I have just recently read Katelyn’s blog reaction on connecting learning across the world. She was reading Matthew’s blog  about connecting learning across the world.

A french teacher named Bernard Garcin had been running a collaborative project with 30 other schools around the world. This concept seemed amazing students had to complete some online tasks Matthew mentions the following:

“For example, two groups were asked to compare and contrast their countries’ energy consumption levels; another group was asked to describe a tour around their home city. All students must write in a foreign language in their correspondence (ie. they are not allowed to use their native language!) ” 

This is facinating that two classrooms that would in no ordinary clasroom activity even slightly cross paths is now sharing det6ailed infromation between each other. this is a great intiative and i believe my next goals is to establish an online task with another country.

That’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036

Reading Luke’s blog on social technologies was uplifting and intriguing. Social communities and web based communication is astounding and can be found in numerous places Luke had made reference to myspace and facebook. These social networks are growing in leaps and bounds; the use of social technologies like this are becoming not only social places but also places for:

• Business advertisements
• Job opportunites
• Charity foundations
• Charitable causes and awareness groups
• blogging and global topic chats
• International connections
• Reuniting families etc.

The above are only a few uses for social networks. I believe these social networks have set up a global education arena. take edublogs this is a website dedicated to educational blogging about issuses, concerns and new discoveries in education which can be shared, viewed and read by millions form every part of the wprld with a computer. This concept fathoms the mind.

Luke made the following comments below

“These sites provide a mechanism for reacting to others in the form of guest books and comments. MySpace.com uses personal profiles and invitations for friends as a way of establishing new contact. The core of social software is the ability to identify people with similar interests and needs.
If we were to use Social Technology educationally in schools for example, we would be able to connect our students with other’s from around the world. I think this would be a great initiative for students learning another language, or studying another culture. However, on a not so Educational note. These common social technologies could be used and are used to help children and teenagers establish social skills, and maintain friendships with overseas contacts!”

Social technologies can be used in education so easily and provide soo many opportunites above look mentions that through social networks students can create global connections to other students from different classes in different countires. This simple connection can then open the pandora’s box of opportunites. Luke mentions learning a different language and studying a culutre. A class may also be able to create an online collaborative task that compares the daily rountines of a student from India to that of an Australian student. the possobilities are endless.

well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036

Digital Video goes to school digital video in schools is a great concept that is only expanding young eager student’s minds. i believe as aspiring teachers that allowing students the ability to create and use video provides one more learning environment.

The article delves into the many uses of digital video within the classroom:

• Classroom projects
• Sample projects

Students are learned in the skills of :

• Higher order thinking of analysing and synthesizing the information they want to represent.
• Making and editing video
• Visual literacy 

“A video may be the ideal format for a culminating product for a project based learning experience” this is the opening statement of the article and i believe it is an appropriate one ; students can use a video in many formats some include:

• Video newspapers
• Documentaries
• Infomercials
• Video clips for a web page or multimedia presentations

The article explains some (i believe to be) important curriclua characteristics of digital video as a classroom tool. video captures:

• Emotion  
• Heritage and Culture
• Memorable experiences
• Change over time
• A process
• A Phenomenon in nature
• A process slowed to be viewed frame by frame to better understand it

Any one of the formats listed above could be directly linked to a number of KLAs within the K-6 Syllabus. Heritage and culutre are so very important to our schools you must see where you have come from before you can go forward; by students using digital video within the classroom they are being involved in creating the future from the past. video is everlasting so they can capture there thoughts, views, heritage, culutre etc for a lifetime.

 By using digital video in the schools a lot of students are able to achieve some of the higher order thinking skills of BLooms Taxaonomy and delve into thier own individual learning styles. By this a teacher may witness the achievement of assessable goals and achievable outcomes.

Digital video is the future, past and present i believe that by providing this technologies in our classes we are inspiring future generations to aspire to technological greatness

Well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036   

i have just read an interesting article by Suzanne Stoke of Troy State Unviersity Visual Teaching and Learning: A Literature Perspective . The Research presented in this article suggests:

•  That using visuals in teaching results in a greater degree of learning. 
• Using visual enhancements in teaching and to promote the development of learner’s visual skills in combination with their development of verbal, reading and mathematical skills.

The article covered some interesting areas of research and study:

1. Visual Literacy from a historical persepctive
2. Learner Differences
3. Visual Literacy Defined
4. Visual Literacy and Instructional Technology
5. Visual Literacy Research
6. Variation in visual Elements

Wileman (1993) defines visual literacy as “the ability to ‘read,’ interpret and understand infromation presented in pictorial or graphic images. I agree with this definition but believe that visual literacy is also cultural specific but there are universal symbols that obviously retain their importance.

My thoughts on visual teaching and learning are very similiar to those of Ms Stokes. I believe that students individual learning styles can be successfully met through the use of visual elements although the major component of the effective use of visual elements realies heavily on the teacher. Teachers should possess the necessary skills to teach visually; that means a teacher should be able to describe an object using imagery lanugae techniques. A good teacher should compare the visual content of their lessons to student achievement; this will then directly determine whether the visual elements are appropriately used.

