Weekly Reflection - wk 4

ASSIGNMENT 2!! I have not even recovered from the shock of assignment 1 and now comes assignment 2.

                        

source: Google Images (n.d.) Clipart images of stress retrieved from https://www.google.com.my/search?q=clip+art+images+of+stress&hl=en&client=opera&hs=4rY&channel=suggest&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=

X&ei=cB1ZUcKuDcn4rQeV6YHYBw&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=1333&bih=645

Need to do up a unit plan for assignment 2! Feeling overwhelmed and stressed AGAIN!! Instead of paying full attention to the lecture, I've decided to go to week 4's 'Draw a Stickman' to de-stress myself. And of course it did help!! Was having so much fun that I've completed episode 2 as well. Click on link below to for a try! The wonders of technology!
   http://www.drawastickman.com/

Okay! Now back to reality!! Oh yeah! UNIT PLAN, need to work on it a.s.a.p. since I'm on my Easter break now. Talking about Easter, 'Happy Belated Easter to everyone in this world'!!

source: Google Images (n.d.) Holiday Smiley holding an Easter egg retrieved from http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-1103-2317-0734_Holiday_Smiley_Holding_an_Easter_Egg_

clipart_image.jpg

EDC 3100 Assignment 1 part B

        

                                     
                      

                                   

McTurk, D.R., (2012) The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.mp4. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4HI7q38VmQ

                      

What is ICT in Education?

"ICT"is the Information and Communication Technologies. "ICT in Education" means "Teaching and Learning with ICT".

source: Elmo Classroom Solutions (2012). What is ICT in Education. Retrieved from http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/images/ict/img02.gif 

Educational ICT tools can be divided into 3 categories: Input source, Output source and Others.

Worldwide research has shown that ICT can lead to improved student learning and better teaching methods. A report made by the National Institute of Multimedia Education in Japan, proved that an increase in student exposure to educational ICT through curriculum integration has a significant and positive impact on student achievement, especially in terms of "Knowledge・Comprehension" · "Practical skill" and "Presentation skill" in subject areas such as mathematics, science, and social study.

However, you can see that there are many education technology solutions provided in the world which may cause confusion among educators about how to choose the right ICT solution. Let's have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of ICT tools for education and discover what kind of education ICT solution is suitable for your school needs.

3 Main advantages of ICT tools for education

1‧ Through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students.
2‧ Through ICT, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students' comprehension.
3‧ Through ICT, teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration.

3 Main disadvantages of ICT tools for education

1‧ Setting up the devices can be very troublesome.
2‧ Too expensive to afford
3‧ Hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools

Reference: Elmo Classroom Solutions (2012). What is ICT in Education. Retrieved 24 March 2013 from http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/html/ict/01.aspx 

    

Weekly Reflection - wk 3

Finally! Made it for class, yaay!! Tons of things to do and so little time!! Although some confusion were sorted out in class today, being not that tech savvy has left me feeling overwhelmed and worried!
Very recently at work, just gotten to know that international schools here are using digital portfolio! Info about digital portfolio:

Since the advent of constructivism, education has seen a slow, steady shift from knowledge being imparted to students toward knowledge being created by students. Along with this shift has grown a need to create opportunities for students to produce meaningful artifacts. We see this best in the growing trend toward project-based learning. A portfolio is a collection of artifacts demonstrating knowledge and skills. These artifacts should be structured and presented in a format that is easy to navigate and easy to read. A portfolio's contents should be interrelated and should address one overall theme. A digital portfolio does the same thing, except that the artifacts are all in digital format. Digital portfolios hold enormous potential for structuring, organizing, and presenting digital artifacts. However, many digital portfolio projects are contained within closed systems. Some are in file format and therefore available only to those in possession of the files. Others are online but reside within password-protected environments.

The advent of what we now call Web 2.0, or the read/write web exponentially increased the ease of content production and publishing. Suddenly the consumer could become the producer. A decade ago if you wanted to create a website, you would have to learn how to use fairly difficult software — along with finding a hosting solution and managing the files — and you might even have to learn a bit of HTML. Now, with a few clicks of the mouse, a child who can't even spell Internet can create a published website. Hundreds of services provide free hosting and website creation tools. These websites are ideal platforms for digital portfolios because they can contain just about any type of digital content. Moreover, publishing to the web instantly creates a potential audience for the student.

Digital portfolios in a website format have the advantage of being able to contain embedded content (through embed codes rather than through links). This means, for example, that students can embed videos they create in YouTube or Animoto, presentations created in Prezi or SlideRocket, mind-maps created in Bubbl.us or SpicyNodes, screencasts created with Screenr or Screencast-o-Matic, and podcasts created with Chirbit or AudioBoo (Donaldson, 2012)

source: EchuchaElearning (n.d.) Digital Portfolio. Retrieved from http://echucaelearning.wikispaces.com/file/view/PrintscreenLalorWestDigitalPortfolio.jpg/152592693/PrintscreenLalorWestDigitalPortfolio.jpg

                                     

Reference: Donalson, J., (2012). Digital Portfolios in the Age of the Read/Write Web. Retrieved 24 March 2013 from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/digital-portfolios-age-readwrite-web 

TPACK

TPACK which stands for Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge a type of framework used framework that identifies the knowledge teachers need to teach effectively with technology. At the heart of the TPACK framework, is the complex interplay of three primary forms of knowledge: Content (CK), Pedagogy (PK), and Technology (TK). The TPACK approach goes beyond seeing these three knowledge bases in isolation. TPACK also emphasizes the new kinds of knowledge that lie at the intersections between them, representing four more knowledge bases teachers applicable to teaching with technology: Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK), and the intersection of all three circles, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK).

