read me!

Recently i read an article by Stephen Downes about the use blogging in the classroom. He outlines three strategies a teacher may implement when introducing blogging into their classroom. Firstly, he state a teacher would replace the standard class web page with a blog. Secondly he notes integrating the use of internet into coursework wherever possible. Thirdly, use blogs to organise in-class discussions.

It is my opinion that integrating blogging into the classroom not only gives students a voice but encourages them to become more confident in using the internet/blogging. Setting up a class forum, blogging system is an excellent idea as it gives students the opportunity to blog and comment on each others pages and thoughts but also allows them to talk to their teacher anonymously and express their struggles/achievements. Technology is ever expanding and enhancing, getting children involved in this movement is linking them closer to the society in which they live. To blogging in the classroom…Bridie says YES!

Image from: FlickrCC

This photograph is tittled “edu-tained”, the tittle can be viewed from two opposing sides. One is the side that technology and the use of computers within the classroom is to be for mere entertainment purposes and holds no “real” educational value, and the other that the integration of technology in the classroom provides education content in an interactive and and entertaining manner.

My beliefs tend to lie on the supportive side, that technology is innovative and serves to provide educational content or research for classwork in an engaging manner. However many techno-phobes, traditionalists and synics would strongly disagree. The times are changing and thus we should alter our methods to match appropriately.

Imagesource:www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/104263974

This comic conveys our thoughts of e-learning, the pictures metaphorically convey our ideas. It represents the ideas e-learning, risk-taking, interconnectivity, integral aspect of learning, used as a scaffold to support exploration etc. This comic is also posted on Victoria’s blog, this program ‘comic life’ could be used similarly in the classroom to visually present students ideas, like a mindmap, it would be a visual representation of their thoughts on a particular topic. It’s a fun and innovative approach to education that i would strongly encourage the use of within the classroom, it would be great to give students the opportunity to express themselves creatively and intellectually at the same time! Creating our own metaphors for learning has been an interesting experience, to see what others have come up with aswell, like on Karina’s blog, she compared learning to 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). Anyway have a look at ours..you’ll like it i promise, you know why, because we made it!

Images retrieved from:

www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/440672445

www.flickr.com/photos/92932782@N00/53727508

www.flickr.com/photos/12836528@N00/2201791390

www.flickr.com/photos/48915783@N00/67485381

Recently the topic of computer safety has arisen within my extended family. My younger cousin, is in grade 3 and was researching Peter Pan for a project on her favourite fairy tale. She naively typed in peterpan into a search engine and clicked on a link which appeared which evidently was not disney related at all, it was infact an adult website. Being only 8 years of age, she didn’t understand, but still this insecurity on the internet is unacceptable. We are continually encouraging students and children to become more computer literate and comfortable with using the interent/technology to further their learning.

Sadly, my auntie was not impressed with these happenings and has requested my cousin refrain from using the internet as a research tool. Her conviction of the dangerousness of the internet has placed her daughter in a disadvantage. This is mainly because schools are ever encouraging students to expand their knowledge of the internet/computing world.

From a mothers point of view, i can understand that she was less than impressed and can see her reasoning in asking her daughter to discontinue her internet use. However, as a continuous user of the internet as a research tool, knowing how useful it is, how convinient it is as it provides masses of information at my very fingertips, i would recommend and encourage her educational pursuit of technology. Also from the perspective of a future educator, i can understand the importance of e-learning within the classroom and also in the informal home setting.

Just thought that was interesting experience i should share with you, and incase you were wondering yes my powers of pursuasion have allowed my cousin to continue using the internet as a research tool but in a monitored/controlled environment. I convinced my auntie it was important…GO ME!

Image from: FlickrCC

You may have noticed that i haven’t posted a blog in some time. I blame my computer…literally! I have become the ‘victim’ of a bad computer! It’s been completely overhauled and now it’s lovely! During the time of my absence i have relied heavily on my macbook, what a machine! I have fallen even more in love with that little laptop. Just like Emily has, she recently noted on her blog her desperate desire to have/use a mac, one day Emily…one day!

Just a little trivia on my macbook, did you know it is possible to split your hardrive and install windows onto a mac computer…well it is, my father the “genius” (his quote not mine) figured out how to do this. Interesting concept. It’s a good tool for introducing people to mac, as they are given the option to continue using a program they are comfortable with i.e. windows whilst learning how to use another program i.e. mac, all the one little laptop.

Just thought i’d let you know my absence has come to an end…i’m back and have many postings to make…so brace yourself!

Vodcast – Rainforest Maths

Education Cartoons

These cartoons are hilarious and they relate to students, teachers and technology within the classroom. They show the use of technology or lack of technology within a classroom setting. They also represent the modern students enthusiasism towards technology. Have a look/read, they’re pretty funny! Enjoy them and keep them in mind for a fun introduction into using technology with your students!

Rainforest Maths by Jenny Eather

Rainforest maths is an interactive website aimed at students from K-6. It includes a range of activities which encompass syllabus outcomes and the required mathematics strands. This is represented in a colourful, fun and easy to use program. The environment relations can be used as integration into hsie studies. That aside, the welcoming presentation of this website encourages students and the use of animals and environmental associations brightens the page and adds extra life for the students. This website ‘Rainforest Maths’ was created by Australian Jenny Eather.

The activities are designed to encourage students to conquer questions independently and progressively. It’s display is clear, instructive, and incredibly user friendly. This website could be used individually or as a class perhaps through the use of a smart board. In summation this is an excellent and enjoyable interactive mathematics tool which children can pursue within the structured learning environment of classroom and in an informal home setting. It is a great reinforcer, as it emphasises their understanding through repetition and familiarity. Rainforest Maths is an inventive and original website which students will love, who said maths can’t be fun?

Visit the site, you won’t regret it!

www.rainforestmaths.com

Technology In the Classroom

These two images show primary classrooms interacting with technology. In the first image it is students interacting with computers and the second conveys the use of technology to access an internet connection on an overhead/smart board projection system.

The first image presents students at a computer workstation, as you can see the students are forced to form groups and share a computer amongst them. Interactions with computers is a common form of technology in the classroom, this is a nice photograph that dipicts students working cooperativley with technology. Computer interactions within the classroom can be done in groups as noted in the photograph or individually.

The second presents a whole class activity, the class is working with the internet via an overhead projection system or smartboard. This encourages whole class interaction/discussion and allos all children equal access. It also give the teacher the power to monitor students consistently and give a clear display of instructions. This would be most beneficial for those students who struggle with technology, having the teacher talking them through the processes on a larger screen will give them greater confidence when forced to tackle it on their own.

These images are a good source of representation of successful use of technology within the classroom/structured learning environment.

Greatest Passions and Wildest Dreams for Education!

This is incomplete…and a little rough around the edges but you get the point!!! ENJOY!!!

my-awesome-podcast.mp3