Presentations. Formative Task 3 :)

 Presentations - Why are they great?

PowerPoints are one media tool in which can be utilise within classrooms to expand, elaborate and visualise an idea to students. PowerPoints are simple yet effective, they are a great beginner tool and are easy to understand as a media tool. Personally I have experienced the use of power points in school, and they are extremely effective both for teacher presentations or student assessment tools. What can be implement into a powerpoint? Well, images, videos, texts and sounds can all be placed into a powerpoint presentation instead of just reading plain text from a screen. This makes it more fun and interactive for the viewer, in this case a class who may not always be interested, however with a presentation on PowerPoint it increases the chances on interaction. 

PowerPoint allows presenters to translate complex ideas, facts, or figures into easily digestible visuals. Visual representations of information activate the right hemisphere of the brain, which allows viewers to interpret, expound, and engage with what they're seeing (ESlide, 2023). Most students learn through visual representation, meaning when a topic is visually portrayed it digests and they understand the concept deeper. And using PowerPoint it gives the ability to visually portray the learning to students in an interactive and structured manner. This is just one positive of why PowerPoints are crucial for classroom activities and learning.

PowerPoints can be saved and sent through different emailing streams, making it easy to share and obtain feedback on your presentation. This meaning it makes it an easy yet effective tool for classroom use, allowing students to view and comment on their peers presentations or the teachers presentation as well. This initiates classroom discussion, ultimately helping students understand the concept deeper. 

There are aspects of legal and social conducts imbedded into using Power Point, this meaning it played positively towards classroom use. Powerpoint allows students to use audio and video footages during a presentation, however this feature can be turned off or even deleted from the software in which the PowerPoint app is being used, there are also safety and share features in which the user can enable and dis enable to make the PowerPoint software safer for use of children. There are also code of conducts in which must be followed whilst using the software and community guidelines are also present as well. 

This is all positive news in relation to using this media tool in the classroom, it ultimately turnsPowerPoints into a safe and effective classroom tool. 

SAMR and how does it work in relation to PowerPoints in the classroom? PowerPoint has already been embedded into the Australian Curriculum and is utilise for students nowadays through assessment pieces as well as classroom topics. With PowerPoint already being implemented into learning there isn't much room for growth, however there is a chance for modification, substitution and augmentation. This meaning all three of these aspects of the SAMR model could be implemented into learning for students in relation to the PowerPoint being used. 

The PowerPoint could still be used to Modify and Substitute assessment pieces within the school system, instead of a basic report a powerpoint presentation could be made. This could give the chance for students to be more creative, implement speech and video into their assessments instead of just doing a simple report on a topic. 

Augmentation: Using a PowerPoint presentation allows students to take out unnecessary information and focus not he informative points, ultimately making it easier to understand and follow. This allows students to improve on their learning comprehension and implement a fun and creative media style. 

PowerPoints are a great media tool for students in the classroom, they allow creativity and understanding through media and should be widely utilised in schools. PowerPoint is easy to use and implements a range of skills for students to develop whilst using, as well as a new and fun way to digest and undertake new topic in the classroom. 

References:

BookWidgets. (2023). What is the SAMR model. (IMAGE). Retrieved from https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2022/03/what-is-the-samr-model-of-technology-integration 

BUHAY TEACHER. (2023). Educational expert. (IMAGE). Retrieved from https://buhayteacher.com/education-expert-schools-should-ban-powerpoint-it-makes-students-stupid/ 

ESlide. (2023). Reasons why PowerPoint still needed. Retrieved from https://eslide.com/7-reasons-why-you-still-need-powerpoint/ 

Northern University. (2020). Teaching with PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/teaching-with-powerpoint.shtml

 

Alley, M., Schreiber, M., Ramsdell, K., & Muffo, J. (2006). How the design of headlines in presentation slides affects audience retention. Technical Communication, 53(2), 225-234. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/43090718 

Digital Media. Formative Task 2 :)

Digital Media

Visual media has changed the way education is provided over the years and continues to change, it is integrated into contemporary education and is applied in mostly all teaching areas. The days where projectors, books and classroom whiteboards were used are long gone, nowadays laptops, video screens and tablets are utilised for education in schools. There are many forms of digital media used by teachers and students for integrated learning t improve learning outcomes. Examples of this include social media, podcasts, ted talks as well as reality TV, all of these examples are considered forms of digital media. The foes of this blog will be on a very popular and vastly used digital media platform called YouTube. I will cover and explore the technical capabilities, copyright and legal protocols and its potential in relation to students outcomes with their education. 

