Reflective synopsis
The image of a tree with the
roots as the foundation technology really stuck in my mind from this week’s
collaborate session. I see it as the basis of my learning, without the roots firmly
in place teachers are unable to transform their classrooms into the creative
environment it should be for our modern day students.
During
the past five weeks I have built on the roots of my pedagogical knowledge by
researching and exploring many electronic learning resources and the theory
behind them. I have learnt that electronic learning (e-learning) can be
accessed anywhere anytime, which has many benefits to all learners in the busy
world we live in. This experience has shown me the importance of including Information Communication Technology (ICT) in everyday classroom
experiences and how they link to the current curriculum. The inclusion of
e-learning in classrooms connects to the expectations from the Australian
Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), “Outcome 5, Children
use information and communication technologies to access information,
investigate ideas and represent their thinking”. p.p 44. I have investigated the
safety concerns and strategies on how to educate students to have positive
experiences when participating in technological activities.
As
I expanded the roots of my knowledge exploring the given websites and devices,
I understand where I would place them in the lessons and how to use them as
assessment. I learnt that it is our role as teachers to have a high level of pedagogical
knowledge and skills to prepare the students for the future expectations,
please refer to the engagement activity 5- What is pedagogy?. I have observed
classrooms working as individuals and in the wider community forming
partnerships with schools from all over the world. Dr Judy Willis’s, theory of
ensuring classrooms are safe places to be, building relationships,
understanding student’s individual learning styles and their prior knowledge as
the basis of all classroom experiences. This was a wonderful place to begin my
learning journey and links well to the EYLF, please refer to Engagement
activity 3- How the brain works best -Implications and benefits in the
classroom. “Technology is changing pedagogy, the challenges of today’s teachers
is to ensure technology is being used to maximize students skills and knowledge”,
Cummins, Brown and Sayers, 2007, as sited in O’donnell, Dobozy, Bartlett,
Bryer, Reeve and Smith, 2012.
Making the connections between student’s individual learning styles and designing learning that
is interesting and caters for cultural values and beliefs is of utmost
importance when planning units of work. I have learnt that to facilitate
deep understanding, students of the 21st century require approaches that cater
for their interests, which includes technology. Students need to be part of
their learning journey, to take control and ownership of their individual
needs. Coghlan states, as teachers we need to recognise the importance of
including mobile devices, as they are a huge part of their daily life.
I understand
that not all families are financially able to have the latest digital
technology and to provide an equitable classroom; I may need to assist students
who have not experienced technology in their home environments by accessing
school resources including teacher aides, special government grants and community
assistance.
I
have researched the learning theories behind facilitating and enhancing
learning using technology devices, after gaining an understanding several
styles including the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification
and Augmentation
(SAMR) model, I saw a pattern emerging. It seemed as though we were climbing a
ladder of difficulty that formed a pattern of what to introduce and when, which
to me formed a SAMR model in our learning journey. I believe that most teachers
would need to use the Technological Pedagogical and Content
Knowledge
(TPACK) model during their career as they move into the world of technology, as
“good teaching requires an understanding of how technology relates to the
pedagogy content” as stated by Huges, 2005; Keating & Evans, 2001;
Lundenberg, Bergland, Klyczek, & Hoffman, 2003, Margerum- Leys & Marx,
2002: Neiss, 2005: Zhao, as cited in Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge:
A Framework for Teacher Knowledge, 2006, (refer to my blog - Three frameworks/
taxonomies- TPACK, Blooms taxonomy and the SAMR model. By
following the SAMR model I will be able to adjust the devices to suit the
students individual prior experiences, skills and knowledge. In the blog I have
many links to different strategies and applications that will assist all
learners.
By
researching the National Professional Standards for Teachers it has taught me
ways to link ICT resources to build the students knowledge and skills in
different curriculum areas. By using technology devices such as smart phones,
iPods, and iPads students can share their knowledge and skills with others to
extend their way of thinking, utilizing all the devices and websites I explored.
I have also witnessed guest speakers using skype to take children on an
excursion to the other side of the world in real time; this is an interactive
experience allowing the students to ask questions and compare environmental
differences. This form of learning not only benefits the students but also the teacher’s
pedagogical awareness.
I
have become cognisant of many reasons why it is important to provide
opportunities for students to explore and reference in a legal, safe and
ethical manner, which follows strong pedagogical beliefs that are relevant to current
curriculum expectations, please refer to each SWOT analysis in my blog. There
are a number of websites listed on moodle that provide information and support
provide for students, parents and teachers. I have also explored the cyber smart websites and found that it offers awareness for
families, teachers and students. It includes research data for parents and
interactive games for students, gaining an understanding through visual
awareness while catering for different learning styles and abilities. This is
definitely a platform I would begin with in my lessons to build the students
roots of knowledge and encourage other teachers to include in their planning
and share with families. I now believe I am well on my way to having the
ability to offer ICT’s that will transform students learning in the modern day
world of technology.
To
really extend my branches and provide students with interesting and engaging
experiences, I see the TPACK model being used on a regular basis to further my
knowledge of new devices. The TPACK and SWOT model really transformed my
awareness of the uses of digital devices. I would use the SAMR model to ensure
that the experiences I provide suit the student’s individual developmental
needs, my pedagogical understanding of the devices is of a high level and
provide challenges to encourage higher order thinking. I know there is always
something new to learn and am always open to new ways of teaching students.
Technology
is the way of the future and my journey will never end.
Reference
ACARA- Information Communication Technology Capability.
