Social networking in schools

Having never used MySpace, Facebook or Elgg (the social software discussed in this piece) I read the article titled Don’t Tell Your Parents: Schools Embrace MySpace by Robert Andrews with no preconceived ideas about the benefits or disadvantages of these social networking sites.

This article highlighted, that if used appropriately and well, there are many benefits for students if they have access to social networking sites at school. The author suggests that this type of online medium, used educationally, allows students to ‘document, consume and communicate their learning…’. He also identifies that this is a great medium for group work which is popular within schools.

After reading this piece I do believe that, with set conditions/regulations, there is a place for these types of social software within the school. I feel that any medium that encourages students to share their learning with others and learn from others is helpful. Courtney also discusses social software and highlights some of the disadvantages using it in the classroom.

Reference:

Andrews, R. (2007).Don’t Tell Your Parents: Schools Embrace MySpace.Wired.

Photo from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39442289@N00/515272402

Building sandcastles – digitally that is.

I read the article by Idit Harel titled Sand Castles Go Digital to learn more about how children learn through the Constructivist theory. She identifies that children learn best and naturally through play.

In this piece, the author uses the construction of sand castles to explain how this example of play provides children with good learning experience with discussions about the tides, sand, waves and seashells naturally occurring throughout the process.

However, the author does believe that the real life sand castle example does have its limits as the child can not return to the sand castle they built at a later time to build on and extend its development and their learning.

The author does offer a suggestion whereby children can be engaged in play naturally and be able to return at a later date to add to their designs by: GOING DIGITAL!

She highlights the benefits of using digital resources such as the Internet/Web:

* it allows children to make changes to their designs as their knowledge about topics grows

* it is more open-ended

* instantly exchange ideas with others from around the world (which is only possible when it is digital)

* revise and refine their creations

* express themselves

With this in mind, my aim when I am a teacher is to remember the value of play and how naturally progressing experiences offer effective learning opportunities for children, i.e. constructionist learning. Emma also discusses this topic and her own experiences with children where a constructivist approach could have been used.  

Reference:

Harel, I. (2003). Sand castles go digital. Retrieved August 4, 2006 at:
http://www.mamamedia.com/areas/grownups/new/21_learning/sand_castles.html 

Photo sourced from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7466508@N06/1229196499

Edutainment

I read the article titled Does Easy Do It? Children, Games, and Learning by Seymour Papert to get a better understanding of what types of computer-based games are best for children. He highlights a common type of computer game on the market nowadays – the Edutainment type of game. However, he believes that there are many pitfalls with such games including them being uninteresting for children.

While I can see the point of designers when planning these types of games; since children enjoy playing computer games why not incorporate educational aspects such as mathematical concepts into such games so they are having fun and learning, I also agree with Courtney who suggests that this just makes games boring.  

The author believes that the best games are ones that entice children, ones that develop a higher level of thinking and learning, not ones that just teach about the nine times tables!

He highlights three strategies for improving the quality of and learning gained from computer games. The first strategy that he suggests is for parents to talk with their child/ren about the games and their learning. His second strategy is to encourage children to design their own computer games and with the amount of child-friendly software out these days, I believe that this is easier than it sounds. The third strategy that he suggests is that the designers of children’s computer games should recognise their contribution to children’s learning and should, therefore, get more in touch with children’s learning wants and needs by producing better quality games that will gain and maintain their interest. 

My initial beliefs about the Edutainment type games that I had seen used within schools (such as Rainforest maths) were that they were a fantastic way for children to learn about maths rather than just learning from a textbook. However, after reading this article, my view has changed and I now see that computer games need to be more challenging and inspiring if children are to gain any valuable learning from them at all.

Reference:

Papert, S. (1998). Does Easy Do It? Children, Games, and Learning from:http://www.papert.org/articles/Doeseasydoit.html  

Phots sourced from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26036520@N00/140388573

Podcast on Podcasting!

In this podcast, I talk about Podcasting uses in the Primary school. I gained my information from Collette Cassinelli and Dan Schmit

podcast1

References:

Cassinelli, C.(year unknown). Integrating podcasting into your classroom. Sourced May 25, 2008 from: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ExkMeQfuLGc

Schmit, D. (2005). KidCast : podcasting in the classroom. Bloomington: FTC Publishing. (KURING-GAI CAMPUS 006.7876 SCHM)

Mind map about online learning

This includes my rationale about the benefits of online learning.

onlinelearning2.jpg

Blogging in the Classroom

In this Vodcast, I talk about an article that discusses the benefits and uses of Blogs. I also make reference to Courtney’s blog.

Reference:

Huffaker, D. (2005). Let Them Blog: Using Weblogs to Promote Literacy in K-12 Education. In L. T. W. Hin & R. Subramaniam (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Literacy in Technology at the K-12 Level. Hershey, PA: Idea Group.

Can be found on UTSONLINE

Webquests = effective student learning

After deciding on completing a Webquest for an upcoming assignment, I felt that I must widely research to uncover exactly what they are (I have never seen one before!).

I read the piece titled Webquest review and gained much knowledge about the history and purpose of Webquest for student learning. The underpinning theories which Webquests are based on gained my interest. I strongly believe that the Constructivist approach to teaching and learning is most effective for students.

This paper also was informative as it identified some skills can be developed through the use of Webquests, including Information skills, reading skills and writing and communication skills.

Also identified were some of the challenges of Webquests. These were mainly recognised from the teacher’s perspective such as: time; to prepare the Webquest and to give instructions, behaviour management, inactive links within the Webquest and, for the students, information overload. The writers did suggest ways to overcome these challenges such as planning, developing effective classroom management before undertaking a Webquest and making good use of the resources.

I also found the site “The Webquest Page”very useful to view what Webquests look like.

Reference:Lamb, A., & Teclehaimanot, B. (2005). A decade of webquests: Aretrospective. In M. Orey, J. McClendon, & R. M. Branch, (Eds.). Educational media and technology yearbook (Vol 30). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

Photo sourced from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/104245167

Understanding LAMS

Much like Rebekah, I was unsure about the whole concept of LAMS. Wanting to gain a better understanding of this software system, I read the paper titled Patterns. designs and activities: unifying descriptions of learning structures.

This article, which also discussed IMS and Learning Patterns  gave a simple to understand explanation of these types of learning tools.

 I found this piece informative as it was very comprehensive with the content that was covered. The authors outline the benefits and drawbacks of each, how they can be used and modified by the classroom teacher, how students learning can be evaluated and most importantly, the steps on how to construct these learning designs.

Another part that I found useful was a table that identified and compared the features and targeted user for LAMS, IMS and Learning Patterns. This once again assisted me to have a greater understanding of the whole concept.

 I would urge anyone else who is having difficulty understanding the how, what, where and when of LAMS to read this paper.                       

 Reference:

McAndrew, P., Goodyear, P., & Dalziel, J. (2005). Patterns, designs and activities: unifying descriptions of learning structures. International Journal of Learning Technology.  

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54387193@N00/39149869

My first Vodcast

This was the first Vodcast that I have ever done!

I am discussing my choice of a great children’s educational website. See my previous blog about this site too!

Go to National Geographic Kids

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32625013@N00/464445157

My Podcast about Education

This was the first podcast that I have ever done!          

In this podcast, I discuss what I believe is important about Education and what approaches I hope to employ in the classroom when I am a teacher. podcast.mp3

Photo sourced from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/50848430@N00/486120914