Effective technology integration for pedagogy around specific subject matter requires developing sensitivity to the dynamic, transactional relationship between these components of knowledge situated in unique contexts. Individual teachers, grade-level, school-specific factors, demographics, culture, and other factors ensure that every situation is unique, and no single combination of content, technology, and pedagogy will apply for every teacher, every course, or every view of teaching (TPACK.org, n.d.)

                          source:TPACK.org (n.d.). Using the TPACK Image. Retrieved from http://www.matt-koehler.com/tpack/wp-content/uploads/tpack.jpg



Reference: TPACK.org (n.d.). What is TPACK?. Retrieved from http://www.tpack.org/

                         

Why Do We Need ICT as Part of the Curriculum?

Information and Communication Technology is needed to enable students to work collaboratively in all learning areas in school. It is essential that students have the capabilities such as learning to make the most of the digital technologies and adapting to new ways of doing things in order to use information and communication technology effectively and appropriately to create, communicate and access information.

Students also need to have the knowledge and skills to make use of information and communication technology to enable them to participate in a knowledge based economy and to be empowered within a technologically sophisticated society in their lives beyond school.

Online educational games :
Ladybird counting
http://www.wmnet.org.uk/resources/gordon/Count%20&%20Order.swf

Initial sounds with Lecky
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html#count-with-lecky7b

Number balloons
http://www.iboard.co.uk/iwb/Number-Balloons-572

Teddy numbers
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/teddy-numbers

Reference: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (n.d.). Information and Technology (ICT) capability. Retrieved 15 March 2013 from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/Information-and-Communication-Technology-capability/Introduction/Introduction

                                    
source: Google Images (n.d.). Clipart of two kids playing the computer. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.my/search?hl=en&client=opera&channel=suggest&biw=1333&bih=645&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=clipart+of+two+kids+playing+the+computer&oq=clipart+of+two+kids+playing+the+computer&gs_l=img.3...94881.99589.0.101486.12.12.0.0.0.0.44.269.12.12.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.90cb-NBrPk0

               

Weekly Reflection - wk 2

Well, what can I say! Missed out on this week's lecture AGAIN!! It's really hard when you have to work, study and a family with four kids to take care of!!
What should I prioritize? Work? As I need the money to pay for my course. Studies? I need it for my professional development. Family? Being in the early years sector for so many years, I know that it is essential to have quality time with my children.

                     
source: Google Images (n.d.) Smiley Images. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.my/search?q=smiley+images&hl=en&client=opera&channel=suggest&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=FCZPUaLzE9DLrQfrvoAQ&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1333&bih=645

Thankfully, information is on the StudyDesk and there is all the reminders and info posted by my fellow course mates on facebook! The wonders of Information and Communication Technology!! We don't need to be geniuses to figure out the importance of information and communication technology.

Expresso Education

Monday, 04/03/2013
Had my training with the rest of the teachers at our school's ICT suite.
It is obvious that information and communication technology plays a big part as a teaching tool for a teacher.
In this training, there are all sorts of resources for the teachers to work with and for children to access and learn with. After all, learning takes place in all sorts of form and ways.
Children in the 21st century should be exposed and given the opportunity to access to all kinds of information and communication technology tools. As a matter of fact, children should be computer illiterate so that they will be equipped to face the world when they enter adulthood. And furthermore, which child in this world can resist the temptation of handling a information and technology tool like the computer!

Link to expresso education:
Expresso Education

As such teachers must embrace the changes in today's education in order to educate the 21st century learners!!

Source:  Teaching the 21st Century Learners - Tammara Dias, downloaded from youtube at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTWTKDdw8f4                          


Using technology in the classroom:

Source: Digital Literacy-Using technology in the Classroom - downloaded from youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ySocUyI7I

Purpose of this blog

Hi all! As part of the requirement of EDC 3100, ICT & Pedagogy, one of the subjects in my Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood course, I have set up this blog to post in my weekly reflections and my learning journey for this subject. Please feel free to post in your comments, ideas and advice!! :)

Weekly Reflection - wk 1

source: Orkugifs.com (n.d.) Days of the Week. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.my/search?hl=en&client=opera&channel=suggest&biw=1333&bih=645&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=orkugifs+days+of+the+week&oq=orkugifs+days+of+the+week&gs_l=img.3...4256.15393.0.16371.29.23.6.0.0.0.25.410.23.23.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.eWaU9cDmh2s#imgrc=oUPo9jM6pm3d4M%3A%3BovG9TWEZIQperM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.orkugifs.com%252Fen%252Fimages%252Fdays-of-week_1970.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.orkugifs.com%252Fen%252Ffunny-scraps-6.html%3B400%3B393

                    
Missed out on today's lecture by Ms Ng, my tutor for EDC 3100, ICT & Pedagogy as was having a temperature :(  Had to checked with my course mate, KayYi (check out her awesome blog at http://teacherkayyi.blogspot.com) on what was needed to be done and how to do it. Must admit I'm not an ICT Einstein!! Probably my 6 years old son would be more ICT savvy than me!!
Absolutely thankful that I will be having ICT training at work this coming Monday. 'Expresso Education', a UK based programme that has a wide 
range of interactive, video-rich classroom resources that inspire children to work on certain developmental areas with standards-based digital resources.

In today's world, it is essential that children have the knowledge of how use ICT tools