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Personal Reflection 811 - Adapting Innovating Tech

What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
 

One of the most important aspects of integrating technology in effective teaching is that technology should never be more important than the content or the material being taught.  The integration of technology has three fundamental pedagogical approaches, namely TP Knowledge, TC Knowledge and PC Knowledge. Each approach ensures that knowledge required to be able to integrate technology in the classroom is identified. The TPACK strategies do not operate independently but rather highlights the new kinds of knowledge that evolves when they intersect. 

The use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), plays an important role in the manner in which knowledge is captured and transferred from a curriculum perspective. The importance if goal setting forms the foundation in which teachers will explore various methods, materials and assessments. The focus is not content centred but rather focusses on the student – and the manner in which we adapt content to suit their needs. The three fundamental principles on whoch this is based – Recognition Networks, Strategic Networks and Affective Networks allows for the exploration of multiple  meaning representations of content.

How did integrating web-based technologies help you think about and evaluate uses of technology? 

The STAIR project is a useful but also a creative tool in which teaching can take place. I must admit that I absolutely loved it in terms of its potential. The tool creates an engaging and interactive environment that allows the student to experience a range of learning environments. From quizzes to collaborative projects – the tool has a vast range of uses for the student.  

How have you met your own personal goals for learning about technology integration?

Doing the course has allowed for critical thinking in relation to technology and it educational uses and value. Skilled in the ability to use certain technology effectively it did not take away the educational and pedagogical role such tools play in education. 

My goal to create a more interactive learning environment was indeed achieved in doing this course. It afforded me the opportunity to explore and personally experience technology systems. 

Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?

My new goal for the short term is to audit and evaluate existing systems and tools at our school. The aim is to understand their effectiveness and explore new and maybe improved tools and systems In the long run I hope to develop a framework by technology tools and systems can be evaluated. I also want to create a knowledge base for students and teacher and a platform by which we can create dialogue and share ideas.

Wicked Presentation

Revised – Text to your problem

As student from 10 grade move into the IB program they are confronted with a range of demands. One such requirement is the CAS program that forms part of the IB program. Students feel anxious and frustrated as they are required to capture their experiences in an online portfolio tool. The reason for this is that students generally have no experience in 9 and 10^th grade dealing with such reflection tool.

This highlighted 2 major issues:

Students had no experience or familiarity in being able to articulate their experiences in a meaningful manner. They are suddenly thrusted into the world of reflective learning. At the same time there is a greater lack of understanding as to why they need to do it to create meaning for them.

The other problem is the lack of technology skills in which to navigate this new tool that would capture their data. Very little focus is given on what skills are required and acquired to use the tool effectively. In many was the technology is seen as separate from their academic knowledge base.

Revision Text to the solution:

As part of the solution we would also focus on the skills set required to use the tool effectively. Greater collaboration is needed in which more opportunities of dialogue are created in the planning phase of the program. Other tools such as training videos will be available for students to access any time about teaching them technology skills. 

Technology needs to be integrated in more classrooms and the development of a technology framework will be developed. As blogging lies at the core of reflective learning is important that we adopt a trans disciplinary approach in our collaboration as teachers.  

TPKnowledge

What do we know about blogging to fully understand why we using it?

Revision – the important of blogging as a tool for capturing experiences needs to explored. It needs to be given an academic background and relating it more to education.

 

 TC Knowledge

Having instant access and creating  a Student voice, do you  also teach about the responsibilty?

 

Revision- Students need to also learn about the limitations and correct manner in which to use and articulate blogging. Although there is guidelines, we did not spend much time it in discussion. There needs to be a focus on the behavioral changes necessary to make it more effective.

PC Knowledge

How is differentiation ensured with the tool and within this class?

We have embarked on exploring a variety of means in which students will be able to articulate their experiences. In doing so students will be able to find their own means of expression best suited to their learning style. 

Are our classrooms microcism of society, but how?

Read the article from Bowers and Flinders on the difference between schooling and education. I think this foundationally challenges the manner in which relationships within the classroom is about power.

Bowers Flinders - The Classroom as an Ecology of Power

Leadership project

1. What tool did your group use to deliver the PD tutorial?  Why?
   The group used Google presentation. This was important in that our project dealt with google doc and its products. This allowed us to highlight what google product can do for those using it.
   
   
2. What did you learn during the development process of the final product?
   I learnt that google presentation is a good tool to use as a collaborative tool in which to share ideas. It was important being able to add and share information. I did discover some limitations for example we cannot add sound clips to the slide. 
   
   
3. What would you do differently if you had to develop a similar product again?
   I think what I would do differently is being to evaluate what the tool can do and its limitations. It is important that we know before we decide how to use a a product.  I think this is an important aspect of using a tool.
   

Leadership Project

Leadership Project

Webpage Creation

 Below please find my webpage creation in my weebly....

click on the link below

Technology and Autism

Wiki Lab

I had to create a page for my High School as there was no page for the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ). I must admit that I find it confusing and not very user friendly. 

 I also created a class in Wikki - click on the link


Wiki Class