Just as I feel comfortable in using Powerpoint, I discover Slideshare - a place where I can upload, store and share my PowerPoint. Sharing my PowerPoint to the rest of the world can be daunting. I was interested to see after having uploaded some Powerpoint presentations that they have been viewed - I am now sharing on a global scale. I can see that this is a tool that could be used in collaborative projects with other global classrooms. Students from around the world participate in different tasks to be completed on a monthly basis. The students use a program called Slideboom which appears to be very similar to Slideshare.
Sharing, donating, creating is really what it is all about.
Cheers
Mary-Ann
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Power of...PowerPoint.
I have seen many students create PowerPoint’s and deliver reports or presentations to the class using this medium. Students do enjoy creating PowerPoints, though can be distracted at times creating animations, layouts, colours and fonts rather than focussing more on the content of their presentation. Non-the-less, I find PowerPoint’s a great starting point for students to begin adding images, hyperlinks, music and animation to their written work due to the fact that the program is relatively easy to use, navigate through and find help if needed. It is a great introduction to using computers as well as what is possible with blogs and other ‘web2’ tools.
The creating process is obviously fun and engaging for students therefore different learning styles are catered for when creating and viewing a PowerPoint. Students tend to be visual learners due to the amount of exposure to TV, DVD’s, and ICT’s, therefore PowerPoint presentations meet this type of learning, (Pearce, 2007).I have seen a recent example of a PowerPoint presentation used to add images and fonts to create emphasis to different aspects of the poem.
I have found personally, PowerPoint’s are great for delivering lessons….putting up key questions or images that all can see while you discuss the topic. It is a visual cue to keep students on track and the LM can keep referring back to the various slides. The lesson key points can be put on sequential slides which are easy to work through during the lesson. It is easy to move back and forward through the slides if necessary for revision.
In combination with data projectors In the past I have use PowerPoint at church which we use as a slide for songs, future events, and it was useful for as simple as using as a picture slide. One thing I like about PowerPoint is that you could also use and index to easily track or restore your songs (anything really). PowerPoint can easily be shared through email and now Slide Share.
I was involved in creating a PowerPoint recently for an assignment were we focused on the animations and timing of text entering and departing a slide to create focus. I must admit I still don’t understand it.
YEY!! More learning to do more exploring!!!
Cheers Mary-Ann
The creating process is obviously fun and engaging for students therefore different learning styles are catered for when creating and viewing a PowerPoint. Students tend to be visual learners due to the amount of exposure to TV, DVD’s, and ICT’s, therefore PowerPoint presentations meet this type of learning, (Pearce, 2007).I have seen a recent example of a PowerPoint presentation used to add images and fonts to create emphasis to different aspects of the poem.
I have found personally, PowerPoint’s are great for delivering lessons….putting up key questions or images that all can see while you discuss the topic. It is a visual cue to keep students on track and the LM can keep referring back to the various slides. The lesson key points can be put on sequential slides which are easy to work through during the lesson. It is easy to move back and forward through the slides if necessary for revision.
In combination with data projectors In the past I have use PowerPoint at church which we use as a slide for songs, future events, and it was useful for as simple as using as a picture slide. One thing I like about PowerPoint is that you could also use and index to easily track or restore your songs (anything really). PowerPoint can easily be shared through email and now Slide Share.
I was involved in creating a PowerPoint recently for an assignment were we focused on the animations and timing of text entering and departing a slide to create focus. I must admit I still don’t understand it.
YEY!! More learning to do more exploring!!!
Cheers Mary-Ann
Connectivism ...an experience!!
Blogging to connect…
My first experience on hand external learning…Although I am a very outgoing and people person I find myself so alone in this course. My panic button is on high alert. Because I am a little wonderer and explorer, I decided to have a different blogfrom the rest of my peers but that didn’t work I need to be connected with fellow boggers to be seen and heard.
Thanks to Skype I made contact with my peers! Makiko, Jadene, and Emma . I am not forgetting you Sharon who enlighten me by posting comments on my other blog. I must say I learnt so much from my little wonder that I can now apply to this journey. I finally decided to wonder-off and join the crowd. Wow I finally felt home when I saw that I have followers and I am able to comment.
