The Techium

"...the proactive approach.  We have to use things in order to find out about them. We have to actually engage with technology.  The only way we can tell if something is good for us or bad for us is through use."

Kevin Kelly, 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeTEcwmfuu4&feature=player_embedded#!

Topic 6 : Improving Student's Web Use

My notes from topic 6 module's activities. 

How could you teach this to a Year 7 class???

a)      DEFINING  Concept maps.  Student directed activity: what is a mind map?  Why do you need one?  What should it have in it?  Show students a range of different maps to stimulate ideas.  Ask how do you group ideas on a mind map/distinguish between the different sections.  Students work in groups & share ideas with other groups to come up with an outline that suits their needs.  Relate to a tree/branches. Show students how to use an online tool such as bubbl.us to brainstorm/create concept maps.

b)      QUESTIONING  Ask them why they should ask questions (purpose).  Groups come up with ideas through a mind map.  Share with class to explore reasons.  From "Teaching Students to answer their own questions" : “When you ask the question, you feel like it’s your job to get the answer, and you want to figure it out.”  Use QFT (question formulation technique): See QFT Six Steps  - prompt, produce, improve, prioritize, decide, reflect.

c)      SEARCHING  Developing search strategies. Brainstorm "search strategy"/concept map, reasons for. Other ways: Use Boolify to get students to look at different ways to search, look at how search engine works/different search engines, practice searching/comparing engines using Search Tools for Kids.

d)      SELECTION/EVALUATION  Teaching students to be critical readers/what to look for.  Concept map- benefits of website evaluation, then share ideas.  Using the Web from Education Place-  contains good pointers for students. Kathy Schrock's 5Ws- easy for kids to understand. Credible sources count! - useful for showing the importance of credible sources.  Students could create concept map of different ways to take notes.  Look at positive/negative aspects of each. Use this summarization strategy to develop note taking skills.

e)      REFLECTIVE/EVALUATION Teaching students to be reflective web users.  Include this IN the assignment! Allow students to grade their own and/or another students research process using a rubric.  Base the rubric on Bloom using questions similar to The Reflective Student to develop deeper reflection.

iPads for Education

The Victorian Government iPads for Learning website is a fabulous resource for anyone starting to use iPads in the classroom. Features include classroom ideas and education apps.

Other useful sites:

• http://ipadeducators.ning.com/
  


• http://www.schrockguide.net/ipads-in-the-classroom.html



• http://interactioneducation.com/ipadsineducation.html



• http://mediaspecialistsguide.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/38-sites-on-using-ipads-in-classroom.html
  

Free Technology for Teachers

I have posted a link to this website on my Tech Resources page. There are lots of free ebooks for teachers (or TLs) about using technology in the classroom, info on creating blogs and websites, great resources, and resources to help you develop your own PLN (personal learning network). There are too many other things to mention here so take a look. I'm sure you will find something useful!

Tools for Teaching Students at the top of Bloom's Taxonomy

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhsgv8zv_4143np48dg

A fabulous slide presentation with links to internet tools.

The best thing about twitter is it is a way to increase your PD without going anywhere!

EER500 Introduction to Educational Research

Well, I have begun my second and third subjects for Master Ed (TL) and after much research and deliberation I think I have settled on an area of interest for my assignment. One of the articles we had to read for ETL 503 (Resourcing the Curriculum) is Doug Johnson's "Libraries for a post-literate society". http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/connections_72.pdf
I have always been interested in how digital technology is affecting education and society and Doug's article really got me thinking. Also Australia's literacy levels have declined over the last decade (one of the few in the OECD according to PISA (http://www.pisa.oecd.org/pages/0,2987,en_32252351_32235731_1_1_1_1_1,00.html) and after a bit on online research I think I would like to find out more as to what connections there may be between literacy levels and digital technology. I also wonder how this may affect TLs and school libraries. More on this later...

E-books

For everything you ever wanted to know about ebooks, this is a very informative slide presentation.

Ebooks in Australia

View more presentations from sirexkat