Tim’s Blog

I just wanted to make a response to one of Dan’s postings entitled “Evaluating Virtual Learning Environments for Special Needs Students”. In this posting Dan addresses the the use of virtual reality environments and their application is special needs classrooms as stated by Neale, Brown, Cobb and Wilson. Neale, Brown, Cobb and Wilson state that virtual learning environment should:
- encourage self-directed activity

- motivate student learning

- be representative of real world situations (as this will allow students to best achieve an outcome)

- provide a safe environment where students can experiment with actions and behaviours

- offer shared public experiences

- equalise physical abilities

(1999, p. 269).

I feel these aspects of a virtual learning environment should not only be the ones included in a special needs environment but they should be included in a mainstream classroom as well. This means that it is just as important for teachers to ensure that all students’ individual needs are being met and their differing learning styles are being catered for as well.

I noticed Talia has posted some very interesting quotes about computer and digital media education and its value in our modern society. I particularly like the George Lucas quote:

“If people aren’t taught the language of sound and images, shouldn’t they be considered as illiterate as if they left college without being able to read or write?”

- George Lucas

I think this is a very valuable question to ask ourselves as potential educators of the modern age. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate and children need to be literate with digital media just as they need to be literate with reading and writing. The answer to George Lucas’s question is yes and we as teacher have the responsibility of ensuring students leave school literate in the language of sound and image.

Having used iMovie in class and having enjoyed using the program I decided I would download Photostory 3 to my computer at home (I have a PC and therefore iMovie is not compatibale). I downloaded Photostory and created a movie using the program (minus the audio narration as I do not have a microphone). Anyway I found Photostory not very user friendly and I thought it was difficult to find out how to make adjustments and add effects to the movie. This was in complete contrast to my use of iMovie, which was very user friendly and easy to work with.

If I was to use digital storytelling in the classroom I would much prefer to use iMovie as it would be a lot easier for students to work with and then in turn their work would be of a higher quality.

Over the last few week I have built up my blog page and have become used to blogging and looking at other people’s blogs. During this time I have been wondering if this would be a valuable tool to use in the classroom. I think it is, only if it is used correctly. The 5 Don’ts of Classroom Blogging post Samantha has posted provided some good points to remember when blogging in the classroom.

Each point is something that must be in the mind of a classroom teacher wishing to use a Blog page in their teaching endevours. The points are:
1.DON’T just dive in.
2.DON’T confuse blogging with social networking.
3.DON’T leap at the freebies.
4.DON’T force a sequential style.
5.DON’T leave the blogging to the students.

Dan has taken upon a very interesting topic of interest, Special Needs learning. Having read his review of “Assistive Technology and the Multiage Classroom” I have realised that technologies really have a place in assisting students with additional needs. What stuck out ot me the most was the use of technology “opened new pathways for students with alternative learning styles” (2002, p. 38).

I agree with Dan that with the use of technologies can assist students to work at their own pace and assist them with their own needs. Dan stated: “It seems to offer endless opportunities for learning, and works to break down the limitations that impede on the learning of students with needs that vary from the norm.” To which I wholeheartedly agree.

I followed the link I found on Talia’s Blog about the Digital storytelling programs the Country Areas Program has been running. It is encouaging to see the government funding such
initiatives to support and equip teachers in rural areas with the knowledge of technological teaching resources such as digital storytelling. From what I read the workshops seem to be basic but productive with teachers producing their own digital story from media they have selected themselves.

From my own experience I have found that creating digital stories myself has given me the confidence to incorporate digital storytelling into the classroom during my future teaching endeavors. Just like children it is important that teachers can learn new methods of teaching by the tasks themselves. The constructivist theory applies to teachers as well as students!

Whilst reading Samantha’s posting on Technolgy to Support Learning I was reminded that if we are to use technology in the classroom it must be releavnt. Sam stated that from her readings she found:

“…technology is beneficial to use in classrooms provided that the use of technology be appropriate and useful for students”

As classroom teachers we must remember that we should not use technology and computer software for the sake of using computer technology and computer software. The use of technology must be well thought out and be used to benefit students for their current learning and education as well as providing them with skills to use in the future.

Thanks for the reminder Samantha!

Over the past few days at the Before and After School Care I work at many of the students there have been using our computer to play what is known as “Mathletics”. It involves mathematical activities and problems which they have to solve online. There is also an emlemnt of competing with other students all over the world. One child today was telling me that they had beaten someone from Japan last night and also played against someone from Singapore.

I am yet to sit down and have a proper look at the software but the program is generating a lot of exictment amongst the stage 2 students at the school. Not only are they excited about using the internet and computer software but they are excited about mathematics!! I have worked at this centre for over 2 years and have never heard so much excitement about a school project. Exciting stuff!