reflection 2

In this weeks activities, we looked at 3 digital tools for learning, blogs, wiki's and internet sites.  This blog will briefly go through each technology and analyse theme through the use of the SAMR model and PMI chart.  I also want to add that I never realised I used most of things until the other day.  One of our assignments in PCK is how to incorporate ict's into our assignment to promote literacy and numeracy.  These two subjects seem to run side by side and knowing that I am using the material in ICT in PCK, makes me feel like I am really getting somewhere.

The first thing I wish to discuss is designing a website, I am currently doing one for PCK and it is meant to promote literacy and numeracy through one of our teaching areas (mine is legal studies.) http://calljusticeleague.weebly.com/ It is only a draft but it is getting there.  It is incredibly easy to use as you can drag everything from the side bar, these things include, videos, hyperlinks, images etc.   The other great thing is you can also embed a blog connected to your site. However, I am unsure whether a voki can be embedded, but I am trying to do it in the next couple of days.  I think these days, all the information that you can find in a book, we can find online but now, with weebly, teachers can design lesson plans to really shape where they want the knowledge to go.  Students of today love the internet, but just because you can make your own website does not mean the students will learn.  This is the hardest part of weebly, it is not so much the functionality of the site its the design to make students learn.  I thought it would be easy but there are so many factors to consider, like, who is the target audience, is the information appropriate, are there too many distractions, will the technology be misused.  the making of a website is easy, the planning of it will show whether your a worthy use of this ICT tool.

How I would implement an internet site as a learning tool would be to use the website http://calljusticeleague.weebly.com/ to engage the students into learning about criminal and civil law, over 2 or more lessons.  This website is designed for senior legal studies classes as the knowledge is more than a basic level and some of the content may not be understood by the younger grades.  The home page is about getting there attention, I have achieved this with big writing and embedding videos which will get the attention of the audience.  I have used a lot of references which shall appear to both male and female.  if you click round 1 it takes you to the literacy and numeracy page where it has information about how literacy and numeracy is used in law but also outside of class.  I have used clever pictures and funny yet relevant videos of what would happen if literacy and numeracy skills were not applied very well.  If you click on more, the other tabs will drop down.  Round 2 dives into the content and I have used a Mortal Kombat reference to keep people intrigued.  there is a lot of content on this page and activities.  These activities can be answered in a blog on the blogs tab.  However, I also might implement a wiki into one of these activities.  I am unsure yet.  The most boring thing about legal studies when I studied was cases.  The videos here are different approaches including a parody of a famous police song to help students learn through humour.  The process tab is unfinished, but there will be a gloggster here showing the court process with questions for the kids to answer.  Personally, I don't like gloggsters, I think there are incredibly distracting and a lot of work for something which you could show with a flowchart or a yourtube video.  I have seen heaps of gloggsters and there all seem too full of information and it gets confusing and very distracting.  At the moment, this is the hardest part of my PCK assignment.  I am trying to design a gloggster which is effective but also not distracting.  Anyways, there are more tabs there, I wont talk about all of them but the other things I have embedded included an online crossword, an online multi choice quiz, eventually a PowerPoint document with more information.   

The other digital tool this week was a wiki, at first, I HATED THESE THINGS. but by researching and looking at other examples.  Wikis are an amazing learning tool.  The biggest thing I learnt is the difference between a wiki and a blog. According to http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/ A blog shares writing and multimedia resources and there are posts after each comment and is a good way to voice your opinion.  However, is similar but the key difference is other people can change what has been written on the wiki.  This concept may seem scary but it allows for more opinions being shared in a way which conducts a social constructivism point of view.  Information can be scaffolded to allow to have a collaborative discussion about the topic.  It would make Vygotsky very proud.  I have not done much on my Wiki but I know that you can embed pictures other forms of multimedia quite easily.  As you can see I have embedded something plus changes the writing.

multi choice quiz

http://makeaquiz.net/vc3fur

crossword

http://www.MyCrosswords.com/Demonstration/S0255536305345112.html

(the crossword may not work due to javascript issues with computers) 

The most important function in the wiki is the Widget tab, you can do anything.  It is pretty amazing, you can make a poll, insert spread sheets, slideshows, calendars, it is a powerful button and I shall upgrade my wiki next week. As can be seen by the picture below.  to make picture bigger just hold ctrl and roll mouse until item becomes larger.

