The end of the blogs

The blogs have come to an end.  I feel that they have been a good way help explore technology.  Although I do not see the great usefulness within the classroom.  I can see how they could become a chatting resource for the students to discuss their work or an idea, but as metioned in other blogs, all of the students have a mobile, so there is no great need. 

IT overall, has been a huge help within my teaching.  I have used some technology within all of my classes.  Either that is PowerPoint, socrative, mind mapping and more.  I cannot wait unitl I learn about the other IT teaching resources that I can use. 
As all of the students are growing up in a technology rich environment, we as teachers and providers, need to keep up and develop our teaching ways and resources to aid in their education. 

In this point in time, my experience of teaching is fantastic.  It has been very busy, with varoius bumps in the road when it comes to student behaviour, but I love it. 

I may continue blogging when I have time and something interesting to say. 

A TED talk that has inspired me

When browsing through the TED talk website, I came across a talk from Rosie King, where she is talking about her autism and how she has delt with it. 

She is an amzing young lady that travels and explains her situation to people.  She explains the sterotypes of autism and how she and some others do not fall under the sterotype.  This is a message that can be applied to everything and everyone.  Dont judge and dont sterotype, because people may be different from their label or sterotype. 

I love the following quote:
'What if that was the best compliment you ever recieved.  Wow, you are really normal.'

People would like the compliments, 'you are extraudenary, you step outside the box and you are amazing.'  Like Rosie says, if you want to be these compliment words, then why does everyone want to be normal?

Be yourself, no matter what.

After the holiday's

Another year is over, and a new one begins. 
This term I am planning on gaining more confidence with teaching and using more technology in the classroom. 

Teaching experience

As we are approaching the Christmas holiday's I thought this would be a good time to do a reflection on my recent teaching experiences. 

It has been busy.  The students have settled in and are creating some waves, (some very big). I have had great support from members of my department and other members of staff in the College. I am marking assignments and workbooks with little worries, and I feel that my confidence in teaching has improved. 

Thats all I have to report.  Have a Happy Christmas!
   

Barriers to the effective use of technology in education

Using technology in the classroom can be a great tool, but it also has barriers, even when used effectively.

Barriers
Although the price of the mobile devices has dropped in recent years, they can still be expensive.  This will lead to those who cannot afford the devices to go without, or have a dely in purchesing them.  This can lead to thoses students being bullied by other people, which causes other issues. 

The devices that the students have may not be suitable for the work that needs to be completed.  It may be an old phone or laptop, that does not have the right software for example. 

The student and the teacher may not have experience with the technology and it may be used wrong, or not at all, making the devices useless. 

Wahab (2003) suggests that when a class are all using laptops or on phones the teacher cannot see what the students are doing as it can create a barrier between student and teacher. 
From personal experience, a student was found shopping for clothes during an anatomy and physiology session. 

The students may not get the support that they need from LSA or teacher as they will look up the spelling of a word etc.

The students may not develop their literacy skills, as the laptop can automatically change the spelling or sentence structure. 

References
Wahab, S. Factors Correlating with Teachers' Use of Computers in the classroom. (2003) USA.

Blogging experience 2

Since the last blogging experience blog, I have gained more confidence with it and I am blogging more frequently. 
I still cannot gain access to everyones blog in my group but I am working on it, little steps. 
I have also been having trouble getting pictures and videos into my blogs, but I have worked my way around it and have edited the blogs and added the pictures and videos that I wanted. 

The value of mobile technology in teaching and learning

Mobile technology can be very valuable in the classroom.  The devices are becoming easier and cheaper to purches, and the majority of people have a mobile phone, or a tablet or a latop. Educational establishments are also purchesing these mobile devices, so all of the students have access to them.  Today, mobile technology is part of education.  As mentioned in a previous blog (Bring your own device) some students are required to bring in their own laptops to their classes.  This allows all of the students to have access to information when they want or need it. 
Lave and Wenger (1991) suggests that students are more likely to learn when the informaiton is relevent and can be put into use straight away.

Mobile technology also gives learners control over their learning. It allows the students to learn outside of the classroom, such as at home, on the train or when they are out and about.  It also creates a bigger window for teachers to meet more of the needs of the students, as you can tell the students to go on websites suited to them, or create more activities that meet other needs and/or learning preferences.    

In my sector, animal care, there are multiple ways mobile technology can be implimented.  When observing animals, their behaviour can be recorded by the mobile phone or tablet, and that student has their own copy of the video and can share with others. 

As technology improves, learning and teching will improve. 






References
Lave, J and Wenger, E. Situalted Learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. (1991). Cambridge: Cambrisge University Press.