Reflective Synopsis
My background and
current ICT experience
I began my ICT journey quite excited about the range of
learning opportunities and tools I would come across to further develop my
existing knowledge and skills. I have
been fortunate throughout my professional career with a variety of
opportunities working in an industry that requires daily usage of ICT’s using
office suite programs like Outlook and Power point, including Database
platforms. I have also used a variety of
programs to plan sports programs, including session planning and design. The digital tools I have explored and used
within this ICT’s Learning and Design course have further developed my existing
skills; however the surface has only been scratched. I am excited with the prospect of developing
my ICT skills, knowledge and understandings using a broader range of digital tools
and applications further into my teaching career.
ICT’s Learning Design has been fun, however like the
classroom it has been a challenge. Time
management has been a real factor and something that took a while to
master. I do think each weekly task did
creep into my time management of other courses within this Graduate Diploma,
however I did find all topics we explored each week had relevance to other
current courses. I believe that ICT’s
has an important role and place in the classroom; the challenge as I just
mentioned is how as teachers do we best manage our time in planning,
researching and apply these tools to the classroom, whilst providing positive
outcome for all learners.
My ICT tool shop
I explored four digital tools as part of my assessment and
posted blogs on each of these tools. Throughout
my blog I have demonstrated the use of these four digital tools with reference
to the SAMR model as a framework for analysis and planning; further to this, in
week two I looked at how Blooms Taxonomy’ and the SAMR model could be linked to
identify a connection to higher order thinking using ICT’s. http://geoffajoyce.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/linking-blooms-taxonomy-with-samr-model.html
The four digital tools I explored and created can be found
on my blog page. http://geoffajoyce.blogspot.com.au/
The SAMR model has been identifying within each blog and how each digital tool looks
at SAMR.
- Weebly
2. Digital Video - GoAnimate
3. Prezi
4. Zooburst
I found all tools very useful and importantly I discovered
all of them to be extremely beneficial for today’s 21st century
learners and classrooms. The Weebly for me was by far and away the best digital tool. I stated in my blog http://geoffajoyce.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/week-3-indepth-discussion-on-weebly.html
the Weebly website was something I saw as one stop shop for all my learners. For example, I have links to all other tools
on this website, thus allowing learners to know they have a clear map of where
to access any information at anytime.
The Weebly as a central base provides learners with not only links to
other tools; a Weebly caters for sharing of information that can be continually
updated and a ‘how to’ resource for learners.
Legal, Safe and
Ethical Practice
As a Pre-service teacher in primary schools it is my legal responsibility
to be aware of my ethical responsibilities using digital tools online. Be aware of the copyright rules and laws and
act in an ethical manner. A number of
resources are available for teachers and/or public servants as a Queensland
Education employee.
Smart classroom for ‘Teachers’ website I found to be very
useful and within this site links to other ICT learning’s. For example, the
site had links to ‘Privacy Awareness Week’ and a ‘Creep quiz’ (listed below).
Smart Classroom - click on picture to visit site.
Awareness Week - click on picture to visit site
The Australian government also has an online safety website
where it has endless links to using a variety of online mediums such as
Facebook. This site is great for
Teachers, Students and Parents with easy accessible documents to save or print.
Online Safety - click on picture to visit site
http://www.communications.gov.au/online_safety_and_security/cyber_safety
Equally important is a safe online experience for learners, make
them aware of what precautions and measures they need to take to protect
themselves and others. Provide students
with information about being safe and responsible manner; allow students to
discuss the topic and view literature and websites to scaffold their awareness
and comprehension. For example have the
class take part in interactive websites like:
Creeps Online - Work through the interactive site and gain an understanding of the types of predators and or potential harm online.
Creeps Online - click on picture to visit site
FBI for kids
Gain an understanding of 'Stranger Danger' and identify safety
tips to protect yourself and others.
Stranger Danger (FBI for Kids) - click on picture to visit site
The World Wide Web is exactly that; a web of information
across the globe that can have enormous value for children and their education;
then on the flip side the online environment can have a dangerous side to it
where students could face:
- Cyber bullying
- Inappropriate material
- Online predators (physical danger)
- Offensive or hateful comments, and
- Violent information or images.
Final thoughts
I have highlighted throughout each blog over the past six
weeks how much enjoyment I have had exploring the digital tools in this course. I have continually been aware of the
effectiveness of ICT’s in the classroom, however with further understanding of
linking the SAMR model in providing enhancement to my learners and then into the
transformation of that information into ‘Modification’ and ‘Redefinition’ has truly
opened my understanding in providing an effective 21st century
classroom for today’s learners. As a pre-service
teacher and now moving into my first prac placement I look forward to incorporating
what I have learnt over the past six weeks in line with my ‘Mentor Teacher’
(MT) to develop a pedagogy that will suit me as a learning facilitator and my
students now and into the future.
