After having lecture after lecture introducing us to the different curriculum areas as well as the pedagogical unit (all very important and informative I must add) I was excited to have a hands-on workshop in ICT.  During the two hour tutorial, I was able to be creative and work within a group as well as individually to create different animations. Starting with flip art using just paper and a pen we brought to life a person or a snowman or flowers depending where our imaginations took us.  Then onto the computers with PIVOT making very simple diagrams come to life using frames etc. All tasks were progressive and could be used with a primary group over several classes. Unfortunately, in schools, the time in an ICT suite is normally very limited.

The lecturer took the role of the teacher explaining the different parts of the animation task adding in music and using behavioural techniques whilst in an ICT suite. An example of a behavioural technique was if anyone touched their mouse while the teacher was talking then all computer screens go off.

The final part of the animation included plasticine models, backgrounds, mic’s and group work to make an animation linked to a subject area.  This included adding a title screen, music, credits at the end and creating a story for the characters in the middle.  This could be done over several different lessons and use many areas of the curriculum for excellence.  Art could be used for creating the backgrounds and plasticine models and Language and literacy for the story line which the children could write and practice themselves.

Working as a group is also very beneficial for the children as this happens from early years right through life.  Also using their imagination and enhancing their ICT skills will set them in good stead for future in school and also further education.

The animation my group put together used plasticine characters of three sheep, a tree, Farmer

M and a wolf.  The title, Three Little Sheep relates to The Three Little pigs as the farmer scares the wolf away to protect his sheep. Adding sheep noises and a victory song at the end to celebrate getting rid of the wolf.  Hopefully, the below file works and you can see our final animation.

On reflection, it is clear from the short animation that the background sound effects the quality of the animation. This could be potentially addressed with the use of small groups working with a classroom support or teaching assistant or whole class is quite during recordings of sound.  This could work well with children who are interested in ICT and I think with the new technologies constantly changing it is important to create lessons to get the children’s attention.

ICT to enhance learning is the Experience and outcome in Technologies, which highlights the children’s progression through the stages.