'Wiki Wiki"

Technology is becoming more exciting to me.  Imagine the great impact that it will have on our students when it is used in the classroom.  From using power point to creating videos and wiki pages, our students will enjoy learning.  It only gets better!!

For portfolio piece #7 we were placed in groups and had to create a wiki. Visit and be enlightened! Make a difference in the environment.  Our future depends on it!

http://wikistudious.wikispaces.com/Pollution

A wiki is a space on the web that is used to share ideas, pictures and videos. This wiki was created for a Grade Six class. It will be used for student collaboration and a source of information.Students will be encouraged to share information and interact with peers.

Using wikis can help to improve classroom instruction as students will be actively engaged in the learning process. They will no longer have to wait on the teacher to give all the information, but they will  be able to work in groups to collaborate on a particular project and glean necessary information themselves.

Reflection

This was my first experience creating a wiki. There were no major challenges faced as it was a simple process to follow. However, most of the time was spent toying with the features, to better understand how a wiki works.  I was able to overcome the challenges by tampering and collaborating with my group members.  The piece could have been improved by making the wiki pages more attractive, especially since we are catering to a young audience.

Exciting Videos for Classroom Instruction

Recently being enlightened of the seriousness of taking care of the environment, the group decided to create a video with that issue in mind.  The video is entitled "Saving Earth”.  It depicts pollution and its effect on the environment, Earth’s reaction to what humans have done and what needs to be done to correct the issues. The audio that was added to the piece enhanced it, as well as the still photos that were chosen. These aspects made the video come to life.  The content of the video is geared towards students of Grade three to Grade six.  It is my hope that after viewing, that students will think critically about what is displayed and begin or in some instances continue to make an impact on the environment.

Some students are visual learners. Therefore, I believe that videos can be used to improve students' approaches to learning.  Educators who utilize technology of this sort in the classroom will indeed capture student’s interest.   The can also use a video as an accompaniment to the lesson , so that they are not the only voice being heard all the time. With a video, instruction in the classroom will be enhanced, because the teacher will not be only source of information.

REFLECTION

For Portfolio piece #6, a video was created entitled “Saving Earth”.  The video will be used to educate students on the importance of taking care of the environment and bringing awareness to the situation.  The major challenges faced in creating the piece was that the Windows Live Movie Maker programme kept shutting down.  The group had to redo at least twice, what we had accomplished to a particular point of choosing the photos. Additionally, after completion there were challenges experienced in downloading the video unto the blog.  The piece could have been improved if we had a video with persons actually giving tips verbally about how to help care for the environment.

Using Podcast for Classroom Instruction

A podcast is an essential teaching tool because it provides more opportunities for students to openly express themselves and share their views on a particular issue. Utilizing a podcast in the classroom can make for a more interesting learning experience.  It can be easily manipulated by students and improves their ability to communicate professionally.  A podcast changes the way teachers teach and students learn. Students are no longer solely given information, but they are able to discuss and receive input from peers.

The podcast prepared dealt with a current issue facing education in Antigua and Barbuda. The principal and a fifth form student of the West Brook Secondary School were invited to share their views on the popular programme, Education in Focus.The issue discussed was that of circulation of pornographic material among school-aged children.  This issue affects education because the school may be seen negatively and eventually become stereotyped.

A podcast can be used in the classroom to help students share their work and experiences with others over the internet. It is a good way for students to be creative.  They will develop good writing skills and teachers can also guide students with formulating the information to be discussed.  However, with continued practice, they will be able to do it on their own. Additionally, students will be able to practice and develop their speaking skills as they  produce their podcast.  A teacher can use a podcast in the classroom to assist with story telling or recording jingles that would help to enhance delivery of a lesson.

It is essential that teachers move away from the traditional methods of teaching and allow students to become innovative. I think that a podcast is good way of doing this.

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.

Utilizing Blogs in the Classroom

Eagles soar high in the blue limitless sky. They are extremely fearless and brave. That is the way that I view the children enrolled in our school system today, brave and fearless.  They are eager to encounter new challenges and tamper with new gadgets.

Technology is fast advancing and has surpassed our expectations. As educators, whether we believe it or not, the students with whom we come in contact with are already exposed to various aspects of technology and may even be more experienced than we are.  Many times, as adults, we are fearful of change and new experiences but this is not so with children.

Children are fascinated with technology; computers, ipads and cellular phones. I believe that a blog will be an additional feature and will help to maintain student's interest, even in the classroom. Also, I will be able to post assignments, reading exerts and educational videos that I wish the students to take note of for classes. I believe that they would be anxious to read what is posted and complete given assignments. The quality of my instruction will be greatly improved as I would have an opportunity to outline information in detail using graphics or gadgets which are features of the blog.

Creating this blog has been a new experience for me and I am still experimenting with its vast features.  I am already excited and I know that if used creatively, blogs can assist in showing students that they can learn in different ways, through various mediums.  I am quite certain that students will be able to manoeuvre and utilize the blog positively, with parental support.

So, come join me and let's advance technology!

            

Hola,你好, bonjour:

All I am trying to say is hello.  I am soooo excited, that I have created my very first blog.  My name is Sakari Shemeake Semone Smith.  I was born in the beautiful island of Tortola, which I hope to visit again one of these days.

I am now enrolled in the Teacher Training department of  the Antigua State College. It is a new and challenging experience for me, but I am enjoying it.  I hope to do  my very best to produce each assignment with excellence and work to the best of my ability.

I endeavour to use the knowledge I have gained from this course to advance technolgy in the classroom and have fun doing so.


Adios, au revoir, adieu,
Sakari