Evaluation of my Feedback!
The feedback I received was quite positive although one very important thing I need to change on my blog after looking at other blogs and receiving my feedback is the presentation. I was unsure how to change the format therefore mine was presented as looking quite plain and simple.
I found this very helpful as now I could customise my blog so that it made it more engaging and interesting not only to read but also to look at. Despite the blog looking plain both my feedback from Simone and Tiffany mentioned that it made it clear and easy to read. So from this feedback I decided to leave the format and change the background colours so that it is more captivating instead of plain.
In the feedback from Simone it is evident that I may need to work on my grammar, as there seems to be some grammatical errors that in particular could because of punctuation. I found this exercise very helpful with making my blog better as I knew what it is specifically that I needed to work on.
Based on not only the feedback but also from creating feedback on other blogs I decided to add images to my blog entries to, again, make it more captivating and not so boring with text only.
My feedback to Simone
Feedback on my blogs
A Life-Long Learning Journey
(EdTechReview, 2014)
Week 8:
As a future educator I have learnt that it is important to focus on the use of technologies “as a tool to engage in life-long learning” (Howell, 2012).Students are always expanding their knowledge when engaging with technology therefore by doing this and incorporating technology into our classrooms the students will learn effectively in school through digital technologies ensuring learning longer through life.
As future educators I think we are the ones that will help develop this life-long learning journey with technology, as students will learn to engage with technology in the classroom and also in their own time at home.
(AL GETLER, 2013)
The Australian Curriculum is an important national document which teachers use. It is a policy document, which is constantly making an impact on the education systems (Howell, 2012). This document includes the importance of technology use (Information and Communication Technology) within the classroom. This can give teachers ideas as to which subject areas need to be inclusive of technology. Incorporating ICT as a general capability within the classroom will encourage students to do new things with the technology they have access to as it will be constantly changing and evolving, regulating the risks to themselves and others in the digital world (ACARA, n.d.).This means I will have to stay up to dare with the digital world and different technologies, as I will need to incorporate them in students learning.
References:
AL GETLER. (2013). 9 Ways to be a Lifelong Learner [image]. Retrieved from http://algetler.com/ways-to-be-a-lifelong-learner/
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (n.d.). General Capabilities. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/english/general-capabilities
EdTechReview. (2014). What is Lifelong Learning [image]. Retrieved from http://edtechreview.in/dictionary/183-what-is-lifelong-learning
Jenifer, H (2013). Teaching with ICT: Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity. Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press.
Digital Blurring
Week 7
As Howell (2013) mentions in the lecture video for this week digital blurring acquires us to think about the things we do in our private digital world and whether or not it influences what we do in our work and study life. I have come to the conclusion that my private digital world such as using; Facebook, Tumblr, Pintrest, PlayStation, online games, texting, instagram, iPhone for example does actually impact my study and work life.
I think this is because from using these technologies I gain skills, which I can then transfer to when I have to use technology in my work and study life. As Howell (2013) mentions for example playing the PlayStation or online games in your own time can help us to understand how the gaming platforms work therefore when I become a teacher these skills can be transferred into learning games, and I will understand how these gaming platforms work.
Integrating learning games into the classroom can help develop fine motor skills, hand and eye co-ordination when focusing on student’s physical requirements. Games are an exciting and engaging tool of technology that can be used by students and teachers to assist in learning. This can be in a variety of different learning areas as some game sites online cater to particular learning areas and ages.
(Switch Automation, 2014)
References:
Howell, J. (2014). Living and Learning in the Digital World Mod 02 04 Week 7 [ilecture]. Retrieved from http://echo.ilecture.curtin.edu.au:8080/ess/echo/presentation/9d8a1cd3-f679-4184-8791-6765f6454274
Switch Automation: Intelligent Building Platform. (2014). 14 Apr/Trend Talk + Pitch Off: The Digital-Physical Blur [image]. Retrieved from http://switchautomation.com/trend-talk-pitch-off-the-digital-physical-blur/
Constructing Digital Fluency
Week 6
This week we focused on the skills you need to be classified as ‘digital fluent’ and whether or not this means we are fully participating in the digital world. These skills are important to know as a future educator because some of them will need to be taught to future students.
Howell (2012) mentions a number of diverse technologies that help build skills that will construct more digital fluent students as a teacher. Some of these include:
(Howell, 2013)
References:
Jenifer, H (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity. Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press.