Retrieved from
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/Information-and-
Communication-Technology-capability/Introduction/Introduction
ACMA cyber smart: Digital citizens guide. Retrieved http://www
from.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFuZI60l0I&feature=c4-
overview&list=UUdv8domEzeDFPchhXk56V4w
Australian Bureau of statistics
Communication Children with mobile phones. Retrieved
from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/2f762f95845
417aeca25706c00834efa/d4cbec5b5b78b7c5ca25779e001c4770
%21OpenDocument
Baker.F. Learning stykles in children. Retrieved from
http://www.kidspot.com.au/schoolzone//Learning-Learning-styles-Learning-styles-
in-children+4053+391+articleBaker.F. Learning stykles in children. Retrieved from
http://www.kidspot.com.au/schoolzone//Learning-Learning-styles-Learning-styles-
in-children+4053+391+article.htm
Belonging, being and becoming: Early Years Learning
Framework. Retrieved from
http://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/belonging_
being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf
Blogs
vs Static websites. Retrieved from http://langwitches.org/blog/2008/09/14/blogs-
vs-static-websites/
Benefits of podcasting. Retrieved from
12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/what-are-the-
benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom/
Cell phones in the classroom:
Learning tools for the 21st century. Retrieved
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXt_de2-HB
Classroom
connections. Retrieved from https://classroomconnections
.eq.edu.au/topics/Pages/2013/issue-7/samr-learning-technologies.aspx
Coghlan. M. Retrieved from Mobile
learning in the classroom. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNQKAIdwWPk
Constructivist Theory. Retrieved from http://www.learningandteaching
.info/learning/constructivism.htm
Cooke.
M. Explain everything. Retrieved from http://www.morriscooke.com
file:///Users/mjrichter11/Downloads/Theory-mind-map_2q0qwdl6.htm
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7836531701149802628
#allposts/postNum=8
Cyber smart. Retrieved from www.cybersmart.gov.au/
Free
stock images. Retrieved from http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-
images-education-books-pedagogy-
Google images. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.au/search
?client=safari&rls=en&q=google+imaged&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-
8&gws_rd=cr&ei=iPOiUsfuJoXriAe2rYCoDA#q=google+images&rls=en&spell=1
Government of South Australia, Department of Education and
Child Development-
Assessment
Strategy. Retrieved from http://www.decd.sa.gov.au
/assessment/pages/assessmentstrategies/taxonomy/?reFlag=1
How to create a podcast. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
hrBbczS9I0
I have iPads in the classroom, now what?. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/fullscreen/langwitches/i-have-ipads-in-the-classroom-
now-what/1
Introducing poll everywhere. Retrieved from http://www.youtube
.com/watch?v=dT3aZ5Ph8e8
King.
A, 2013. Retrieved from http://allanahk.edublogs.org/2013/09/07/how-i-see-the-
samr-model/
Koehler.M and Mishra.P, 2006. Technological Pedagogical
Content Knowledge: A
framework
for teacher knowledge. Retrieved from aace.org/pubs/sigs/sig-Mishra-
Koehler-TCR.pdf
Learning
styles in children: Kids Spot. Retrieved from http://www.kidspot.com
.au/schoolzone//Learning-Learning-styles-in-children+4053+391
+article.htm
Net
safe kids: Protecting children from pornography and sexual predators on the
internet.
Retrieved from
http://www.nap.edu/netsafekids/
Odonnell. A, Dobozy. E, Bartlett. B, Bryer. F, Reeve. J
& Smith. M, 2012. Educational
Psychology.
Milton, Qld, Australia.
Oliver. M and Sharpe. R, 2007. Rethinking pedagogy for a
digital age: Designing and
delivering e-learning. Retrieved from
http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au
/cro/protected/fahe11001/fahe11001_cro7417.pdf
Pic resize. Retrieved from http://www.picresize.com/results
Popplet. Retrieved from http://popplet.com/app/#/1339982
Richter.J, 2013. Exploring the weather and the seasons of
our place. Retrieved from
placestories.com/story/142613
Richter. J, 2013. Language for weather.
Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/73914695
Richter.
J, 2013. Managing e-learning: SAMR model. Retrieved from Richter.J, 2013.
Retrieved from http://managingelearningjodyrichter.wikispaces.com
/SAMR+model-+examples+of+how+a+wiki+can+be+used+in+the+classroom
Richter. J, 2013. Splitters creek and the seasons. Retrieved from
https://vimeo.com/73561249
Scaffolding number and Algebra: Money and
financial mathematics. Retrieved from
http://scaffoldingnumberandalgebra.weebly.com
Stranger danger. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety
Seven advantages of e-learning. Retrieved from http://www.learningpool.com/7-
advantages-e-learning-infographic/
The
Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/fun-
games/kids/kids-safety
The SAMR model: engages in deep learning and authentic
contexts. Retrieved from
https://classroomconnections.eq.edu.au/topics/Pages/2013/issue-7/samr-learning-
technologies.aspx
The iPad what is it and what it isn’t?
Retrieved from http://langwitches.
org/blog/2013/09/01/what-the-ipad-is-and-what-it-isnt/
TPACK org. retrieved from http://www.tpack.org
Using wiki’s in the primary classroom: An academic study and
a school’s
implementation
experience. Retrieved from http://www.wikisinthe
classroom.com/Current_Relevance_in_Education.html
Weaver. J. Creating a weebly in weebly. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net
/joeyweaver/creating-a-website-in-weebly?from_search=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hrBbczS9I0
Wordle, Retrieved from
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7185172/Pedagogy
htm
