It was mentioned in class that social networks such as twitter could be used in classrooms for engaged discussions. Teachers believe this could help students engage in productive communication using the internet.
I think this presents a problem as students will easily be distracted and will not stay on task. With my experiences in classrooms, it is hard to keep a watchful eye on every computer in the classroom and students will explore irrelevent material on the internet.
Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy seems to be a possible usefule tool to use. It does not have the communication aspects of twitter however presents information in a logical manner.
Monday 18 July 2011
Friday 8 July 2011
Virtual Worlds
This week in class we explored avatar's in Virtual Worlds as a potential learning tool through the program Second Life. At first, i could not grasp how the program could enhance learning as it is very distracting. There were some useful tools on there for various subjects which could aid in learning.
All students on computers get distracted in my opinion. So having whole lessons based around computers could be a waste of time. With the easy access to internet students can go off task so easy. However, it is beneficial for their learning to become familiar with computers.
All students on computers get distracted in my opinion. So having whole lessons based around computers could be a waste of time. With the easy access to internet students can go off task so easy. However, it is beneficial for their learning to become familiar with computers.
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Typical Learning Environment
During my schooling, i found i significant difference between how a primary school classrom was set out compared to a high school classroom.
In primary school, we often sat in 'groups'. The groups were usually of 4 or 6, which included desks facing each other. My primary school classrooms also often included 3 class computers pushed off to the side. There was sometimes a desk off to the side, which was used as a punishment area for students to do work in. My school also had a computer lab, which each class would go to for an hour once a week to learn computer skills. The group dynamic was useful to have students interacting, however the students often went off topic and were distracted.
In high school we often sat in rows, which minimised communication with students, helping them stay more focused. Some teachers tried using a group dynamic in the classroom, and successfully had students helping each other and sharing ideas.
I think sitting in groups in classrooms is an effective way to encourage sharing and communication of ideas.
In primary school, we often sat in 'groups'. The groups were usually of 4 or 6, which included desks facing each other. My primary school classrooms also often included 3 class computers pushed off to the side. There was sometimes a desk off to the side, which was used as a punishment area for students to do work in. My school also had a computer lab, which each class would go to for an hour once a week to learn computer skills. The group dynamic was useful to have students interacting, however the students often went off topic and were distracted.
In high school we often sat in rows, which minimised communication with students, helping them stay more focused. Some teachers tried using a group dynamic in the classroom, and successfully had students helping each other and sharing ideas.
I think sitting in groups in classrooms is an effective way to encourage sharing and communication of ideas.
Welcome
Hi,
I am Matt Harmon, and welcome to my blog. This blog has been created as part of a Southern Cross University unit. I am very new to blogging, so feel free to comment/post on my blog.
I am Matt Harmon, and welcome to my blog. This blog has been created as part of a Southern Cross University unit. I am very new to blogging, so feel free to comment/post on my blog.
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