 I would embed a wikis in my legal studies class to help the students prepare for a case.  I would set up a case scenario where the students would have to get into small groups.  The teams would prepare the arguments and submissions on the wiki.  This will enable them to read the information they have provided, chop and change information, make alterations, the students in the group will them see what changes have been made and can continue with their submissions until they are all finally happy.  It is a great way for everyone to check each other work.  Another exercise would be to have the students get into small groups and have a scenario where teams would have to try and negotiate or mediate  a problem.  Students can put up there offers, and then other students in the opposing group can change the offer and put a counter offer, they can discuss why the want these things etc etc. Until the wiki remains unchanged as the students have all reached an agreement.

I am only going to talk briefly about blogs but basically blogs can be used similar to a wiki but you cannot change what other people have wrote.  It is a great way to have a topic and let the students discuss the topic etc.   it is a good example of connectivism as students can learn more effectively if connected to larger learning audience and be able to comment on other people's opinions (Siemens).  you can embed so many things in a blog as can be seen from above.  They are incredibly easy to use and you can add your own personal touch.  The ultimate question is what do I prefer wiki or blog.  Well the safest answer would be it depends on the exercise but even though I am new to wikis.  It appears that you can create such a different style of learning which is unique, and you seem to able to create a online classroom.  A blog is an overglorified online version of Microsoft word or google docs.  It is still wonderful but still pretty basic.   I would incorporate a blog in the classroom in legal studies by having weekly discussion topics where the students would have to give there opinion and comment on others.  Below is an SAMR model and a PMI table which show the key differences between the three technologies.

	Positives	Negatives	Implications
Blogs	It is an up to do date learning tool. Pictures, videos and other forms of multimedia can be imbedded.  Blog can let students be creative Gives students a new form of opinion making.	Could open up negative comments on other students blogs which leads into cyber bullying. They could become boring if blogs are done on a regular basis with boring topics. People who do not have computers or have a weakness with computer could struggle They become not as effective with larger groups due to information overload.	A lot of school do not use them There are heaps of information online to make your blog fun an exciting. If done write you can scaffold knowledge through a blog.
Internet Sites	You can structure your own customised lesson plan to make as specific or broad as you need. Students love using the internet You can embed multimedia	Cannot be efficient if you do not plan it well.  Making it is easy, planning takes the chunk of the time. Students could get off track You may not reach your target audience. Leaves room for abuse online by students.	With the right school restrictions internet sites can be used appropriately. You can yearn good learning results if planned properly Be careful with your design and make sure it is following the curriculium.
Wiki	You can have your own virtual classroom Students can exchange information in a new way You can embed a lot more in a wiki than a blog Students can change what other students have wrote. Wikis are password protected	Students may delete other students work. Students may not take the lesson plan seriously an affect other peoples wikis. They are more difficult to use at first than a blog	Students can answer questions about a topic and get organised for events etc.  Wikipedia is a wiki (fun fact) Students can learn through scaffolding the knoweldge

	SUBSTITUTION	AUGMENTATION	MODIFICATION	REDEFINITION
Blogs	Students have a weekly topic which they can write in the blog, they do not have to use a notepad or word	The blogs stay online for everyone to see, there is no need for students to hand in their homework.	Students can comment and share other opinions on other peoples blogs	New media can be implemented into the media, youtube, images and other forms of multi media creating multi model delivery.
Internet Sites	Students can read information on the website, saves reading the chapter from a text book.	Students can now answer questions on the website on a blog you have created.	Students can watch videos and answer questions through using the new media.	Students can now do online polls, online multiple quizzes, online crosswords to answer questions etc.
Wiki	Students can read a question and write comments	Students can now watch or embed videos or other media.	Students can try an answer a question but now can alter the writing on the wiki until correct answer is given	Students get into a small group and try an negotiate a contract, the offers can be negotiated be each member of the wiki until the negotiation conditions have been met.