Mindless Rambling

Online (or web based) assessment is growing in use and variety on all levels from business and education even to the military. The growth of web based assessment is said to be growing because of the large advantages:

• scoring and reporting happens instantly
• results are avaliable soon after completion
• student feedback can be instantaneous and part of learning.

Web based assessment can also be a help for teachers in attempting to meet the needs of all students.

Web based assessments are positive in that different types of questions are able to be asked and are not limited like pencil and paper tests.  A mix of questions can be administered including multiple choice, knowledge based questions, interactive and performance based questions.

Some testing websites allow teachers to track student reading levels, some websites even offer measures of student performance against state or district standards at any time.  Online assessment is also useful in that often parents are able to access results.

Every school system will eventually adopt web based assessment as it is so useful.  The problem that needs to be solved involve adequate computer access.

Experiencing the interactive whiteboard on practicum for me, really brought home just how much technology has changed education.  This article shows the perceptions of students in year 5 and 7 about the whiteboards and is a continuing interest of mine since prac.

Studies have shown the general benefits from studies have been versatility, greater interaction, discussion and enjoyment and greater opportunity for collaboration. 

From the study figures showed that overall, the majority of students from year 7 responded positively to IWBs as well as students in year 5.  They felt it added fun and interest.  Of the small number of year 7 students who did not like it, they felt it was costly and the risk of technical problems took away from learning.  Students were aware of their learning styles in that many enjoyed the fact that they could learn visually and participate.

Teachers in the younger grades seem to make use of the IWB in various KLAs however student’s noted teachers lack of skills in using the IWB thus making a statement about the importance of continuing professional development.  I very much agree with seans post ‘The advanced and remodelled blackboard’.  It is very much up to the teacher in the classroom to implement it appropriately and in a way that will interest students. It appears the the IWB when used in diverse ways offers a fun and interesting learning tool for students.

Erikson, D & Grant, W. (2007). Student Perceptions of IWBs as a teaching and learning medium. Australian Educational Computing 22(2).

In todays technological world, all schools in Australia are challenged to provide technology to connect students with each other and the outside world.  The Australian ICT taskforce has set up national priorities however the 2 most important regarding rural and regional schools are

1. Promoting pedagogic leadership’  and

2. Creating new learning environments

From a national survey administered by SiMERR (Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia) National Centre key issues were identified across the 8 states and territories.  These included

1. State of ICT equipment in schools : Some states reported a lack of equipment and unreliable equipment and slow internet access was also a big problem.  On top of this the remoteness meant a lack of technical support.

2. Differences between home and school experience of ICT: More community resources are needed to improve access and ICT areas need to be improved in schools.

3. More suitable ICT curriculum and more integration to allow students to develop their skills.

4. Lack of teachers trained specifically in ICT: High turnover rate in remote areas.

5. More professional development in ICT for teachers to be up to date.

6. Leadership by teachers confident in ICT: Those confident, lead the school in ICT endevours.

It is important that the goverment continues to work with schools in improving the infrastructure in rural and remote schools.  The importance of professional development is fundamental for both students and teachers to continue to move forward.

Reading, C. et. al (2006). Focusing on ICT in Rural and Regional Education in Australia. Australian Educational Computing. 21(2). 20-24.

The renovation of a social science classroom at a highschool incorporating computer labs was the centre of a research project aimed at helping teachers integrate IT into learning and was a chance to explore the impact of IT on the use of the space and the change to student research patterns because of increased access.

The furniture design facilitates cooperative learning and allow teachers to employ strategies for group work as the keyboard is central and students sit side by side and also therefore encourages student interaction.

It was concluded that whilst the space to implement IT learning was increased, this was still to be realized by the students and teachers alike. Teachers must also be willing to transform their pedagogy  to incorportate more IT into their teaching.  Another big issue that as a student I can relate with also is that student’s were still using books to research as they were easier to use and portable.  It was discovered that students skill level in finding information from online journals.  As a student, I have often found that finding appropriate information on online journals and the internet was difficult.  I think it is important for student’s to be tutored in the ability to find and filter through information on the internet.

It is important that student’s and teachers are not fearful of technology and that integrating it into learning and teaching is definately the way of the future.