Digital Information
Week 5
The digital world is around us constantly, and it comes in different formats/contexts that Howell (2013) describes as images, web links, audio files and videos. She explains that the information we can receive is no longer just limited to books anymore.
The digital world gives out information that has a number of messages that can lead to multiple ways of understanding and interpreting this information.
As I learnt in today’s class it is very important to evaluate digital information and the way in which we consume it. For example before believing any information it is critical to know whether or not the website or the source of information is actually trustworthy, and whether or not the information is accurate. This is extremely significant for, in my case, a future primary school teacher. This is because as educators we must remember that technology is integral to classrooms now days, and they are also a great tool to enhance learning.
The different ways we can determine quality, value, and sources of information is important as educators also especially when using technology in the classroom. When choosing appropriate trustworthy websites for both the students and the teacher looking for sites that have ‘.gov’ or ‘.edu’ at the end of the web link is tips as to what sites are considered trustworthy on the internet.
As teachers we should educate and inform our student about all the different digital information we have access to today, and ways in which we can evaluate it. One way I have learnt is by searching for particular topics through filtered search engines, which can be used for kids.
Today in class I made a Pintrest account. I was able to search for different topics and websites and store them on a pin board. For example I created a board called ‘Digital Information’ and on this board is a range of images and websites I found were good examples of digital information. The link is below:
I think this is a great resource for teachers to use as they can get ideas from other boards as to what to do in the classroom.
The Digital Divide: Who misses out and who participates?
Week 4
The digital divide refers to the separation between those who have access to technologies in the digital world today and those who do not have this access. It can also be described as those who are ‘digitally expectant’. I have learnt that those who are not digitally expectant are not only because they do not have the access but also the skills needed in order to be digitally expectant no matter where you live.
As a future educator it is important to always keep in mind that not all students are digitally expectant therefore we must focus on planning activities and strategies to either develop these skills or cater to these students in different ways that will not only cater to these particular students but everyone in the classroom. Technology plays a major part in today’s society whether it is to do with school, employment, the law, and the wider community. Technology is almost always included. Therefore by teaching children in school will not only assist them within their schooling life but also as a life-long skill to use out of school as well.
Digital Security
(The American Genius, 2013)
Week 3
Despite all of the wonderful aspects of the modern digital world, in today’s class we focused on the negative aspects of the digital age. These all revolve around security concerns and ethical considerations, which as a future educator needs to be considered. These include:
-Identity Theft
-Scammers
-Cyber Bullying
In particular there are four specific areas of technology that we focused on; scams, identity theft, Facebook, and cyber bullying. After getting into groups myself along with two others had chosen to focus on ‘Facebook’ and the issue surrounding it as a future educator. I learnt that it is very important to uphold a positive digital identity within the digital world. Therefore we must examine the different ways we present ourselves digitally.
The issue surrounding Facebook refers to the images we upload and how secure our account really is. There are many ways to avoid issues surrounding Facebook security such as making sure all privacy settings are on and as secure as possible.
I personally think everyone must take precautions in accordance to their exploitation online, although this is especially true for people entering a profession. Therefore I think everyone should question themselves before putting anything on Facebook and ask; ‘is it appropriate?’ Or ‘am I creating a good impression?’
I also learnt that Facebook actually has a ‘Safety Centre’ where there is a subheading specifically for teachers (https://www.facebook.com/safety/groups/teachers/). Here it explains that although some teachers may be against Facebook combined with school there are some strategies that teachers can have a look at in order to create a safe environment and ways Facebook could be used as a technology for learning. I personally think there would be arguments surrounding this topic as some teachers/students/parents/schools may not like the idea of using a social media website such as ‘Facebook’ within the classroom.
Overall this topic really focuses on the digital world and security concerns most people will face at some time of their digital experience. It is very important to be smart when it comes to using social media and protecting your digital identity.
References:
Howell, J. (2014). Living and Learning in the Digital World Mod 01 04 Topic 3 [ilecture]. Retrieved from http://echo.ilecture.curtin.edu.au:8080/ess/echo/presentation/1636447f-aa10-42de-bec3-f6fe6f44932e
The American Genius. (2013). 7 Ways to avoid identity theft on social media networks [image]. Retrieved from http://agbeat.com/social-media/7-ways-to-avoid-identity-theft-on-social-media-networks/
Living and Learning in the Digital World 