Authoring and Multimedia

The use of different types of media at specific moments can have a powerful effect on the message trying to be portrayed. The presentation I witnessed gave me an insight into how different types of media can be combined to create an indepth learning tool. So much is said about students who have different learning styles. Multimedia is something that is essential when dealing with different types of learners. I can see multimedia getting bigger and bigger within education, I know I am more aware of the uses and roles of different media and aim to make more use of them in my classrooms.

I really enjoyed the presentation on multimedia as it showed me how technology, and not only multimedia, can be used as an effective assessment tool. We made a procedure of ourselves brushing our teeth  using pictures, text and sound. While this may sound basic, it was really powerful in not only getting the idea of procedures across but it was also a great way of increasing students knowledge of technology.

Hands on Data

Data is something that everone deals with everday of their lives. Whether it is numbers or information, we always make lists and accumulate information. My group did the presentation on Hands on Data and I personally learnt a lot about databases and spreadsheets. I have had a fair bit of experience with spreadsheets but little did I know about other programs which deal with spreadsheets outside of Microsoft Excel. Not only this, I learnt about the vast amounts of information which can be stored and retrieved in Databases. I think we have to be careful when using databases with students to not confuse them too much with irrelevent information.

I have mainly been teaching lower primary and haven’t seen a lot of work done with spreadsheets? Does anyone think there is scope for using spreadsheets with lower primary?

E-Books

E-books are something that I have rarely seen in schools. I remember during book week at the school I am teaching at one of the books I used was an e-book on an interactive whiteboard. This was the first experience I had had with an e-book and it was interesting to see the interest shown by students. The presentation on e-books gave me an insight on how to make e-books. I had never thought of using Microsoft powerpoint as a tool for creating e-books. I would like to know whether or not other people had experienced e-books in their classrooms?

Going Online

I learnt a lot in the presentation about going online. I had yet to have my presentation and therefore knew little about the creation and development of websites and webpages. Using the program NVU gave me a lot of confidence in designing and developing webpages. Never before would I have even contemplated asking students to do this, but on a basic level I can see scope for the use of programs like this in the classroom.

Digital Documents

After learning about digital documents it sounds so simple that a digital document is any document that is created on a computer or digitally. Whether its a simple word doc or an advanced pdf file, I see a large scope for the use and teaching of digital documents in schools. Teacher programs, school newsletters, announcements, letters, reports combined with activities like publishing work and making class books are just some examples of how digital documents are and can be used in the school context.

ICT in the classroom

I was thinking about the amount I am using ICT in the classroom and its sad to say that it is not much at all. I use it for comprehension activities in reading groups and for activities relating to mathematics games but not for things relating to art and science. When and for what reasons have you been using ICT in the classroom? I know its hard because we are only casual teaching but its interesting to see what work left for casuals involves the use of technology?

Lew Howard

Hello and WELCOME to my blog! My name is Lew Howard and I am currently studying to become a primary school teacher. This blog is designed to give you insight into information about myself, my achievements so far, my ambitions for the future and also to share with you some sample units of work which i have developed and implemented as teaching resources.

This blog will also give you insight into my professional teaching pedagogy, where i hope to have many discussions on the role and use of ICT in education.

There is loads of information I would like to share with you so come on in and explore around and let me know what you think!!

 

Enjoy!!