Week 5 - Assignment 1: Reflection 4

Engagement this week required the creation of a Powerpoint presentation, a Glogster and a Prezi. While I had used Powerpoint a number of times I had never considered to use it in a way that the user can interact other than "click to go to the next slide". All three tools were surprisingly simple to create, yet are able to be developed further to hone in on skills and creativity. 

• Click here to view my interactive Powerpoint
• Click here to view my Glogster
• Click here to view my Prezi

Some suggestions on how these tools can be used in a primary school classroom are as follows:

Curriculum: Geography

Topic: Countries around the world

• Students can create a "virtual museum" using an interactive Powerpoint to showcase their research about their chosen country (pictures, soundclips etc)
• Teachers can use Glogster to create a virtual worksheet for their students by embedding videos to watch and links to visit so students can complete the activities
• Teachers can use Prezi as a way to introduce a unit - attends to "global" learners who need to see small pieces put together to make a whole picture

I had not used an interactive Powerpoint, a Glogster or a Prezi before and I was a little apprehensive on the use of these in the classroom. However, after creating all three tools myself I am now full of ideas on how to use them within lessons. In fact, I am so inspired I am planning on using a Glogster for a lesson plan for an assessment task this term.

Week 5 - Prezi

Please view my Prezi presentation below.

I will admit that after viewing an example of Prezi used for an assessment task in this week's tutorial, I was nervous to use it for the first time because of how content-filled it can be. It took quite a while to load, I felt the layout was confusing and it could easily flip back and forth as it liked - not a nice, simple and organised way to present information. Well, I was wrong! I used one of the templates available and did a simple presentation of my university journey.

This tool would be great to use in the classroom because it is so simple and easy to use (much to my surprise!), but it has the ability to be as advanced as the user's skills allow it to be. A teacher could place activities, questions and resources into a Prezi for students to access online for an engaging and exciting lesson. Alternatively, the cool zooming transitions between slides gives a modern spin on traditional slideshows.

Week 5 - Glogster

Please view my Glogster below.

(This Glogster was made using Glogster)

While I usually prefer simple layouts and a "minimalist" style of graphics and animation, after being shown an awesome example of how Glogster can be used in this week's tutorial, I was hooked. I love how bright and interesting a Glogster can be - when done right. It was so simple and easy to create something so visually stimulating in a matter of minutes. I was so hooked that I have decided to use Glogster as a digital resource in a Lesson Plan for an assessment task for another course.

Glogsters can be used a number of ways in the classroom, as a more "static" presentation rather than clicking through slides. Videos, links and activities can easily be embedded into the Glogster and the one Glogster can be used as a web-based, interactive "worksheet" - which gives worksheets a chance to break away from the usual stereotype of being "bad pedagogy" when used in the classroom. Alternatively, it can be a way for students to present and integrate information.

Week 5 - Powerpoint

Please watch my interactive Powerpoint below. 

 

(This powerpoint was created using Microsoft Powerpoint and then uploaded onto Authorstream)

Personally, I love Powerpoint. It might be due to the fact that I am largely a visual learner, and I love the way information can be condensed into a few slides of text. I emphasise a "few" slides because I am all too familiar with being bored to death in the classroom when viewing slide after slide of words that could be summarised to avoid the entire class falling asleep. 

I recall an assignment on Canada I had in grade 6 where I recorded my oral speech and had it play over my slides with pre-recorded transitions. While this is very basic in ways to use Powerpoint, the class thought I had the help of my dad to make it, which I did not! After doing some research I have found Powerpoints can be used for so much more than just oral speeches.

In the classroom, using an interactive element is a fantastic way to engage the user, rather than simply clicking through slides of information. Some examples of interactive Powerpoints are virtual tour/museums, interactive tutorials, embedding videos/sound clips and "make your own ending" stories. Some of these could be made by the teacher as a means to learn, or they could be created by the student as a means to display and integrate information.

