My Synopsis... Reflection 6

E-Learning is Information Technology Communication in Teaching

This reflective synopsis will outline the learning journey I went through as a student, which allowed me to have an understanding of how I could implement digital technologies into classroom practice as a learning manager. The key learning experience of exploring online space such as web 2.0 tools wiki spaces, blogs, digital tools ect taught me, the importance of discovering for myself, thinking critically, reflecting, what worked what didn’t and what could I improve. The scaffolding that was delivered with the content allowed me to process at my own pace, while having the resources and network of other students to help me when I needed. This ensured my learning journey was successful. The key is that pedagogy, technology, and Content are all intertwined. E-learning has transformed the way we learn . It is exciting, stimulating, affordable, collaborative interactive, creative and imperative to teaching and engaging students in the 21^st century. 

Negligent teaching is the implications of NOT using ICT  . As a secondary teacher I will develop knowledge in a specialized area that caters to year levels. Before technology secondary teaching didn't allow for integration or sharing of resources among discipline areas. Education was considered to be a Silo. (Allen & Smith, 2010, p.49) Technology in the 21^st century has evolved, traditional approaches to teaching where students are memorizing facts without making links no longer work. School environments need to change, technology has captured students’ attention, learning managers require a new set of skills to gain students interest and imagination (2010 p.50)through this course I discovered digital technologies are integral to learning in the 21^st century. We live in a global society with technology at our fingertips, by embedding technology meaningfully into teaching we are allowing learners to understand content on a deeper level, they can problem solve, remember what they see, hear touch and explore, they can share ideas, analysis, reflect, question, work independently or foster relationships with students to strengthen understanding .Technology caters for ALL levels of development and ability.  I learnt it is essential that students and teachers understand the importance of safe ethical work practice with web tools, and understand the guidelines and consequences, to ensure the safety and identity of students while working on the web. It is also important to teach students about copyright and reference. Everything placed on the web is a footprint for life.(refer blog week 6)

 E-Learning according to Sir Ken Robinson is using information technology to engage and enhance extended pedagogy in a sound flexible innovative way. When I become a Learning manager I need to ensure I use digital technologies, following Australian curriculum guidelines, in a planned purposeful creative way, using pedagogical strategies, to scaffold learning in a safe ethical manner. ( Refer to blog de Bono’s hats/ web safety  blog week 2)this will ensure students are engaged and achieve successful learning outcomes. Understanding learning styles helps the learning process. Howard Gardeners’ Multiple intelligent tests is one way to profile a learner along with, observation formal and informal testing and using the 9 learning management questions, this will guarantee I have a deeper understanding of my students needs and strengths. I have  learned ICT is positioned to cater for ALL learning styles and ability. It can be social or individual work, sharing collaborative across, local state and international borders. ICT is visual, auditory and interactive to enhance the experience  accessing information in a variety of ways. It is essential to use the right pedagogical tool and technology to engage in the content.

 My experiences while working with the digital tools allowed me to analysis how I would embed technology in the classroom ensuring I understood and applied TPACK.correctly. (Refer blog week 3)  The frame work of Technology Pedagogy And Content Knowledge is essential to the online digital environment of learning. It is important that classroom topics blend and connect students to a variety of modal resources .It is important as a learning manager to ask questions, reflect on learning outcomes, what worked, what didn’t, what can be done better, were the students engaged in the topic, content and how I can bring prior knowledge into new content? I also learnt the process of Blooms taxonomy and followed the steps when creating a lesson plan (Refer blog week 3 )   (Knowledge, comprehension, application, Analysis, synthesis, Evaluation,) It allows for higher order thinking planning problem solving and clarifies new knowledge and thinking is integral to understanding.

 The learning theory behind ICT, is working towards enhancing and engaging ALL learners. Underpinning everything is Piage and Vygotsky’ theories of; Behaviorism, Constructivism, Cognitivism and Connectivism .Learning is founded upon social interaction, culture, physical, virtual, and sensory environments. The brain stores knowledge, it is a mental process storing information long term, short term, chunking, reinforcing, practicing, questioning the how to and where to find knowledge, share knowledge, and reflecting, all supports how we learn.(refer blog week 2)

 What does the future hold? With our globally changing diverse world I must ensure I embrace change, continue to fill my toolbox of resources ,be a lifelong learner who takes calculated risks, is creative and  implements technology and pedagogy within curriculum content Who engages student learning by sharing and working collaboratively using ICT.

Reference

http://www.ted.com/speakers/sir_ken_robinson.html

Allen, J.M. & Smith, R.A. (2010). Secondary education and the learning Manager. In B.A. Knight and D.Lynch (Eds.). Applied learning management: New approaches for the new millennium. (pp.47-59)French Forest NSW: Pearson Education Australia.

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