I have created a Whatsapp group, within my friendship group in university. This application is available on smart phones for free. On here we are able to communicate as a group or with individual people. This application has been very helpful to ask general questions in the evenings such as lessons during the next day's agenda or to check if there are any homework deadlines. It has been helpful when we have needed to create a group presentation. Pre-Whatsapp and a texting method of communicating it would have been essential to meet up and create a power point together. This application has allowed us to send pictures and videos for free, and work together without meeting up. Whatsapp has become very popular and I feel that this useful application for smart phone technology could be used by teacher and pupil. One example could be the teacher sends a class message on Whatsapp with their homework for that evening or week. If the children have an problems with the homework, the child could message the teacher privately if they are embarrassed to ask it in front of their class mates or ask the teacher including the whole class so they can all benefit from the help too.
Ipads can be used in the classroom, and at home. Inclusion is an important aspect in modern schools, and children with special educational needs can use ipads to encourage educational achievements.
There are many aspects of S.E.N for example autism, dyslexia, visual impairment, people in wheelchairs, and can be used for people of any age. Different apps have been used to help different difficulties.
I have attatched videos below to show how ipads can help with many difficulties.
Due to my connections with St David's Roman Catholic School I have used pinterest to help the teachers find teaching resource materials. This was especially helpful during the Christmas period where I helped them to find Chrismas gift ideas for the parents of the pupils. I was able to find card ideas and save them in a folder specifically just for St David's Christmas ideas. Pinterest is available on Smart phones, tablets and computers and you can log into the same account to connect all 3 together. If, for example, I pinned classroom ideas at home on my computer, it would allow me to go to the school the next day, with my phone, and show the teachers what I had found the previous night. It is an easy and accessible way of showing people my web searches without using a memory stick or printing the pictures. It is a good way of connecting with your friends and sharing ideas. People can like and comment on pictures which you have 'pinned'. Pinterest is an interactive web.2. Below is my pinterest board for St David's Primary school, this board has allowed me to easily share suggestions for class activities. The teachers were very grateful and I thoroughly enjoyed making some of the products with the pupils. Pinterest would also enable teachers to share lesson plans.
Looking at my phone I have selected a number of applications which I use daily to communicate with my friends.
One method I use is Twitter. Twitter is a social media site which allows you to post small 'tweets' to keep your friends up to date with your current 'where abouts' and 'activities'.
How to include Twitter into education?
One example of using Twitter in education is Mrs Jenkins the Primary teacher in Brynmill school.
Mrs Jenkins has created a Twitter account where she posts tweets about the class lessons including pictures. You can connect to the other teachers in Brynmill through Mrs Jenkins where you can view their class activities also.
Twitter is very similar to Facebook in the way that it can be accessed 24 hours a day on a smart phone or technological device. It can be updated quickly and free of charge. Twitter can be used as a method of updating parents with 'need to know' information, for example, snow days, school inset days or non school uniform days.
The pictures posted can be a lovely way to keep parents and other family members up to date with the children's activities and lessons.
It is vital that a teacher receives consent from the parents of the pupils before posting any pictures, as it is stored on a social media site which can be accessed by anyone.
Technology in Education As we know, technology in today's society is used by many people and in many different contexts. Since starting my Education Degree I have been thinking about ways to incorporate modern technology into the classroom environment. Increasingly tablets are being brought into classrooms for teachers and pupils. I believe that tablets should be used by teachers as a way of 'proving' a childs ability inside the classroom and out. A folder of images can be created for each child in the class, and for each activity completed a picture taken. The folder of pictures can be kept, the same as keeping a work book for the child. These pictures can be shown to ESTYN on school inspections and also to parents on parents evenings. Taking pictures is an easier and quicker method of keeping record of a childs achievement. Comments can be added by the teacher to each picture to state the level the child has achieved and notes about the activity. I believe, organising a folder for individual children is a simple method for categorising a portfolio for each child. Ipads use ICloud to store information, therefore, if anything should happen to the Ipad, for example dropped or broken, the information and pictures are not lost. Whereas using a book, if paper records are damaged due to fire or water records will be lost permanently.
Whilst creating this blog, I have been thinking of ways in which a practitioner could use technology to help communicate with parents and children. 'New technologies have engendered new work and social practices that have profoundly changed the ways that we do things in our lives, yet schools seem to remain immune to change and maintain a heritage curriculum that was founded in a different age for a different set of circumstances and purposes.' (Yelland, N. et al 2008) I think it is vital in schools that technology is embedded within all subjects, and not seen as an extra subject.
I use technology everyday to communicate with my friends through Facebook.