Classrooms before digital media consisted of whiteboards and media projectors for students education, now digital media such as YouTube is implemented into everyday life around schools. With digital media such as YouTube being used for everyday life around schools there are a few key factors to consider, firstly, teachers need to be aware all students are different and there are three main types of learners; visual, auditory and Kinaesthetic (Birt, 2023). This meaning students can rely on different factors of learning such as some students may learn more from visual representations rather than reading from a textbook and the other way around. Auditory learners rely on having discussions and listening in order to consolidate information and kinaesthetic learners rely on more practical hands on experiences to reinforce their knowledge (Birt, 2023). With YouTube it benefits classroom settings, having the ability to display complex and in-depth concepts in a short and simple timeframe, allowing students adequate time for their understanding and execution of a subject or learning category. 

YouTube has many functions allowing people to upload their own media as well as view other creators media as well. Once a person uploads a video they are needed to meet community guidelines making sure it is safe for viewing and not inappropriate in any way, strict guidelines apply for users under the child protection laws and failure to do so can result in legal consequences. After community guidelines are reached copyright checking filters are applied making sure no copyright has been made. meaning any music, images, logos are attached to the videos, and if so these are detected and flagged, resulting in either an edit being made by the uploader or immediate termination of the video. Videos like any other media platform can be seen by your chosen audience, you can choose for a public video or just for your followers and friends. Once this step is complete your video will be saved and you can edit and finalise for upload onto the platform. Here you can add copyright free audio files, special effect filters, subtitles and other editing functions such as the blurring out faces, which may be useful should you not want the subjects of your video identified. Taking into consideration when students will be using and searching through this platform it is crucial to monitor and make sure their content is being sifted through and trusted, YouTube does a great job at making sure appropriate videos are being shown in relation to topics and learning areas. 

Youtube is a digital media platform where people can share their ideas, knowledge and skills and where users can watch, comment and upload their own videos if they want. It is an easy to use platform and can be used by anyone no matter the technology experience, meaning it is very user friendly for beginners and perfect for educational purposes. In need of a task or lesson on simple math? In need of an explanation of safety in a classroom workshop? Youtube will have the perfect video for the job. Youtube does require an email for login, making sure to filter and keep safe and relative media for the user at hand. There is an algorithm used where once a user has search a topic or an array of media it filters relative media for future viewing. This can be helpful as it can lead a larger onwards to other useful videos and resources for their topic or interest. 

Encourage collaboration, accountability and creativity are all aspects of learning in which is encouraged thpouhgt the use of media in the classroom. This is demonstrated in the SAMR model. In my particular teaching area of Industrial Design and technology a woodwork class would traditionally write down their working procedures or lesson plans in a notebook or workbook. This can be substituted by having the students type up their working procedures on laptops or computers at school. The work procedure could then be Augmented by a getting the students to create a PowerPoint presentation of their work procedure and presenting it to the class orally. 

Youtube gives students the ability to research and explore a topic using digital media that is safe, appropriate and easy to use making it time efficient and appropriate for educational use. Educators must provide clear links between the intended learning outcomes and the digital media being displayed, if this is done effectively it is a great learning tool for students and teachers. 

References

Birt, K. (2023, March 30), Digital Pedagogies Week 4 Power Point: Digital Media, [Slides 4, 5, 6 & 7], CQU Moodle. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au 

Australian Law Reform Commission. (n.d.). What is fair use? Australian Government https://www.alrc.gov.au/publication/copyright-and-the-digital-economy-alrc-report-122/4-the-case-for-fair-use/what-is-fair-use-2/

Cielo 24. (2021). Retrieved from CIELO 24: https://cielo24.com/2020/10/7-reasons-youtube-should-be-in-every-classroom/ 

GCF global. (2020). Retrieved from Youtube: editing your videos: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/youtube/editing-your-videos-on-youtube/1/

School, P. (2023). SAMR MODEL. Retrieved from https://www.powerschool.com/blog/samr-model-a-practical-guide-for-k-12-classroom-technology-integration/ 

 

Web Spaces. Formative Task 1 :)

 

Web Spaces

Over the past 3 weeks we have dove into websites, blogs and research pages exposed to already establishes sites as well as blank blogs ect. ready for students to learn and develop their blogging skills. This blog is based on web spaces in particular the space of a blog. 