Well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036   

“The task is the most important part of a webquest. it provides a goal or focus for student energies and it makes concrete the curricular intentions of the designer” 

This was the key focus of the article WebQuestTaskonomy: A Taxonomy of Tasks a good webquest should have some of the following features:

• Retelling Tasks – Students absorb information and then report on what they have learned via powerpoint.
•  Mystery Tasks – Students Solve a puzzle with a variety of information from a variety of sources. A Teacher can create a puzzle that cannot be solved by simply finding the answer.

the article goes into more depth about all the different types of webquests you can have.  

 A teacher can adapt the webquest model to their own needs and settings. webquests are a fascinating phenonmenom that i believe can open miliions of technological doors for both students and teachers alike. webquests can combine different subject outcomes and indicators across a number of KLA’s.

 well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036 

click here to watch the video http://www.teachers.tv/video/167

Justina watched the above video Blogoshpere. This was a video that spoke about Steve O’hare the British Digital Evangelist. Mr. O’Hare’s research spoke about how blogs can be used in schools. The video interviews some enthusiastic primary age bloggers about blogging to directly link blogging with an improvement in literacy, ICT skills and a range of other subjects.

I agree with the benfits of blogging listed by justina below

He finds many of the benefits extend beyond the curriculum. Blogging can help pupils:

• Develop confidence
• Improve their self expression
• Get a real sense of fulfilment from publishing their work
• Connects students with the world- Allows students to show their work abroad
• Brings students together
• Great outlet for their passions
• Stimulates involved learning without them appearing to do so

Benefit for the autistic because it helps the students organize their ideas.

I agree with this as I believe that it is a new way for students to express themselves, you can also integrate all KLAs into blogs, just in different ways. 

I competely agree with Justina’s whole blog she accurately describes the video and she makes some excellent bullet points about the benefits of blogging. 

Students will gain priceless expertise and skills in ICT which will then trasnfer into other KLA’s. KLA combinations between subjects can help teachers creatively enhance student’s learning environments.

well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036   

I have just read Sarah’s blog Resisting to change.. why??  her blog is based on the article Technology leadership: How’d they do that? .

Sarah thoroughly explains to the reader that

“ the appropriate use of technology… it can be a key component in preparing students for the world outside the school’s walls”  

I completely agree with this statement. Sarah then explains that teachers should be taking full advantage of technology when planning their curriculum, instead of being scared and backing away. this is so tru too many times are classes and their students disadvantages because of a lack of professional self development. the only way to be a better educator is to provide opportunities for yourself to grow professionally. There are NO disadvantages to gaining extra knowledge. NO DISADVANTAGES!

The blog then lists the following guidelines for preparing teachers to change their ways:

    1.Minimise the trauma       – make the process painless as possible

    2. Minimise the change      -  introduce technology slowly

    3.Maximise the potential    – make sure you know that this benefits their learning and is worthwhile

    4.Maximise the details       - invest time upfront so that all details and worries are in place

Sarah believes ” Every teacher should be encouraged to use technology in their program and it should be intergrated into the curriculum rather than supplement it. By doing this teachers will slowly stop resisting to change and start to learn to accept technology  and begin to intergrate technology across the spectrum of school life “ 

(A fitting picture posted by Sarah copy and pasted by BAXTER 2036)

Uplifting isn’t it? Sarah i completely agree with you. We as aspiring teacher’s need to take this change and run with it. technolgy is our friend people a helpful tool that aides in making us the best teacher we can be but before i get comments and blog reactions about my pro technology fight let me clarify that traditional methods go hand in hand with technology. Traditional chalk and talk methods and text book strategies are manadatory to wholistic learning. wholistic learning people a little from column A and a little from column B.

Well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036          

The article read by katelyn was a case study. case study 3: Using LAMS with young learners K-6, Glenorie Primary school. Katelyn had read the article and believed that the use of LAMS as a homework sequence was fantastic; i tend to agree with her statement and went on to read about the many succeses of the LAMS within the school. The Glenorie school managed to plan the year 6 farewell in a forum posted in the LAMS sequence. which i thought was fantastic collaboration between students and the school. this LAMS sequence seemed to build up soical e-networks and communication through the school. The beauty of the LAMS sequence is that as the teacher he/she would be able to monitor the progress of the sequence and determine whether the tasks were being completed in the direction of the intended lesson. Kately then went on to point out another interesting fact. Not all students have obvious access to a computer in their homes but to combat this potentially lesson ending porblem the school held parent information nights to discuss alternatives and strategies towards conquering these issues. Breaking down the barriers.

The article then went on to detail the thoughts of the creator/ teacher.

“She was asked what she believed the mian benefits of LAMS was and she answered the ability to get in anytime to check the progress of the students was neccessary to get in early and find out why there were problems and try to ressolve these.”

This was compelling reading because it showed the teacher had criticisms of her own work and understood that there will be some problems to face but they will be ressolved. This postive step forward should be dually noted by all; as the saying goes you have to crawl before you walk.

