- The animations and simulations that can be used in presentations offer substantial advantages over print through complex interactions and illustration of abstract concepts.
- They offer a virtual experience where the "real thing" may not be feasible.
- They are web-based (PowerPoint can be uploaded) and accessible anytime.
- These tools can be embedded easily into a larger learning context.
- Glogster is an "online scrapbooking tool" that offers so many enhancements to learning in a fun way. Teachers can set up a class account and be emailed passwords for each student's private account within it http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/dyck/dyck037.shtml.
- Prezi is a brilliant tool for "global learners" as it uses frames rather than the linear slides of PowerPoint (see blog entry below).
I have chosen to focus my exploration and reflection this week on PowerPoint.
My only experience with PowerPoint up until now has been limited to viewing presentations and offering "assistance" to my 10yr old daughter on a couple of assignments for school.
My basic presentation is the beginnings of a learning tool for recognizing time on a clock face aimed at early primary (prep) aged children. In the first slide I have listed the times of the school day that events occur. The second slide is a clock face with the first time. I have added a question with answer buttons 'yes' or 'no'. The buttons contain hyperlinks to an animated page for a right or wrong answer.
Questions can be added to each page following, varying the way children look at the time and apply it to their real life situation. We could ask "What happens at this time of the day?" and progress to, "How long is the lunch break?". Children could also click on and rotate the hands of the clock to different times.
PowerPoint can be used to
- analyse a process through sequence of events
- make interactive storybooks or quizzes
- group and ungroup illustrations to make start/stop animations
- create 'virtual museums' http://christykeeler.com/EducationalVirtualMuseums.html
This is the link to my wikispace, where I have uploaded the "Tell the Time" PowerPoint presentation:
https://alliselearningwiki.wikispaces.com/Tell+the+time+Powerpoint
Mobile Phones - should they be used in the classroom?
Add your thoughts to this wiki, reflecting on mobile phones in education.You are welcome to put on and take off a new colour hat as your reflect on different issues and perspectives!
De Bono's Hats
If you are unfamiliar with de Bono's six thinking hats, visit Kurwongbah State School's diverse resources on the topic (http://www.kurwongbss.eq.edu.au/thinking/Hats/hats.htm). Then edit the table provided as scaffolding, add your ideas, opinions, and where possible your research. How will a collation of diverse perspectives from 19 different people inform your thinking? How could you use this in your classroom?Colour Hat
Names of students adding ideas
The colour perspective
Your ideas, research, perspectives and arguments
What is wrong with this?
Why will this not work?
Is this safe?
Can this be done?
Where are we now?
What is the next step?
Where have we been?
What sort of thinking is needed?
Right now students are not all resourced with smart phones. Mobile phones haven't been used as a learning strategy. Can we resource the schools with ipods as a cheaper means to access the learning potential of these devices?
What new ideas are possible with this?
What is my suggestion for success?
Can I create something new?
Mobile phones have enormous potential in the classroom. They can incorporate many different learning styles and enable students to resource their own learning. Mobile devices should be a standard classroom tool for our digital age. Lesson plans could suggest how they would be better delivered with mobile devices to encourage school purchases or parental support for use of children's' own devices.
How do I feel about this?
What do I like about the idea?
What don't I like about
the idea?
I love the idea of mobile devices in the classroom. They must be accessible to everyone though. They are much easier to negotiate than computer screens that you can't see over and that constantly freeze etc. The educational app world is endless and incorporates all learning styles. I don't like the idea of using children's own devices. They could be broken or stolen meaning angry parents. Also this practice would not be inclusive for children who don't have access to their own mobile device.
What are the good points?
Why can this be successful?
Why is this a good thing?
Access to educational apps, ability to resource own learning, adaptability to different learning styles. Mobile phones have the potential to be a positive tool in the classroom.
What information do I have?
What are the facts?
What information do I need?
What do I want to KNOW?
Mobile phones are traditionally not allowed in the classroom. At present children are not trusted to use them appropriately independently. We need to look at rules and guidelines and how to ensure their success. What options are available for internet/usage filters? Cost feasibility of school supplying devices?