Sunday 24 November 2013

Integration at the Primary Level - how can we support teachers?

This weekend I was fortunate enough to participate in some great PD through the Global Education Conference 2013. As a primary teacher I was particularly interested in a session called "Integrating technology in primary classrooms from the learning theories" hosted by Taru Malhotra. Taru is a grad student at York University's Faculty of Education. This session attracted educators from all over the world and it was interesting to hear a variety of global perspectives. Taru work questioned whether or not learning theories such as Vygotsky were still relevant and relatable to our present classrooms with the integration of technology. As technology offers the benefits of increasing engagement, motivation, interactions, collaborative opportunities and meeting individual needs of students there are still issues with respect to teacher education and development for authentic implementation especially at the early childhood and primary levels. In her research she has found that many teachers are not using technology as an instructional delivery system or teaching and learning process due to lack of education, confidence or support. She points to Vygotsky's theory that a child's environment particular in primary years plays a critical role in a child's development. She suggests that teachers must understand that technology such as Ipads, Ipods, etc like other resources are just like and other "environment". She also pointed to Vygotsky's thoughts on scaffolding for students and how this idea is just as important for teachers. Training programs need to consider scaffolding for teachers and recognize the importance of collaboration, learning from others to transform our own beliefs of technology integration. One of the attendee comments was related to personal use of technology. It seems that the more we use technology in our personal life the more we are comfortable using within the classroom. Which made sense to me. As someone who is still working on being that "connected" educator I find that I need to be comfortable and confident and see the purpose in a product before I even entertain it's use in my classroom.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Intriguing uses of Audio in the Classroom!

After reading several articles, postings, tweets and even "listening" to several podcasts I realize incorporating audio into classroom routines provides a variety of teaching and learning opportunities beyond the "listening centre" with the giant headphones and the books on tape that I grew up with. There are many examples out there but I stumbled on a few ideas that caught my attention for my own future practice. AUDIO BOO Many call this Edmondo app the Youtube of Audio. Audioboo allow both students and teachers within an Edmondo Group to share audio files. Users also have the opportunity to search a variety of audio clips from trusted sources such as CNBC, BBC etc. Classes can created Podcasts called "Boos" to share within their own groups. Students can "show what they know" in a different format, auditory learners can share their ideas orally without the limitations of text. Teachers could use this tool to attach audio recordings of assignment instructions. Students could share poems during a poetry unit hearing emotional cues either written by their peers or pre-recorded poems accessed from libraries. There are also sites that you can download free audio books and poems such as POETSCOOP and LIBRIVOX. I loved the idea of downloading speeches from famous historical figures and playing "guess who" in the classroom or simply using them as a discussion starting point. USING MUSIC AS A TIMER - I have often used music to in my classroom with a stimulation or calming effect. I.e. faster music during math activities, classical music during some art and language activities. There are a variety of ways to incorporate the music in your classroom. I found a site called CLASS TOOLS A really great reference site for a variety of digital tools but I particularly liked the timer tool and the ability to attach your own soundtrack to the visual countdown. VOICE CANDY Voice Candy works on a Mac. It is a voice manipulation system. Essentially, Photobooth for microphones which changes the pitch and speed of your voice. Students and teachers can use this for dramatic effect, recreation of creative writings, historical representations in podcasts or performances. SOUNDFXNOW - I really could have used this site for my Halloween presentations! Really interesting effects, perhaps even giving students ideas of creating their own. Great to embedd in audio and video presentations or attach to text or photos.