Sunday, August 23, 2009

Reflective Synopsis

Please visit my wiki site https://ramblershotspot.wikispaces.com/ to access my reflective synopsis, blog postings and ICT Tool Table.

Thank you.

Rambling Rose.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Interactive White Board

Week 5 Entry

What is an IWB? (Interactive White Board)or it is also commonly called a smartboard.

A state of the art technology that is taking the place but not replacing the white board/chalkboard in Queensland classrooms. The IWB requires a computer and projector to be linked to the interactive white board for it to be of use.

I have had some experience with the commercial IWB in the classroom only earlier this year. Before that time I have not used one but I had seen one at a Teacher's Convention. I must admit that by seeing this IWB for the first time I was dazzled and impressed by this new technology that had hit the market. I also immediately thought that this is a fantastic invention and wondered how long it would take for it to appear in Queensland classrooms. Anyway after this day I didn't give another thought to IWB. However, at the prac placement this year I had seen it again but this time in action with students in the class. I have seen first hand how the learning has transformed to a more rich and stimulating environment. I wished that it were around 25-30 years ago when I was a student. Though, I'm not complaining as this new technology has transformed teaching and learning for the better.

There are many benefits of this technology in the educational realm and in my opinion far out weigh any limitations. The main benefit that I would like to talk about here refers to the how the learner learns best? The use of this technology and the software that you can purchase targets students preferred learning style. The three main types of learning styles are: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. However, this technology has the potential to also target other types of learning styles such as the Gardiner's Multiple Intelligences.

In the tutorial we looked at the interactive white board gadget called the mimio. The mimio is a convenient, light weight hardware that can be easily attached to a white board and used like a commercial IWB. The difference is that it is portable and used anywhere with a computer and projector. I thought that this device would be helpful to me if I am placed in a classroom that the school community has not yet embraced the commercial IWB. I believe that investing in a mimio would be money well spent for the enhancement to the teaching and learning context that this device offers. Plus the added bonus because you purchased it for work it can be claimed at the end of the financial year...double bonus.

I have attached a YouTube video is one of nine tutorials explaining how to use an interactive white board. This video is the third tutorial and explains one of the functions of the mimio. An explanation is given on how to use the software 'Primary i-Dictionary.' This is an informative presentation for anyone who has not seen the use of an IWB and its potential for the educational context.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my thoughts on this ICT Tool.
Till next time...
Rambling Rose.

Slideshare

Week 3 Entry
http://www.slideshare.net/

What is Slideshare?

It is a site on the internet that you may:
-upload and share powerpoint presentations, word documents, Adobe PDF Portfolios.

This site allows you to share your work publicly or privately.

It also allows you to sign up for free if it is something that you would use on a regular basis.

Benefits of slideshare in the education realm for educators and students.

-This site is suitable for the educator to find any suitable presentations that will enhance the teaching and learning experience and ultimately to engage the learner through a source of visual stimulation.
-The educator could use a slideshare presentation in a blog that can be accessed by the students as an alternative resource.
-The students may share their work to viewers with access to the internet.

Limitations of slideshare in the education realm.

-The educator would be required to be a human filter to ensure students are not accessing information or presentations that are inappropriate or irrelevant to the subject or topic of study.
-The educator would have to have an umbandance of time to sift through the many presentations already uploaded to this site by many users around the globe.


How to use slideshare?

Select the presentation that you want to view and click on the play button. The presentation will after a few seconds automatically go through the different slides or you can press the forward button to move through the slides at your own pace. I have had to use the pause button alot to really view what was on the slide.

Here is a slideshare presentation that I had found that has tools that I have learned about in Managing E-Learning tutorials. By viewing this presentation I realised that the ICTs that were presented to us in the tutorials were only the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole lot more out there. Thank goodness that we didn't have to view more than what we had too as I have had a terrible time in keeping up to date with what was covered in tutorials. If you have the time view this presentation as I believe it is worth your time.

MediaFire

Week 5 Blog Entry


What is Media Fire?

A free online service that allows files to be uploaded to the site for safe and secure storing.

How is MediaFire used?

The tool is used to upload any type of file to the site. The files may be shared with people or kept private.

Is mediafire a valuable tool for the education realm?

I believe that access to this type of file storage online is not only a valuable tool but a definate must have for all that use a computer. This site that doesn't have restriction of storage capacity which allows the freedom of storing as many files as needed. The files are easily accessible from any computer with the internet.

Are there any limitations to the tool for the classroom?

Depending on the connection speed of the internet at the school it may require a fast connection speed for uploading files.

Prior to this lesson I have never heard of a storage of files tool like mediafire. But now that I know about this type of tool I figure there'll be no more excuses to be made about failing technology. Computers has always been volatile so the creation of a file storage system on the web is a sure safe way to ensuring that those important files are never lost again.

