Blog and Reflective Synopsis
Introductions
ICT has been
introduced to education for decades, I do appreciate that we have this subject
as one of GDLT papers, since I believe today’s education cannot achieve its
ideal outcome well enough without it.
E-learning has already been successfully implemented in education system
in variety of forms: multimedia digital tools, computer based classes, internet
based online education, online study collaboration and so on. Introducing ICT
to education has changed the way of teaching, and I agree that today’s teachers
need to be equipped with the efficient digital pedagogy to engage learners to achieve
an effective teaching and learning outcome.
My learning
experience with ICT paper is eye opening. It has introduced me to a new concept
of learning and teaching - digital pedagogy. I have studied how to choose and
use the right digital tool to enhance learning and teaching outcome. The
following synopsis is about my learning experience with some of the digital
tools in the last 5 weeks, and how those will help me to enhance learners’
experiences.
Wiki reflection:
My very first
experience with Wiki was company discussion forum in Wiki space at my previous
job. It had a lot of users’ participation at the beginning because the tool was
easy to use. Users only required knowing the basic edit and save functions to
participate. However it wasn't used as much as expected, after couple of weeks
there was no much input from users. I felt my Wiki Space activity experience is
similar to what I had before. Wiki is a great online “blackboard”, anyone can
share their ideas freely, change the layout or use colour coding to make it
more visual friendly. The amazing part of Wiki is that we can sit behind a
computer but sharing ideas with people around the world in an organised online
space. If I need a digital tool to pull together ideas from students, Wiki is a
great option. However Wiki space does have weakness, the main draw back for me is
the Wiki space can end up quite messy since it allows too much information on
display. This means that teacher might need to spend huge amount of time to
maintain the site, make sure the right amount of information is there, and keep
guiding students to form a healthy safe online community.
Digital Tool 1 – Blog
A Blog
is a website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of
commentary, descriptions of events or other material such as graphics and
videos (CQUniversity Australia, 2013).Since I was introduced
to Google blog, it has become my learning experience online recorder. The Blog
owner is in charge of posting and layout, editing guests’ participation such as
removes guests’ comment or edit guests’ permission level for them to comment on
the Blog. As a result it is easier to keep tidy and clear. Blog has better
visual effect and layout compare with Wiki. Owner can edit the layout to draw
viewers’ attention to the essential materials in the blog. Some students are
more active through digital tools compare with classroom learning, so teacher
can use Blog to engage with them. Teacher can post daily learning material
summaries and invite students to comment on it. Teacher can also encourage
student to set up their own blogs to record their learning experience, this is
a good opportunity for teacher to check and scaffolding students’ learning
experience through their blogs. Once students established their blogs, teacher can
spend time to go through posting and comments online to help students to do
learning reflection. Teachers need to make sure there is no cyber bullying, or
another types of unacceptable online behaviour.
Digital Tool 2 – Podcasting
This week I
was introduced to a series of tools which I think should be useful for everyone.
Firstly there are the image tools, such as photos resizer and basic Photoshop. Image
tools can be used to demonstrate trigonometry graphs; draw flowcharts such as exchange
rate will affect currency. Secondly, we covered digital video tool. I have
learned how to capture video and uploaded it to YouTube. Everything that is
happening around the world is shared through video online, so how an online
video clip in class is a great way to connect classroom with real world. Of
course when it comes to image and video, we all have to be sure the online
safety issue has been addressed. We need to make sure the use of copyright
images and materials are able to be restricted according to the owner's wishes (CQUniversity
Australia, 2013). I have practiced with each of those tools and please see the overall posting.
Lastly, the tool I really can’t wait to use in my class is pod casting digital tools. I have used Voki and Podomatic, they are both easy to use and can be embedded in my blog. I can use pod casting for my Chinese language students, I can read out a short paragraph that was taught in class, and then post it in my blog, so students can listen to it after class. This tool will definitely help students acquire knowledge even outside of school hours. With podcasting digital tool, students have the opportunity to listen to it as many times as they want. Pod casting is a great digital tool for language classes.
Digital Tool 3- PowerPoint
I have had a
lot of experiences with PowerPoint through my previous study and work. It is
such a powerful presentation tool and so much more can be utilized for teaching.
For example the whole class lesson plan can be done in PowerPoint, the teaching
material and other resources including pictures, videos, sound tracks and links
can be embedded into PowerPoint. Teacher can use PowerPoint as a learning
experience digital diary to record what curriculum have been covered in classes.
The functions in PowerPoint are user friendly, it saves teacher a lot of time
on editing. It is commonly used Microsoft software, there are many experts share
their experiences and skills online, so that teachers pick up new PowerPoint
skills from a wider community. One of important strength of PowerPoint is that
it is owner controlled, so teacher is in charge of the materials. The materials
need to be carefully checked before shown in class, and teacher need to make
sure it is well organised to enhance students learning outcome. I have no doubt I will use PowerPoint for my
future classes.
Digital Tool 4 – Google Map
Google Map
is an online based digital map, it can be used as a navigational tool. Teacher
can use this tool to support mathematics classes learning. Google Map can be
used to find the fastest route from A to B and compare the speed difference
between using public and private transportation. There are many clever algorithms
behind this tool, so students can see how mathematics can be useful real life.
Once students are “hooked”, teacher can ask them to complete a project by using
Google Map. For example how to go to their friends’ place for a Saturday event,
students can create a couple of different routes to get to destinations. They
can then use Google Map to validate their calculations for each route. Google
Map does have some downsides, there are embedded advertisements and
inappropriate images captured by Google’s street camera. Teacher needs to carefully plan before I show
students.
Conclusion
ICT is well
positioned to cater all learners, consider the infinite combinations available
of individual and collaborative work, social networking, visual, auditory and
interactive resource colour and multiple formatting opportunities (CQUniversity
Australia
I think planning
for digital pedagogy is one of the most important parts. Teachers need to ensure
ethical, legal and safe use of digital tools in school, and this will require
attention every step of the way. There are so much potential from using ICT
tools for teaching and I believe teachers are responsible to be equipped with
the latest ICT skills.
Reference
CQUniversity Australia
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 1-1
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 1-1
CQUniversity Australia
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 3-1
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 3-1
CQUniversity Australia
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 2
online learning materials. Retrieved from week 2