My reflection:
Dont be so surprise that there will be one of my kind in your classroom we do exist.
We can no longer personally experience and acquire learning that we need to act. So... We derive our competence from forming connections. Karen Stephenson states:
“Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).”
When knowledge is abundant, the rapid evaluation of knowledge is important. Additional concerns arise from the rapid increase in information. In today’s environment, action is often needed without personal learning – that is, we need to act by drawing information outside of our primary knowledge. The ability to synthesize and recognize connections and patterns is a valuable skill.
What do you think?
Cheers
Mary-Ann
My first experience on hand external learning…Although I am a very outgoing and people person I find myself so alone in this course. My panic button is on high alert. Because I am a little wonderer and explorer, I decided to have a different blogfrom the rest of my peers but that didn’t work I need to be connected with fellow boggers to be seen and heard.
Thanks to Skype I made contact with my peers! Makiko, Jadene, and Emma . I am not forgetting you Sharon who enlighten me by posting comments on my other blog. I must say I learnt so much from my little wonder that I can now apply to this journey. I finally decided to wonder-off and join the crowd. Wow I finally felt home when I saw that I have followers and I am able to comment.
My reflection:
Dont be so surprise that there will be one of my kind in your classroom we do exist.
We can no longer personally experience and acquire learning that we need to act. So... We derive our competence from forming connections. Karen Stephenson states:
“Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).”
When knowledge is abundant, the rapid evaluation of knowledge is important. Additional concerns arise from the rapid increase in information. In today’s environment, action is often needed without personal learning – that is, we need to act by drawing information outside of our primary knowledge. The ability to synthesize and recognize connections and patterns is a valuable skill.
What do you think?
Cheers
Mary-Ann
WebQuest...
My Quest for Sustainable Environment...
Using 3 R's( Reduce,Reuse,Recycle)as workable Webquest for grade four students. Note this is my SOSE assignment which I was happy to pass. I learnt more after exploring further as we do. I love the idea of adding more picture and redeveloping another Webquest for differnt Key Learning Area. http://sites.google.com/site/neth67/
WebQuests are ideal for independent learning as well as group work and are somewhat engaging for students due to the fact that learning experiences are delivered electronically. The main benefits of a WebQuest are as follows:
• That resources and websites that would normally be accessed by students during their research have already been qualified and located within the WebQuest for students to utilise. This prevents students encountering inappropriate web sites during their research on the World Wide Web.
• It can reduce the time wasted finding suitable material and assessing whether the web site content is suitable for the unit of work.
• It allows the Learning Manager (LM) to scaffold the learning and develop concepts as students work through the various content material, questions and tasks built into the unit of work. This fits very well with Constructivist learning / teaching theories.
• Learning Frameworks such as the Dimensions of Learning can be incorporated easily as Declarative and Procedural Knowledge (learning outcomes) can be clearly stated. Activities and learning experiences that incorporate Complex Reasoning Process or that allow students to Use Knowledge Meaningfully can be incorporated into the WebQuest.
• The LM can ensure that students encounter a range of authors, opinions and the latest up-to-date research for students to access.
• Most of all the WebQuest can be created and designed in many different ways. This is my SOSE assignment WebQuest feel free to comment. I admit I have to do more wore on creating a user friendly Webquest.
Cheers Mary-Ann
Using 3 R's( Reduce,Reuse,Recycle)as workable Webquest for grade four students. Note this is my SOSE assignment which I was happy to pass. I learnt more after exploring further as we do. I love the idea of adding more picture and redeveloping another Webquest for differnt Key Learning Area. http://sites.google.com/site/neth67/
WebQuests are ideal for independent learning as well as group work and are somewhat engaging for students due to the fact that learning experiences are delivered electronically. The main benefits of a WebQuest are as follows:
• That resources and websites that would normally be accessed by students during their research have already been qualified and located within the WebQuest for students to utilise. This prevents students encountering inappropriate web sites during their research on the World Wide Web.
