This reflective synopsis focuses on the learning tools that would be effective for the use of my teaching discipline areas, business and English. In this synopsis I have included a list of comments which I have posted on other students blogs. We are now in the century where learners can be categorised as digital natives or digital immigrants, meaning most people are born into technology and grow up using technology, and those which don’t are forced to adapt to the digital world. E-learning involves improving teaching and learning using strategies such as information communication technologies (ICTs) to engage and enhance learners in a pedagogically sound way. Prensky (2005) claims that if you cannot engage young people in education then you will enrage them. During this course we focussed on a different digital tool each week which we could incorporate into our lesson planning to better engage the digital learners of todays century.
The digital tool I find most effective as an educator is Microsoft Powerpoint. Powerpoint is a versatile tool and can be used in all subjects ranging from business to manual arts. I am able to clearly set out and paraphrase large amounts of information onto powerpoint slides rather than writing this information onto the whiteboard, saving time. Within powerpoint I am able to include all the relevant resources needed for the lesson, as this program allows you to include; audio, images, videos and written information within the single presentation. Students are then able to save this powerpoint to their school network drive, enabling them to refer back to the slide when needed and is easily accessible where they have computer access. It has also been found that using powerpoint improves communication effectiveness as students retain 15% more information when it is on slides then when it is verbally stated (Dr Shock, 2009). From my point of view powerpoint is one of the most effective digital tools and one which I believe is highly effective and would utilise frequently.
Digital videos, such as youtube are a great tool to incorporate into the classroom. Youtube has been blocked from most schools as it is seen to have a negative influence as students are able to download and upload clips that are seen as offensive or harmful towards others, but when put into perspective it is just like banning pen and paper because these materials can be used to write threatening and offensive notes to others. When used correctly, youtube can be a valuable tool as it has a range of great resources and engages the students and caters for visual learners. An internet connection is not required to show a youtube clip to the class, as it can be downloaded to your computer, therefore only need computer access, not internet access to show the clip to the class. I would use youtube in both my discipline areas by showing a clip and giving the students an activity or quiz based on the clip, hence improving their listening skills. Another way which I would incorporate youtube into the classroom is by using video clips to demonstrate how to complete something, such as a business statement. By putting the negativities aside and focussing on the positive points youtube can be a successful tool within the classroom when used correctly.
Everywhere you look in todays society people are using mp3s or ipods thus making use of podcasts a valuable digital tool in the classroom. Using podcasts caters for a diverse range of learners including audio learners. I would highly utilise podcasts in my discipline teaching areas. Podcasts are a great learning tool for students with learning difficulties, as they can listen to the knowledge, rather than reading it, making the information clearer and the task less frustrating. Furthermore, podcasts allow for students to pause, stop, restart and replay the audio. Podcasts can also be loaded onto the internet for students to access and keep up to date if they have missed class. Utilising tools that the students are interested in and they can easily use and understand allows for the learners to become more engaged within the classroom.
Images are a very basic yet effective digital tool to use within the classroom. Images can be used in a variety of ways such as graphs, pictures and advertisements. Graphs can be used to display information more effectively and clearly. Using images caters for the students that are visual learners. I would utilise images a lot in English, as students are required to analyse advertisements as part of their course. Using images allows students to think creatively and sometimes help them understand more clearly. Images is certainly a digital tool which I would certainly incorporate into my lessons frequently.
At times classrooms do not keep up with the demands of technology within education. It is important for us, as educators that we keep up to date with the technology and the demands of it within the classroom. Incorporating ICTs into the classroom engages students. The ICTs I would utilise most frequently within my discipline areas are powerpoint, digital videos, podcasts and images.
Dr Shock MD PhD (2009) Powerpoint in education. Retrieved Setpember 6, 2010, from http://www.shockmd.com/2009/03/05/powerpoint-in-education/
· Fasso, W. (2010). Active Learning, Learning Diversity and the Theory. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91792
BLOG COMMENTS
On the blog: Digital Videos
Lisa Perry said...
I agree with what you are saying here Garrett. I also believe that using a You tube clip provides another leaning style for learners to learn from as some students may not learn by it being explained to them but may just click after they have watched it on a you tube click. Also students will probably find a youtube clip more engaging then lecture style learning
On the blog: Powerpoint
Hi Karen
I agree with you on this one. Powerpoint is a really good tool to use in the classroom. It can be used with a wide range of subjects and students find it very easy to use. Powerpoint does have its glitches with loading videos. If there was a way that the videos were all ready loaded and there was no waiting time it would be bliss.
I would certainly use images in learning. Students are able to gain a better understanding by actually sighting what is being spoken about. I would also use pictures in my english discipline, as part of the english course requires students to analyse advertisments etc.
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