Minaev, A. (2022, december). What is a blog? (image). Retrieved from https://firstsiteguide.com/what-is-blog/ 

 

Online sites in general create a space for children to expand their knowledge and learn from external resources such as websites or blogs, having this skill and technical resource at the children's fingertips develops skills for their lives after school for their future careers. Blogs in particular are spaces where a website is devoted to self-expression and presentation of knowledge. It allows users to create glogs, which are online posters that contain text, images, and multimedia elements. Users can upload their own images or use images and elements provided on the site (commonsense, 2015). 

Blogs combine a number of aspects to create their pages and allow the user to express their knowledge through text, images, videos, links and other media forms as well. Using different aspects within a blog creates a space for reflection, creativity as well as a place to share ideas, knowledge and thoughts on a subject. This blog may be private for the student and or persons use, or it could be public for everyone to view and interact with. This aspect integrates with the learning of students within classrooms by having a safe and expanding learning tool to express their knowledge and share with their peers on a fun and interactive learning page. Students can customise their blogs making them more fun to interact with, allowing them to create a learning space in which expresses their creativity. Making sure students are using web spaces appropriately is crucial but with good classroom management and support it can be done effectively. Most students nowadays use technology on a daily bases, whether it be their phones, laptops or family tvs. This meaning integrating technology in a classroom would not be difficult, as long as students have a basic knowledge of a laptop, blogs can be created and explored quite easily.

Blogs come in all different shapes and sizes, some are easier and more simple to use and some more complex. When it comes to the Australian education department not all blog websites are able to be used for educational purposes often due to privacy concerns. 

What is? (2023). What is a blog? (image). Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/weblog 

As teachers it is outlined in the Australian curriculum that we follow safe, legal and ethical protocols when working in technology (ACARA, 2020). Any technology can be used incorrectly if as teachers we are not following the protocols to keep students using the resources correctly. Blogs in particular can be viewed and commented on by different parties and it is crucial that these parties only include the teacher and fellow students within their class. Blogs can be made completely private if necessary and can be modified to suit the needs and capabilities if the students. With these setting in place for privacy it allows for a safe and secure learning environment for all students, where they are able to interact safely whilst educator follow the Australian curriculum standards. 

Teachers who use and utilise technology in the classroom must keep a constant eye on their students blogs and or web spaces. This meaning constant checking on each students blogs, making sure only appropriate learning is placed on these pages, there are no signs of cyberbullying or online abuse form students and their peers. This is extremely important as an educator and crucial for the safe implementation of technology within the classroom.

UNESCO. (2018). Safe, Effective and REsponsible use of ICT. (image). Retrieved from https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/safe-effective-and-responsible-use-ict 

Technology is crucial in my teaching areas as a manual arts (woodwork and metal work) teacher,

students design, conduct, brainstorm and create their projects using technology at all different stages of production. They use CAD for constructing engineering projects as well as different word and websites to google design ideas throughout as well. As an educator it is my job to make sure my students are using the resources respectfully and responsibly. 

The use of the SAMR model developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura is a framework that allows teachers of any subject or discipline to visualise the role of technology and how it can be integrated into the classroom to support high pedagogical teaching (Classful, 2023). 

Wood work and Metal work as subjects in school are a little different in comparison to mainstream subjects such as English or Math. They post a large number of physical risks to students, such as injury. This meaning workshop time for students isn't like normal classroom time, classroom management, skills and focus are crucial to make sure the students and educators have a safe and effective class time in the workshop This being said the SAMR model does apply with educating in the workshop, substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition are all aspects in which fluctuate for students knowledge and physical work within the subject. Projects are always in need of modification whether it is physically or the students mental workbook, substitution is key in the workshop making sure the students have the correct material and maintain a skill to use what they have if the perfect material isn't viable. 

The SAMR model can be integrated into all areas of teaching for students. It is a framework for teachers to integrate technology and the aspects of SAMR into everyday classes and learning for the students. 

