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.

A useful blog

 

A blog that I have found useful is a blog written by José Picardo, in 2013.
There is information that gives advice on what tools she has found useful, within her teaching.  Also, experiences on her teaching from the first day onwards, and it is nice to see someone elses point of view. 
The link to the full blog is: http://www.boxoftricks.net/blog/

How has technology changed the way we learn?

Technology has changed teaching and learning drastically, some argue for the better and others for the worst. 

The way people used to be taught was to sit in rows with the teacher at the front, writing on a chalk board.  Now things have changed.  Teachers still stand at the front delivering information but the students can sit in groups, with electronic devices aiding their learning and various activities that help get and keep the students engaged, (Carbonara, 2005).

Games are even being used to educate people. They can help develop complicated skills and knowledge in an engaging and enjoyable way.   Who remembers the Brain training games? Even though they were math questions (right), or reading, people did them because it was a game, bringing out the competative streak in us, as we wanted to get a better score than you mum or your friend.  Well I did anyway. 

Technology has opened doors for those who would otherwise not have access to education.  All you need is an internet connection.  There are countless programmes on the internet that can help give people an education and knowledge.  This can be online schools such as the Open University to other sites such as 02 Learn and Youtube.  Online schools provide qualifications to people who study with them for a fee.  Other sites like Youtube and 02 Learn provide a free bank of lessons in many subjects that can help improve skills. 

Within Pembrokeshire College and other education establishments, technology is used to assess every single student to help getter a better understanding of their learning levels, so they can be taught at the correct level, whereas before everyone would get taught and treated the same, and if you could not do it then either they didnt care or there was a punishment.  These assessments are called Initial Assessments (IA).

I believe that technology has improved the way that we teach, but it can be used incorrectly, over used or not at all. As stated in a previous blogs, (bring your own device and pros and cons of technology) there are down sides to technology in the classroom.  For example, if an activity includes their smartphones, then they may not put them away.  If the teacher is not comfortable with technology then the students may disengage.  Students also need to be taught the 'old' way, to help with basic motor skills for example, as children are growing up in technology paradise.  There was a story a while ago that showed that a three year old could not turn a page in a book but knew how to work an iphone.

In education technology can be useful in all subjects, from english and maths to sport and animal care, even art and music. We just have to know where, when and how to use it. 

References
Carbonara,D. Technology Literacy Applications in Learning Environments. (2005). America: Information Science Publishing.

Education Business UK. Gove: Technology is changing the way we teach, learn and assess. 2014.
http://www.educationbusinessuk.net/index.php/features/5-/3371-gove-technology-is-changing-the-way-we-teach-learn-and-assess [Accessed: 8th December 2014]




  

Microteach experience

During the PGCE/PCE course we are all required to complete a 20 - 30 minute microteach. 
I chose to do mine on Canine communication, as I have experience with dog behaviour. 
I used the electronic whiteboard to present a PowerPoint to the group.  I found that PowerPoint helped me get the information across easily and clearly.  I like PowerPoint as you can customise it in many different ways, and link to other resourses easily. 
 

VocalEyes

VocalEyes is a tool that allows students to suggest ideas and opinions that can help change their learning or learning environment.  They can also vote on ideas that they feel are important. 

All registered students can access VocalEyes through their college or university, even if they are part time, remote or mature students.

'Those in authority can effectively hear the voice of those they represent and respond quickly and decisively. Using VocalEyes can enhance decision making in your organisation'.

Jane Davidson, Director INSPIRE. (2014).

In Pembrokeshire College this tool is greatly used by the students, who have helped develop and change things in the College. 

A tool has also been developed for staff, who are able
to suggest changes and state their veiws. 

I believe this is a great way for everyone to engage and feel like their opinions matter.

Here is a video of those who help created VovalEyes and students that use it. 


References
VovalEyes, Ideas into Action.  Community voting. 2014.
http://vocaleyes.org/ [Accessed: 6th December 2014]

Any meeting

In a previous session we were introduced to an online meeting software, called Anymeeting.  When it was explained I thought it was a good tool to use, but in practice it was not that great. 

Anymeeting is an online saftware that allows people to have meetings or lessons without being in the same room.  You can use the inbuilt microphone of some laoptops or plug one in and also use the webcam to have a fully interactive lesson/meeting.  You can also have an option where a presentation (PowerPoint etc) to be shown. 

Anymeeting screen shot.

 

Due to the wireless internet connection of the College, we were all experiencing lag and microphone failure.

As a software this would be a great tool to have access to, as it would allow thoses students who are unable to get to College can still join in the session.  Although, some planning would be required by everyone.