Monday, July 27, 2009
My Map on Google Maps
View University in a larger map
What is Google Earth and Google Maps?
Google Earth and Google Maps is a tool which allows you to view places all over the world. The maps use satellite images to show an accurate and clear image of your selected location. This tool also allows people to personalise their own map by placing photos, labels and captions.
How can I incorporate Google Earth and Google Maps into the classroom?
I found Google earth and google maps to be an excellent, interesting tool in which students can explore and learn in a new and engaging way. This tool allows students to explore the world from their classrooms and provide accurate and reliable visual information for students.
When I first began to explore how this tool worked multiple ideas came to mind across all KLA's. The two main subject areas I believe would be most effective would be SOSE and Math. Students would be able to see the way in which other countries live (houses, buildings, facilities etc) to broaden their knowledge of other cultures. In relation to math students are able to understand the concept of area in a way that enables them to physically see what area is and how it is measured.
Overall this tools possibilities are endless and it can Incorporated into all KLA's. I personally found this tool extremely engaging and interesting, so therefore I know that my future students will definitely enjoy and learn from this tool.
Visit Google Earth and Maps here.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Vodcasts and Podcasts
What is a Podcast and Vodcast?
Vodcats and podcasts are ways in which you can access information about many topics at any time. Podcasts present the information in an audio format in which you listen to and can be downloaded at any time. Podcasts cover a range of different topics such as lectures, lessons, a current affairs and many more.
Vodcast are the same as podcats except that they present information in video format, so you can watch the video as well as listen. You can download podcasts and vodcasts through i-tunes and subscribe to certain topics that interest you or a subject you may be teaching.
How can I use it in my Classroom?
Podcasts and Vodcasts can easily be Incorporated into the classroom and can be very useful tools for both students and teachers. These tools allows teachers access to a wide range of information and resources and to easily pass this information on to students. This aspects of using a podcast or vodcats can allow students access to an expert on a daily basis. This idea it self should motivate teachers to use and incorporate the use podcast and vodcasts. Allowing students access to reliable and engaging resources creates an effective learning experience for students and directly relates to the Learning Design Framework by allowing students choice of resources, a range of resources and multiple persepctives on a topic. (Oliver, 1999)
These tools could also be used to ensure that all students are receiving the same learning experiences despite students being away. Podcasts can allow teachers to record and save important lessons that all students need to hear. Students can then listen to the recording and easily catch up on the missed learning experience.
How does it support learning?
These tools support learning by ensuring that all students are receiving and engaging with the same learning experiences. The tools also support learning by presenting students with the tools to access relevant and useful information in an exciting and interesting manner.
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for online teaching and learning. Distance Education 20(2), p.240-254
Vodcats and podcasts are ways in which you can access information about many topics at any time. Podcasts present the information in an audio format in which you listen to and can be downloaded at any time. Podcasts cover a range of different topics such as lectures, lessons, a current affairs and many more.
Vodcast are the same as podcats except that they present information in video format, so you can watch the video as well as listen. You can download podcasts and vodcasts through i-tunes and subscribe to certain topics that interest you or a subject you may be teaching.
How can I use it in my Classroom?
Podcasts and Vodcasts can easily be Incorporated into the classroom and can be very useful tools for both students and teachers. These tools allows teachers access to a wide range of information and resources and to easily pass this information on to students. This aspects of using a podcast or vodcats can allow students access to an expert on a daily basis. This idea it self should motivate teachers to use and incorporate the use podcast and vodcasts. Allowing students access to reliable and engaging resources creates an effective learning experience for students and directly relates to the Learning Design Framework by allowing students choice of resources, a range of resources and multiple persepctives on a topic. (Oliver, 1999)
These tools could also be used to ensure that all students are receiving the same learning experiences despite students being away. Podcasts can allow teachers to record and save important lessons that all students need to hear. Students can then listen to the recording and easily catch up on the missed learning experience.
How does it support learning?