• It can reduce the time wasted finding suitable material and assessing whether the web site content is suitable for the unit of work.
• It allows the Learning Manager (LM) to scaffold the learning and develop concepts as students work through the various content material, questions and tasks built into the unit of work. This fits very well with Constructivist learning / teaching theories.
• Learning Frameworks such as the Dimensions of Learning can be incorporated easily as Declarative and Procedural Knowledge (learning outcomes) can be clearly stated. Activities and learning experiences that incorporate Complex Reasoning Process or that allow students to Use Knowledge Meaningfully can be incorporated into the WebQuest.
• The LM can ensure that students encounter a range of authors, opinions and the latest up-to-date research for students to access.
• Most of all the WebQuest can be created and designed in many different ways. This is my SOSE assignment WebQuest feel free to comment. I admit I have to do more wore on creating a user friendly Webquest.
Cheers Mary-Ann
WIKI
WIKIs can be an effective tool for encouraging, collaboration participation, and interaction amongst peers in the classroom and as well as the learning agenda is controlled by the students. Some additional ideas for using a WIKI in the classroom include:
• Creating a class glossary in the context of a current Unit of Work
• Class book review, where students discuss a prescribed text in a WIKI
• It allow students to post their drafts to a WIKI for peer review and comments
• Creating an action plan and resource list for a class excursion of school camp
• Collaborate with a class from another country to discuss culture, climate, daily life etc.
Example of fifth grade WIKI: http://ambritgrade5.pbworks.com/
From my viewpoint, one of the key features of the WIKI forum is enabling students to share ideas and contribute to others thoughts –“Communal constructivism where students and teachers are not simply engaged in developing their own information but actively involved in creating knowledge “increasing the motivation of students to learn” (Kearsley and Shneiderman, 1999), which at the same time as aligns with the first principle of connectivism, stating that “learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions” (Siemens, 2004). Constructivism suggests that learners create knowledge as they attempt to understand their experiences
In the past I used Wiki as a group assignment. Constructing our own virtual futuristic school was an excelarating experienced. Having work as a group of diverse background we created an amazing virtual school. Contributing and engaging ourselves on what is an idealistic school in the future made it so clear that as a group of learners we experienced authentic assessment.I like the fact that you can edit and add information at your own leisure. One of the student had to go away before our assignment was due. He was able to contribute his ideas and reflection by login in on the enternet while his on holiday.
Holmes, B., Tangney, B., Fitzgibbon, A., Savage, T, & Mehan, S. (2001).Communal constructivism: Students constructing learning for as well as with others.Retrieved Nov.25.2009.from https://www.cs.tcd.ie/publications/tech-reports/reports.01/TCD-CS-2001-04.pdf .
Keirsley, G. & Shneiderman, B (1999) Engagment Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Available from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age.Retreived Nov.25, 2009, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm
• Creating a class glossary in the context of a current Unit of Work
• Class book review, where students discuss a prescribed text in a WIKI
• It allow students to post their drafts to a WIKI for peer review and comments
• Creating an action plan and resource list for a class excursion of school camp
• Collaborate with a class from another country to discuss culture, climate, daily life etc.
Example of fifth grade WIKI: http://ambritgrade5.pbworks.com/
From my viewpoint, one of the key features of the WIKI forum is enabling students to share ideas and contribute to others thoughts –“Communal constructivism where students and teachers are not simply engaged in developing their own information but actively involved in creating knowledge “increasing the motivation of students to learn” (Kearsley and Shneiderman, 1999), which at the same time as aligns with the first principle of connectivism, stating that “learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions” (Siemens, 2004). Constructivism suggests that learners create knowledge as they attempt to understand their experiences
In the past I used Wiki as a group assignment. Constructing our own virtual futuristic school was an excelarating experienced. Having work as a group of diverse background we created an amazing virtual school. Contributing and engaging ourselves on what is an idealistic school in the future made it so clear that as a group of learners we experienced authentic assessment.I like the fact that you can edit and add information at your own leisure. One of the student had to go away before our assignment was due. He was able to contribute his ideas and reflection by login in on the enternet while his on holiday.