My e-learning journey continues...
Keep tuning in for new updates.

Rambling Rose.

Incompetech

Week 5 Blog Entry

What is Incompetech?

This is a copy-righted/royalty free music site. What that means is that any music can be downloaded from this site and can be used anywhere without the fear of being fined or infringing any copyright laws. Just click on this link to get to the free music site I discovered that this site has plenty of instrumental music. I didn't really notice any music normally heard on the radio. If that was the case then the site would be infringing copyright laws. All music that is bought on CD in a shop or online is copyrighted and by playing it aloud for the public to hear without seeking permission is actually infringing copyright laws. I was actually wanting to use a song as background music to a visual display to be broadcasted in a venue. I guess I am going to have to rethink that notion. This site allows you to download any music of your choosing though if you download music from a different site this is seen as infringing the copyright laws. Though I am sure you would probably know that?

Is this site valuable for classroon use?

I believe it is valuable for the use of adding music to a powerpoint presentation or perhaps to a website. Though I am sure it could be used for many other applications used in the classroom. Maybe the students could listen to some relaxing music in the classroom as they are marking their spelling. This could also be another way rather than using a timer to motivating or informing students that after the song has ended it will be time to move onto something else.

Are there any limitations for classroom use?

It all depends on the connection speed of the internet at the school. You certainly do want to have access to a quick connection to download music as it could take a very long time to download one song and we all know that time is of the essence.
Here is a YouTube video production that uses a song from incompetech as background music for the clip. I believe that this video clip shows how it could be used to enhance a video production without infringing any copyright laws. Enjoy! I did!

Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Download the music here: http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-fr...





Till next time... Rambling Rose

Digital Storytelling - Voice Tread

Week 5 Blog Entry

Voice Tread reminds me of a discussion thread on the blackboard site that I had used for a course of study. The difference is that instead of typing a comment you may use a microphone or telephone to record your thoughts about the topic or subject. It also allows you to use the virtual pen to draw someones attention to something on the image. By clicking on the picture this magnifies and moves the picture to the location of the mouse. I spent a lot of time fiddling around with this ICT Tool and I had a lot of fun experimenting with the different features.

What is Voice Thread?

An ICT tool that allows the use of your own voice to talk about and share your images, documents and videos. It allows people to make a comment on the image with the use of their own voice. It also allows you to draw on the image. This tool still does allow you to type a comment if talking into a microphone isn't your style.

How is Voice Thread used?

You can share your voice thread with anyone by changing the publishing options from private to a public.
The link K-12 is a network for students and teachers to collaborate and share ideas with classrooms anywhere in the world. However, to have access to this you do need to pay a yearly subscription.

Is Voice Thread a valuable tool for the classroom?

The Voice Thread tool is an effective teaching and learning tool for the classroom. It allows each person to have a voice on a subject or topic. This tool also has the ability for students to collaborate with other students from around the globe. These are some of the other possiblities that this tool will allow you to do:-
- create digital stories, documentaries and own portfolio of work.

Are there any limitations to Voice Thread for the classroom?

There is a cost associated to being a member of the site. If this tool is something you want to use in the classroom with your students who pays for membership costs?

These could be a limitations in the classroom:-
- A broadband connection is required to upload and download the voice threads.
- Adobe Flash 7+ is required.

Thanks again for reading my thoughts on this ICT tool and following my e-learning journey.

Rambling Rose.

Ning - A social network

Week 5 Blog Entry

What is Ning?

Ning is a tool that lets you create and join new social networks for your interests and passions. Visit http://www.ning.com/ to start your own or to join a social network. This tool allows you to track the activity on your social networks, keep up with all your friends and discover new social networks-all in one place. There are all different types of social networks that you can join such as education, entertainment, pets and a range of others that may be of interest. It is only possible to join these sites by joining the ning network which is free. To create your own social network you need to give it a name and a web address. There are various features that may be added to your created network such as a Forum, Photos, Videos , Blog , Music and Chat to name a few. This type of social network also has a number of moderation and management tools to ensure only the best and most fitting content is added to your social network. Lastly, the overall appearance of your social network, from the colours and fonts to the order of the tabs and sub-tabs are in your control.

How is Ning used?

Ning is a great tool that opens the lines of communication between people from all parts of the globe with access to the internet.


Ning a valuable tool for the educational context?


I believe Ning could be a valuable tool for educators in the ever changing world of technology. One example this tool could be used for is to open the lines of communication between you and the parents of the students in your class. It could keep parents in the loop of what is happening in their child's education in the classroom. It may also be a way of keeping in touch with parents outside of school hours. However, if the site is used for this purpose the privacy control would need to be changed to only allow the people of interest to this site. If however, there is a breach in netiquette by an unidentified member as a creator of the site this person can be banned from the social network which will remove all of the photos, videos, forum posts, blog posts, comments, and any other content that member has added to the social network. (I love the thought of that idea). By creating an open door policy to this site for parents of the students you teach it may create a partnership and a trusting relationship that may have a positive effect on their own values and attitude towards their child's education.