D.I.B. (2019). The SAMR model. (image).  Retrieved from https://dibaustralia.com.au/products/new-classroom-products/samr-model/

References: 

Commonsense. (2015). Globster. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/glogster 

 

D.I.B. (2019). The SAMR model. Retrieved from https://dibaustralia.com.au/products/new-classroom-products/samr-model/ 

 

Minaev, A. (2022, december). What is a blog? Retrieved from https://firstsiteguide.com/what-is-blog/  

 

UNESCO. (2018). Safe, Effective and REsponsible use of ICT. Retrieved from https://bangkok.unesco.org/content/safe-effective-and-responsible-use-ict

 

What is? (2023). What is a blog? Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/weblog

 

Literacy. Australian Curriculum. (2020), (ACARA). http://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum.html/general-capabilities/digitial-literacy?element=0&sub-element=0

 

Classful. (2023). Classroom SAMR Model Examples. http://classful.com/samr-model-examples/ 

 

Week 2. (Pedagogical Principles, Reflecting on higher order thinking, SAMR, Legal/safe and ethical practices)

 

Pedagogical Principles

What are the Pedagogical Principles (defined in the Learning Materials)?
The pedagogical principles at the School of Teacher Education are based on three elements:
1. creating learning through meaningful learning activities.
2. building learning partnerships in order to create new knowledge.
3. utilising digital technologies and environments to support these two above.

What do the Pedagogocial Principles mean to you in common language?
They mean as an educator you are to focus on creating and displaying meaningful, purposeful and creative learning tools and experiences for the students. 

Consider whether the Pedagogical Principles make sense to you in terms of your own experience in learning that has a) been pedagogically sound, and b) been pedagogically woeful?
Yes they do make sense and link with my own experiences as a student. With my teachers always creating and implementing creative and purposeful lessons in relation to ICT. 

Can you recognise these pedagogies in the experiences you have identified in the sound category? Elaborate.
My teachers would create lessons and classes around either iPads and or computers and would expand out knowledges with research lessons or lessons where you would have to focus on a topic and expand the grasp. Creating a range of skills in students learning capabilities whilst introducing a fun and interactive way to do so. 

Beyond this, can you identify the links between Judy Willis' knowledge of the brain and learning, Sir Ken Robinson's perspective on creativity, the needs of your contemporary learners and these pedagogical principles?
Linking Judy Willis 'knowledge of the brain and learning' and Sir ken Robinsons perspective on creativity isn't difficult. They follow a line of similarity in the aspect of expansion and elaboration of ways and cultures to help students and people learn in more developed ways. 

Why is it important to engage social interaction and prior knowledge, and plan for individualised and socially supportive, valued learning?
Planning for individualised and socially supportive learning is crucial because all students learn and engage different for their learning and their personalities. Some students may thrive of social study and work groups where others may succeed in more private and individual settings. 

Reflect on your experiences of pedagogy as a learner. How many of these pedagogies are you familiar with?
I am familiar with a couple of these pedagogies as a student and will continue to lear and expand my knowledge through this unit and after as well.

Reflecting on higher order thinking

Secondary discipline areas are often content-laden. Use Robyn Collins Curriculum and Leadership as a foundation, and consider the Australian Curriculum in your selected junior discipline area. Identify the process/research/inquiry skills that are required. They are skills that, according to Collins, are best developed through application to real-life contexts. Use the Aims, rationale and structure of the curriculum to uncover the global approaches of importance, as well as the content.
My teaching areas include manual arts (woodwork and metalwork) as well as HPE. There are many processes, research and inquiry skills in which are crucial for my teaching areas in which maintain and develop students skills as well as my teaching and hand skills. According to Collins processes, research and inquiry skills in which are best developed through application to real life context relate to aspects of application, maintenance and layout of classroom activities. These apply to my teaching areas best as they are hands on and always learning new skills with machinery and hand tools.

SAMR Drawing it all together

Write a reflection that draws together Blooms Taxonomy, your understanding of ICT pedagogy and the SAMR model as it relates to your teaching context. 
Rather than think about what you have experienced in schools, try to take an aspirational position on this reflection. Examine not what currently exists, but what is possible.
This will become the foundation of your own pedagogical framework which will later be mapped against a learning design.
In my teaching areas ICT can be developed and expanded in many ways to be used for educational purposes. Working with machinery and always maintaining student knowledge there are always ways to introduce technology into classroom activities. 
Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. (SAMR) is a great acronym to live by in my teaching area as things are always changing, being modified and in need of modifications. This can link ICT into the modification process and the substitution aspect as well.