Miller, J & Janovsky, K. (2003). Learning Technologies: Prototype Classroom Project. Australian Educational Computing, 18(1), 21-24.

The article I have created my Podcast on is titled E-learning Versus Classroom Learning and is a nice overview of the strengths and weaknesses for each.

caitlins-podcast

There is always a sense of urgency in the educational system in Australia to be on par with new learning technologies.  There is an urge to ensure classroom practice is transformed using new technologies and that the interest and experiences of the students are enjoyable ones.  Baskin and Anderson have written an article  that discusses these priorities.

Utilizing the online learning environment in schools means teachers face a number of issues transferring traditional learning to an online format.  A case study of a year 8 social science class completing a Rainforest study unit online presents with it many pros and cons.  Summarized quite appropriately is that online learning becomes ‘a way of organising learning, while providing the context in which learning can be demonstrated through active participation’ (Baskin & Anderson, 2003 p.13).

Online learning sites provide opportunities for communication and developing ideas of how to interact however handing over the reigns for students to direct their learning invokes many fears involving inadequacy and fear of students missing important bit of information.  From the case study it was realised that it does not necessarily mean better results but rather enhances student learning opportunities in a new and authentic learning context and the majority of students found the process exciting and fun.

I believe an online learning community can be daunting for teachers, but as we moved further into student centered learning, it will become a way of the future for students to guide themselves online with the teacher acting as mentor and facilitator.  It provides a unique experience for students and can motivate and revitalize learning.

Baskin, C. & Anderson, N. (2003). The Online Classroom: A self-actualising theme park or a trial by multimedia?. Australian Educational Computing. 18(1), 11-19.

This is my digital story for education that we created in e-learning class. Mine is about how my younger brother was a beginning to my ‘teaching’ career and my desires for education.

This is the link:

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3dd23b624749813f5bbc

Having just had a kindergarten class on prac that was comprised of many students with ‘behavioural’ issues such as ADD, my interest in special needs education has increased.  Whilst the students of my class did not have severe learning disabilities, working one on one with children who need extra help was very rewarding for me.   I recently read an article called ‘Can Assistive technologies help us to not leave any child behind?’ by Bobbie Weikle and Azar Hadadian.  Young children have a crucial amount of time in which they can learn to interact with their environment.  Literacy is severely affected if children miss out on this opportunity.

Assistive technologies can be implemented for use in communication, as functional tools, retention aids for learningn activities and to promote social outcomes.  Computer technology has been found to have a positive effect upon the literacy skills of young children aswell as the social skills.

I was a little sceptical whilst reading this article.  I felt that using technology to help very young children would detract from other areas of learning, and my thoughts were echoed in part of the article that states that many people feel that technology is irrelevant to the development and learning of small children.  However studies have proved that these assistive technologies have positive effects on children with disabilities and learning difficulties.  The next big issue that we face is to inform parents and society about these technologies and their positive effects. 

 No child should have to suffer.

Having just browsed through sean’s blog, i came across his post on the article, the three X’s. Which are Exploring, Expressing and Exchanging. I agree with Sean in saying that whilst it is exciting to be growing and evolving in education and how we teach, i think the traditional three R’s of reading, writing and arithmatic should in no way take a backseat to this new foundation of learning.   Combining them is what today’s teaching should be all about and i think teachers should understand and be aware of this.  Technology is all well and good but if we can’t read, write or add up as well as using the internet then we are in trouble!

Cyberbullying

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=05a09d33779a17adf170


With the increase in technology within our classrooms, and the increased independence of students in online discussion forums and blogs etc, it is far easier to bully someone anonymously and in primary school, we all know kids can be cruel.  I think that every teacher, if introducing a web based activity or not should lecture their  students on what cyberbullying is and what it can do to the victims.

The definition of cyberbullying is

Bullying which is carried out through an Internet service such as email, chat room or messenger service.

Bullying can happen to a person by a group or by an individual and children must be aware that saying something mean or disrespectful through another source is still considered bullying. 

I think schools should also inform parents about it as often they turn a blind eye towards it when they dont understand technology as well as their children.

It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as short messaging service (SMS).