E-learning ‘key to indigenous education’
I just read an article ‘E-learning: key to indigenous education’ about how technology can be used to teach students in remote areas.
This technology is used to break down language barriers and comes in the form of two mobile trucks stocked with computers which have been visiting bush communities along the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs to Darwin, trialling the latest in learning technology.
It will be interesting to see how this goes
Great Science games
2 great scientific based game sites are from a site called fantasticcontraption.com and PHET.
These two are physics based game sites. I am a science teacher but physics is not my forte. I am normally into biology and earth and environmental science. So to be able to teach my students through the use of interactive fun games, and get them to learn through doing is wonderful.
I have often seen my little brother (in Yr 10) play these interactive web-based games and minimise them as I walk through his bedroom door (thinking i was mum) and with relief realise it was me and show me the game he is playing. Most of these are puzzle like games where by they must construct a bridge to get squidgy lil things across from one side of a chasm to another, or involve the charging up of an object in order to fling, swing, or hit another object over as great a distance as possible. Some of these games have a slight violent twist and some graphic images, but there are some great PG friendly ones such as the ones above
Use of digital media and television clips
Toby posted a blog Newton’s Law into TopGear in which he used technology to convey the physics theory of Newton’s laws through a TopGear episode. Indeed the use of interesting clips which are broadcast on free to air television (namely ABC or SBS) is another way of teaching students what could potentially be mundane concepts. Television series such as Mythbusters, Brainiacs, and even some documentaries such as Meerkat manor bring to light concepts and ideas in an interesting way that are presented in a way that is subtely scientific.
An example of this is the clip below which demonstrates mechanical wave motion and its possible devastating effects. This clip is of the Takoma Narows Bridge collapsing in 1940.
I was saddened to find out that the poor dog perished.
Learning through interactive web-based games
I remember as a young student learning the periodic table through an interactive computer game. I attribute my knowledge of the elements in the period table today to that game (the name of which totally eludes me). I did however find some web-based games that teach students about the elements and the periodic table which can be found at the Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table Data games section.
Interactive games like this are a great way of teaching what could potentially be a lethally boring mundane topic in science. Games engage with the students and increase their motivation to learn, which inevitably fosters a greater understanding of the content they are learning.
Interview regarding the use of technology by a teenager
The following interview took place between me and my younger brother who is 16 years old and currently in year 10.
*start of interview*
- What technology do you use everyday? Why? For how many hours each day?
Computer, DVD player and TV. Convenient and entertaining, and a good source of information. 3 hours during the week, and 6 hours on the weekend.
- What programs and websites do you use?
Microsoft Word, internet, google, wikipedia, youtube, veoh.
Games:Computer – Warcraft III, Bioshock, Teamfortress II,
Nintendo DS – Professor Layton, Brain Training
Xbox – Fable
Nintendo Wii – Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart
- Do you have any issues or concerns when using this technology?
No
- Are you aware of possible issues?
Cyber bullying, identity theft, internet predators
- Do you know what to do if it happens to you?
Cyber Bullying – Block the assailants and ignore the messages, avoid forums.
Identity Theft – Best way is to avoid this by only visiting secure sites and disclosing your personal information.
Internet Predators – Never become too close with online users and block those who you have identified.
- Do you think teachers make good use of technology in the classroom and lessons?
Yes. However some teachers are unfamiliar with things such as the interactive whiteboard applications and uses. How could they improve? Get better acquainted with the technology and learn how to use it effectively and quickly.
- Do you have any ideas on how games can be used for learning?
They should be applied to children at a young age for it to work. Programs such as the ‘Leap Frog’ series are a good example but past a certain age the combination of games and learning becomes a distraction.
- What technology is used in your science classes? How can they be improved?
Computers, Interactive Whiteboards, Videos, Static field generator,
*end of interview*
Using Blogging in the Classroom
I found an article about a classroom in Belmore which is actively using edublogs to engage with the students and their learning, titled Happy Blogging @ Belmore South
This article in the SCAN newsletters outlines how blogging can be used in quality teaching and learning. It has relevance for the school curriculum, provides a purpose and an audience, provides fun interactive learning activities by connecting, constructing and sharing.
Using podcasting
Today in class we learnt how to use the program Garageband on the Mac to create podcasts. This technology enables people to create their own podcasts to broadcast to the world. The effects and the sounds you can record is amazing.
Voice recordings can be altered, edited, and modified in many ways. Recordings can be used to enhance sites created.
This is a sample of my podcast
Here is a narrative of this post.
ICT and eLearning resources
Whilst researching possible sites that would help me to understand and better engage my students using ICT and eLearning resources I stumbled across a great site. This site is from the Victorian Department of Education Website which is specifically about its ICT and eLearning resources.
On exploring this site I found that the epotential link has a link specifically catered towards my KLA which is science, which has examples of computer-based activities that can be used for specific topics in a science class.
Humanity lost in digital classrooms?
I just read this article ‘Humanity lost in digital classrooms’ by Frank O’Shea which I found interesting.
I believe that Rudd’s idea of a laptop for each child in Yr 10 would be great, especially for those in low SES. The technology accessed using laptops are a great tool for the children to use in research, their learning, and studies. There is still definitely room for teacher – student interaction in classrooms, despite each child having a laptop.
I believe that the way in which the teacher instructs the students to use their laptops during their learning plays an important role in how they learn. It would be near impossible for a child to learn effectively using the technology accessed via laptops without direct explicit instruction, which is where the teacher plays a vital role. Teachers will never be replaced by computers, and it would be a shame if it were ever to happen.
These days children are more readily engaged in technology and I believe that teachers today should get involved with the same technology used by their students in order to motivate and engage them during their learning. By learning how to use these technologies we are able to relate to our students, and possibly use it in the everyday classroom. Isn’t it great that students can share their experiences, and results of a collaborative project to audiences around the world? The technology can be harnessed so that not only is knowledge obtained but also skills which they can use for life.
Further links to the Australian Government ‘Digital Education Revolution’
Designing Learning for a Digital Generation
The creation of this blog came about because it is a requirement of one of the subjects I am studying at UTS, ‘Designing Learning for a Digital Generation’.
I hope to gain a better understanding of ways in which I can use technology and the digital to engage with my future students to enhance their learning. I expect my current views and resources to evolve as I complete this subject
