I feel it is important to seek feedback from others about my work, so I have attached two peer marking rubrics assessing my blog.
Digital Teaching Resources
Digital teaching resources are a great tool to use in the classroom, attached are some handy resources I have found that could be useful in educating children.
Evaluation Matrix – Maths online
Maths online can be used from pre-primary through to year 12, here is an example of a quick lesson and some questions for a year 4 learning 3 digit addition.
Link to Maths Online; http://mathsonline.com.au
Evaluation Matrix – Reading Eggs
Knowing how to read is important when going through school, so i have attached an example of a game teaching a year 1 student how to sound out (using the mm sound). In each of these scenarios children had to pick the mm sound.
Link to Reading Eggs; http://readingeggs.com.au/
Digital Convergence
The digital world in which we live has come a long way in the past 10 years, advancements in the way we use technology has in turn lead to a digital convergence. The term “digital convergence” means the ability to view the same multimedia content from different types of devices. So basically, one way I participate in digital convergence is using my smart phone to watch a movie from YouTube on my Smart TV that recognises the smart phone as a device paired to it. It sounds confusing, but think about it; even using your HDMI cord to connect your laptop to your TV to look at photos or movies on the big screen is a part of digital convergence.
One huge benefit of digital convergence is that we can use it in an educational context. In recent years more emphasis has been placed on using technology in the classroom, more often than not we are seeing teachers using tablets and laptops in convergence with and interactive white board to aid their lessons. This enables teachers to share helpful online learning resources with their students, and introduce them to fun new ways to learn- not just reading from a book.
Digital convergence is all around us, I no longer feel like I need a digital camera or an mp3 player because they are all converged onto one devise, being my Smartphone. Technological convergence also helps me with my own education, I can download a mobile application that has all of my courses on it, so I can keep up to date where ever I am. Digital convergence is all around us and as technology advances, so too does digital convergence. Used for education and just fun, it seems there are many positives to come from the converging digital world.
References;
Herr-Stephenson, R. & Alper, M. (2013) Transmedia Play: Literacy Across Media. 366-369.
https://lms.curtin.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3332581-dt-content-rid-19564861_1/courses/EDUC1000-FacHum-1971960699/Transmedia%20Play_%20Literacy%20Across%20Media.pdf
2014. What is Digital Convergence? Retrieved from
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/27026-what-is-digital-convergence
2003. Digital Convergence and Systems Integration at its Prime. What is digital convergence?
Retrieved from
http://www.globrocks.com/images/DigitalConvergence.pdf
Photos retrieved from:
http://www.trypsych.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/
http://allinonebranding.com/tag/brand-loyalty-ebook
Digital Fluency
Digitally fluent, it is something most of us living in the 21st century are, and in some respects need to be. Digital fluency is the ability to use digital technologies in a confident manner, and as the world today is heavily reliant on digital technologies, it is important we as educators know how to use these technologies and teach effectively with them. I tend to consider myself as a ‘digital native’, I grew up in an internet generation and am digitally fluent in most technological aspects.
So why is being digitally fluent important? I tend to think it is because technology is never going to go backwards, as time evolves so too does technology. As an aspiring educator my students will probably be even more fluent at using digital technology at home than I am. That is why it is essential I can use technology to further their learning in the classroom, such as using digital learning resources and teaching how to use technology effectively to further their understanding of using handy digital resources and skills outside of the home.
But what about traditional learning? Past generations have done just fine without all this extra technology we use today. But the reality is, the world expects our students learning to be able to use these technologies in the work place and wider society. Using up to date technologies and online resources will aid students with the technological skills to be able to work, communicate and keep up to date themselves. There is no denying being digitally fluent, or confident in using technology is a must in today’s society. It is also important we pass on this knowledge to others so the digital world can continue to grow and we as users can receive the benefits it will bring.
This attached article explains the topic of digital fluency a little more in-depth if you wanted to have a read.
http://http://rd.acer.edu.au/article/digital-fluency-for-the-digital-age
References;
Howell, J. (2012) Teaching with ICT. Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity. Australia. Oxford University Press.
White, G. (2013). Digital fluency : skills necessary for learning in the digital age. 1-12.
http://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=digital
White, G. (2013). Digital Fluency for the digital age. Retrieved from
http://rd.acer.edu.au/article/digital-fluency-for-the-digital-age
Photos retrieved from:
http://pakpersonal.ch/?attachment_id=658
http://rd.acer.edu.au/article/digital-fluency-for-the-digital-age
What is a Digital World?
What is a digital world? Before this week I was fairly certain I knew what it was; a world centred on using computers and other forms of technology like iPhones and tablets to socialise and connect in new ways, as well being a tool used frequently to help us learn and discover new diverse ways of thinking and resolving issues. Although I feel this definition is not wrong, I have definitely learnt that there is more substance behind the term ‘digital world’.
A ‘digital world’ is not necessarily a physical thing, such as wires or communication. It is the way in which we use digital technologies in our world. (J. Howell). After reading this it made me realise, I participate in a digital world every day. I check social media on my phone and check my emails on my iPad. My life revolves around technology, as an online university student my main way of getting through my course is using the internet to attend classes virtually, submit work and most importantly learn. This is just one example of how technology is a beneficial learning tool.
During high school, I rarely used online resources to aid my learning; it was the books or the teacher’s word. Now that I am attending university, my learning experience has completely changed. We as 21st century learners and teachers endorse the use of technology to learn, and if students have a valuable learning resource in front of them, why not use it? I have found that having a basic digital pedagogy will enable me to experience different learning theories and resources. When I complete my course I can implement these in my classroom to further develop my students understanding of a digital world, and hopefully produce digitally fluent students who are eager to explore and use diverse technologies to learn.
Here is a short video of what the digital world could look like in the year 2020! exciting.
References;
Howell, J. (2012) Teaching with ICT. Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity. Australia. Oxford University Press.
Photo retrieved from:
http://www.spp.com.au/articles/article/preparing-super-funds-for-a-different-future
Teaching in a digital world 