Reflective Synopsis

E-learning is using digital technologies to enhance the learning. E-Learning uses many ICTs such as computers, digital cameras, the Internet, mobile phones, video cameras and voice recorders to engage in learning and to participate in real life contexts. The Queensland Studies Authority (2007) states "students live in a technological world where information and communication technologies (ICTs) are integral to everyday situations. Applying ICTs as a tool for learning assists students to become competent, discriminating, creative and productive users of ICTs. ICTs can be integrated in a variety of ways within and across all key learning areas to support thinking, learning, collaboration and communication."

In the primary classroom, e-learning can be seen at every level of learning in every key learning area. It can be seen in recording science results on voice recorders and turning them into podcasts, developing a website about a country for SOSE, using a blog to document the learning steps undertaken in a technology project or using images to show the steps taken to complete an artwork.

In my context, however, there are some barriers and limitations to e-Learning. As a result, that limits the use of some of the tools. For example, some tools are quite complex to use, such as learning management systems. For the students to create their own system may be too difficult for them. Time restraints can also be a barrier as some e-learning tools require more time than traditional tools. Teacher knowledge of ICTs and digital technologies can also limit the tools that could be used, as many teachers will not lead the students in a learning tool they have limited knowledge of.

Despite these barriers, there are many opportunities to use digital tools to support great pedagogy and allow students to experience learning in a real life context. Some examples of this are:
- Computers and the Internet make it easy for students to see life in other countries. Students can talk to scientists in Antarctica through web cams and see the research for themselves.
- Programs such as Google Maps allow students to see landscape of other countries and cities through satellites.
- The use of video cameras and Movie Maker allows students to share their culture with students in other cultures. This allows students to experience the world from their classroom.
- Students are able to edit data easily which makes activites such as mindmaps much easier.
- Programs such as Wikis and websites allow students to easily collaborate while doing group projects

Four tools have been selected to further discuss the benefits of digital tools in the classroom. These tools are images, podcasts, videos and Google Maps. These tools were selected above the others as they were the four tools with the most relevance in the primary classroom context.

Images
Images are basically pictures. In ICTs, images are used for many different things, from sharing photo albums online to helping tell a story. Images are very powerful tools in that they help the reader to better understand what text is telling us. Using images in the classroom supports great learning by allowing the students to grasp concepts more easily. For example, students might not understand how to follow a set of instructions. However, with some images that show the instructions, students understand what they need to do. Another example of using images can be seen in my blog. This example shows how images can help to tell a story. My blog also discusses more uses for images in the classroom.

Podcasts
Podcasts are an audio or video file that can be accessed on the Internet and downloaded to a computer or portable mp3 player. The term originally comes from "ipod" and "broadcasting", hence the name "podcast" (Department of Education, 2010). Podcasts can be used for recording results, for sharing results and learning experiences and for collaborative learning. Podcasts also allow students to access the learning away from the classroom, which makes revising the lesson easy. Podcasts are also a great resource, as they allow students to access knowledge from experts all around the world. This allows students to experience their learning in a real world context. Refer to my blog for more discussion on the uses of podcasts in the classroom.

Videos
Video is the use of moving pictures. Video can take on many formats and is used in many genres such as documentaries, animations, and entertainment. Video has a wide variety of uses and it enhances the learning. Lori Griffin (2010) states "Using sight and sound, video is the perfect medium for students who are auditory or visual learners. Video taps into emotions which stimulate and enthrall students, and it provides an innovative and effective means for educators to address the curricular concepts." Video also allows students to experience "connectedness to the world" (Queensland Department of Education and Training, 2004) by learning about a real world problem such as the shortage of water or poverty.

By creating their own videos, students are also able to showcase work they have done, create instructions for a class activity or to document some aspect of their school life. By creating a document of their school life, students are able to share these videos with students in other countries and can see what different cultures are really like. This also leads to substantive conversations between the students (Queensland Department of Education and Training, 2004). See also my blog for further discussion of videos in the classroom.

Google Maps
Google Maps is map website that allows you to see the map for any place in the world. It has traditional looking maps as well as maps using satellite imagery and even a street view that allows you to see what a particular building looks like. Google Maps can be used to find anything in the world and is very useful when going to a new place. It also has educational purposes. Using the satellite imagery, it allows students to see what any place in the world looks like. For example, students can see the satellite images of Zambia, and see how the country looks different to Australia. Students can compare the countries and also evaluate how the culture might be different in another country. This leads to substantive conversations (Queensland Department of Education and Training, 2004) between students. This tool is an important one, as students cannot see these real life images in any other way. For further discussion of this tool, see my blog.