That’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036        

Lou’s blog was based on “learning and leading with technonlogy.” I read the blog and was flabbergasted that now 3D animation could be used in the classroom. The mind boggles me.

The article she read explains how to use 3D animation in the classroom and what tools to use. this is a great thing. Teachers would be able to enthrall students in their lessons. Lou mentions

“ The ability to reaffirm students understanding of various curriculum concepts i.e. cordinate systems in mathematics and also allows for the collaboration of other ICT tools i.e. digital photographs” 

I agree completely with lou’s concpets of the curriculum and believe reaffirming students knowledge is a key to ongoing learning successes. I completely understand the value of hands on practical learning using concrete materials to establish a concept. Both Lou and I (it seems) see that providing students with the opportunity to use 3D animation programs to assist with their learning is a highly worthwhile exercise that has unlimited potentials.

Although these ideas are fantatstic there needs to be a farily high amount of ICT competence and experience. I believe if there’s a will there’s a way. Go out there and professionally develop yourselves by taking that 3d animations programming course and enlighten your students.

Well that’s what i think anyway

Baxter2036 

References: Schonefeld, S. 2006. Amazing Animation: 3D Graphics in the Classroom. Learning and leading with technology: the ISTE journal of educational technology practise and policy. Nov 2006, Vol. 34, No. 3. pp. 27-28

Cyber bullying – this is bullying over the internet as if bullies couldn’t be any bigger cowards. Cyber bullying is an epidemic that is growing in bizzare and enormous numbers. How did this come to be? how?

Upon reading Anne Bamford’s article on cyber bullying it was shocking nay i say startling to discover the following

 “A Japanese gilr aged 12 killed her classmate because she was angry about message that had been posted about her on the internet.”

 She killed her! This is unfathable. Cyber bullying is not something i have ever experienced and it is something i would personaly like to see abolished and the cyber bulliers stopped and severly punished. but i must understand the beast before i control the beast.

Another shocking fact about cyber bullying that Dr Bamford acknowledged was that

” A research study I have been conducting into cyber bullying and identity of Adolescents has found that cases of cyber bullying are common in Australia. Adolescents as young as eight years old are describing cases of cyber bullying, cyber stalking and virtual teasing.”

Cyber bullying is most common in forms of virtual technology where the identity of the perpertrator is hidden.

The article listed the following common forms of cyberbullying (I think this was a huge eye opener and needed to be seen to be believed):

?? Anonymity is the placement of comments in a chat forum or other location that cannot be directly attributed to a specific person. Anonymity can include the use of pseudonyms. Pseudonyms (or aliases) involve the adoption of alternative names with the aim to mask identity. These names may be fabricated or they could use another student’s name. If the adoption of a particular pseudonym is used consistently over a period of time, this as an alias.  

Masquerading is an elaborate form of pseudonym when the perpetrator masquerades as the victim or someone else. Frequently, the exchange of passwords is considered evidence of true ‘friendship’ among teenagers. Such exchange allows a perpetrator to gain access to the victim’s account on a system and pose as victim in his or her personal web page, profile, blog, or through some form of communication. Masquerading is also common on mobile phones where a friend’s phone will be used to send a harassing message, making it appear as if it has been sent by another individual.\

?? Flaming is a heated argument, frequently including offensive or vulgar language, that occur in public communication environments, such as discussion boards or groups, chat, or newsgroups. Flamers may use capitol letters and a range of visual images and symbols to add emotional intensity and anger to their messages. The emoticon for flaming/flamers is ~~:-[. Flamers may also be described as trolls. 

?? Harassment includes offensive messages directed at an individual or group. Techniques of harassment include bombardment, repetition and timing of messages. Denigration may also be used as a form of harassment, especially where groups may publicly post a number of messages aimed at causing harm to a particular individual or group.

One particularly intrusive form of harassment is cyber stalking where threats of harm, intimidation and/or offensive comments are sent through personal communication channels. Frequently with cyber stalking there is a threat, or at least a belief, that the virtual could become real stalking. 

?? Outing is the public display, posting, or forwarding of personal communication or images, especially communication that contains sensitive personal information or images that are sexual in nature. Increasingly, images taken using mobile phone cameras and mobile phone text messages are used as part of outing bullying. Reading the saved text messages on other’s phones can also be part of the outing process.

?? Exclusion is the process of designating who is a member of the ‘in-group’ and who is an ‘outcast.’ In some cases, this is done by who has a mobile phone and who has not. Students, particularly girls, will also omit certain other girls from email lists, chat room conversations and so on.

According to Dr. Bramford these issues are obviously present in our homes, schools and work places but what can we do? teachers and parents should be looking at some strategies to conquer cyber bullying. Strategies like building internal resilience rather than expecting cyber police to do everything. Probably the best protection from cyber bullying is self protection. Teachers and parents should prepare young adolescents to be appropriate in the virtual environment along with schools; schools must play a leading role in the effort to ensure that our young people learn to use the internet in a safe and responsible manner  

Well that’s what i think anyway

BAXTER 2036