So this week I will be looking at a tool I have started using personally, in fact you are reading it right now, the blog.
In our ICT elective we have been working together in groups to complete tasks, such as the digital movie making task using the iPhone. We use these blogs to discuss our tasks, reflect on our learning and to share our thoughts and opinions with one another.
I was quite surprised when we were asked this week to review and consider using a blog for educational value as I hadn't considered it previously. However after reading through other blogs and reviewing my own I can understand the potential a blog could have in the classroom.
When I review how I have been using blogs so far I can understand the underlying educational concepts that they address.
Firstly, blogging has given me the opportunity to review what I have learned so far in my ICT elective and share with my peers thoughts and opinions on similar subjects. I believe this could be used very well with children in the primary classroom, in particular when they are collaborating on a class topic. They could connect with one another via their blogs and comment on each others posts. It also provides the opportunity to share videos and pictures from other areas on the web, for example by embedding YouTube and Flickr.
Secondly, I have learnt a lot by expressing myself through the blog. It has encouraged me to use the web to discover more about the topics we discussed during the week. I can see this being a useful tool for children as they will be able to have a record of their work which they can go back and add to if they find anything relevant at a later date.
Finally, I have found my blogging experience rewarding as it gives me the opportunity to express thoughts and opinions which I cannot sometimes express in class. Using a blog could provide a platform through which a child who withdraws from class discussions, due to shyness or embarrassment, could express themselves and also interact with their peers' work.
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This week also saw the release of Apple's eagerly awaited tablet.
The iPad, so far, shows promise as an educational tool for the classroom. It boasts a large user interface with touchscreen and multi-touch capabilities that have proved popular with Apple's current iPod Touch and iPhone. I watched the keynote speech from the event and I have picked up on a couple of features which could prove popular with children in the primary school.
- The iBook reader can contain video and colour images and it is easy to manipulate the text to the size you prefer
- The applications will contain richer graphics and will make full use of the multi touch capability and accelerometer.
- The keyboard is larger and will be easier to use than its iPhone/iPod Touch counterpart.
- The larger screen will allow more students to access the iPad at one time.
I personally cannot wait for the release of the iPad as I want to explore all of the possibilities for use in the classroom. If you have any ideas do let me know by commenting on this point.
On another note I received my iPhone on Tuesday and I have been looking through some applications. Keep an eye out for future posts on this topic
1 comment:
I am really enjoying reading your posts as you are great at summarising the information you find and you present interesting questions.
Do you think that a keeping a blog could increase confidence and enable pupils to share ideas more easily within the classroom setting?
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