Assessment 1: Task 3 -- Power Point

Isn't Power Point a little outdated for use in today's classroom?


Ahhh - 1990's 🙈👇 😁

Not going to lie.. the idea of Power Point (PP) brings back memories of three hour lectures in a class of 120 on Company Accounting.

 We all know PP is a presentation package which allows for the production of professional looking presentations...  along with being a word processor, outlining, drawing, graphing, and presentation management tools... that its designed so its easy to  learn and use...  and if that fails then there's always google (who can, for example, direct us to a free mind map template which we can copy into PP then even make interactive with embedded links to relevant "places"). 

 We can probably figure out that given the capabilities of the various apps and programs that are available today it most likely has a had a bit of a make-over since we were all at uni in a bid to remain competitive and alive. 
(wahoo - snaz-eeee 👄👌😝) 
So now that it has the usual functions of what we've come to expect as ICT users... being able to embed whatever needs to be done so, uploaded to where it needs to go YouTube, FB, emailed, linked.. and so on...
(New and improved functions of PP)

Is this really going to be enough to capture the engagement of the Gen Zer's in the midst of their salad days?





In lieu of spending hours creating my very own interactive PP   
(I did give it a very quick shot HERE) I accumulated more hours watching YouTubes on PP engaging students with special needs, early primary uses for PP and of course just general tutorials of the capabilities of the program.

While these are a little off the generic secondary school teacher topic they still presented me with a magnitude of ideas which then got me thinking about the ways they could be adapted into my classroom..

I now present to you..... 

SAMR and Power Point uses in my Classroom..

While I like PP as a user and I could definitely use it as a tool in a teaching context in the manners I have mentioned above (the intended uses of power point)... The students can really gain great benefit for learning - and in particular creating with PP! 

Substitution 
I record a narrated audio presentation using PP and present as the lesson. 
Kids use PP as a word processor - submit an assignment similar to what used have been done on a "poster" type assessment piece.
Nothings really ventured and nothings really gained

Augmentation 
My above mentioned presentation moves on to having embedded links and audio and/or relevant videos.
Kids are required to create a PP presentation which supports their spoken word assessment task.... a little is added with the use of PP!!.

Modification 
Children are invited to partake in assessment in groups of three (set by me - to ensure inclusion off all as well as children experiencing working with differing people) which involves the setting of a weekly quiz created through power point once per term. 
On the weeks they are not partaking in setting the quiz they of course need to sit the quiz. Both tasks will form part of assessment marks.

Redefinition
In a Year 9 Economics class where the curriculum requires knowing how and why participants in the global economy are dependent upon each other the collaborative work of a class museum could be truly amazing... The creation of a  virtual museum which requires the students once again in groups to explore assigned differing stakeholders and their relationships..  in differing levels of "rooms"
This would of course form an overall picture..  or a class museum so to speak.

I also wanted to touch on just some other thoughts and uses for PP... and also highlight ways in which students with differing needs will be engaged in my classroom....

👊  Kids who struggle with text (resources permitting) - access your PP as you are presenting - and record their own audio notes or questions as they go. 

👊  PP as an assessment piece in the form of a presentation tool allowing for students who really struggle to get words on paper (obviously not me!!!) as it really permits that bullet style of writing!
A point highlighted in Topic 4 - Curriculum in Jnr Secondary, stipulates that kids (year 6-9) will generally only remember ten things per lesson.... Sooo why not make it a valuable ten to be noted every lesson and then submitted per term... or even returned to them for exam revisal as the words would be their personal notes and hold greater value.

👊  Narrated stand alone presentation uploaded onto my class blog for parents and students to access... ensuring the lines of communication are all engaged as well as students having ability to revise.

👊  Chose your path story book - could somehow integrate this into Accounting and the reasons different rules exist - particularly in the older years this could be useful when for example doing journal entries... it could be a path way for mapping what went wrong... showing them why it isn't done a particular way..  

👊   Use in the classroom as a loop - no audio... maybe just playing in the background.. this could be esp useful for accessing those repetitive learners particularly if closed book exams require memory of Financial Formulas... 
Think.... 
Annual Percentage Yield 😐
APY = (  1 + r) n -1
            n
r being the stated interest 
n being number of times compounded

 👊  One of PowerPoints new and improved features could be used for enhanced collaborative interactive lessons...with the ability to work together in real time seeing what others are doing and working on - could allow for great brainstorming - a great co or multi authoring feature!

Given the nature of PP the majority of issues concerning legalities, safety and ethical protocols have been covered in my two previous reflective posts: 1 & 2.

