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.