Week 6 - Synopsis

As society changes to new technologies and we as teachers are introduced to these technologies, we need to be aware that e-learning can have pros and cons for the effectiveness of teaching. According to the Queensland Government Smart Classrooms (2012) explains that students from Prep to year 12 need to be given the opportunity to work with and create Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s). Managing e-learning as a course has given future educators an insight into technologies that are available they may not have been able to find otherwise. Times are always changing and teachers need to be prepared to find new interactive activities for students to work with and collaborate with in the classroom.

For many new teachers technology can be a scary concept as they may not understand or are too scared about what might be happening on the internet for their students. Over the past six weeks of Managing E-learning we have been exposed to many new (and old) technologies we may not have otherwise noted in the technology hub of the internet and computer resources. Most of the technologies that were used were free and easy to access which is what is needed in a classroom. Over these weeks there has been a big emphasis on how these ICT’s support the learning of students in your classroom.

During this time I found that my mind would end up in the negative focus of what we may found and how the students may be considered in the process. The parent page of Cybersmart (2013) discusses how children can stay safe on the internet and gives many good tips that even as an educator may be used in the classroom to keep the students safe online. With the help of this initiative the teachers are able to encourage their students on safe behaviours over the internet and ensure the technology used in the classroom is safe and acceptable.

Throughout the weeks we have based our technologies on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) that helps inform the teacher to integrate technology into their classroom. TPACK centers around three different forms of knowledge. These were spoken about in week one which you can view here.

With all of this technology around today the classroom teacher needs to be aware of what the students may be doing with the technology that has been given to them. This means the teacher need to set parameters for students when using any technology in the classroom. When using mobile technologies in the classroom students may need to be supervised as to what they are using them for. Although many schools have a strict ban on many websites unsuitable for students, students with their technology backgrounds may be able to find ways around this set up.

To move forward using technologies in a classroom it’s best to work with and explore these ICT’s before allowing the students to work with them. In week 5 we looked at Prezi which I had never been exposed to which meant I had to work with a play with the website a lot more than I had for any other part of these tasks as I did not understand how to change slides etc.

The Australian Curriculum (2012) states that technologies will shape the future of learning in classrooms but also ensuring that all students benefit from learning and working with the technologies. By using ICT’s the teacher can look back on and examine what has been taught while also planning future lessons (Queensland Government, 2012). In the Australian Curriculum there are many expectations for students to achieve which you can receive here.

Using images, videos, presentations, animations and blogs in a classroom as a teacher you need to think about who can view the sources that students have been using. Are you using web 1.0 or web 2.0? Remember that if you are using web 2.0 tools that it is an often what you see what you get type of editor and that the public may be able to see and comment on work of your students (Fasso, 2013).

After completing this course of Managing E-learning I am even more interested in finding out about technologies I can use in my classroom. I also feel more confident going into the world of technologies, being able to understand how to explain things with images, different presentations and blogs shows that I didn’t know everything there was to know about technologies. I feel like I have gained a lot of knowledge that will be important in teaching my future students about ICT’s.

References

Australian Curriculum. (2012). The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Technologies. Retrieved from: http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum_-_Technologies_-_August_2012.pdf\

Australian Government. (2013). CyberSmart. Retrieved from: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/Cyber%20issues/e-security.aspx

Fasso, W. (2013). Group 1 Tools Introduction. Retrieved from CQUniversiy Moodle, FAHE1101 Managing E-learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=145980

Queensland Government. (2012). Smart Classrooms – Student ICT Expectations. Retrieved from: http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/documents/enabling-learners/pdf/student-ict-expectations.pdf