Legal, safe and ethical practice and what it means for you

What are the dimensions of legal, safe and ethical practice outlined in the Australian Curriculum: ICT as a General Capability?
Legal, safe and ethical practices outlines in the Australian Curriculum are outlined as recognise intellectual property, apply digital information security practices, apply personal security protocols, identify the impacts of ICT in society.

What will you need to consider in your curriculum learning areas?
I need to focus on the ICT in society for my subject and how that can be used to my benefit as well as against me, I also need to look into intellectual property as well as security practices as well.

Week 1. (A challenge to your beliefs & Documentation tool)

A challenge to your beliefs

 

You as a contemporary teacher?

To what extent is it reasonable to conclude that if you are not experiencing positive or negative emotions about the materials and activities in any learning experience, that you are potentially disinterested or not motivated? DIscuss in relation to your first emotional response to the nature of this unit.

Experiencing positive feelings and attitudes towards the learning materials makes me feel happy and positive about my progress. Experiencing negative feelings and attitudes towards the learning materials makes me feel sad and angry with myself and the tasks at hand. This either having a happy or sad emotional outcome. I feel confident and positive about this unit. 

Elaborate on your emotions on engaging further with this unit? Positive, negative. Indifferent?

I feel slightly worried with a negative outlook because I need to contribute much of my time to succeed and focus on the materials at hand. However, I love being busy and keeping myself learning at all times. 

To what extent do you have the commitment to actively interrogate your emotions, and your beliefs about creative pedagogy (that extends beyond the mere delivery of information to your learners)? How might you be challenged to engage as you enter this unit?

I find it difficult to complete large tasks all at once, so this may be difficult for me however I will work on it and succeed. 

Identify your present values and beliefs about ICT in the classroom. Keep it brief and focused.

I would like to keep things efficient, quick and innovative in the classroom, ultimately increasing learning time and involvement. 

Your approach to teaching and learning

Passionate, hands on and involved. 

Identify any challenges to your current values and beliefs as you enter this unit?

I find it difficult to do large clumps of work, so tackling that is my main challenge. 

What experience do you have with ICT in the classroom?

I am someone who has grown up with ICT ever since my first school class. I am very experienced in the ICT industry, which plays a significant role. From a pre-service teacher perspective, many students use pads, laptops, and monitors to further their learning. 

Documentation tool

 

Who is the contemporary learner?

How will the characteristics of our Gen Z learners depicted in the Meet GenZ video define their engagement in the traditional classroom snippet?

The traditional classroom snippet shows a very straight forward, non involved and basic teaching style being delivered to a classroom. This style of teaching does work and can be effective, however when it comes to a more progressive and developing learning environment students wish to be more engaged and involved in their learning. Gen Z are hands on, interested and a group of individuals who aspire to learn and ask questions while doing so. This meaning Gen Z may not benefit from just a traditional classroom environment and it may cause disruptions and outbursts in the classroom. 

Referring to the ideas presented by Willis and Robinson, is this level of creativity in evidence in the schools you have attended, both as a student, and as a preservice teacher? Furthermore, is this level of creativity in evidence in your University units? As secondary pre-service teaching students, you will experience a variety of approaches to teaching, learning and course design in your discipline studies. Why were your previous studies presented in that particular way? How could they have been presented?

Yes and No, the creativity and inclusivity is present and very true at the college I attended for my senior education, however it was not at the school I attended for my junior education. This giving me a side by side difference for the creativity and inclusivity different environments and learning criteria can be and how they can affect learning for students. My studies are always looking into hands on, inclusive approached to learning, making sure to look at engagement from a different perspective. I do feel like I could present my thoughts and ideas a little clearer and not try to include so much change at once however I do enjoy tackling a couple ideas at once. 

What do you think the implications are of a curriculum that is linear, progressive, aimed at a single learning outcome for the development of both individuals and the society we live in?

A curriculum that is linear and progressive could have many benefits for students learning and engagement as well being it is progressive in engagement and inclusion. However if a curriculum just focuses on the single learning outcome for the student they may lack in group skills and classroom manners. Meaning they may not be as developed in working with groups and different kinds of people. This can be transferred into the outside world not just at school, providing students with people and society skills is extremely important as an educator. 

How can ICTs help you in the development of a professional learning network? How are you feeling about this?

ICTs can help me develop learning networks in the future for sure in many different aspects, from personal programs and note taking for kids through to classes and lectured for students. I feel confident in the progression education is making and keen to see where it goes.