Does Ning have any limitation to the classroom?

The offerings that this tool has for the classroom and life outside the classroom there is a great potential for far more good to take place in this social networking than any weakness that this tool may possess.

Thanks for reading my thoughts.

Join me again for further developments in my e-learning journey.

Rambling Rose.

References

http://help.ning.com/cgi-bin/ning.cfg/php/enduser/home.php?p_sid=qfgmfRFj

Week 5 ICT Tools - Flickr (Creative Commons)

Week 5 Entry

This week in the e-learning tutorial the following tools were examined:

-Ning
-Voice tread using creative commons approved Flickr
-Incompetech (royality free music)
-Media fire






Also in the tutorial this week the legal, safe operations online were highlighted as a matter of high importance.





In this entry the following tool will be elaborated upon:-








  • Flicker




What is Flickr?





Flickr is a tool that allows the user to upload, edit or manipulate the images, organise the images into categories and much more.





This ICT tool has an editing function to manipulate the image which is a similar attribute as the Picnik tool.





Here are some other abilities that this tool possesses:-






  • Share photos with family, friends and the online community.




  • make prints, calling cards, photo-books, slideshow-DVDs, postage stamps and much more.




Flickr and the creative commons





Creative commons is a nonprofit organisation that increases sharing and collaboration. The creative commons give everyone from individual creators to large companies and institutions a simple, standardized way to grant copyright permissions to their creative work. The creative commons licenses enable people to easily change their copyright terms from the default of "all rights reserved" to "some rights reserved."





What is the meaning of Some Rights Reserved?





Creative commons defines the spectrum of possibilities between full copyright and the public domain. From all rights reserved to no rights reserved. Creative commons licenses help you to keep your copyright while allowing certain uses of your work.





How many and what are the creative common licenses?





There are six main licences offered when choosing to publish your work with a Creative Commons license. The six licences start with the most accomodating type of that can be chosen to the most restrictive.





1) Attribution





2) Attribution Share Alike





3) Attribution No Derivatives





4) Attribution Non-Commercial





5) Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike





6) Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives





What is the meaning to the licences -





Attribution means-





others are able to copy, distribute, display and perform your copyrighted work - and deravative works based upon it - but only if they give you credit.





Share Alike means-





others are able to distribute derivative works only under a license that governs your work.





Noncommercial





other are able to copy, distribute, display and perform your work - and derivative works based upon it - but for noncommercial purposes only.





Derivative Works means-





others copy, distribute, display and perform only verbatim copies of your work, not derivative works based upon it.





Thanks for reading muy





Rambling Rose









References





http://creativecommons.org/




Bubbl-us

Week 4 Blog Entry

What is Bubbl.us?

It is a tool that helps you with the creation of a professional looking concept map.

What are concepts?

Marzano abd Pickering (1997) outline that concepts are single words or phrases that label entire classes or categories of persons, places, living and non-living thinngs, and events. An example of a concept is government.

What is a concept map?

A two dimensional diagram representing the abstract formation of subject matter (McInerney & McInerney, 2006).
The concept map is a graphic organiser which is designed to help organise information in a succinct and unambiguous way.
What is the educator's role in teaching this type of graphic organiser?

The educator has a crucial role to perform to explaining and teaching about concept mapping. One of the educator's role is to ensure that students are scaffolded to understand how a concept map is used to acquire specific knowledge. This is especially important if students have not any prior knowledge of concept mapping.

How are concept maps used?

Generally, concept maps are used to sequence abstracts in a hierarchal order, from the most specific to the most general. Marzano & Pickering (1997) suggest that if students are studying a concept, such as culture, the highest level of generality, this general information about culture will aid them to organise and therefore understand specific information about the cultures of many different countries.

Is the tool of value in the educational context?

There is great educational value and purpose of teaching students how to use a concept map. This tool is a fabulous visual representation of information and to acquiring specific knowledge about a topic. This form of representation allows students to see how notions are related by the linkage from one to the other.
Prior to this ICT tool teachers were drawing concept maps on the board or onto butcher's paper (and perhaps are still practising this method). Though with this tool it makes life easier and saves time which is a priority in the educational setting. An example of how this tool could be used is by projecting it on a white board and develop a concept map as a class on the topic of study.
This type of graphic organiser appeals and enhances learning of the visual learner. It may also help and engage the male student to visually see how abstracts are connected together.

What do the educational experts say about concept mapping?

McInerney and McInerney (2006) proposes that the concept mapping is a useful strategy to teaching students about abstracts. It also allows students to combine elements into meaningful statements or propositions. Therefore, by allowing students to see the relationships between concepts they are able to build upon their conceptual framework.

