Week 5 - PD Journey Take 2

Google Earth:

The 'Pedagogy in Action' website (http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/how.html) describes how Google Earth can be used to:

• support hands-on inquiry by students in computer classrooms.
• as a basis for homework assignments.
• for dynamic presentations during class lectures.
• for inquiry during class presentations.
• to create imagery and maps for PowerPoint, Word, and other presentation tools.
• as a data discovery, organization, and distribution tool for research projects.
• to enrich discussion of an issue that arises spontaneously during an informal classroom discussion.

Google Earth also provides classroom resources, tutorials and tips, the ability to talk to other teachers, and showcase student work (http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/).

My personal Google Earth journey: 

Ok, I've just managed to record a tour in Google Earth, then I used Camtasia Studio to record the screen while taking the Google Earth tour.  

I found Google Earth an exciting tool to learn to use, even in its basic use form. Can't wait to expand further when our group produces our PD video. 

Here it is ... My Houses Tour.

I have not edited it, as I wanted to focus on the recording side of things, for both Google Earth and Camtasia Studio. No music either, so slightly boring, but not my focus right now.

Week 4 - PD Journey Take 1

Decision has been made! We are using Google Earth to retrace the steps of the First Fleet and demonstrate this in our PD video.

Now to learn how to use Google Earth!

So I have been delving into Google Earth to see if I can create my own 'tour'. So far I've managed to figure out the tour I want to go on, I want to visit all the houses I've lived in.

I've managed to tag my old houses, but now I have to figure out how to record a tour. Off to YouTube I go in search of a video that makes sense to me.

 ... ran out of time to do this this week, but watch this space ...

Week 3 - My Class

Walking into my prac classroom it was glaringly obvious that my teacher did not use a lot of integrated ICT in the classroom environment. When I saw his plan for the day, I noticed an hour of computers in the computer lab. How exciting ... until I realised the activity he was getting the kids to do.  How boring!  Create a 'My Favourite Sport' page, with border, heading and picture, save it and e-mail it to the teacher. So, is this teacher "promoting the cut-and-paste generation because the tasks they are setting are so last century?" (Head, 2008. p.3). Ok, ok. So for some students this may be all that they can do, but what about those who get this done in a short period of time. They got to do a free activity on the computer.

When I advised my teacher that I would be completing my Smart Classrooms Professional Development Framework, ICT Certificate and that I would like to use and integrate ICT within the classroom, he advised that he does not use ICTs as he believes that students should learn the basics before relying on computers. He uses a projector in the room, and believes that this is sufficient. This is going to be an interesting and challenging prac experience for me to incorporate ICTs within their learning.

Where to begin?

Reference:
Head, B. (2008). Generation cut and paste. Education Review. Sept 2008.

Week 2 - So much has changed ...

Having grown up with pen and paper, I usually print out readings and use my highlighter to remind me of interesting quotes or important information.  I am happy to say, I am starting to embrace reading online and highlighting the necessary sections.  A huge step for me, and an eco-friendly option.

This week has demonstrated to me the extensive changes that have happened since I went to school. In primary school we would be lucky to watch a video on an old box television. We would take a photo with a camera that had to be wound on and you would have to wait a couple of days for the photos to be developed. In high school we did not have computers available to us until our senior years, and we would only be taught how to use the different word processing programs, and some classes were taught how to develop programs. I did not have a game console at home until my brother bought himself one, and even then, we were only allowed to play the games on the weekend.

Now students have access to computers (even if there is only one in the classroom) at school, teachers have access and frequently use cameras within the classroom, have access to video recording equipment, interactive whiteboards and projectors, internet access, student e-mails, and this is only the basics. I would love to have been going to school and learning now, it is extremely exciting.

At home students have access to televisions, DVD players, computers, internet, gaming consoles such as Wii, PlayStation and Xbox, as well as handheld gaming consoles like the DS and PSP. Students are more access to mobile phones with gaming capabilities, as well as MP3 players to listen to music.

With students having such a wide variety of access to ICTs at home, how do we keep their learning relevant and engaging at school?