ICT

1. Describe what you have learnt about planning an inquiry-learning unit and how this new knowledge connects with your prior understandings and experience. In particular reflect on your thoughts when aligning the desired outcomes with the assessment tasks and learning plan (e.g. was the planner valuable and easy to use and why or why not?). Include links to the planning template stored as a publically accessible (but not edible) Google doc or Google site.

I have learnt that planning an inquiry-learning unit requires much thought and time to construct. I have created integrated units of work previous to this topic, however I focused on the individual lessons and their aims and outcomes rather than the unit’s bigger picture. This was because my units of work did not have a central question like the inquiry approach does. This has meant that my units have not caused students to think more deeply about the topic being studied.

It was a challenge to make sure that our desired outcomes were aligned with the learning plan and the assessment. It is crucial that everything in the unit aligns with the desired outcomes (SACSA, Knowledge and Understanding). The outcomes are the concepts I want my students to achieve and be able to demonstrate through assessment. If the unit is not consistent and all stages of the unit are not aimed towards answering the inquiry question, then it is hard to assess their learning.

I found the planning template quite helpful. By completing the unit stage by stage, the most important elements of the unit were discussed first; the inquiry question, SACSA, key question and what students will know and understand from having completed the unit. Previously, I would not have spent as much time as as I did in developing these areas in my units of work.

 Planning Template

2. How did you self-rate your culminating assessment tasks and what did you learn from using the QT framework? (E.g. which elements did you find easy or difficult to incorporate and why?).

We rated our culminating assessment task with an average of 3.9. I think the QT framework is an excellent framework to use to ensure that assessment tasks are set out correctly and are asking students to think deeply and demonstrate their understanding in a particular area/subject. The elements we found hard to incorporate were narrative and metalanguage. Narrative was difficult to incorporate as our unit of work was not based on narrative writing but rather on poetry. Metalanguage proved a challenge as our assessment task required students to demonstrate the knowledge of poetry language features, structure and metaphors by writing their own poem. Students were not asked to explain how these elements work. For example provide an analysis of their poem.

 3. What did you learn from designing the stages of your inquiry activities and from designing your two individual lesson plans that integrated ICT.

From designing the stages of my inquiry activities I have learnt the need for the inquiry lessons to be sequenced according to and be reflective of the essential questions, otherwise the inquiry question will not be answered. Having planned stage 1 and 2 of the unit first, less focus was placed on the activities within the lessons but rather on how the activities will align with stage 1 and prepare them for stage 2; the assessment task.

From designing the two individual lesson plans that integrated ICT, I have learnt how ICT can be used to enhance the learning and teaching that takes place in the lesson. Rather than the ICT tool being the lesson subject where students solely learn ICT skills, ICT can be used as the means and method of greater and more meaningful learning where ICT skills are subtly integrated.

1.  Which ICT tool did you select for review from the CEGSA web site? Why did you select that tool and what were you most interested in finding out or expecting to learn?

I chose to review the website Edublogs. I selected this tool because I believe Edublogs is a tool I can see myself using. Having some experience in using Edublogs, I wanted to find out in more detail the possibilities Edublogs has in regards to how the tool works and how I can use it in the classroom.

2. Could you easily find the answers to your questions? why or why not?

I could easily find the answers to my questions, they were clearly identified and easy to navigate. This was because they were at the top of the page and were clearly set out. Extra links were provided to give me more details and examples in how edublogs can be used to enhance teaching and learning.

3. What do you think were the strengths of the page? (e.g. ease of navigation, attractive page layout, quality of succinct information, range of examples, inclusion of relevant links, use of appropriate multimedia etc.)

There were many strengths seen in the page. It was created with a logical and easy to follow outline which was visible near the top of the page. The image is good and catches the viewers attention. The text is set out neatly and simply, there is not too much colour or images that makes the web page confusing to read and is distracting. Information is simple, easy to understand and follow. The definition of Edublogs was simple and succinct and there were many examples of Edublog sites that teachers have created for their classrooms.

4. How could the authors have improved their work?

One possible improvement could be to describe how the tool works as a collaboration tool or an instructional tool.  This would make it easier for first time users of Edublogs to really understand its potential.

5. What comment did you write on the home page of the tool on the CEGSA wiki that added value? (e.g. identify a relevant link, suggest a further area needed to investigate or identify a question that you would like to see answered). 

Link to my comment on the Edublogs CEGSA wiki page.

Which CEGSA page do you think should be highlighted as most valuable to CEGSA members and pre-service students and why?

I think the web page on Moodle is a valuable page that should be highlighted to CEGSA members and pre-service teachers. I think Moodle is an excellent tool that can be used from middle years to senior years. It enables teachers to keep an electronic copy of their work, that can also be accessable to students on and off the school campus. This means students can keep in touch with what is happening in the classroom and teachers can provide extension work for early finishers or enthusiastic learners.

6. What further information about this assignment or example page do you think would be valuable to include in the topic in 2010? Why?

N/A

7. Are there any ICT tools that you would like to see included that are not there? (e.g. Wordle, mp32tube, eportfolios)

I would like to see information included about eportfolios. Portfolios are important way of keeping a record of a student’s learning progress and is a popular method used in primary schools. I think it would be great to have information about eportfolios,  it is a definatly good paper saving idea and good way of getting students more involved in developing and maintaing a portfolio.

Stephanie and I investigated and produced a web page on Promethean ActivBoards and ActivExpressions (learner response system).

