Virtual learning is a topic that until now I have not considered in any depth. This week I did not mind crusing around SCU Island, however was shocked at the end of the lesson when told that Second Life is banned in a lot of secondary schools in Australia. This got me thinking once again about privacy issues. I am confused as to why we looked at Second Life as opposed to Open Sim, which the Northern Beaches Christian School uses and is apparently more appropriate for use in schools? It was interesting to learn that in the market place in Second Life you could buy a number of things, including guns.
It was also mentioned at the end of the lesson that there is a Globe Theatre in Second Life you can visit, in which you can cruise around, dress up and perform plays. This would be particularly great for teaching Shakespeare! One major issue I have incorporating virtual worlds into the classroom is the time it would take to set up and actually get students all online and working at the same time. It took our university class almost half an hour to get everybody logged in, just imagine thirty 12 year olds in the same situation....
Another issue that has not been addressed is parents apprehension about their children using Virtual Worlds and other programs such as Facebook, Twitter and World of Warcraft. On prac. many students discussed facebook, however, other students were quite open about the fact they did not have facebook, as their parents did not allow it.
I am not completely against using Virtual Worlds as a way of teaching, however would be interested to see how it has been used, or could be used in an English classroom, and the students responses.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Sunday, 3 July 2011
New Media and ICT's
I found the topic this week to be very interesting and particularly beneficial to me as a teacher, especially starting out with the great reading (Zimmer). Although, the reading did take me quite a while to get through as I signed up to almost all of the websites and online resources provided. Some will be more beneficial than others and this will differ between KLA's. I also found some really great webquests on creative writing. Blooms digital taxonomy prezi was interesting as well and I look forward to applying them in a real class situation.
I explored the digital citizens page, however wasn't very impressed. Many of the games I could not open (I was using the university library computers) and were not clear or would not allow me to answer the questions in the quiz's to move onto the next question.
In terms of using facebook in the classroom, I would be very hesitant as I dont see how this could be beneficial. I find facebook a distraction to students in general. I use facebook but in no way does it assist my teaching and learning. I joined twitter after the reading this week so am still figuring out how to use it and ways in which it could be used in an educational context. I follow a few people in my field, however mostly people/groups to do with travel, food and technology. I have not participated in any educhat sessions (what are these?).
One type of media that I played around on was 'Glog', I created my own Glog which was simple and not really time consuming. I really like the idea of visual representation, especially within my KLA, and 'glogging' is a great way to do this.
I explored the digital citizens page, however wasn't very impressed. Many of the games I could not open (I was using the university library computers) and were not clear or would not allow me to answer the questions in the quiz's to move onto the next question.
In terms of using facebook in the classroom, I would be very hesitant as I dont see how this could be beneficial. I find facebook a distraction to students in general. I use facebook but in no way does it assist my teaching and learning. I joined twitter after the reading this week so am still figuring out how to use it and ways in which it could be used in an educational context. I follow a few people in my field, however mostly people/groups to do with travel, food and technology. I have not participated in any educhat sessions (what are these?).
One type of media that I played around on was 'Glog', I created my own Glog which was simple and not really time consuming. I really like the idea of visual representation, especially within my KLA, and 'glogging' is a great way to do this.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Learning Spaces
Learning spaces is something I have previously not given a lot of thought to, as all classrooms I enter generally look the same, rows of desks facing the front of the room with a whiteboard or IWB. However, as I begin to think about the 'ideal' learning space, it does in some way feel quite removed from the reality of the standard classroom. On the other hand, I do understand the need to think about the ideal learning space and ways in which we can adapt our physical environment to accomodate the learning needs of all students within the class.
My KLA is English and my ideal classroom would definitely involve a 'quiet zone' with couches, cushions and beanbags where students would be able to read or work quietly in a small group. I would arrange the desks in a U shape where students have a clear view of me (the teacher) but also of each other. I am not a fan of the grouping of desks, unless group work is taking place. Tables that have wheels is an excellent idea!
In regards to my views on the information being presented to us within this unit, I am positive about the layout of the weekly study notes, including news items, youtube clips, images and information. However, on a negative note I would really REALLY appreciate being taught specifically how to use programs, as opposed to the 'self-directed' learning that is required. Even if each lesson we looked at three different programs or applications that could be beneficial to us as teachers, for example, how to use prezi, jing, storyboard, moviemaker etc... If it was a 10min demonstration only I would most definitely appreciate this and feel as though my own motivation would increase, just by being shown simple steps in how to use these programs.
My KLA is English and my ideal classroom would definitely involve a 'quiet zone' with couches, cushions and beanbags where students would be able to read or work quietly in a small group. I would arrange the desks in a U shape where students have a clear view of me (the teacher) but also of each other. I am not a fan of the grouping of desks, unless group work is taking place. Tables that have wheels is an excellent idea!
In regards to my views on the information being presented to us within this unit, I am positive about the layout of the weekly study notes, including news items, youtube clips, images and information. However, on a negative note I would really REALLY appreciate being taught specifically how to use programs, as opposed to the 'self-directed' learning that is required. Even if each lesson we looked at three different programs or applications that could be beneficial to us as teachers, for example, how to use prezi, jing, storyboard, moviemaker etc... If it was a 10min demonstration only I would most definitely appreciate this and feel as though my own motivation would increase, just by being shown simple steps in how to use these programs.
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