As the majority of the tasks I have identified for the use of PP in my classroom involve the creation of assessment pieces by the students I need to be aware of students copying others works... and need to ensure that all copyright obligations are met and identified to the students - particularly with the use of images and videos within their PP's.

It would seem Power Point really is SOOO much more than just a presentation/lecturing tool... and can still be used to engage Gen Z's as well as giving them tools to promote their own personal advancements by way of task redesign in a bid to really brighten the prospect of higher order thinking. 


and..... just before I sign off for another assessment piece I also do just want to touch on... the point that I don't think its just about the kiddies ability to partake in higher order thinking... We as the facilitators in the classroom need to allow them to discover as well as allow ourselves to redesign our own tasks and creatively involve the ICT's that are currently available... or could be available in our schools (the prospect of limited resources is very real in the public system)....

BLOGGETS

I completely misinterpreted my Task for Asessment One: Task Two, and thought I had to start a WIKI as well as a blog.

After further reading into the topic the penny dropped but I'd already started my reflection....

SO Ta da.... my 1/4 Reflection of Ass 1:Task 2 

What the wiki?

Just what is a wiki and how is it going to help me in a classroom setting?

What is a Wiki Exactly? 

this video really illustrates the necessity for ICT's in the classroom in regards to almost how "outdated" the email type ICT is within the classroom - 

At seven minutes into the TED talk - I was focussing my attentoin 

- abiltiy to follow trans media navigation  
- media across multiple medias
- think and consume media - weave it into the pedagpgy 


- non linear directional learning - you can go from one place to another 
- working through content in a very effeienct way
- collabrotive workplace
- designed for group work - great scaffoldinhg for team work - - facilitates online group work

- allows for complementive co,mmenting 
- allows for a varitey of text and media
- assessors - view version and history - allows to view contirubtore etc - who is doing what


- easy to learn - good colligiality 
- allows creativeness

- diggo social book marking 

-free
-share your knowledge
-swap shop
- 1995 - oasis number one HAHA
- contribution to a website
- software solution that bypases all the tricky html blah blah 
- user modified websiter
- web editing system

dark side of wiki ooooooowwwweee 👻👻👻

Assignment 1: Embedded Task 2 - Digital Tools

Digital Media in the classroom... 
Isn't that just letting the students watch videos all class?

We know stacks of research( eg. here ) pin points Gen Z’s as having adopted new literacy activities outside of school... the most obvious and effective way to really 
capture learning moments to me is to jump on the band wagon and adopt the use of these learning literacy's as learning or teaching tools... and.....given my obvious love of images throughout my blog I think it’s fairly obvious I enjoy learning visually... in addition I must also mention behind my blog is a girl who watches hours and hours of YouTube!!... 

SOoooooo....
- Not only for the kiddies engagement (and in the quest for me to be able to deliver to them a class they enjoy),
- For my own self engagement as a life long learner,
- To keep myself interested and motivated as a teacher, and....
- For my own sanity.

 It really is imperative for all involved that digital media (just what is digital media?) in the form of video to be used most actively in my classroom!

After all the customer is always right!!😁😁

I have always envisaged my use of digital media in the form of video within a classroom setting, being the delivery of presentations I'd sourced online via YouTube..

I mean who wouldn't rather watch a quick 1 min flick on Peter and his bananas... and grasp the concept of supply and demand as opposed to me talking for who knows how long about content none is paying any attention to..

Prior to me commencing this ICT's subject I had never really considered me being the creator of the digital media ...😲

A content descriptor from a Year 7 business Economics class requires understanding on work and work environments. 

If I couldn't find an appropriate YouTube fanciful me could create my very own with VideoPad.

With VideoPad I am instanly a "Producer"😆:

This technology is really great! You can easily create your own video's ... with all of the expected mods and bods (you can add media, texts to videos, edit your vids, add transitions etc), which mean you can really customize, have differing privacy settings (eg. if you post to YouTube)  .. and whilst it really isn't time consuming.. I mean I created that 👆 in about ten minutes having never used the technology before.. I honestly think I could find something on YouTube more "watchable"!  😆 

There really are sooooo many amazing quick clips I think my time would be better suited to sourcing relevant and engaging digital media which can really capture teaching and learning moments.

In my mountainous researching efforts (comprised mainly of watching YouTube!!) I did keep returning to a reading in this weeks topic (check it out here!) which also highlighted the possibility of using video as a learning tool for me as a pre-service teacher....!

 Once I can get past the horrific idea of having to watch myself teaching my own lessons  ....on video.. 👀...the benefits to flow would be colossal...  

