Thursday, 3 September 2015

Reflective Synopsis



The use of ICT’s and e-learning is embedded into the Australian curriculum in order to allow learners to develop their understanding of these technologies. In today’s ever changing world learners need to be able to use these resources in order to survive and develop their higher order thinking skills (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014). This opinion has been further developed over the past six weeks, whilst using the different e-Learning resources. The following will reflect on some possible resources for use within the classroom, their legality, and the safe and ethical uses of these. Such as using e-Learning in a group environment, pedagogical implications, how technology can transform, facilitate, support and enhance learning, and its use within all levels of the “SAMR model” (Schrock, 2015). These will also examine the use of Wiki’s in a group environment, mobile phones within the classroom, blogs, videos, digital presentations and simulations. Before using these learners must be made aware of the legal, safety and ethical issues of e-Learning.

Prior to using these resources learners must be made aware of what content they can use and how to use it legally and ethically. It is essential for all schools to educate their students about the importance of these procedures (Queensland Government, 2014). These must be considered when working with presentation resources such as Prezi from reflection four, to understand how to use music, videos, photos and information legally and ethically. Students must also be educated about how to be safe online. Such as not giving out private details, how to deal with social situations and what to do if they don’t feel safe (United States Government, United States Department of Justice, 2013).

Also when considering what technology to use in the classroom, its usefulness for collaborative groups must be considered. The Australian Curriculum highly supports the use of collaborative groups when using technology in the classroom (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014). Using a Wiki in the classroom for collaborative groups was demonstrated in reflection one as a useful resource, and a social constructivist approach (Birt, 2015a). A Wiki can be used within two phases of the SAMR model. It enables groups to display their ideas (“Substitution”), opinions (Substitution), alter work from multiple computers (“Augmentation”) and create mind maps (Augmentation) (Schrock, 2015). Another resource that is highly useful for group work is mobile phones. Mobile phones can be used within three phases of the SAMR model (Schrock, 2015). Mobile phones can be used in collaborative groups to investigate information (“Modification”), collect and displaying data (Augmentation), create videos (“Redefinition”) and create presentations (Redefinition) to be inserted into a blog (Schrock, 2015). However the way that this technology is implemented must also work in conjunction with an effective pedagogy.

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority states,

students develop ICT capability as they learn to use ICT effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems and work collaboratively” (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014).

These aspects must be considered when creating an effective pedagogy that supports the use of e-Learning within the classroom. For example reflection two examined the use of blogs within the classroom. When using a blog in the classroom it needs to be considered how the blog can be used effectively, how learners can demonstrate what they know, its use as a problem solving task tool, and for group work (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014). Some suggestions that were given in reflection two that achieve this are: creating a mind map (Substitution), displaying a learners’ speech (Augmentation), video of a poem learners have written, with a voice over and images to accompany it (Modification), and posting a stop motion video (Redefinition) (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014; Schrock, 2015). When this pedagogy has been considered e-Learning can really transform, facilitate, support and enhance learning.

The use of e-Learning within the classroom can be highly beneficial to help students learn effectively.  According to Schwartz & Hartman, e-Learning can help learners develop their understanding of a large range of topics (n.d.). Birt also agrees with this, adding that e-Learning gives the learners the opportunity to work in groups, connect with others worldwide and use limitless resources (2015b). This can be seen as achieved in reflection three which examines the use of videos, specifically Adobe Premiere Pro CC embedded in a blog to support learners’ understanding.  This resource allows learners practice sight words (Substitution), film and present speeches (Augmentation), create a news segment as a collaborative group (Modification), and create a vlog (video blog) of an excursion (Redefinition) (Schrock, 2015). These activities help develop learners’ understanding, using  higher order thinking, and presenting tasks in new ways. These can also be seen in reflection five suggestion using a simulation, specifically Google Maps. For example finding the capitals of different countries (Substitution), take a ‘photo’/screenshot of a local landmark (Augmentation), plan a hypothetical worldwide trip (Modification), and a global treasure hunt (Redefinition) (Schrock, 2015).

As can be seen e-Learning is a highly effective tool within the classroom when used to its full potential. Such as a Wiki, mobile phones, blogs, videos, digital presentations, and simulations. Many e-Learning resources can also be effectively used within all stages of the SAMR model (Schrock, 2015). When using e-Learning within the classroom learners need to be educated about how to be legal and ethical about the content they use, also how to be safe about private details and within social situations. Including collaborative groups within learning can be highly effective to help support learners, along with the use of an effective pedagogy. An effective pedagogy will ensure that learners are able to use tools effectively, problem solve, and work productively in groups (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2014). It is evident that the use of e-Learning within the classroom is essential for all learners.


Works Cited:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2014). Information and
communication technology (ICT) capability: Introduction. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/generalcapabilities/information-and-communication-technology-capability/introduction/introduction

Birt, K. (2015a). Legals. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001: Managing e-
Learning, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=101661
                                                                                                     
Birt, K. (2015b). Know your learner and the brain. Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses,
FAHE11001: Managing e-Learning, https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=101648

Queensland Government. (2014). Intellectual property and copyright use. Retrieved from
http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au/corp/governance/Pages/Intellectual-Property-and-Copyright-Use.aspx

Schrock, K. (2015). Resources to support the SAMR Model. Retrieved from
http://schrockguide.net/samr.html

Schwartz, D. L., Hartman, K. (n.d.). It is not television anymore: Designing digital video for
learning and assessment. Retrieved from http://aaalab.stanford.edu/papers/Designed_Video_for_Learning.pdf

United States Government, United States Department of Justice. (2013). Kids – Safety tips.
Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety

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