My Flickr and Picnik Experience

I have to acknowledge that I am not getting the full impact of these two technologies, as something in me cannot bring myself to openly publish private pictures and make them available. Therefore I cannot fully embrace this technology. There is hope for me however, as I think as I become more comfortable with the various new technologies I am learning, and my reluctance and resonance will be overcome in time. It is probably a good idea as a teacher to be a reluctant to give so many private details away and one must be very sure not to break any school policies in regard to the publication of photos.

PowerPoint

I have sat through, many, many PowerPoint presentations, but up until now I had never created one, this technology was in it's infancy when I had any real reason to use it, and since then I have managed to avoid it like the plague. But like the common cold, I knew PowerPoint would have to catch up to me eventually. PowerPoint has the reputation of being very easy to use, everyone I have ever spoken to say, " it's so easy, the hard part is the content and having the time to do it properly". So I tackled the task of creating a PowerPoint with an open mind.

The whole exercise was a major challenge for me, I have so many new technologies dancing around in my head, that I am starting to get a bit overwhelmed. My main achievement is the
acceptance that PowerPoint is the one technology I must master. The more visually stimulating, and effective you can make your lessons, this will increase student engagement (Kearsley and Schniederman, 1999).

"With PowerPoint, you can animate words and graphics, add sound effects, include a QuickTime movie - PowerPoint captures the students attention and keeps them interested" (www.educationworld.com/)

So join me in my learning journey, and embrace PowerPoint.

Download the PowerPoint Tutorial.

• Click Slide Show, choose View Show, and view the tutorial.

• Print the slides and use them as a guide as you create your own PowerPoint presentation.

Remember that this is an introductory tutorial; PowerPoint offers many features and options beyond those covered here. Once you're familiar with the program, you'll be able to

• Choose from a variety of presentation types, designs, and layouts;
• Create original designs and layouts as well as change colors and color schemes in pre-selected designs;
• Add, delete, and rearrange slides within a presentation;
• Insert Web art, scanned images, or create your own drawings;
• Create charts and graphs;
• Incorporate sound and videos;
• Add hyperlinks;
• Save work in html.

All these features would greatly enhance any learning experience.

Congratulations!

I've a long way to go before I master PowerPoint, but at least I realise it's educational value.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• PowerPoint Informational Slide Show
  This slide show provides an overview of PowerPoint and describes its tools and capabilities.
• PowerPoint Tutorial
  Mark L. Merickel of Oregon State University provides this terrific PowerPoint tutorial, which includes lots of graphics.
• PowerPoint In The Classroom
  This engaging tutorial provides easy-to-read, graphically clear information about PowerPoint functions.

References:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech013.shtml

Engagement Theory:

A framework for technology-based teaching and learning

Greg Kearsley & Ben Shneiderman Version 4/5/99
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

The Use of Music In The Classroom

In her article the Benefits of Incorporating Music in the Classroom, Audrey Merell (2004), discusses the very real importance of using music in your teaching and the difference it can make. 'Music is a tool that is often overlooked, however it has many proven benefits and connections to the body, brain and learning that are important and can aid in academic achievement' (Merrell, 2005). There is a connection between music and the brain. 'Music's physical vibrations, organised patterns, engaging rhythms, and subtle vibrations interact with the mind and body in many ways, naturally altering the brain in a manner that one-dimensional rote learning cannot' (Routier, 2003 in Merrell 2005). Merrell quotes, as an example, the "Mozart Effect for Children" shows that when listening to Mozart's music there is an increase in concentration and speech abilities, an improvement in reading and language skills of those who listen to music regularly or receive music instruction, and evidence that SAT scores are much higher in students who sing or play an instrument. Merrell (2005) makes the assumption that by listening and playing music regularly it aids in the development of the processes and patterns of the brain showing a connection between music and reading, writing, memorization ability and mathematical skills. Music it seems, can play a powerful role in learning, as it can benefit the student and lead them perhaps to higher achievement and levels of development. It is also well worth referring to the Merrell article for a discussion on the effects of music in regard to classroom management. The diagram below also gives an insight into how music could be used.

Google Earth - A Learning Journey

I feel like a 'virgin'. Again, this is my first use of Google Earth and once again I had no idea on what I was missing out on. What an Amazing educational tool!

We have been asked to make a post to our blog on how we might use this technology in our teaching. But, a wise man once told me (I mean Scott Aldred) , '"don't re-invent the wheel", so being that Joe Wood has already compiled a more than adequate summary of how you would use Google Earth in your lessons. I will not endeavor to compile one. I will however point out the amazing information that is available to you on the World Wide Web if you just use the right search engine and have the time to look for it.

Google Earth did teach me an important lesson, in my journey of ICT discovery. Never attempt to use something in your teaching that you are not completely familiar with or comfortable using. You could end up looking less than competent unless you are a brilliant actor. Once comfortable with Google Earth I would definitely use it as a ICT.