Both tools are of great value in my teaching practice. The ActivBoard is a great tool for engaging students in learning as they can manipulate images and text on the screen. The tool caters for many learning styles and students can use the software; ActivInspire or PowerPoint to present their own learning in the form of oral presentations. Being connected to the computer, information is at the finger tips of students through the Internet and so are Internet based activities, for example the Learning Federation.

 The ActivExpression learner response system is another great tool for the classroom keeping students engaged in learning. The tool allows students to respond to questions and their answers are recorded on the screen. This tool can be used by teachers to find out students’ prior knowledge, begin class discussions, monitor student progress or it can be used as an assessment tool. ActivExpression is versatile and I can see that it would impact the way learning and teaching is conducted in the classroom for the better.

Working collaboratively with others in the inquiry process was quite helpful, as I could share ideas and knowledge to confirm my understanding. Working with experts in the field related to the ICT tools was very positive; I absorbed their knowledge which helped me in my inquiry process. Collaborative work and learning is crucial to inquiry as knowledge is constructed through working with others, experts and fellow students. It is all part of the learning process as we share information and build understanding.

I feel our workshop went quite well and according to plan. There were a few technical issues at the beginning; ActivBoard alignment and the ActivInspire software did not open; however they were quickly solved. We were very thankful to Lindsey for her presence on the day; helping us operate the ActivExpressions and lending them to us for our activity.

The participants did achieve our intended learning outcomes. I think Promethean was a new type of Interactive Whiteboard for most participants. I believe they now have an understanding that Smart Boards are not the only type of Interactive Whiteboard and that Promethean technologies offer a great product.

There have been a number of ICT and web 2.0 tools that I have learnt about in this topic; Edublogs, Pixton, Moodle, Dipity and Capzles, Photostory, Skype, Flash Meeting and E-Graphic Organisers. I can see myself using some of these tools in my classroom such as Edublogs, Pixton, Photostory and E-Graphic Organisers.

I would find using the other tools challenging to set up and monitor as I do not have sufficient knowledge and skills required. Skype and Flash Meeting would be beneficial for secondary students, which is not my teaching field. However, all have the potential to change and enhance learning and teaching. The step is for teachers to be confident, research the tools and be provided with training in using these types of tools. This way, enhanced learning and teaching will be achieved.

COMMENT ON PARTNER’S BLOG: Link to my comment on a fellow student’s blog.

How do you think Moodle can support student learning?

I think Moodle is a great data base for students to access alot of information and additional information relating to their subjects.

The benefit, that it can be accessed at home, means that students, if absent from school, do not miss out on what is happening in class. The ‘chat’ option is great for students to be able to help students outside of school hours.

Will you use Moodle in your classroom, why/why not?

I think I would use Moodle, it has a lot of potential. I think there would still be a lot of information I would need to find out before creating one – how to set it up/creating an account etc.

I could see it useful for myself, as a teacher who will be working at two schools. It will be a good database, and mean that I can carry less with me, between the two schools as it’s all online.

Do you think Edublogs is a tool that you would use as an educator?

Yes, I can see that there would be alot  of potential for student learning by using Edublogs.  It can be used in many ways, to extend student learning (higher order thinking skills) and encourage students in communication (literacy) and ICT literacy.

How would you use Edublogs within your classroom with your students?

As a teacher beginning to use this web tool, I would like to create a class blog, particularly being in the JP/P setting. I think it would be great for building a network between teacher, staff and students. It can be used for students to express ideas, write reflective journals and comment on other student’s blogs (discussions).

What is your level of skills and expertise with web 2.0 tools and knowledge of how these can be used to enhance learning and teaching?

I have a limited level of skills and expertise in using web 2.0 tools. I have had some experience in using the Interactive Whiteboard, Picasa 3, Google Earth, Skype, although only at a basic level. I believe that web 2.0 tools can enhance learning experiences, not only giving students knowledge of how to operate the software, but also using these tools as a method of learning, compared to rote learning . Using web 2.0 tools is a new way to engage students in learning and encourage a guided discovery approach to learning. Web 2.0 tools provide students with different learning experiences and ICT skills needed for a world which is moving fast towards ICT literacy.

What framework and approaches do you use or know about to plan quality learning for students? What do you see as the strengths and limitations of these?

To plan quality learning for my students I have applied a few different frameworks and approaches. I have used Bloom’s Taxonomy and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences to ensure that I provide a range of learning experiences that meet the different learning styles of my students.

During my last practicum, I was introduced to the Inquiry approach, which I am very interested in pursuing. With the help of my mentor teacher, I was able to apply some basic principles of Inquiry to develop a unit of Inquiry. I have tried to implement ICT, using the interactive white to display multimedia and using internet interactive website as teaching resources, which worked well. However, I found that while trying to implement some ideas of Inquiry did not employ Bloom’s Taxonomy and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences to the same extent as I had previously.

In the future, I would like to develop a unit of work that combines these three approaches.

What would you really like to find out or learn in this topic?

I decided to undertake this topic, because I know that technology is increasingly being used in schools and it seems expected of teachers to have the required knowledge and skills to be able to use technology. In completing this topic I also hope to learn about some different programs that are available for me to use in my classroom, their benefits and how they can be used to add a new dimension to learning.

Due to my interest in the Inquiry approach, I am looking forward to applying the Inquiry approach and creating an Inquiry based unit of work. I am also looking forward to investigating my ICT tool; the interactive whiteboard and active voting. I have had positive experiences in using the interactive whiteboard and I am eager to find out about how the active voting works and its benefits for the classroom.