Charlotte's blog spot

Assessment 2: Blogging project for EDUC25101 ICT & learning

[cmartin1981-blog]

Jessie Woolley-Wilson sends a powerful message regarding the benefit of blending technology in the classroom to increase students learning capacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0TbaHimigw

[cmartin1981-blog]

Blog post 5 – How does the use of ICT in the classroom impact the learning in the classroom?

The use of ICT in the classroom places all learners on equal footing, as given the right instructions, students can achieve the same level of success. Furthermore, the use of ICT in assessment gives students the opportunity to spread their wings in terms of creative learning, and allows for less judgemental feedback by the teacher. This is a motivating concept for students, and increases their self-esteem and confidence to delve into their interests to enhance their learning.

ICT in the classroom provides students with an impressive skill set, due to learning various software programs and multimedia platforms, and although the software tools will undergo a number of changes and advancements before students enter the workforce, students will have acquired a basic understanding of how various programs work, and be confident about being able to learn the new software applications.

ICT provides support which gives students the confidence to explore new learning areas that they would otherwise not explored, and allows teachers to set more complex tasks as students feel more confident to handle them. All of these aspects foster the view of the positive effect ICT has in the classroom on student’s learning.

In 2008, the Australian Government committed more than $2.1 billion to the Digital Education Revolution initiative – an intervention designed to generate an immediate, large-scale boost to enhance the integration of ICT into teaching and learning in Australian schools. More information regarding this can be found here https://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/digital_education_revolution_program_review.pdf.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+of+student+using+technology&view=detailv2&&id=1D3CD06FE62A44CF80DC5495C480EFE6DC9B11DF&selectedIndex=0&ccid=LyoRMffs&simid=608029394498684848&thid=OIP.M2f2a1131f7ec6fd63877cb6ce3fac303H0&ajaxhist=0

[cmartin1981-blog]

Blog post 4 - How does the use of ICT in the classroom impact the intellectual quality of learning in the classroom?

The use of technology involves complete attention, whether it be writing an email, searching the internet, or sending a Facebook message to a friend; we are actively involved in what we are doing. When students are in the classroom, they are the passive role of recipient of information transmitted by a teacher or textbook. It is in this situation that students become easily distracted, are unmotivated to learn, and therefore the intellectual quality of learning is minimal.

The use of ICT in the classroom allows students to make choices, be creative, execute their skills, and work independently. This is not really the situation in a typical teacher-led lesson. Therefore, what’s so great about the ICT is that students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress. This stimulation increases intellectual learning as students are self-regulating themselves to strive to achieve their best.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+of+technology+everywhere&view=detailv2&&id=A3CE66EF6F93D6318E016CBD6F591EFC8AED9A33&selectedIndex=1&ccid=dRB6vilE&simid=608038263605365066&thid=OIP.M75107abe29444936da0ef96482d8be24o0&ajaxhist=0

Let’s face it, just about every aspect of modern life involves the use of some kind of technology, so why would you not have it in the classroom? The availability of ICT opens a whole world of opportunities for students to learn not only basic knowledge, but information that would be otherwise impossible to obtain, resulting in a deeper quality of intellectual understanding and high-order thinking of a topic. For example, watching the live streaming from the International Space Station (ISS) enables students to be “in the moment”, and get them excited, resulting in much a higher quality of intellectual learning as opposed to looking at pictures of the ISS in a textbook.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to facilitate this quality intellectual learning by embracing the use of ICT in our classrooms.

[cmartin1981-blog]

Quality Teaching Model (QTM)

The QTM is based on extensive research and comprises three dimensions of pedagogy that are directly linked to improved student outcomes.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=quality+teaching+model+table&view=detailv2&id=7D7E6F054D9C7365848AA9BA5463CF29CBE16C95&ccid=ML6Jhq%2BR&simid=607992474949782039&thid=OIP.M30be8986af91e7703a449f1302d1050bo0&mode=overlay&first=1

[cmartin1981-blog]

Blog post 3 – How does the use of ICT in the classroom impact the learning environment?

