27/02/18

Mobile Devices

This session was based on mobile devices and how they are used within the classroom as a tool for teaching and learning. I had never used an Easi-speak microphone before this session and it was interesting to see how it worked and how is could be used in a classroom setting.

Before taking on the task of the session we started by doing some reading of different articles and a report from the Children’s Parliament to see how mobile devices are being used across Scotland:

• Apple Mac computer
• Audio Books
• Computer (PC)
• Digital camera
• Drone
• DS (various versions)
• Go Pro (when mountain biking) I-pad/tablets I-pod shuffle
• Kindle
• Laptops
• LeapPad
• Mobile phones
• Nintendo 3DS XL
• Play Station (various versions)
• Sky Box
• Smart Board (at school)
• TV
• Various tablets
• Wii X-box                                      (Children’s Parliament, 2016)

From this summarised list it’s clear that there are many different types of technology that we use not just in the classroom but also in everyday life and as modern technology moves forward its inevitable that it shall be used more and more in the classroom and at home. I feel that using different technologies within primary schools is very beneficial as it helps children bring the skills they learn at home using the different devices into the classroom setting as a type of play. Play is a basic right for all children and they need the freedom to play to allow them to develop new skills and relationships (Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2010).

Albert Einstein once said that “play is the highest form of research”  but it’s also the best way of letting children discover who they are as individuals and learn how to communicate and make friends with other children in the setting. Encouraging children to play is the best way to ensure they progress in every aspect of their holistic development and continue on to be successful individuals and fulfil their potential in life.

In the workshop we were tasked by writing an “I am” poem which afterwards would be transferred from one piece of digital technology into another, a power point presentation. While creating the power point we put each line of the poem on its own slide and added a picture that appropriately fit the line of the poem. To further add to the slides we then recorder the lines of the poem using the Easi-speak microphone and then put them onto each slide of the power point that they matched with. So that as each slide came up it would read out the line of the poem. During this task I felt that it would be an appropriate task to have a primary class do as it would give them the chance to work either independently or collaboratively as well as help them develop their skills and knowledge of mobile devices.

This task also relates to many technology experiences and outcomes:

• “I can explore and experiment with digital technologies and can use what I learn to support and enhance my learning in different contexts.” TCH 1-01a.
• “I regularly select subject, purpose, format and resources to create texts of my choice.” LIT 1-01a / LIT 2-01a.                      (Scottish Government)

I feel activities like this would help children discover the easiness and flexibility of different mobile devices.

Reference List:

Scottish Government , Curriculum for Excellence: Technologies experiences and outcomes [Online] https://education.gov.scot/Documents/technologies-eo.pdf [Accessed 28th February 2018]

Children’s parliament (2016) A Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland: The View’s of Children [Online] http://www.childrensparliament.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/REPORT_digital-learning-consultation_Childrens-Parliament-1.pdf [Accessed 28th February 2018]

06/02/18

eBooks

“An electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a computer or a specifically designed handheld device”, (Oxford University Press, 2018) this is the definition of an eBook, not only is it something that can be read from and interacted with easily but it’s also something that can used to recreate or redesign a book or story. An eBook is a practical and portable way of viewing and sharing information, it’s also more appealing to children as they can personalise it and interactive with it independently. The picture below shows many more links, connections and benefits that come from using eBooks:

• put learning into context
• creativity encouraged
• promotes reading
• benefits in future workplace

eBooks give adults, teachers and children access to a wide range and variety of books that fit their personal preferences and allows them to easily get to grips with a modern piece of digital technology. This is just another way that shows how digital technology impacts our lives and how simple it can be to use.

In 2016 the Scottish Government set up “A Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland” with the aim of getting and enabling all teachers, children and adults to them have positive experiences with technology. To help ensure that their aim is achieved the strategy is “structured around four essential and interrelated objectives”:

• “Develop the skills and confidence of educators in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology to support learning and teaching.
• Improve access to digital technology for all learners.
• Ensure that digital technology is a central consideration in all areas of curriculum and assessment delivery.
• Empower leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for teaching and learning”.      (Scottish Government, 2016)

To have a chance at having our own positive experience with digital technology we got the opportunity to create our own eBook on an iPad using the app Book Creator. During the session we used the app to retell a story of our choosing, using pictures, videos, sounds and written text to create a multimodal presentation of information that can be easily accessed, used and shared.

While recreating the story book Rapunzel I was able to navigate my way around the app easily, by starting a new book I was able to take pictures or videos to add to the book. I was also able to add text to help tell the story as well as sound clips to different pages. Furthermore I was even able to add a more personalised touch to the book by drawing on different prints, lines and flowers. I found using this app simple and easy to use and would definitely use it in a classroom environment activity, one either teacher lead or an activty that allows the children to independently work or collaborate to create something of their own.

Reference List:

Scottish Government (2016) Enhancing Learning and Teaching Through the Use of Digital Technology, [Online] Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/9494(Accessed: 8th February 2018).

30/01/18

Coding

The ability to code computer programs is an important part of literacy in today’s society. Coding can be used to help develop children’s confidence in areas of the curriculum that they struggle with. Scratch Jr is a child friendly programme that allows children to develop skills such as:

• Creative thinking
• Logical reasoning
• Problem solving
• Collaboration

This is an introductory programme to the language of coding and is an easy and accessible way for children to create their own interactive stories and games. The programme consists of piecing together graphical programming blocks to make the characters move, jump, speak and communicate. “Scratch is designed for exploration and experimentation so it supports any different learning style… Schools can use Scratch to aid teachers in subject like mathematics, English, music, art, design and information technology” (The Lead Project, 2014).

By covering a multiple of topics, different areas of the curriculum can be covered and teachers can create many activities from a simple Scratch presentation. I choose to create a simple character and go on an adventure in space and share facts about different planets. This could act as a starting off point for many activities such as the children creating their own story or adventure in space, drawing their own planets and characters and learning about the solar system and about the planet they live on. These different activities and the programme its self can link to many areas of the curriculum and be used in a variety of ways not just by the teacher but by the children.

Learning to use code, can be like learning a new language, its creates a gateway to a new of thinking, looking at things and skills. This can be shown in the different areas of the curriculum for excellence:

• “I can explore and experiment with the features and functions of computer technology and I can use what I learn support and enhance my learning in different contexts”. – TCH 1-04a / TCH 2-04a
• “I am developing problem-solving strategies, navigation and co-ordination skills, as I play and learn with electronic games, remote control or programmable, I can work individually or collaboratively to design and implement a game toys”. – TCH 0-09a / TCH1-09a                                (Scottish Government)

Through coding children “are learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively – essential skills for success and happiness in today’s world” (The Lead Project, 2014).

Reference List:

The Lead Project (2014) Super Scratch Programming Adventure: Learn to Program by Making Cool Games! No Starch Press.

Scottish Government , Curriculum for Excellence: Technologies experiences and outcomes [Online] https://education.gov.scot/Documents/technologies-eo.pdf [Accessed February 1st 2018]