Week 5-8: ICT Tool and Comment on Partner’s Blog
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.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Hi Sara,
Thanks for your workshop on Promethean ActivBoards. Before your workshop I had only really worked with SMARTBoards and didn’t know anything about Promethean Boards. I thought it was really useful having Lindsey come in with the ActivExpressions so we could see how they worked and we could have a play. I think any type of Interactive Whiteboards are great tools to have in the classroom so it was good to learn about a different one I hadn’t seen before in case I ever come across a classroom with one in it. I now feel a bit more confident in being able to use it. I think the ActiveExpression tool would be an exciting tool to use with students in the classroom as it gives the teacher real time data on students learning. It makes it fun and interactive.
Your webpage has lots of useful information that would help teachers new to Promethean ActivBoards. I especially like the Top 10 Promethean Resources as it gives teachers a place where they can find information and resources quickly. One thing I that might be useful to add to your webpage is the pricing for some of the extra products you can buy for the ActivBoards.