Holmes, B., Tangney, B., Fitzgibbon, A., Savage, T, & Mehan, S. (2001).Communal constructivism: Students constructing learning for as well as with others.Retrieved Nov.25.2009.from https://www.cs.tcd.ie/publications/tech-reports/reports.01/TCD-CS-2001-04.pdf .
Keirsley, G. & Shneiderman, B (1999) Engagment Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Available from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age.Retreived Nov.25, 2009, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm
Discovering Avatar….
I have discovered that there are many educational blogs and wikis that provide information about how avatars can be used in the classroom. Classroom 2.0 gave an example that used avatars, wikis and podcasts in a global classroom collaboration, again demonstrating how the components of relate-create-donate are being used in learning environments….How can they be used in an educational context?
"Avatars provide a face to the students and a face to the teacher. They provide
the human element to online teaching" - Cohen, 2007
Avatars are a way of providing anonymity for students. They are a way for students to have a mask to hide behind when presenting information as well as protecting their identity. This addresses the needs of the shy student, while also relieves parental concerns about how their child is being portrayed online.
I can’t believe Cohen’s comment that Avatar’s are better than Sykpe! So I tried to e-mail a personal message to a friend it works!! Having to design your own appearance to suit the situation can give it an effective message. I can now say there is variety of ways you could use this in a classroom situation. Assignments prompters’ I can imagine emailing students and giving instructions in a playful way.
Avatar (means) the incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form:http://www.answers.com/topic/avatar
What do you think?
Rediscovering Maslow's Hierachy of needs...
I felt really challenged by Norman Kunc’s (1992) article on Maslow’s Hierarchy. I have mixed thoughts on this subject. On the one hand I believe in inclusion and the acceptance of all individuals for who they are and the richness, whether seen or unseen, that they bring to society and our community. On the one hand I am not sure whether our education system which is tossed around by government economic rationalism can provide the support for students with disabilities into classrooms. Surely there is some balance to be found between full inclusion and complete segregation.
Kunc, himself says that schools are a reflection of our society and so are governments. I hear his views when he speaks about the alienation those individuals, of all walks of life, experience and the need for greater levels of acceptance in our societies beyond just what achievement / success can provide. Do we not remember more fondly people who have taken the time to get to know us, have seen our potential or have provided acceptance when others haven’t? I long for a society that is more tolerant, accepting and seek deeper levels of connectedness rather than personal gain and self interest. I am now starting to understand the popularity of Face book,MSN, Skype, Blogging, etc; I see that this is a 21st century another way of being connected and belonging?
I myself comes from a close family background belonging for me is an important aspect of my personal life. I guess in an Early Childhood field it is important to ensure young students to feel that they belong (this is must in the beginning of the student schooling).
The article does highlight for me, as others have stated in the forum, the importance of acceptance through positive staff / student relationships is required for true learning to occur and for the individual student to grow as a person.
Mary-Ann
Kunc, N. (1992). The Need to Belong: Rediscovering Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Baltimore, Paul H. Brookes Publishers
Kunc, himself says that schools are a reflection of our society and so are governments. I hear his views when he speaks about the alienation those individuals, of all walks of life, experience and the need for greater levels of acceptance in our societies beyond just what achievement / success can provide. Do we not remember more fondly people who have taken the time to get to know us, have seen our potential or have provided acceptance when others haven’t? I long for a society that is more tolerant, accepting and seek deeper levels of connectedness rather than personal gain and self interest. I am now starting to understand the popularity of Face book,MSN, Skype, Blogging, etc; I see that this is a 21st century another way of being connected and belonging?
I myself comes from a close family background belonging for me is an important aspect of my personal life. I guess in an Early Childhood field it is important to ensure young students to feel that they belong (this is must in the beginning of the student schooling).
The article does highlight for me, as others have stated in the forum, the importance of acceptance through positive staff / student relationships is required for true learning to occur and for the individual student to grow as a person.
Mary-Ann
Kunc, N. (1992). The Need to Belong: Rediscovering Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Baltimore, Paul H. Brookes Publishers
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