
April 11, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
I recently read an interesting article by Jamie McKenzie entitled Stuffing Technology into the Curriculum. It discusses how in recent years with technological development, many teachers have ’stuffed’ technology use into the curriculum, rather than using it effectively and naturally.
I found this a very interesting point, especially as i can see myself being a victim of doing this in the classroom. It would be easy for teachers to use technology just for the sake of it – for example getting children to do a powerpoint presentation instead of a poster. However, teachers need to consider the true value of using technology in the classroom and review the merits of using it over using more traditional methods.
I feel grateful that I have been exposed to so many wonderful programs through my e-learning class which i feel are all very valuable learning tools. I am excited to perhaps try some of these programs on prac and in my future teaching experiences.
Apr
10
Metaphor for Learning
April 10, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
In class yesterday, Matthew asked us to come up with our own metaphor for learning and express this with pictures. I worked with my partner Alex, and we came up with the idea that learning is like growing a garden. The gardener (teacher) must nurture and care for her plants (students) and accommodate for their different needs (learning styles) in order for them to grow steadily and reach their full potential.
Another metaphor i found interesting was Karina’s where she stated that learning is like making a cake. The chef (the teacher) must use ingredients (the curriculum content) and utensils (teaching strategies) in order to create the cake (children’s learning).
Apr
10
Seize the Moment!
April 10, 2008 | | 1 Comment
I just read a really interesting article by Idit Harel titled Sandcastles Go Digital. It discusses the importance of ‘the teachable moment’ in which children are highly engaged in an activity, and are therefore more likely to learn. This theory of constructivist learning is based around the idea that children learn best when they are in the active roles of designer and constructor, and Harel relates this to children making sandcastles on the beach.
There are however limitations of this idea, and so he explores ways in which technology can be used to encapture this idea of constructivist learning. The internet provides an endless learning environment where children can explore, express and share their learning experiences with a global audience. The internet can provide this ‘open-ended’ play children love, learn from and truly engage in.
