Images

http://www.picnik.com/

This would have to be my favourite of all technological tools explored thus far! I thoroughly enjoy fiddling around with the controls in order to change quite a plain photo into a peice of art which is visually stimulating. In the photo above, I altered the saturation, contrast as well as applied the effect '1960s' and quite like the warmified feel. This website has the usual saturation filters and resizing options, as well as a variety of effects, borders, stamps and the ability to place text onto the photograph quite easily. This could change a quite ordinary learning experience plan into an amazing one, as the old saying goes, "Pictures say a thousand things."

I have also found another useful website, that may be more geared towards the educational context in the editing of photos. Big Huge Labs allows you to upload a photo and transform that photo into a calender, badge, cube, magazine cover, etc. The opportunities are endless and can be used quite extensively in the classroom. Below is just one of the effects available.

By using images in the classroom context, you could activate prior knowledge on a subject, engage as a hook as well as use an image as a representation of a concept. Images can evoke emotions and feelings amongst the learners in relation to a certain topic that may challenge the learners.

By simply displaying a picture of the sun on the IWB, students are automatically positioning themselves to learn about the sun. The thoughts, feelings and knowledge are brought to the surface almost instantaneously, by simply using a visual cue to position the viewer. Different pictures can also be misconstrued to position the audience, and students must have knowledge and scaffolding of critical literacy.

Images can definately be used within an educational context, as long as the Learning Manager has a purpose for the picture.

Powerpoints

Powerpoint is a powerful digital learning device which should be utilised in the classroom as it is a useful technological software that lets you generate a creative presentation, although in my current learning context of grade one there would definitely need to be scaffolding and direct teacher instruction before learners were left to their own devices.

Powerpoint is two-fold in a classroom. It is either used by the Learning Manager as an engagement tool or as a way of displaying and relaying information or constructed by the student as a means of assessing the students knowledge on a certain topic by allowing them to create and present a ppt.

Forums

Forums are a great way to access information from a secondary source. During my university studies I have found forums and FAQs to be highly beneficial. If I have a particular question, it is more than likely someone else had the same one and has already gotten a reply. This way of gathering information though is not 100% accurate as it does not necessarily come from a reliable source and critical literacy needs to be taught before introducing and implementing this form of information gathering.

My Weebly

http://websitesintheclassroom90.weebly.com/

Despite the odd name, weebly.com is just another site which allows you to create a website. It provides templates and other alternatives and is VERY user friendly as even I can create a masterpiece which looks professional. Above is a screen capture of my website, created with the help of weebly :)

In my weebly, I have discussed websites in an educational context.

"Through engaging with this course over the past 7 weeks, it has become apparent that technological tools which I though to have no place in the classroom, actually add to and enhance the learning experience, websites being one of these. I have also been made aware of things that I had no idea about and will use in future teaching implications. Although a consideration to be aware of for all these techological tools is child safety. Learning Managers must scaffold learning and instruction to deal with this aspect of the use of ICTs in educational contexts."

Learning Design Frameworks

When comparing between to the two major learning design frameworks regarding techonology, the best way to do this would be to determine the differences and the similarites through a venn diagram. Using my new-found tech saviness, I then proceeded to download their free trial software available by SmartDraw. in order to communicate my thoughts more visually.

Although due to technical difficulty and a low interest usage, this was not possible. I will attempt this at a later stage and hope for success as it seems a valuable tool to have in the classroom and planning! But one can only learn from mistakes! Through having this experience, it allows me to view the endless possibilites avaiable to me over the world wide web, if I think it, Im sure there will be an internet site providing my needs and wants.

Concept Mapping

When experimenting with this tool, I made links instantly with what we do on an everyday basis within the classroom environment. This then allowed me to discover the program ‘kidspriation’ which was included with the Interactive White Board (thoroughly helpful tool to have in the classroom) but the teacher did not have the confidence to try out. The timid teacher now loves this program and I have used it in a number of learning experience plans already! Below is an example of a concept map, defining what is required to Task 2 in hopes it will help me organise my thoughts!

My Created Voki

My attempt at a Voki, I believe it would be beneficial in the classroom as an engagment tool for a variety of different KLAs as well as addresseing different learning styles. The LM could pre-record activities for students to do when you cannot be present as well as homework instructions for out of school contexts.