Working with Visuals

Technology in Education                                                                         Portfolio Piece #2
                                               
                                                                                         
   

Fig. 1 Chart showing The Water Cycle

 The classroom environment should be a colourful and inviting place, with many instructional tools to aid learning. Visual tools are very important, not only do they help visual learners, but they also bring lessons alive.  Have you ever noticed when you reading a story to children, they are usually more interested and excited when you pause and show them a picture of what is happening? That is what visuals do, they capture one's attention. " Of what we know, we learn approximately 83% through sight and retain 90% of what we say as we do",(Edgar,1969).  This statement supports the importance of visuals  and other tools in learning.

My colleague and I created a chart depicting The Water Cycle, utilizing Word Processing software. First, we drafted an outline of the layout of how we wanted the chart to look. Then, we purchased the materials to be used. Also, we constructed and copied graphics and words that we were going to need using Word Art and Auto Shapes from the software. Finally, we began fitting the pieces together whilst going through the processes ourselves.

During the lesson, from the processes of the Water Cycle highlighted, selected students will be given a chance to interact with the chart based on discussions. They will be asked to place the processes at the right places on the chart and explain what is happening.

Although it was a lot of hard work, there were no major challenges experienced in creating the chart. However, a significant amount of time was spent on the layout as we wanted to get it right.  My colleague and I worked well together and compromised where necessary, so that the piece would be flawless. To improve the piece, I think we could have added an aspect where definitions of key terms would match the processes and also highlight the sources of water that contribute to the Water Cycle.

This was a good learning experience for me, since we were not allowed to have any hand written work on the piece constructed. Charts of this nature that are able to be manipulated are essential. Students are able to revisit them at their leisure, keeping the information learnt fresh in their minds. As a result, I would encourage all educators to utilize visuals in their classrooms.

Lesson Plans or No Lesson Plans?

As an educator, I believe that planning is important. It helps you to be more organized and you are able to function effectively.

It is of vital importance for teachers to adequately prepare for a lesson because it would flow more smoothly.  The teacher is able to operate in excellence when he/she knows exactly what is going to take place. Information would be readily available for imparting, as opposed to trying to figure out on hand what is to be accomplished.

Additionally, there would be better class control because students would be actively engaged.  Imagine if there was no plan in place. The teacher would then have to be searching for things to do and then may become frustrated.  Students sensing confusion may begin to react negatively.  With a proper plan, provision will always be made for alternative activities if the lesson does not go as planned.

I also believe that regardless of years of service, length of teaching or seniority that every teacher should write lesson plans.  As educators we cater for different students each year. Whether it is the same grade level or not, student's abilities differ and various learner types need to be catered for.

Students cannot be adequately prepared for without a plan. Curriculum objectives, content, methods and assessments in my opinion would be minimally achieved and executed.  Therefore, regardless of the amount of time spent in teaching, Planning is essential.

If we do not PLAN, we PLAN to fail.