The revelation of strengths and weaknesses as an instructor would surface quite quickly as a result of the naturally occurring events captured by the video which often elude the naked eye (and my memory!!) becoming clearer upon review...

With that being said.

This concept will be used in role reversal in my classroom.

I intend to flick the creating of digital media over to the students, who lets face it... are probably going to have done it before, are better at it than me... all the while enabling their learning to really expand into the levels of the SAMR model we as facilitators really want to see. 

With the creation and sharing of videos online increasing dramatically I don't think the students are going to have any issues really grabbing onto this 😜... and little be known to them...they will be climbing up - (or down, depends which way you are looking at it) the SAMR model!!

When I was in year six/seven I still vividly remember watching "Behind the News" in class. I'm not sure if I loved watching it so much because I didn't have a TV growing up or because I used to think it was a bludge and that the teacher couldn't be bothered on a Friday afternoon.... 

At the end of the day I mean I am sure the teacher was pretty over it by Friday afternoon... but I am fairly confident it was the only class I used to participate in without chatting to my friends!!! Engagement 101!! 

So I've created my gripping video...

Wellllll.....

I easily uploaded my video in about a minute to YouTube.. And there goes another thing of my bucket list... I'm a YouTuber! 

In addition to the "educational" video I created and mentioned above I created my very own sweet little short video of images from the school holidays with an amazing little app (SPLCE) I downloaded to my phone all in under twenty minutes. 

OUR SCHOOL HOLLI FUN

😁

This app along with VideoPad allowed me to easily copy link, message, mail or share the video via Facey, IG, or YouTube... outlining the simplicity of the capabilities of the app in regards to sharing.  

I touched on incorporating the children in the class to create rules for use within the classroom in regards to blogging, in my previous blog.... these rules would extend to digital media as well... 

In conjunction to those rules there are a few more areas of concern with the use of digital media - in particular videos!

Particular attention needs to be paid to what is appropriate sharing of images as well as the uploading of videos created. 
Such videos would not be intended to be shared on social media services - as an element of control is completely relinquished. 

Basic safety would also encompass:
- no identifiers in digital technology created.. names, landmarks, street signs etc

 - checking of privacy settings 

- use of secure online portals 

- secure passwords
- use of devices owned by the schools 
- secure storage of digital media

Best practice around photographing and filming children should also include:
-  seeking parental consent for photos and videos

Generally speaking I am confident all schools would have policies regarding technology use, digital media, as well as a social media.. so strict adherence to these would ensure legality, safety and ethical protocols are met. 

 Digital Media and SAMR in my classroom

SUBSTITUTION

 Video as purely a substitution tool. 

Students have access to a video, perhaps via my classroom blog where I have embedded the link. 

The video of either myself or maybe Peter and his bananas again is substituting the delivery of content.

AUGMENTATION

Interactive presentation of video.

Enabling students to enjoy media through an image accessed via thinglink "presentation" which  enables student to take notes and narrate.

Functional improvement is present - students are beginning to enjoy the use of ICT's in the classroom - less handwriting for starters!

This of course can role on to MODIFICATION as well... collaboration will begin to emerge as the class join force.

Class members could also be required to research and share differing work types and reasons for working which differ throughout the world (Going back to Year 7 Economics)

Patterns of interest may begin to emerge which I am able to nurture, run with and then really capture engagement. 

Ultimately the task and learning is redesigning.

REDEFINITION

Tasks never thought possible are present and assessable by peers.
New levels of education are reached

Students in small groups are required to interview via video a person from a differing cultural heritage and about work types from their country of origin (once again I am taking you back to my economics class).

As time truly doesn't permit me to explore everything I feel I need to for this subject I do just want to make special mention to: 

- Vlogging this definitely has mammoth amounts of gains and fits well with this weeks topic and pretty much covers all levels of SAMR much in the same way as blogging (see my reflection on blogging) 
- The use of designed video as a tool for learning particularly in the later years of business and economics were formulas and mathematics are explored - with the use of a scripted video of common incorrect solving of a problem. Assessment could also incorporate students staging and videoing particular formulas they've had issues and working through the process they used as a means to connecting with other students stuck on similar concepts. 


In conclusion....
Am I going to let my class watch videos all day? 
No.
Am I going to actively seek digital media to integrate in to the class room?
Absolutely  - I'd be silly not too..
Reflection has exposed the different ways digital media can be used.. Not purely as a "lecturing substitute", but as a way to engage and really facilitate the growth of learning process for students (up and down the SAMR model)...... if used in varying applications!!