These tools support learning by ensuring that all students are receiving and engaging with the same learning experiences. The tools also support learning by presenting students with the tools to access relevant and useful information in an exciting and interesting manner.
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for online teaching and learning. Distance Education 20(2), p.240-254
Vokis
Wow this tool I have found particularly interesting and think it could have many different applications within the classroom. My first thought when I was playing around with this tool was that it would be an excellent way to engage and motivate students at the start of a new topic. I imagined that the Voki would give the students their new 'task' in the form of a mission or top secret business. This relates to the Enagagement Theory derived by Keirley and Schneiderman (1999), as it provides an authentic focus for students to learn.
I think that this tool could also help students you have difficulties with speaking in public. With a Voki students can simply record their own voice and present it through a Voki. I think this would take alot of stress and pressure of children you find public speaking particularly hard.
Vokis are also an excellent way to cater for all learning styles and to encourage students to be motivated about their work. Vokis also relates to the Learning Design Framework (Oliver, 1999) as it provides a multi model experience for students.
Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 4, 2009. from: http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for online teaching and learning. Distance Education 20(2), p.240-254
I think that this tool could also help students you have difficulties with speaking in public. With a Voki students can simply record their own voice and present it through a Voki. I think this would take alot of stress and pressure of children you find public speaking particularly hard.
Vokis are also an excellent way to cater for all learning styles and to encourage students to be motivated about their work. Vokis also relates to the Learning Design Framework (Oliver, 1999) as it provides a multi model experience for students.
Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 4, 2009. from: http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for online teaching and learning. Distance Education 20(2), p.240-254
Monday, July 20, 2009
Feedburner
I found Feedburner to be very complicated and hard for me to understand. I think it would be easier for me to understand if I had a larger background knowledge of podcasts and vodcasts. As I only know very little about these about these topics I found the concept of Feedburner beyond me. However in saying this it does not mean I am going to give up on using Feedburner. Once I worked my way through the world of podcasts and vodcasts and I will once again attempt to use Feedburner.
From what I can gather Feedburner allows people to share podcasts and vodcasts by uploading them to blogs and other websites. I think this would be benificial to learners as it would allow them to share information that is important to them with their peers.
I think I will find many more uses for Feedburner once I have played with it and experimented for myself. I shall keep you posted about my progress!
Click here to access my feedburner account.
From what I can gather Feedburner allows people to share podcasts and vodcasts by uploading them to blogs and other websites. I think this would be benificial to learners as it would allow them to share information that is important to them with their peers.
I think I will find many more uses for Feedburner once I have played with it and experimented for myself. I shall keep you posted about my progress!
Click here to access my feedburner account.
Movie Maker
This our video we created using a range of different tools including cameras, voice recorders and windows media maker.
How can I use moviemaker within my classroom?
Moviemaker is a tool that enables you to upload and edit images and videos to create a movie. This tool is particularly easy to use and there would be no trouble using this in a primary school classroom. I can in vision using this tool within my classroom on a regular basis as a means of recording information, recounting an event or presenting new information.
This tool allows students to express their ideas and work in their own individual way. Moviemaker also allows students to create something (a DVD) to show others and to have something that have physically created. I believe this aspect will create a sense of pride within students and therefore result in students being more motivating and wanting to learn. Allowing students to create something that can be used and transferred to anybody promotes authentic tasks and motivation for students. This aspect is supported by the Learning Deisgin Framework (Oliver, 1999) and creates an effective and motivating learning experience for all learners.
How can Movie Maker support all learners?
Movie Maker is a excellent tool as it allows students to express their ideas and information in a range of different ways. It supports learners who prefer to work in a kinesthetic learning style but also caters for visual and auditory learners too. I believe this tool can be an exciting way for students to engage one another as well as themselves. I believe that Movie Maker allows for creativity, collaboration and independence, as well as supporting all learners. (Keirley & Schneiderman, 1999)
Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 4, 2009. from: http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for online teaching and learning. Distance Education 20(2), p.240-254
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