The learning environment of a classroom encompasses the physical, psychological, and instructional atmosphere. It has previously been established that a positive learning environment is vital for learning success (http://jmd.sagepub.com/content/27/1/25.abstract#cited-by). So how does the use of ICT impact on this classroom learning environment?

Teachers have cited that technology in their classroom results in an increased inclination of students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring. Students collaborating and assisting with one another fosters positive relationships, provides social support, and gives students a sense of pride and enjoyment from helping each other.

The teacher's role in the classroom environment changes as well, with them no longer being the centre of attention and dispenser of information. Rather, the teacher plays the role of the facilitator, providing guidelines and resources to assist students with their learning, and having the freedom to circulate around the classroom moving from student to student, or group to group. As a result, students become more self-regulated and directed to achieving lesson outcomes.

The use of ICT creates a powerful learning environment; therefore, teachers need to be made aware of the impact it can have on creating a motivating classroom in which students can eager to learn and engage.  

Further information regarding this topic can be found in this journal article by Smeets (2005) which highlights the contributions ICT play on the classroom environment  http://users.ntua.gr/vvesk/ictedu/article4_smeets.pdf.

[cmartin1981-blog]

Blog post 2 –  How do human connections help us deal with stress, and what strategies can teachers use in the classroom to support students?

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+stress+character&view=detailv2&qpvt=cartoon+stress+character&id=8C920E9FCDC32D677F360FD36DC5416D2D1058B3&selectedIndex=34&ccid=VpTnXHhb&simid=608041566423158709&thid=OIP.M5694e75c785b7c62567c96670c8bb5b8H0&ajaxhist=0

When we feel stressed, we automatically believe that it is dangerous for us, but according to health psychologist Kelly McGongigal, we should not view stress this way. Instead we should be focusing on the fact that stress can make you healthier. Kelly explained this in detail in her TED Talk which can be viewed here  https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kelly+mcgonigal.+ted+talk&qpvt=kelly+mcgonigal.+ted+talk&view=detail&mid=F54D455CF0DE444E1ADBF54D455CF0DE444E1ADB&FORM=VRDGAR 

Thumping heart rate, sweaty palms and everywhere else are signs that your body is preparing you for action, making you stronger and more energised. So rather than taking these stress signs as the enemy, we should be embracing them as signs that that we can handle this. Oxytocin, often known as the “cuddle hormone” is actually a stress hormone, released during these times in our lives. Its actions motivate us to seek support and physical contact, creating resilience.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=stress+is+our+friend&view=detailv2&&id=DD096AF04EC8BE3EAE8E5FDC7C09D11E48819AA6&selectedIndex=62&ccid=wsyYhJzO&simid=608003813668881449&thid=OIP.Mc2cc98849ccec626eac781f61c25466bo0&ajaxhist=0

So how can teachers implement this in the classroom to help our students?

First, we need to explain what is happening in our bodies when we feel stressed, and not to let them become afraid of it like most of the adult population is. Teachers need to make changes to the classroom environment, creating a calm space, with less clutter. Space for movement, and “fidget toys” (https://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/8-fidget-toys) are valuable for students who struggle to sit still during class. Often the transition from one activity to another can result in “stressed out” students. Teachers need to be aware of this, and do it intuitively. Lastly, if students are aware of how they are feeling, learning to self-regulate these emotions and realise that stress is a statement reflecting our ability to handle lives challenges.

[cmartin1981-blog]

Yong Zhao’s talk on World Class Learners gives a strong message about personalised education, product-origin learning, and globalised context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk--J3E8yqc

[cmartin1981-blog]

Blog post 1 –  What form of education needs to take to prepare students for great lives in the 21st century?

It has become clear that there needs to be a paradigm shift in education. The current system where students attend schools which operate in a “factory line” setting is no longer working, and it is harming our children’s capacity to be creative which is essential to set themselves up for living in the 21st century.

So, what is the answer? What form does education need to take on to enhance each child’s strength’s rather than simply trying to fix their deficit? According to Sir Ken Robinson and Yong Zhao, we need to have to think differently about human capacity. Jobs for the future are ones that are highly creative, require talent, and entrepreneurial skills. The current education system suppresses divergent thinking, and instead it anaesthetises student’s from any form of independent thinking or expression. The answer is that we need to embrace student’s creativity, push them to think about job creation, and not educating them to simply be employees.