BLOGGETS

Assessment 1: Embedded Task 1

Do you know what blogging is?
How easy it is to start a blog?
How it can cultivate engagement in your classroom? 

Prior to the commencement of this unit.. I may have read a few blogs?.. 
Definitely didn’t know how to create one and had no idea on the magnitude of just how adaptable they are.... or the value to me (and the seraphs) in my classes..!

Just“what is a blog and how does it work?”


 


We’ve established that a blog is a website which is essentially a diary of chronological info (a web Log).. 

This tool (by blogger) has allowed me construct and present my thoughts, and experiences in my very own personally themed way... Which... given my inexperience with blogs is really an example of just how much you can do.... and learn in a short space of time with ease.... 
Any issues I had google or youtube were able to source an applicable answer to my question within seconds..... (This is a prime example of just how amazing technology really enables the expansion of our minds.... and just what the children in my class will be able to experience too... SAMR? – I think so – Ill touch on that further on!😁)


Ultimately we are all given our teaching areas, our curriculum to follow and then its up to us to do the rest... 
I need to find tools which engage the students in my classes... 
I need to be able to infiltrate all of the little distractions which are real... to them, and to me!!

I took this on board and consequently initially reflected on the possibility of my use of blogging as the teacher...After rifling through mounds of blogs I landed on carrieloves. Her blog to me was simple, easy to read and the formatting appealed to me so I tried to mimic much of her "styling". After reflecting on what I liked about her page - larger font, less on the screen, regular images which break up her text, precisely delivered info.. I got it...She was delivering more bang for her buck!! 


Consequently in a classroom setting I am now thinking small, concise snippets of info.. 
This particular pedagogy will fit well  with the Gen Zer’s – who  are capable of consuming great amounts of info delivered to them in shorter spurts (think eight seconds). 
As classroom facilitators we have small windows of opportunity to get them in....! 

The ability to import pictures which I liked and upload on my HOME page really enables me to set the tone of my page.... and also to my posts.. I can aim right at the students interests (think Steiner education pedagogy). Each of my posts has embedded URL’s- or highlighted words rather, that my viewers can click on... 
This tool in the classroom will be invaluable. ! Ahhhh...  
I can just imagine having a blog relating to the curriculum being delivered... comments are made in relation to posts I can reply or add posts with links to tutorials or youtubes I’ve created to show practical elements... Also allowing for the ability to expose links to apps I’ve integrated into my classroom such as photomath.... giving way for a greater diversity to ICTs in the classroom.

The comment section to my blog has been valuable in this current setting (uni assign) and also will be in the future allowing me to gauge the level of engagement, if executed correctly.... I can ensure there are requirements set in each subject delivered to comment on blogs at a particular rate; having this built into my planning I can fairly well be delivered real time ongoing engagement assessment... as students comment I can really gauge their level of engagement and where they are at with their thinking overall. This type of ability to reflect and factor into my planning for the next lesson will be just tops!

I feel the commenting section also gives the ability to connect to a larger diversity of students.... I remember being at school (and even at the Res. School) and not asking questions cause it’s just not in my nature to do so.. I used to get major anxiety at the prospect of having to do any kind of task that involved people listening  to me talk.... and even pulled out, then started (and completed) a post grad at a different uni because a lecturer refused to give me an option to doing a speech...! Imagine all the kids in the world that feel like that too..!.... and all of  the teaching/learning opportunities missed because a subject is delivered in a particular way.. It’s quite tragic!! 

I really am an absolute LOVER of blogging now and could go on and on and on; I have just a few more positives which I will condense into a bullet format for you:

• The capacity to connect with a greater audience really is just amazing and with that comes so many benefits.. its enables diversity to be explored and considered, different people’s views and beliefs, their cultures 👌👌 How awesome it would be to be able to connect with students from a completely different environment... Even just within Australia - we could go from Mackay.... west to remote places in far North QLD. The perspectives offered is invaluable.

• One simple ID process has been invaluable and delivers me notifications straight to my phone which has my gmail account notifications switched on – you could be completely available to your class if need be! Although I realize this is not everyone’s idea of a good thing!! Haha😅

• I love the capacity to access the info I have in my blog anywhere, wherever I am..  For example; I have each of the reflection tasks given to me as I go along saved as a copy in my blog..... then when I have a spare hour or whilst taking my little boy to soccer I can access whatever I need right there from my phone... Allowing me to research for my next post in tiny little increments... and further save relevant info to that draft... In a classroom setting this could provide me with a further opportunity to access whatever I like whenever I need... (This can also be accessed via GOOGLE DOCs).. In addition real time support could be provided to those in need.

