This review was very helpful for me to understand the key features behind using a “wiki”. Unsure exactly to what they were, I learnt that wiki’s are spaces where people are open to edit and share information on particular topics. Essentially they are collaborative pieces of writing that people have contributed to overtime. There are many benefits for using this kind of tool as a teacher. They can be used in the classroom for collaborative group projects, in the staffroom for planning workshops and even in the administrative office for creating and editing school policy documents. As it requires minimal technical support there are so many possibilities that are open to a ”wiki”. However, there are some disadvantages that include being vandalised, incorrect information being presented and spam. Another difficulty is that it does not prevent the problem of one student doing all the work in a collaborative group project. Does anyone have ideas on how this could be prevented?? I am definately keen to give “wikis” a go if given the chance on prac.
This article was thought provoking and has made me consider the extensive possibilities open for handheld computers. I never realised they can be transformed by manipulating and adding software, thus allowing them to become personal and professional work tools. “They can be used as calculators, digital cameras, notepads, or scientific sensing devices”.
As a result of the portable nature of handhelds, they can be taken anywhere at anytime for anyone. Think of the endless possibilities these create. This enables a sense of true ownership over each handheld, as they are not fixed to a desk that you disconnect with at the end of everyday, but are devices that you carry with you wherever you go.
“Students can use the devices to gather, store, and retrieve important information — thus developing information literacy, which is at the heart of lifelong learning”.
It’s too good to be true…suddenly hit me…dependency on such devices would inevitably increase and it occurred to me that in the event of a crash or misplacement, you could lose all you’re personal and work related information that was safely stored. This could be prevented if information is backed up onto other handhelds in such cases. Another factor to consider is the potential problem of eye strain and hand cramping as the screens are so tiny and it requires small precise movement from the stylus. Consequently, it is important to assess the impact that these devices could have on schools and what implications they would have on teaching.
I believe that there is great future possibilities open for handhelds for both teachers and students. Given their low cost, it will help students to have access to such technology that may not otherwise be able to afford it. I can’t wait to see where these devices will launch off from here.
https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_5611_1%26url%3D
Download Video: Posted by AllanahK at TeacherTube.com.
This is a great presentation by teacher Allanah King on how students can learn from technology….I’ve learnt a lot from observing and watching how technology can be implemented into classrooms and not just be an adjunct component to the curriculum. There are so many endless opportunities for students to engage and network with other students outside the classroom. This has given me inspiration to endeavor to persue the continual use of technology in teaching. Do watch it!
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Now this image is a bit of a paradox isn’t it??!!!
Mark Prensky debates the issue of the knowledge gap between the digital natives (today’s students) and the digital immigrants (teachers). This metaphor actually made me consider how the gap between generations is ever expanding as new technology keeps updating. This has made me question whether the digital natives of today will oneday become the digital immigrants of tomorrow??
Prenksy claims that teachers in the 21st century are stuck in 20th century practices. This shows the divide. Teachers should utilise the tools their students learn from within non-school contexts. These include things like computer games and mobile phones. Yes!! Computer games can actually increase educational engagement! Consequently, students will be more motivated to engage and participate in class, as it maximises the value of their learning. This was a fabulous review and I definitely recommend you to hear it. http:// http://www.marcprensky.com/speaking/++Prensky-Speech-CoSN-13min.wmv
This journal article by Turkle discussed many ideas behind computer literacy. Something that struck my attention was; understanding how a computer worked assumed you could understand how other technological devices worked as well. This challenged me to question my beliefs as I tend to think that a person who is good on the computer will be good on a mobile, or any other technical device. Now I realise that this might not always be the case. The article also talked about motivation and how “we need to be able to put ourselves in the place of others in order to understand their motivation”. I believe this is really important as we all learn and engage differently at different rates, so this is definately something to take on board when preparing to be teachers.
so i set up two accounts…..not realising i was posting on one and sending people to view it on another…so after all that i had infomation on both which I have had to convert, I’ve lost a bit but i guess thats all part of the risk taking learning in ELEARNING!!
What is wrong with this cartoon?? I found this image and it startled me in many ways.
Firstly – The context is situated in a third world country where technology is not a basic need for people in that society. They do not need computers to live.
Secondly – The first image shows the people happily enjoying life, whilst the second image shows that the attitude of the people have become stubborn, selfish and insensitive. Their lives are more miserable than before as they are in conflict with each other.
Thirdly - The second image demoralises the people that they are – making them a people that they are not – becoming a hybrid culture where they are seeking to become like the white man’s society…which is not fitting.
I’m also humored by this image because I see how we let our lives be ruled by technology and believe it to be the answers to other countries problems. The artist could be making a social statement about how we let our lives be controlled by technology – that we forget to be happy and go out and play with our friends.
Image: Taken by me!
Ok! mind boggling! i only managed to sift through a section of this report as I found it dense and a bit above my understanding. However, grassroots videos, collaboration webs, mobile broadband, data mashups, collective intelligence and social operating systems were six different forms they mentioned as key emerging technologies. Many of these technologies I read about I could not relate with as I have had little to no experience on them. Consequently, I feel it would be impractical to implement such technologies into my teaching career as I do not understand their specific purpose. Which further reinforces the report’s claim that states: “The gap between student’s perception of technology and that of the faculty continues to widen”. This leaves me to believe that teacher’s today maybe somewhat threatened by student’s knowledge and perception in the world of information technology. This challenges me to question whether this gap will continue to widen or whether teachers will oneday catch up and become the educators again…rather than the students! im curious to what you think…
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2008-Horizon-Report.pdf
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