Children in today’s society are living in the most media-stimulated period to date, providing them with a magnitude of skills and platforms. Teacher’s and society overall need to be embracing these skills. Teachers need to be teaching students “real-world” experiences, and content they can relate to. The significance and applicability of what is taught needs to be reanalysed. Students lack motivation to learn as they do not see the relevance in learning it. There also needs to be a shift of less content, more skills. There is often not enough time for students to explore their skills as the content layer of learning is too heavy.

A transformation in the education system is critically important if we want our future students to be skilled, ready to work, and contribute to today’s 21st century environment.  

[cmartin1981-blog]

Sir Ken Robinson’s video called ‘Changing Education Paradigms’ has been hugely successful due to its relatability to our current education system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

References for this project:

Department of education and training (2013). Digital Education Revolution Program Review 2013. Accessed 21.10.16. https://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/digital_education_revolution_program_review.pdf

Smeets, E. (2005). Does ICT contribute to powerful learning environments in primary education? Computers & Education; 44; 343–355 http://users.ntua.gr/vvesk/ictedu/article4_smeets.pdf

Young, M. (2005). The Motivational Effects of the Classroom Environment in Facilitating Self-Regulated Learning. Journal of Marketing Education; 27; 1; 25-40 doi: 10.1177/0273475304273346 http://jmd.sagepub.com/content/27/1/25.abstract#cited-by

Ted Talks -

Blending technology and classroom learning: Jessie Woolley-Wilson at TEDxRainier (2012). Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0TbaHimigw

RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson (2010). Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Yong Zhao - World Class Learners (2014).  Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk--J3E8yqc

Images -

Blackboard cartoon. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+of+student+using+technology&view=detailv2&&id=1D3CD06FE62A44CF80DC5495C480EFE6DC9B11DF&selectedIndex=0&ccid=LyoRMffs&simid=608029394498684848&thid=OIP.M2f2a1131f7ec6fd63877cb6ce3fac303H0&ajaxhist=0

Computer Avatar. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+computer+image&view=detailv2&&id=467CA086E7CFA604B17285E3B228D25083AF6D41&selectedIndex=11&ccid=IDCN4oXd&simid=607992144243197481&thid=OIP.M20308de285ddc7eba2313e36f210caccH0&ajaxhist=0

ICT header. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ict+in+the+classroom&view=detailv2&&id=FD8BC9CEEC48F5B4316FA1562255585EA623498A&selectedIndex=62&ccid=2C%2fpVo6N&simid=608013400036411809&thid=OIP.Md82fe9568e8dbcc9596a071ebc29035cH0&ajaxhist=0

Quality teaching model table. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=quality+teaching+model+table&view=detailv2&id=7D7E6F054D9C7365848AA9BA5463CF29CBE16C95&ccid=ML6Jhq%2BR&simid=607992474949782039&thid=OIP.M30be8986af91e7703a449f1302d1050bo0&mode=overlay&first=1

Stress ball hand. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=stress+is+our+friend&view=detailv2&&id=DD096AF04EC8BE3EAE8E5FDC7C09D11E48819AA6&selectedIndex=62&ccid=wsyYhJzO&simid=608003813668881449&thid=OIP.Mc2cc98849ccec626eac781f61c25466bo0&ajaxhist=0

Stressed pulling hair. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+stress+character&view=detailv2&qpvt=cartoon+stress+character&id=8C920E9FCDC32D677F360FD36DC5416D2D1058B3&selectedIndex=34&ccid=VpTnXHhb&simid=608041566423158709&thid=OIP.M5694e75c785b7c62567c96670c8bb5b8H0&ajaxhist=0

Technology map. Accessed 21.10.16. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cartoon+of+technology+everywhere&view=detailv2&&id=A3CE66EF6F93D6318E016CBD6F591EFC8AED9A33&selectedIndex=1&ccid=dRB6vilE&simid=608038263605365066&thid=OIP.M75107abe29444936da0ef96482d8be24o0&ajaxhist=0