Hayley’s Blog

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The Journal Article “Crossroads in Education: Issues for Web 2.0, Social Software, and Digital Tools” discuss how advancements in social software are challenging what it means to be educated, and how we choose to educate our students in a world where lifelong learning, creativity and personalization prevail. Although the article is all for social software, it does highlight the need for structure and subject knowledge from experienced teachers.  The journal brings up an interesting point that not many things in this world are truly original anymore  as people change content and adapt it to their liking to produce their own “original” piece of work. Therefore we need to teach our students how to reference their work correctly for legal purposes. All in all it is a great tool to be implemented into the classroom to assist those students who benefit from interactive, creative learning. Social software allows for cooperative information sharing, and is a great way to utilise collaborative classroom activities.

Image Source: http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/creative_play1.jpg

The Australian Government is implementing a “digital education revolution” to improve Australia’s education and training standards.  The aim of the program is to better educate students in preparation for further education and work in a digital world. After all isn’t that what teacher’s aim to do? To teach our students valuable skills to help them succeed in life.

The Australian Government is providing new funding of $1.2 billion over five years to provide schools with new or upgraded information and communication technology, online curriculum tools and resources plus so  much more. I think that this strategy will improve the use of technology in classrooms as teacher’s won’t see it as a hassle or a waste of money as they will be provided with it and therefore will be more obliged to use it in their teaching. One major reason for not implementing technology into the classroom is not a fear of failure but insufficient funds to buy software that will enhance learning. By the Government providing new technology to classrooms teacher’s and students will have access to the latest technologies at the tip of their fingers.

After reading Cathie’s article ‘without pen and paper’ it made me think into how we learnt before pen and paper where invented, surely their were just as many valid resources out there to assist student learning which proves that technology is not a new implementation in our classrooms, after all I’m sure the pen was an amazing invention back in the day. The main point of inventing technology is to make things simpler for us and to let us have fun. These are two very important things for our teaching after all we do want our children to learn as much as possible under our care, so why wouldn’t we use new technologies that allow us to make learning easier and more fun for them?

An example of how technology can make a task generally perceived as boring, more interesting is the use of podcasts for students to make speeches where they can edit their voices and add sound effects. They get their idea’s across whilst making it fun with their own touch of character.

I have been hearing a lot about these new smartboards that are predicted to become essential in classroom life, and am intrigued as to what they can offer my teaching. Whilst on prac last year the teacher’s weren’t all too excited about them as they weren’t sure they would have the time to start using them enough to justify how much they cost, and didn’t want it to be a shared resource as they believed that then nobody would use it and they could have spent there money else where. I hope I can see the use of a smartboard this year to see its benefits for teaching because I  think if it is used write it could be an invaluable resource.

I have just read my fellow blogger, Cathie’s article “Technology in the classroom is not a new idea.” This blog caught my attention as she talks about a youtube clip that reflects upon how once upon a time film through a projector was this great new resource for a classroom that would enhance students learning as it provides opportunities to stimulate and motivate your child. Just like the critics raved about film, technology such as computers, podcasts and blogs have the same advantages. This shows that technology is not a new thing in our classroom, it is nothing to be feared of, we just need to have a bit of practice and see what works best for our student’s and use it appropriately because the opportunities are endless.

In this short clip ‘Teaching technology in the classroom,’ it is made evident just how rapidly our world is advancing. The clip illustrates how times have changed, how teaching has changed, as life demands different skills these days, more technology related skills. Our students live in an ever-changing world where they have instant access to information, they have new, more exciting ways to express themselves and it is our job as teacher’s to allow them to explore these new technologies. The big question this film clip raises is are we teaching them what this world demands of them? The main point of this clip is to point out the necessity of incorporating technology into our classrooms, students use these technologies at home, they will need them in future jobs so why don’t we take advantage of them and use the great software to bring our classrooms to life.
Download Video: Posted by englishmistress at TeacherTube.com.

Cathie’s blog ‘ICT for Girls’ has lead me to read an interesting article form the Queensland Government on involving girls with ICT. The Girls and ICT Strategy 2005-2008 aims to get girls more interested in ICT and to boost the number of women entering ICT related careers, to create gender equity in the occupation. Even though males need to be introduced to ICT as well, this strategy aims at capturing the interest of girls to build their confidence through exploring new technologies.

The ICT industry is predominately male orientated, and this is why the Queensland Government is targeted females with their ICT strategy. I believe males and females should be given the same opportunities, they both need to be able to explore new technologies that enable them to express themselves in fun and interesting ways and to develop competence in using these technologies. As this strategy implies it is the females that need a bit more encouraging to explore new technologies and it is anticipated that this interest in creative technology will be a life-long journey. The following youtube clip is a great clip showing just what students are capable of once the world of technology is opened up for them. It just proves that technology can express emotions in a way pen and paper just cant do. It’s amazing to think a year one class can create this. As a teacher in training I believe it is our job to show our students that when technology is concerned, the sky is their limit.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhzRSGVBWh4

Marc Prensky’s article “But the screen is too small..” discusses the future of educational technology as an n-Gage mobile phone/gaming platform. The device can can connect to over one billion others, it acts like a mini version of the computer. It allows students to connect to the internet, play videos and has a new thumb keyboard but most importantly it has upgradeable external microprocessors and hardrives.

This will allow students to receive and submit homework electronically, therefore being more environmentally friendly that the traditional pen and paper worksheets. The only downfall of this device is its cost. Prensky predicts that it will cost around $100 per device, but he also predicts that these devices will already have a home in our students pockets soon enough whether they are used in the classroom or not.

As Marc prensky claims in his article Educational Leadership children being born into this technologically advanced world are becoming known as Digital Natives. They are called this as they are being brought up around technology that didn’t exist when we were younger so they therefore have a better concept of it.

As Cathie mentioned in her article it is imperative for teachers to learn about the technologies students use nearly everyday with ease. Using technology in the classroom is a great way to gain students interest but it is also important that we utilise these new technologies such as mp3 players and mobile phones as it is what they children are faced with outside of the school grounds, and sadly in this technologically driven world those who do not have a basic understanding of simple technology skills are considered obsolete.

This article has made me realize what an important role technology has in the classroom, as Prensky states “from computers to calculators to MP3 players to camera phones, these tools are like extensions of their brains.” Therefore what benefit does it give our students if we continue to ignore these rapidly advancing technologies that they are faced with at home and in the community? A Teacher is meant to teach skills that will help her students succeed in life, and without technological skills how far will our students go?