list of some comments

http://irisonvlee.blogspot.com

http://debbieuni.blogspot.com

http://jesselearningblog1988.blogspot.com

REFLECTIVE SYNOPSIS

E learning. A fascinating new medium to which learning can be achieved through. As defined by Derek Stockley, E learning is the delivery of learning, training or education program by electronic means. Therefore learning achieved through computers, phones or any electronic device. In an age such as today where our lives are surrounded by mass amounts of such devises, the opportunity to achieve learning through this new medium is logical and relative to the learner. These new learning mediums have become possible from advances in information communication technologies such as mobile phones, computers and a host of web 2.0 tools that have opened up.

The digital realm offers vast oppurtunities for learning. We live in a time where consumer electronics computers, laptops and internet accessible phones are the norm, and with the accessibility of these devises the opportunity to deliver and encourage learning has come with them. Information and the environment for learning is now not isolated to the classroom and books but the entire electronic world that is the internet. The integration of these electronic technologies in our lives and the lives of the youth are now almost indispensable and inseparable to our day to day activities and the use of information communication technologies (ICT) as part of the learning process needs to be carefully structured to be pedagogically accurate to ensure learning and direction. Therefore the learning managers need to ensure the learning using the IC T's is structured, using frameworks such as DOL (dimensions of learning) or other learning strategies. The number of ways is can be implemented are vast so to are the experiences using this method of learning so preparation is key.

There are a few popular E learning tools that are used for learning these include, Blogs, wikis, weeblys, the classical and well known power point, learning management sites and a few others. These tools of IC T's will be delved into further and their use explored and how they are relevant to learning.

As with normal class pedagogy, e learning must follow the same rules but due to features that many of the different ict's have they bennifit some types of learning. Hamilton (2003) concurs with this stating that “using a media-rich system encourages educators to instruct their students in innovative ways”. When dealing with e learning and the use of ict's the learning frameworks (cognitivism, connectivism, constructivism, and behaviourism) must not be left out when constructing learning, the same applies for learning styles. The needs of every learner is very different and the thus their experience will differ. The teacher will need to take this into account and try to cater for each student so learning is achieved for all.

Blogging

Blogging is a powerful and useful tool for journaling, broadcasting ideas or any sort of information, for use as a learning tool it has many possibilities and different ways that it can be used. The blog ( coined phrase of web+logging) can be used to journal a students experience through a learning journey and let them be able to view and see the journey as a whole at the end or completion of their task. As well as a journal the blog can be used as a way to exchange information and ideas with the use of comments, this feature of the blog allows students to be able to exchange information and post their ideas or response directly on each others blogs, allowing for an interconnected learning experience between the class. With the blog it allows the information can be easily analysed and evaluated for outcomes or improved by synthesis (Bloom 1974).

Wiki

The wiki is another popular tool of e learning that is a powerful tool of collaborative and connected learning. Its main focus is interconnectivity and achieves this by invites participants to equally upload information to a jointly formed document (Snowman 2009). wikis allow collaborative work to be conducted by allowing students to actively construct and upload information independently toward a joint final product which makes it more appropriate for knowledge based learning applications that involve numerous authors contributing to a higher learning achievement (snowman 2009).

Weebly

Weebly is a website generator that allows students to build up their own website and publish any information online that can be accessed by other peers. The web site can be used in many different ways such as uploading text, videos and even interactive pages. Though not as powerful as a learning tool as the blog or wiki as it lacks the interconnectivity which encourages collaboration and collaborative learning.

PowerPoint

The good classical power point is well known and commonly used, it is a computer program that allows text images and video to be organised and presented in slides. Even in schools today power point is being used as a assistant to presentations. Though as commonly used as power point is, the full capabilities of this E learning tool is rarely implemented. PowerPoint allows student to create a slide show containing text, videos and images and can be incorporated into a presentation in many different ways depending on the preference and imagination of the student. The power point can even be saved into a movie file in conjunction with movie maker and then be uploaded to a blog, wiki or weebly page. Tho power point is common and very overused, when used properly and creatively can be very powerful.

Jones (2003) has identified that there are numerous benefits to using a powerpoint in a teaching environment. By using powerpoint it targets a larger variety of learning styles by using visuals text audio and video. Aswell as being a digital file makes it easier to modify and distribute across ict's and can also be printed so that a physical object can be kept by the learner to help take in the information.

Images

pictures and images are a powerful tool, either for the use of advertising or for the portrayal of emotion in art. An image can be an integral part of learning within the digital environment, In early schooling years children are encouraged to produce images as a part of their learning (Kress & Van Leeuwen 2006) and as learning is concerned the use and production of images is useful. In the digital realm the visual aspect is a major factor to the success of a blog or weebly, the inclusion of images either as an informative tool or an alluring backdrop is useful to learning the role of imagery.

Videos

Movies are incredibly powerful tools of passing on information, the combination of the visual and auditory provide an imersive experience which sinks information in. the use students may get out of using movies as a digital learning tool are limitless, either it be to create movies themselves and be able to present themselves in a way which otherwise would have been difficult without editing and a lot of time. Videos have the opportunity to be a creative and fun learning experience.

The search engine

Who has not used a search engine or how many people don't have one set as their home page. One of the most powerful tool that makes the internet able to be sorted through with the click of a button in milliseconds of time. The search engine allows us to use the internet the way we use it today, students that use the internet will eventually at some point use a search engine, to find information or find a particular website that is relevant to them. With the use of search engines students will be able to use the internet and brows through and find multitudes of sights containing information and resources for learning, though not all the internet speaks the truth and the ability to be able to distinguish from fact and falseness is a skill learned through experience.

How I would integrate ICT

ICT to me is a medium of passing on information and can be used in almost all applications though the use has to be controlled to not be disrupting and counter acting to the learning. Within the subjects of maths, the internet can be a useful tool to find formulas and tutorials, while for biology the amount of videos that can be found that illustrate the mechanics of the living organism are innumerable. I would also encourage the use of the blog and wiki as it promotes collaboration between students and provides a far better experience of learning than being isolated.

Conclusion

In a society that is run almost entirely by technologies and lives that revolve around them, the use of IC T's in the educational sector is but a step in the right direction. IC T's have proven to be a well founded medium of education and with most children now digitally native and have been exposed to this medium from a very young age (Snowman 2009) it is mandatory that it be in their education. Therefore learning managers should be incorporating IC T's into there learning plan more prolifically, though for not all applications the time for them should be carefully chosen and be deemed appropriate. Technologies are a part of everyday lives and the push for technologies to be part of education is a step in the right direction to keep both the learner engaged but also to keep education relevant to the times that its in.

References.


Bloom, B. (1974). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York: Mckay.

Delgarno, B. (2001). Interpretations of constructivism and consequences for computer assisted learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 32(2), 183-194.

Frangenheim, E. (2007). Reflections on classroom thinking strategies. Loganholme Queensland, Australia: Rodin Educational Publishing.


Snowman, J., Dobozy,E., Scevak, J.,Bryer, F., & Bartlett, B. (2009). Psychology applied to teaching. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Australia.

Stockley, D., (2003). E-learning: Definition and Explanation E learning, Online Training, Online Learning. Retrieved 27/08/2010 from http://derekstockley.com.au/elearning-definition.html.

Jones, A 2003, The use and abuse of PowerPoint in teaching and learning in the life sciences: a personal overview, viewed 13^th December 2010,http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/journal/vol2/beej-2-3.aspx.

Hamilton, J 2003, ‘Classroom of the future: teaching in a media-rich environment’, in Library Hi Tech News, vol 20, n. 5, (online Emerald).