Symbaloo.
I choose this site because it offers the students choices, and it can be added to if the student finds another useful or exciting site.
Category: Uncategorized
Link for teaching resource 2.
The Digital Divide.
Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101_Assessment_2
The digital divide is described as the difference between being able to afford digital technology and not being able too. Parents expect schools to bridge this divide of what they can afford, and what they would like for their children to learn. Employers are also looking for digitally aware employees: whether they are students looking for part time jobs or school leavers looking for a career in I.T (Howell, 2012, p. 55). Being digitally connected, means students can be connected to students in other parts of the world. There are many resource tools teachers can use to connect their students, one such tool is Global Read Aloud. Schools are connect over the internet and read the same book at the same time, and then post comments and answers to questions on their home page which others can read. http://globalreadaloud.wikispaces.com/
In Australia today, most our students are highly connected to the World Wide Web, and for that reason are said to be Digital Natives, (Howell, 2012, p. 57) or born into the digital world. They have no limitations, except cost and availability, in relation to being connected to the internet as most have mobile devices which keep them connected. Although, there is still a percentage of children who are not as technological: not able to use a laptop or PC, even texting or sending an email is beyond them.
The digital divide exists in our community, as teachers, integration staff and parents we must work together to bridge this gap. By teaching our children how to use and understand technology we offer them the opportunity to explore the world they live in via the internet and to make informed decisions about their lives.
Digital Fluency.
Digital fluency
Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101Assessment-2
Dr Gerald White, a former ACER principle research fellow, wrote “A digital fluency subject to teach students the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the digital age is needed.” (White G, 2013) But what is digital fluency? There are many people who have an opinion on what it is. Their ideas range from the ability to reliably achieve desired outcomes through the use of digital technology, having a deeper understanding of the topic and knowing it well enough to manipulate and explain it. In addition to those ideas, is the understanding of when we could use it and why we should use technology, and the ever growing ability that allows a person to easily and honestly understand information to find meanings. Digital fluency allows you to be a designer, build knowledge and be able to communicate your ideas in a digitally connected world. This ability grows when inquiry, play and exploration are valued and encouraged as meaningful learning experiences. (Boise State University, 2015)
There are still many children, living in developed countries, who do not have access to the digital world, whether from their environment or their low socioeconomic situation, except when they are at school. Schools have the opportunity to help these children become fluent by introducing them, at a young age, to the world via the internet. By teaching our prep students how to use simple programs we can expose them to so much, they can begin to see that the world is so much bigger than their small piece of it.
As the student moves up the grades their use of the internet becomes more in-depth and vast, opening up possibilities for their future which would not be available without the World Wide Web. Students learn how to make the internet work for them, using it to improve their schooling experiences’. Being digitally fluent gives children the opportunity to participate, in the digital world by travelling, working overseas or working for a company overseas. A world which would otherwise be out of their reach.
What is Transmedia?
Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101_Assessment_2.
Transmedia.
During week 3 we looked at transmedia and the role it plays in our lives. But as I had never heard the term before, I looked to the internet for a definition. One I could understand and that could give me a good example of it in use. There were quite a number of sites on this subject, but it was hard to find credible sources to get information. From our weekly reading and the learning activities, the definition I received was that it is a technique of telling a story across many media platforms such as books, movies, clothing ranges, toys and gaming items. We looked at the Transformer movies as an example of this. A simple story of mechanical aliens trying to save the earth, has now become 4 movies, shown all over the world, a T.V. cartoon for younger children, video games and many toys
While at school children are encourage to read, this is to help with their spelling and comprehension, the students being able to see the same books as movies can assist with the understanding of the characters, settings and the storylines. . “Moving characters from books to films to video games can make them stranger and more compelling.” (Jenkins, 2003) Schools and teachers who teach their students about transmedia, how to use it to their best abilities are giving their students an ability to be globally connected. Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of Media Psychology Researcher Facility, wrote that media platforms are all individual story pieces but they contribute to the larger picture of transmedia and fit together like a puzzle. (Rutledge, 2015).
Matrix for teaching resource.
Evaluation Matrix Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101_Assessment_2
Complete the table below for each digital teaching resource. These documents should be uploaded to your Blog.
| Name of teaching resource
Symbloo.com |
| Weblink (if web based) |
| Who should this digital teaching resource be used with? (ie year/grade)
This web site can be adjusted to suit any year level. The teacher has control over the sites they attach for the students to use. |
| How should it be used? (e.g. individual, whole class)
The students would use individual tablets or laptops, to log on and use the sites the teacher has chosen. |
| Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?
On this site I choose Maths as the subject, or more specifically Math Games. This is a fun way for students to practice and refine their maths skills. |
| Identify the strengths of this teaching resource
The teacher has control over what math sites are attached to this page. This site can be change to suit the need of the students, made larger or smaller and be used for any school subject. |
| Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource
There is a remove function on this site and students could accidently or on purpose delete any of the sites form the app. It is more involved to add them but a student with high computer skills could follow the instructions and add extra sites, whether they are appropriate or not. |
| Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource
This is another site which can be manipulated by the teacher to fit within the guidelines of their lesson plan. Teachers are able to add or delete links at their discretion depending on the learning level of their students. |
Matrix for teaching resource 2.
Evaluation Matrix Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101_Assessment_2
Complete the table below for each digital teaching resource. These documents should be uploaded to your Blog.
| Name of teaching resource
Pintrest board |
| Weblink (if web based) |
| Who should this digital teaching resource be used with? (ie year/grade)
Year 5 for work on assignment on State Government before a class excursion to Melbourne. Year 6 for work on assignment on Australian Government before a class trip to Canberra. |
| How should it be used? (e.g. individual, whole class) The students should be given access to the
Board and can use the sites to research their particular subject in class. The students could work individually, or in a group, after the teacher has given a detailed explanation of the Pintrest site. |
| Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?
The Australian Government and the Victorian State government and the House of Parliament in Canberra and Melbourne. |
| Identify the strengths of this teaching resource
For students who need the extra assistance, they have a great starting point for their research, and if they are struggling they have the option of using the sites provided and not have to look further. |
| Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource
Students may depend on this board and not push themselves to look further. The sites sometimes offer links to other pages which may not be relevant and become lost in the useless information. |
| Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource
This resource can be updated and added to for future year levels or other boards could be developed by teachers for other subjects to be used by the students during the school year. |
Reference page.
Reference.
Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
http://athinklab.com/transmedia-storytelling/what-is-transmedia-storytelling/
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/401760/transmedia-storytelling/
Boise State University. (2015, September 18). Retrieved from Definition of Digital Fluency: http://ctl.boisestate.edu/idea/home/definition-digital-fluency/
White G, M. (2013, November 29). ACER. Retrieved from Research Developments: https://rd.acer.edu.au/article/digital-fluency-for-the-digital-age 29 November 2013
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