Week 4 - Assignment 1: Reflection 3

Engagement this week required the creation and use of image, audio and video on the web. All three media's are fantastic ways to engage with information in ways other than written text that can attend to a range of learning styles. Video, audio and images can communicate messages, engage students in discussion, debates, talks, stories, recounts, and provide thought-provoking insight or just to simply entertain.  

• Click here to view an embedded image in my blog
• Click here to listen to my audio recording on PodOmatic
• Click here to watch my video recording on Youtube

Some suggestions on how these medias can be used in a primary school classroom are as follows:

Curriculum: Maths

Topic: Learning multiplication

• Students can create an audio recording of a "word problem" to swap with a partner to solve
• Students can create a video recording of a "how to" sequence to solve a multiplication equation on a whiteboard
• Students can take pictures of real-life objects around the classroom to create a "picture problem"

Prior to completing this week's engagement, I had not considered how fantastic, and easy, the integration of medias into lesson plans could be. I am now excited to use them in future plans to ensure further engagement of my learners.

Week 4 - Video

Please watch my video recording below of this week's reflection on Videos. 

(This video was created by recording myself with my laptop's in-built webcam and microphone on Windows Live Moviemaker. The file was then saved and uploaded onto Youtube.)

Transcript:
These days video is everywhere. Almost every household has at least one television, sometimes one in every room. Increasing ease of access from mobile devices also means that video such as new release movies are now available in places that just a few years ago the only entertainment was a good book.

Youtube is one of the most popular sites currently on the web. Videos ranging from TED Talks, funny videos and tutorials on just about ANYTHING are available for anyone to access. Additionally, just about anyone can upload a video. All that is required is a computer and a camera - which many smart phones have.

With the introduction of C2C (Curriculum into the Classroom) in schools across Queensland, video is now commonly integrated into lessons. In my opinion, video is the easiest and most engaging resource to use in the classroom. It can be used a number of ways to present information such as simply recording a procedure, oral information report, or reading a narrative. It can be used in more creative ways, such as recording a performance of acting out a character, or as a video journal to record thoughts and feelings on a subject. Video could even be used to record student's acting out a story, maybe with an alternative ending.The possibilities are endless.

Week 4: Podcasts/Audio

Please listen to my voice recording below of this week's reflection on Podcasts/Audio.

 

(This recording was made by recording my voice with my HTC XL android phone and transferred the audio file onto my laptop. I then uploaded the file onto PodOmatic.)

Transcript: 
In an increasingly mobile/tech-based world we are faced with bright and over stimulating visuals on screens everywhere we look. However, in the absence of these flashing screens we are not left information-less. Audio is yet another way for information, discussion, debate, stories etc to be communicated. In fact, anyone who drives a car is immersed in listening to the radio. Audio can be made in such a way that enables the listener to create their own images in their head and thus is many student's preferred way of learning.

Audio can be presented in a number of ways. Some of these are podcasts, e-books, radio shows or a recording of a conference or meeting. For anyone that drives long distances it can be fantastic way to unlock "hidden" study time or just to find out more about something that interests them. Personally, I enjoy listening to TED Talk education related podcasts by loading them on my phone and listening in the the car on my 30 minute drive home. Podcasts are smaller in file size and load quicker than most videos. I also enjoy listening to Triple J's "The Hack" discussions in the afternoons on current affairs as they are informative and are kept relevant to listeners. 

There are many ways audio can be used in the classroom and integrated into lessons. Upon entering the classroom after lunch, playing a short audio clip can allow students to relax and re-focus to be ready for learning. Playing e-books rather than always reading out loud can save a teacher's voice. Listening to snippets of radio shows, podcasts and TED Talks can be thought-provoking and a great "hook" to start lessons. 

Sadly, I hadn't considered using audio in the classroom before. However, upon investigating ways to integrate audio into lessons I am now full of ideas that I can't wait to use in future planning.