Thanks for visiting and reading about my progress report in my e-learning journey.

Rambling Rose.


References

McInerney, D.M., & McInerney, V. (2006). Educational psychology: Constructing
learning (4th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.

Marzano, R.J., & Pickering, D.J. (1997). Dimensions of learning: Teacher's manual
(2nd ed.). Auroroa, Colorado, McRel.

YouTube/Teacher Tube

Week 4 Blog Entry

What is YouTube?

It is a site online that anyone can upload a video for people with internet access can view. The site is monitored and any inappropriate footage is removed without question. There is are so many videos that can be viewed and accessed through YouTube. This site has been responsible for creating opportunities for people to have there start at fame and fortune. Many undiscovered talents have been discovered through YouTune just by having the courage to upload a video of themselves through this medium. I think this is a wonderful and cheap way in promoting your abilities or talents.

Is this tool valuable for the educational setting?

I believe that YouTube is a valuable tool for the classroom and has great potential to engage students into learning. It also helps the educator to enhance their own teaching and learning practices. There are YouTube clips that are a great educational resource for educators to use in lessons and students to use to enhance a media, or oral presentation. There are boundless opportunities that exist for this type of tool. This tool has entertainment value which is helpful at certain times.

Does this tool have any limitations in the educational setting?

Sometimes clips are removed from the YouTube site and if you have used the clip in another application then it cannot be accessed from YouTube because it is no longer viable. So the only remaining thing to do in this case is to remove it from the application.
Depending on the type of internet connection in the educational context the use of YouTube clips can take a long time to download if a slow connection is all that is available. If there is no real purpose for this tool in the classroom it could be a time waster.

TeacherTube is quite similar to YouTube with some differences. It seems that the downloading of clips from this site takes longer than downloading clips from YouTube.
Until now I really haven't used TeacherTube for anything. Though I haven't closed myself off from the opportunity of using the site for something useful in the classroom in the future.


That is all on this topic. Thanks again for reading. I hope it was enlightening for you.

Tune in next time for more on my e-learning journey.
Rambling Rose.

Here is a YouTube clip that explains what YouTube has been designed to do for people?

Friday, August 7, 2009

Temperament

Week 2 Entry


I completed the temperament questionnaire at:-

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jTypes2.asp

I was interested to find out after my second attempt at completing the questionnaire my results had not changed from week 2.

There are 4 temperament types are:-

-Guardian
-Idealist
-Rationale
-Artisan

My Temperment type is ENFJ (Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging)
-Idealist

The idealist

Core Characteristics
• enthusiastic
• trusting of intuition
• yearn for romance
• seek their true self
• cherish or value meaningful relationships
• dream of attaining wisdom
• loving
• kind hearted
• genuine
• giving
• trusting
• spiritual
• focused on personal journeys and human potentials
• make an intense mate
• a nurturing parent
• inspirational leader


This personality type are suited to the teaching profession though the first profession - career that this personality type is suited too is counselling/psychology. I have always been interested in this type of profession though have not yet in my life persued it. Who knows what the future may hold for me in regards to where I will go with my career. There are other professions that this personality type would be suited too though they are the top three choices.

Also from this survey it revealed to me that I am a global learner and that I see the big picture. This I find interesting.

So what are the strengths to this personality type as an educator:

- able to effortlessly craft imaginative and fascinating learning experiences for students to engage in.

- the ability to see the student's potential with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely to enhance their self confidence in their own ability.


How can knowledge of temperament types be valuable to the educator in the classroom?

Knowledge of temperament types in the educational context is an important step for the educator to finding out personality traits of your learners. Presently, educators combine groups in an experimental manner. I believe by completing a humanmetrics questionnaire that anguish, frustration and rising issues between people would be significantly minimised. Therefore, by allowing students to complete this type of questionnaire it assists the educator to working out which personality types are to be grouped together.

Rambling Rose.

Monday, August 3, 2009

The Learning Place - Learning Objects

I am a regular user of The Learning Place. I constantly source out this site for interactive resources, or ideas for lessons and other bits and pieces. I find this site extremely useful in developing lessons that reaches students of various learning styles and abilities. At the moment I am currently in a school completing my day visits for EPLII and this week I have been given the opportunity to plan a lesson for a year 5/6 class about nets of 3D shapes. I am really trying hard to plan a lesson that will be interesting for these children and that will engage them for the entire 45 mins. I have come up with some interesting ideas but I am open for for other ideas. Anyway I have found a Learning Object as a start about nets of 3D shapes.

Take a look if you wish.

http://learningplace.eq.edu.au/cx/resources/items/352d3d33-e354-5c0c-8315-0cd8db840230/1/ViewIMS.jsp

Till next time
Rambling Rose.