In todays Digital Technology input we explored the advantages and use of mobile phone devices in classrooms. By having access to various apps via these devices we can explore and create many different lessons. To be able to provide a lesson for learners that was more engaging than the old traditional ways of reading from a printed book we were given the chance to use the app E-book and create an electronic book with pictures, sound effects, videos and various other options. By using the app on a mobile device it allowed us to think about the various ways and lessons that this particular app could be used across the curriculum. Along with a partner we summarised a book through the app and managed to upload pictures and sound effects that would describe the book well. I felt by doing this we were able to play around a little with the app and explore the various effects it had to offer. The option of undo was given so we could easily erase or undo any mistakes we make by accident. I feel that this is extremely important as children make mistakes a lot and by this function of ‘undo’ they can edit their work without destroying the full thing. This would engage children and keep them interested when the teacher is reading a book as they could watch the pictures and play the sound effects. I also felt that pupils could use this app as a way of summarising the book and ensuring that once they have read a book they can understand it and have gained knowledge of it.
Technology like movie phone devices are an ever increasing piece of technology that children are gaining access to one way or another. They allow children to analyse and research various different projects as well as provide opportunities of a new way of learning. Mobile devices offer reliable resources that learners can use in classroom or outdoors and offer learners preferred ways of learning by opening up choice. Therefore, pupils can also learn at home and involve parents in their learning process by downloading apps at homing and completing extra work out with school. The Scottish Government Incentive agrees with this that parents and careers must become more aware of technology and make them see the positives that this can offer rather than the frequent complaints of children using technology as a bad thing. Mike Russel, the education secretary of 2012 showed enthusiasm towards technology when he agreed that education must move forward with the times and introduce mobile devices to a classroom environment. This backs up my argument that technology should be involved frequently in lessons and give children that option of change and chance of creativity.
Following on from this, I truly believe that teachers and learners can truly benefit from these devices and allow access to various different options. An article written by David Andrews in the Guardian discusses the title ‘An Apple for the teacher: are iPads the future in class?” He believes that if iPads were used for the purposes that they should be then it would be a create device to have instead of a laptop. David Andrews explains the advantages iPads can have over laptops and how for example, the touch motion can be of so much more use and time saving rather than waiting on each children logging onto laptops and typing in individual passwords. He argues that he would only introduce mobile devices into classrooms if they were used the correct way which is to fully enhance the education of learners.
To conclude, I feel that mobile devices are becoming so common and familiar to children and as learners I feel that they would fully engage in the learning when it comes to teaching with these. The app E-Book can be used to make a boring lesson fun and engaging and allow all learners to give their full participation and ability in the task given.
We ensured the profile showed her date of birth, home address, friends, family and of course, her interests such as sailing and ‘finding treasure’. These are all personal information that should never be posted on social media for everyone to see however, this is the way we were going to get across the message of internet safety to our learners. If you are wondering why her favourite hobbies is sailing and finding treasure, that is a good question. By using the app iMovie we used the pirate setting and related the young girls name- ‘Jacalyn Sparrow’ and various other personal information to the theme of pirates. By showing this to young children we felt we would be able to draw their attention to the pirate theme and make it more exciting for them to watch as well as having the important message behind it. Our main message that we created was that social media is a map that leads to peoples lives, just like a map that leads to treasure.We found this extremely beneficial in link with our theme as well as the dangers of posting personal information online.
Hi! My name is Jill. I am currently studying primary education at University West of Scotland in my first year. After years of dreaming of becoming a primary school teacher I have finally started the pathway at university to fulfil my dream. Going through school my guidance teacher had a huge influence on my career decision. I felt I was always able to rely and learn from this teacher, he would continually support me throughout my years at school. While applying for university last year my teacher decided to take early retirement and I really felt that I wanted to go on and become a teacher like him one day that was an inspiration to all pupils and teachers. “To teach is to touch lives forever.” I hope one day I will have my own class with pupils looking up to me like they did to my teacher.