Voki Avatars

Voki avatars are a fantastic way of engaging students. In previous blogs I have mentioned certain frameworks for learning design. I feel that all these frameworks would agree with the use of these avatars in a learning experience. They would be extremely beneficial to all students learning styles while giving them relevant information. Here is an example of just how they could be used.



(Oddcast, 2008)

Reference List

Oddcast Inc. (2009) Avatars. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from http://www.voki.com/create.php

e.Portfolio

As I mentioned in my first blog posting, I created this blog as part of a subject I am doing at university, Managing E Learning. This subject also requires a creation of an e.Portfolio. An e.Portfolio is an electronic professional portfolio that can be accessed on the Internet. The purpose of my e.Portfolio is to establish what I have learned throughout my journey and demonstrate this learning through designing and implementation of learning experiences. To create my e.Portfolio I used a program called Mahara (Mahara, 2009). After creating an account I began to explore what I could actually do. It appears that you use it to create a view (a type of web page). When you create a view you can customise it and add anything you like. Pictures, videos, links ect. I am really looking forward to using this.


Reference List

Mahara. (2009). Mahara: Open source e.Portfolios. Retrieved July16,2009, from http://cqu-mahara.netspot.com.au/

What is a WIKI?

A Wiki is a website used to link a number of websites (Wikipedia, 2009). I am a huge fan of Wikipedia. At an academic level I would never use it as the information is unreliable and untrustworthy. The reason behind this is because anyone can add or change information. However, it is fantastic when you are looking for quick 'what the' answer. It is an excellent tool because it links information together, for example, how hyperlinks work. To illustrate, if you are looking up information for Eucalyptus. You can now see how it links to Wikipedia. Whilst on this page in Wikipedia have a look at just how the links are shown throughout the writing. Very informative.

Creating a Wiki can be a great experience. There are a range of different websites that get you started on making a Wiki. I chose Wikipaint to create my first Wiki. You can create pages, discussion forums, add photos ect. People log onto your Wiki and create and add information and links . I liked that you can pick who can add and change your wiki. As previously said it is hard to trust sources of information. I feel that this could be used as a great collaborative learning tool. While I was playing with mine I was picturing a class interacting with each other and interacting with the web in general. With such a range of information on the web it could have great benefits in limiting the vast amount of information.

Reference List

Wetpaint. (2009). Wetpaint. Retrieved August 17,2009, from http://www.wetpaint.com/

Wikipedia. (2009). Wiki. Retrieved August 17, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

RSS Aggregator

An RSS Aggregator stands for 'Really Simple Syndication Reader' (Wikipedia, 2009). When I was told to set one up in collaboration with this blog I wasn't entirely too sure what it meant and what it actually did. I set my RSS up with Google Reader (2009). What this actually does it quite intriguing. You can add any blog to your listing and when you log on it will let you know any new blog postings that are available. This is great for the subject I am currently completing as we are required to comment on each others blogs.

The use of this tool in the classroom could be very beneficial to students. Students can each make a blog and the teacher could have one as well. When students go home they can check their RSS to see if there is any new postings and read about what homework is required, what assessment is up and coming, resources the teacher might find useful ect. Equally important, the peer interaction of reading each others blogs. Some students might not understand something and by reading other students they could grasp the concept. As a future learning manager I will find this very useful. I have heard of schools that send USB sticks home with their students homeworkon it. Imagine getting home and it's already there!


Reference List

Google Reader. (2009). Retrieved June 9, 2009, from https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?hl=en&nui=1&service=reader&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Freader%2F

Wikipedia. (2009). RSS. Retrieved on August 18,2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS

Inclusive Education: Indigenous Perspectives

The importance of embedding indigenous perspectives into classroom planning is a high priority in Australian education. Relevant legislation and polices ensure that each an every child receives full involvement in classroom activities. Education Queensland's(EQ's) inclusive education statement declares 'Inclusive education reflects the values, ethos and culture of a public education system committed to excellence by enhancing educational opportunities for all students' (Slee, 2001, p. 1). This document is a fantastic tool used to acknowledge exactly what EQ's commitment is and the quality education they desire for every Australian student. The importance of learning managers understanding inclusion in the classroom is crucial. A teacher's attitude towards social inclusion is vital for behaviour and classroom management. The teacher chooses what will be taught, how it will be taught and what teaching strategies will be used (Ashman & Elkins, 2005).Most importantly, when we understand what our students needs and wants are they are more likely to actively engage in learning.

So how can a learning manager embed Indigenous perspectives? The most important part of this is ask your self ' Do you know what the perspectives are?' 'Will I offend anyone?' 'Is this factual?' 'Can I teach this correctly?' If you have answered no to any of these questions than it would be beneficial to get a professional opinion. Many schools throughout Queensland have an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander liaison officer that they can approach to check what is appropriate and ask ideas (Ashman & Elkins, 2005, p. 10). What is more, a creative way of acknowledging different cultures could be to have a professional as a guest speaker. Last year I was in a year 3 class and we went on an excursion to one of the nearby islands. Our tour guide (who is a ranger) showed us around the island and explained how Aboriginals lived on the island thousands of years ago. The children loved this experience. They were interested and engaged!



Reference List

Ashman, A.,& Elkins, J.(2005). Educating children with diverse abilities. Frenchs Forest NSW: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Slee, R. (2001). Inclusive Education Statement-2005. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/learning/docs/inclusedstatement2005.pdf

Engagement Theory

The engagement theory is just as it sounds. It is the theory of engaging students in learning. It implies that through the use of technologies and active learning tools, students will engage in learning experiences in a meaningful way (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999). In my previous blog entry 'Active Learning' I discussed the importance of collaborative learning. Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) express that collaborative learning is a key factor in the engagement theory.

There are a variety of learning activities that could be used to fulfill this approach. For example, the use of online discussion forums are a great place for individuals to bounce their ideas off each other. I find this very useful at university. Most of the time someone has already asked the question your thinking about.

Reference List

Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 16, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Interactive Whiteboards

Interactive Whiteboard(IWB)! What a fantastic tool used to actively engage students in the classroom.




(Parkhurst State School, 2009)

Last year I was fortunate enough to engage in teaching a year 3 class using an IWB. I found this was an effective tool to keep the children interested and motivated. Parkhurst State School (mentioned in the above video) is a local school that Learning Management students had an opportunity to visit and participate in a 21st century classroom environment. It was astounding to see such a range of ICT's being used. Technology is absolutely being embraced at this school. What a pleasure to see.


Reference List

Parkhurst State School. (2009). Australia only master. [Video Recording]. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Promethean Planet.