ICTs allow students to see beyond the walls of the classroom and into the world around them. ICTs allow students to experience the world from their classroom without needing to go on expensive excursions. ICTs are also an integral part of today's society. Students need to be equipped to use these technologies and these tools in order to effectively participate in society. The Queensland Studies Authority (2005) states "active and informed participants in this society need to be flexible and self-directed, work to patterns of logic, combine analysis with intuition, exercise discretion, behave ethically and work collaboratively". ICTs allow students to be able to do all of these things. By using these ICTs and digital tools, learning is enhanced as students are engaged in learning tools that they will need for the rest of their lives. This makes e-Learning an essential learning style for all students.

References

Queensland Studies Authority. (2007). Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) Cross-curriculum priority by the end of Year 7. Retrieved on August 25th 2010 from: www.qsa.qld.edu.au

Department of Education. (2010). Resourcing the Curriculum: Podcasts in the Classroom. Retrieved on August 25th 2010 from: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/podcasts/

Queensland Department of Education and Training. (2004). Productive Pedagogies. Retrieved on August 26th 2010 from: http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/html/pedagogies/pedagog.html

Griffin, L. (2010). Using Video in the Classroom. Retrieved on August 26th 2010 from: http://www.libraryvideo.com/articles/article13.asp

Queensland Studies Authority. (2005). Information and Communication Technology Education Subject Area Syllabus and Guidelines: Level 4 to Beyond Level 6. Retrieved August 26th 2010 from: http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/early_middle/kla_sasg_ict_05.pdf

Appendix: Blog Comment List

Shannon said...

Thats really cool Kirsti! I agree, it would be a fantastic tool for the younger grades.

July 18, 2010 6:03 PM

Shannon said...

Just something for you to think about Gary... how would the use of Wordle enhance that activity of profiling? How does Wordle do it better than a more traditional way?

August 17, 2010 9:35 PM

Shannon said...

I liked what you said about how people are not using technology to its full potential. I agree completely! There are so many opportunities for technology and ICTs to be used in the classroom to engage students and further their learning, yet many students are only using it for internet research and word processing.

August 2, 2010 4:15 PM

Shannon said...

I like what you said about cyber bullying. I hadn't considered that!

July 28 10:57 AM

Prezi, LMS and Learning Objects

Prezi is an interesting tool to use. It is very similar to a concept map and a slide presentation but more complicated. I tried to make my own prezi but it didn't work very well!! Prezi allows users to create their own presentations on any given topic. It is also used as a story telling tool. It is a great tool when it is used effectively, as it clearly zooms to each part of the presentation or story, making it a very engaging way to view the information. It would be too complex to use in my context of the primary classroom, however if students were able to use it, it would greatly enhance the learning by engaging students in the learning.

LMS or Learning Management Systems are systems such as Moodle and Blackboard. They are often used in tertiary education to assist with the learning. They are a great way to access resources and to revise learning from previous lessons as well as collaborate with other students. However, this tool would also be too complex to use in my context of the primary classroom. It could be used as teacher based, where the teacher develops it and makes resources available to the students, however, for the students to create it would be too difficult. LMS is a great tool in the tertiary context as it enhances the learning by allowing easy access to the learning at any time.

Learning Objects are digital resources that can be used to enhance the learning. They are usually flash animated programs and can be found on any KLA. They are a fantastic way to help students to grasp concepts and to explore concepts in a real way. They assist the learning by expanding on topics already covered in class and they are highly engaging as they involve high participation. They can also be used by many students at once, leading to collaboration and substantive conversations (Queensland Department of Education and Training, 2004). These things all make learning objects very valuable tools in the classroom! I plan on using them in my classroom!

Google Maps and Google Earth

Google Maps and Google Earth are fantastic tools that can be used in the classroom. Google Maps has evolved in the last few years and now allows users to see maps and areas in satellite imagery and even the view from the street in front of an address. This is a great advancement of technology as students are able to really see the world come to life from their classroom. Using these tools, students can look at towns in other countries and the land in other countries to really see what its like in those countries and towns. It allows students to realise that not all countries are like Australia. This is a fantastic tool to encourage students to look outside themselves and their own communities and into the world around them.

Wordle

Playing with Wordle, I created this from my blog address. It looks really cool, like something you'd print on a t-shirt!

Voki

Here is my first ever Voki!



Get a Voki now!