Throughout the ICT course term 1 our lecturer, Scot Aldred, has introduced us to many different technological tools that could be of use during our teaching profession. With many of the tools I was able to see how I could translate it into a classroom situation.
We were introduced to voki which is a free avatar web program. This was probably the most interesting tool that I was introduced to. Voki could be used effectively in the classroom as a 'hook' tool. For instance, if i was taking a grade 4 class on colonisation in Australia, I could use a voki to introduce the topic and grab the attention of the class, getting them interested straight away.
While I could use a voki as an engagement tool for the class as a whole, the use of Blogs could be used as a tool for each child as an individual. Blogs could be used for students to reflect on a learning experience or as an assignment that can be opened up for public view. With their work viewable by the public, I would like to believe students would put more effort into their work so that it is to the best of their ability.
The wiki proved to be harder to get my head around than the other tools that were introduced to us. After a lot of thought and playing with the tool, I managed to get my head around it. From what I understand, wikis are a way to have a group conversation via technology, a bit like a blog that everyone can contribute to. The use of a wiki would be very beneficial for students working on a group assignment. Via the wiki they would be able to collaborate easily outside of school hours.
These are just three of the many tools that are available to us in the 21 century. Of course, as technology evolves so quickly I'm sure by the time I am actually out in the workforce there will be many new technologies that we can use. Children of today are born into a technological world that is constantly evolving. The Internet and it vast features are part of their everyday life, it is a natural progression that this technology, and subsequent technologies, should be brought into their learning environment for both engagement and educating children not for the past, but for the future.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Miriam,
ReplyDeleteI agree that by the time we are teaching there will already be many more technologies to get our heads around. I think that a major part of this course in ICTs is to gain confidence in exploring the new technologies so that we won't be afraid, when out there on our own, to interact with the new ones and gain an understanding of them. Then we can see how, or if, they can be applied in a practical setting, either to help the teacher in lesson preparation or in engaging the learners in the lesson itself.
We must all be willing to embrace the philosophy of 'learning for life' so that we can be effective teachers and teach our learners skills that will prepare them for a role in the new Knowledge Economy.
Thanks for your insightful comments,
Alice