Digital Tool 5- PowerPoint

Having had prior experience using PowerPoint with work and throughout uni, it was interesting to further explore this powerful learning tool. When used with appropriate pedagogy this can be an extremely useful learning tool, enhancing learning, whilst catering for a number of learning styles. Its simple and professional approach makes it suitable for many ages and abilities, and also for many different learning scenarios. Within the classroom it may be used as an assessment task, where learners will be challenged with the extra features they can explore and add. On the negative side if a power point presentation is not used correctly, the technology may just be hiding a chalk and talk scenario, restricting students quest for higher order thinking.

In the future i will look to incorporate this technology into my classroom using appropriate pedagogy. Below is a PMI chart that shows the positives of using PowerPoint. Jones. A., (2003). The use and abuse of PowerPoint in teaching and learning in the Life Sciences; A personal Overview. Bioscience Education. Retrieved August 18, 2010, from http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal/vol2/beej-2-3.aspx

SWOT Analysis for Digital Tool 4 - Weebly

Comparing the Big Six and the Engagement Theory using a Venn diagram

Digital Tool 4 - Exploring websites in the classroom- Weebly

I explored Weebly and its practicality in the classroom. I found this simple website easy to navigate and to sign up to. It offers a variety of page layouts and templates, and is appropriate for students of all ages. It would be great to use as a classroom website, and the secure and monitored environment would ensure students safety. On the negative side it does not provide the ability to support java scripts, limiting the array of tools. It also does not allow the editing of HTML code directly. These weaknesses may limit the creativity and exploration of a variety of tools. As an opportunity this would be the perfect introduction to a classroom website. In the future I will definitely consider using this website. When exploring Weebly I created this basic website http://thesmartclassroom.weebly.com/

Digital Tool 3 - Creating a wiki

After exploring wikis I believe they could either act as a help or a hindrance to a child's learning. The freedom of the wiki allows any person to be able to post their thoughts and knowledge at anytime of day. This could act as an extremely positive influence in an collaborative learning environment if the correct knowledge is being used. Alternatively knowledge and ideas may be unrealistic or nonfactual which may hinder the learning environment. The widespread access to an individuals questions and ideas can draw many points of view and knowledge, broadening the learners vision to the question or ideas. This would be a valuable tool for the upper primary if used correctly, prehaps in a teacher minitored environment where information can be checked.

I used wikispaces to create my wiki. I decided to explore the question; Blogs vs Wikis- for an educational use. Feel free to express your ideas or any information you have found relating to this. I found blogs are more personal, allowing the individual to express their thoughts and ideas to their followers. Whereas wikis allows anyone to be able to post on that wiki. For collaborative learning wiki's could be very powerful. Below is the link to my wiki.

http://tonielearning.wikispaces.com/

Digital Tool 3- Concept Mapping


I used bubbl.us to create this concept map. I also explored mindmap which I found easy to use, but I prefered the graphics used in bubbl.us. Bubbl.us was fairly easy to use, although some of the key bubbles that I was trying to use were over lapping each other. I ended up with one slightly over lapping another.

In the classroom this would be an engaging tool. Time wise it may take longer then a simple barinstorming activity using a whiteboard. In saying that it is simple to read and understand and would be useful as a visual display in the classroom.

Blooms Digital Taxonomy