Refences:
http://www.teachinghacks.com/wiki/index.php?title=Google_Earth_Curriculum_Ideas

WIKI - How To Be An Effective Teacher

This is my Wiki where I hope to develop a list of the very special requirements it takes to be an Effective Teacher. I hope that you can add to what I have already listed. This website gives some good information about wikis and their use in education.
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/wikis/#value

My how to be an effective teacher wiki is my first ever interaction with a wiki. I haven't even used Wikipedia before, and had no idea it was even what could be classically defined as a wiki.

Wikis are a useful teaching tool because many students find that their learning is most effective when they are actively involved in the construction of their knowledge. Wikis encourage group social interaction and collaboration and support 'timely' communication.

Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) discuss in their article Engagement Theory : A Framework for technology-based teaching and learning, very interesting reasons for using technology in your lessons. The authors propose that students who are meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and performing tasks that they see as being worthwhile are more engaged, therefore more actively learning than other students who are less engaged or not using such technology. By setting tasks that are meaningful and have a usable outcome, the teacher is able to motivate the student to participate in the task and therefore possibly achieving a positive outcome such as creating, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making and evaluation (all higher learning outcomes).

Wikis could be seen as a useful tool because they allow the user (in our case the student) to freely create and edit a web based list/creation which allows others to add/amend their ideas to your original thought. Schools with grades from Prep-12 are taking advantage of the opportunities for 'collaborative construction' that wikis provide. As a teachers you could get your students to use wikis to:

• create in online text for your classroom.
• creating a choose your own adventure
• publish information about a topic they are researching
• create an online presence for their school/class
• create digital portfolios for students and teachers
• encourage collaboration
  

Wikis are used to promote student engagement. Engagement theory is based on "the idea of creating successful collaborative teams that work on ambitious projects that are meaningful to someone outside the classroom" (Relate-Create-Donate). (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999)

So what do Kearsley and Scheirderman mean by Relate-Create-Donate?

Relate means interacting with others to achieve an outcome. This requires good communication, planning, management and collaboration skills. Very useful skills for anyone to have. Working with others also exposes the student to people with different backgrounds, makes them interact with people they wouldn't normally mix with, therefore experiencing new views and ways of looking at things.

Create, allows the student to work on something they see as being worthwhile, it serves a purpose. They are given a sense of control over their learning and therefore makes learning a creative, purposeful activity. They have to problem solve, focus their effort on a specific outcome and work together for a common purpose.

Donate, means that their learning and the time spent on the task, has a productive outcome. The task or learning is then, seem by the student as being meaningful which increases their levels of motivation and satisfaction.

References:
Kearsley, G. and Shneiderman, B. (1999) Engagement Theory:

A framework for technology-based teaching and learning
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

The Theory of Connectivism and Its Relevance To Students

Connectivism is relevant because it is a Learning Theory for the Digital Age.

George Siemans (2004) believes that our ability to learn what we need for tomorrow is more important than what we know today. I think what he means here that it is more important for us to know that we are lacking knowledge , and how to get that knowledge by using the relevant sources available. You are not always going to know everything, but you must know how to access it and accept advances in technology and knowledge as they become available and keep up to date with it all.

Reference:
Siemens, George, S, 2004, Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age.
www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm

Behaviour Management In School - Summary Of Joy Ganters Presentation To Education Students

Joy Ganter is the current Principal of Glenmore State High School. She has also worked at Mt Morgan High School, The Hall State School and a number of other public schools in the district. Ms Ganter presented a discussion on Behaviour Management in School to the GDLT Students on Monday 14 March, 2010.

I thought it would be helpful to share with the students who could not attend this lecture -a brief summary of what was discussed. Hopefully I have recorded most of the important bits. This lecture was very interesting and I thoroughly recommend that if you get the opportunity to hear this lady speak again you take the opportunity to do so.

With regard to Behavior Management she made the recommendation that a teacher should:

• Be Calm and collective
• Know what you what your classroom to be like
• Be consistent but be flexible
• Have your own Philosophy about Behavior Management
• Look at behavior management as a life long learning process
• Display and make known your behavior expectations
• Read about behavior management from the experts - she recommended Ken Rigby, Bill Rodgers, John Joseph and Lee Cantor.
• Give quality feedback on behavior
• Developing a relationship with your students is important in learning
• You must take care of your students learning needs.
• Divide and conquer in a discipline situation.
• It is the certainty not the severity of the punishment or consequence.
• Make sure your punishment is redeemable. (That a student can reverse the consequences of their actions)
• Your profile is power. (If students respect and believe in you they will respect your expectations)
• Have engaging lessons and behavior won't be a problem.
• Enable the student to be able to save face.
• Use techniques for discipline that don't interrupt your lessons (Such as simplicity writing the offending students name on the board in the detention box)
• Use involving parents as a very last resort.
• Try to manage the discipline yourself with involving others unless the matter is serious and it is school policy.
• Could use positive encouragement contracts or deals with students.
• Support from colleagues is important - how are they doing things is there a better way.
• Positive letter or phone call home to parents is appreciated by some students.
• Take advantage of peer group pressure in regard to good behavior.
• Suspensions don't work in most cases and they are not a positive experience for anyone.
• Find out what is meaningful to the offending student and reward their good behavior with it.
• Know your schools behavior policy backwards.
  

Hopefully I have covered most of what was discussed, if you have any questions. Leave a comment and I will try to answer them for you.