Now to turn the BLOG perspective around from me using the technology to requiring the students in my class to create their very own blog babies!! 👶 

With the use of blogs...each level of the SAMR model will be reached allowing the students to possess higher order thinking sooner and and at a faster rate than ever thought possible.

Hmmmmm.....SAMR??





Lets all kick the class in the ........  and take them to the next level with the integration of ICT in the classroom presenting to us as teachers unfathomable levels of teaching/learning opportunities, via:                 


SUBSTITUTION

The blog is purely a substitution tool... substituting a hand written pieces of work the student is required to submit a copy and pasted document for homework (as a post) relating to the previous lessons work.

AUGMENTATION

Blogging technology is used as a direct tool for substitution and functional improvements are surfacing as students are required to (on their blog) publish assessment for me to see, grading criteria encompasses an expectation to showcase their ability to embed images, presentations, videos or audio to reinforce text, and the possibility of hyperlinks. At this level the work of the students is plat formed on the blog, I am able to access their learning record in a centralized, archived and searchable format. I comment to add value to their assessment as well as invite and require other students within the classroom environment to comment (forming part of their assessment as well).

MODIFICATION

As the class skills increases higher order thinking takes place. 
Within the blog students are expected to begin to explore hyperlink writing showcasing their ability to digitally write, granting me access to the processes they adopt and the connection it has with their thinking influences, relationships and processes between their posts and external resources.  Evidence of a task redesign is emerging.
Global audience writing is present, peer writing forms, and students take on board comments. 

REDEFINTIONN

New tasks previously inconceivable emerge👍
As a teacher I am seeing the student blogs forming and extending their communicative and learning cycle.
Learning, reflecting, sharing and the ability to receive feedback all provide me with documented evidence.
Emergence of students "ah ahhhh" moments are visible to me... the blog is the heart of learning ... it documents to me a digital footprint encompassing the organisation, building and maintenance of their own independent learning and networking. 



When in the classroom as with anything we as teachers do we must be mindful of the legal, safety and ethical concerns in regards to blogging.

There are benefits working for example with Education Queensland, which adopts a strong filtering of many sites online with the use of LearningPlace.... which is essentially a secure environment... there is still however cause for concern especially with the ability to "link" to and from other web addresses; whilst this is a vital feature which makes blogging so interactive and potentially really boost engagement with an increase in teaching/learning opportunities, it has potential for endangerment... 

My major concern entails the possibility of ease of access to third party web pages and of course the ease of access third party’s could potentially have access too...along with the interaction that may filter from their access.


Concern for safety and authenticity of the info...!
 Safety concerns need to be addressed to protect and ensure the safety of everyone involved and can be done so with a few simple steps, such as; altering a privacy or access setting within the blog. 


Whilst the author/s is the only one who can edit information the ability to comment and respond to posts via comments can potentially be very public. 


Coomera Anglican College (on the Gold Coast) has implemented a guide for the students. I believe such a contract or guide with the involvement of students in the creation of such rules or the implementation of a contract so to speak would really increasing the value and relativity to the students.

Requiring thinking about the consequences of their online presence really offers multiple teaching/learning opportunities which have multiple levels, discussions contribution could take avenues contributed by Get Safe Online or Psychology Today 

Coomera’s rules guides can be seen as follows:MY BLOG RULES




Being bound by legal and ethical practice, and being responsible for our own and the children in the class consideration needs to be given for the provision and enforcement of guidelines for legal and ethical practice with copyright materials.

A few things which come to mind as a Bloggers code of ethics... Things such as being honest and kind, limiting plagiarism, identifying and linking sources and minimizing interpretive error... and so on.



In addition to the various teaching contexts I have touched on..... I just want to go a little further in relation to the blogs ability to open the lines of communication between parents, teachers and the student.... if for example parents are invited to see the students posts and the actual creations of the blog the students are creating. 
This is invaluable! 
It has the ability to offer an opportunity for the parents to connect with their teen. There truly are so many benefits substantiated by mammoth amounts of research supporting strong parental relationships such as: better academic outcomes, lessen the likelihood that teens will exhibit problem behaviors, linked repeatedly to mental, social, and emotional well-being in adolescents and youths.... and a strong influence that the parent child relationship in child and adolescent years, will extend into adulthood. 

Furthermore, the implementation of parental involvement (particularly in lower socio-economic areas) could really encourage the value of education perceived by the parent which would (optimistically) prolong the level of engagement had by the teens.. YIPEEE!

Check this out for an interesting read on Parent-Teen Relationships.

Lets all nurture parents value for education... and.... explore the possibilities of ICT in the classroom!

 

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