Doing things more than once

I have found that when I attempt things twice I am able to better retain and understand the processes behind things. I have redone my voki, added pictures and a video just to see that I could do it. I'm begining to feel more and more confidence in my abilities in tackling new technologies. It is truly a very interesting journey albiet a little stressful.

Could this be used in the classroom and how?
This would be difficult to have students at primary level developing their own Voki as I believe it would require a large amount of overseeing - although in saying that it would depend on the classroom dynamics and amount of teacher aide time.
Could it be done....yes.

What would it's use be - I could see this being used for oral presentations. This is a great tool for those students who are introverted, and especially for students with barriers.

Avatars are a great tool for all students regardless of ability levels. As I have worked with ASD students with high intellect and having poor writing skills, using Avatars to generate oral presentations, voicing an opinion or and idea and for communication strategies would be of great value in and out of the classroom. The process of creating it is part of the engagement. I'm encouraged again by technology and how it can suit the individual and their needs.


Not all individuals are called to be speakers although through using avatars individuals can have a voice.

Another Voki cause I could

Get a Voki now!

Why I dont have a cat

RSS feader

Plowing my way through all the technology grammar and requirements has been a struggle. According to Prensky (2001) I am truly a Digital Immigrant and this has not helped me in any shape or form. Primarily I have needed to overcome a fear of the unknown and more importantly a fear that I could stuff this up in a more than ginormous way, that I could ruin my computer at home and make everyones day a bad one. Slow and steady is surely going to win me the race.....I really need to change my Voki as it looks like a lady of night (apparently..LOL) and make another more interesting on. Even that is a challenge but I am really excited by it now that things are becoming clearer.

Like the opening title of my blog....what a learning journey!!

Cheers, Tania.


Prensky, M. (2001). On the horizon: Digital natives digital immigrants. University Press.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a great resource in classrooms although the technology may only suit an older audience. As I am Primary trained I can see alot of issues arising from having students create and develop their own Wiki. It is not about ability but more about content. Wiki's would work wonderfully in a high school setting although there is merit in introducing primary students to this type of technology.

Wiki's are a great engagement tool there is no doubt and students would happily involve themselves in the tasks. There needs to be control about editing for example, a friend of mine went onto Wikipedia and searched for the Great Wall of China and someone had edited the page by saying the wall was built with weetbix. In saying that, if there is clear control of the Wiki page it can be successul in allowing students to be creative, exercise individuality and learn through their own learning style.

So this is one of my favourite places to relax and escape the hustle and the bustle of uni life. My family go here every year to hang around the camp fire, go 4WDriving, hang out with family and friends and just chillax for a couple of days. This is Landcruiser Mountain Park at Jimna located 20 mins from Kilcoy. This place helps me unwind my brain and just take in the beauty of nature.

Active learning

I have found the quizzes on the active learning section of the course very enlightening. As I further delve into education and become more involved in the classroom setting, I have become quite passionate about certain things.

During the quiz I was categorised as INJF - Introvert, Intuitive, Judging, Feeling. Judging left me a little thrown because intuitive and feeling were equal percentages. Even the term introvert surprised me although upon reflection, I have to agree. Being intuitive and feeling certainly helps in the classroom with profiling learners.

And here is why I am so passionate......
Being intuitive and feeling I have noticed that some students have a poor self image of themselves be it physical, emotional or academic. With reference to Mazlow's heirachy, my argument is that if the food and shelter layer is corrupted, how does this affect the proceeding levels. Surely this will intern corrupt safety, belonging and love and then self esteem.

As Learning Managers how do we get the best outcomes for our students when there is corruption in the heirachy? I believe this is where Dimensions of Learning comes into effect through Attitudes and Perceptions and Habits of Mind (Marzano & Pickering, 1997, p4-6). Through positive reinforcement, words of affirmation, modelling respect and creating a safe environment for learning will have a dramatic affect on all students. Sure some will fight it, but overall engaging students and generating trust and respect regardless of their backgrounds and diversities has to make an impact on the individual.

At a 20 year school reunion I met up with my favourite teacher of all time. I mentioned this to her. She was running a news agency at the time and no longer taught. Her response to my gush of admiration was this.....
"No one will ever tell me I was their best newsagent of all time. There is the greatest of rewards in teaching. Thank you."

She had had such an impact on my learning in that she never let me believe I couldn't do anything, achieve anything or be anything and I only had her for one year. So this is where the passion originated. Now that I have 3 children of my own, I instill in them the same habits of mind and attitudes and perceptions.

Kunc, N. (1992). The need to belong: Rediscoveing mazlow's heirarchy of needs. [electronic version]
Marzano, R. & Pickering, D. (1997). Dimensions of learning: Teacher's manual. McRei.