SO... why not incorporate these social networking sites into communicating with parents and using social media within education? If 1,310,000,000 active users visit Facebook each month, it is a brilliant way to raise the profile of your school or club. (Facebook, 2014)
For example, a page or account could be created by the teacher, this can be updated regularly with images of the children's good work completed in class, images of children on class trips or in class having fun, or important information that parents might need to know. These facebook pages can be used by prospective parents as well as current parents, and they are often a good way to gauge the ethos of the school rather than a dry ESTYN report. In secondary schools the Facebook pages could provide examples of grades A* work to help pupils with their own coursework.
I believe that using social media, which can be updated quickly, free of charge and can be checked my most parents on a smart phone instantly, is a great idea.
The accounts can be kept private so only parents of the class can be added and accepted, and therefore only those individuals can view the pictures. However, terms and conditions state that: "We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever." This highlights the major problem with Facebook, its security and code of ethics. Obviously this will have to be taken very seriously when used in a educational context.
However, in higher education where adults can make their own decisions, it has been really useful for example, I have joined a Facebook Group for my university course.
In eduation from year 10 upwards, a teacher creating a secure facebook page could use it as a method to provide support beyond the confines of a classroom. The advantage of using this method over email is that a child may find it less intimidating and is more public and appropriate for the teacher.
When I first looked at this website, I thought it looked very confusing, and not very user friendly. However, after experimenting and clicking on different buttons and exploring the tools it provided me with, I started to like it.
My first negative about this Web 2.0 is that you have to pay to access all areas and subscribe to create an account. Although, I was able to access some lovely information without signing up.
Providing a paying service option means that the website provider easily allows the user to make payments by card online. It is said that 'this results in customers interacting with 2 organisations that are automatically interlinked via the internet.' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BAXvFdMBWw) Another key aspect of Web 2 is 'software as a service'. This is when directly over the internet, software functionality is offered, and allowing this to be accessed on any digital device once connected to the internet. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BAXvFdMBWw)
Glogpedia - allows the user to find out about lots of information including school subjects, health, sports and also allows you to find educational games and videos. The information is added by subscribers and it is a lovely, easy way to find information about a topic of choice.
For example, if a student in school is struggling with MATHS, specifically the topic PERCENTAGES. Selecting the 'Math' tab, they will be able to select a variety of topic. Choosing 'Percentages' will allow the child to view information to help.
As you can see from the image above, posts are provided, all about the subject Percentages, this can be very helpful in education! If for example a teacher left this webpage available for the pupils, in any lesson a child may access the computer and visit this site, they will be able to specify the subject they are having trouble with and use the posts to expand their knowledge.
'Mrsmathswizard' explains using video clips easy ways of working out percentages. If the student likes the way that mrsmathswizard teaches, there is an option to view all of her posts.
As it is a web 2.0 it allows you to share with your friends and once signed up you have the option to embed it to your page, so you can find it easier.
As a teacher, it is vital that the web.2 is checked for reliability. Anyone can post information on the site about anything, and this obviously creates potential problems.
Using the templates available, may be a nice option to allow the children to present their work. As children are increasingly technology aware, no additional computer skills are needed. However, research skills and presentation skills are needed and it is these that the teacher would be marking. This is a lovely way of engaging with different learning styles.
I have found some videos online, and I found some very interesting views of what education will look like in the future. I am very excited to see the changes. Within recent years, technology has increased and becoming more 'normal' in education. I hope that it keeps expanding and from watching these videos, learning in the future looks really interesting.
The video below shows what Microsoft's view of technology in the classroom in the future.
The next video below is another view of how Technology will be used in education in the future.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching these videos, and the technology advancements look very exciting. These videos are worth a watch, just to see how advanced technology is going to be in the future.
I have found a couple of videos online which I think are really nice, they demonstrate pictorially how technology has changed in education over the years.
Technology can be incorporated into education in many ways.
E-Learning This video explains the advantages of E-learning. It talks about how an individual can learn anywhere and any time, as long as they can connect to the internet on an electronic device. Another benefit is that the student can learn at their own pace. When in class you have to go with the 'flow' of the lesson, however E-Learning allows you to go back over topics which you are not so sure about, as many times as you need until you understand it.
https://www.onlineacademies.co.uk/ I am currently completing a Child Psychology Diploma Level 4 with 'Online Acadamies' and I am really enjoying the way in which E learning allows me to go at my own pace and to re cap whenever I want. Video Conferencing Video conferencing is also a way in which some students learn in today's society. For example some schools do not have the qualified teachers to teach a specific subject. Therefore, video conferencing is set up to allow students to watch online a teacher who will teach a topic. For example, to learn Chinese in one school a Skype call was set up online with a teacher. Here the teacher instructs the class, the class are also linked to the teacher via webcam and microphone software. If the class have any problems then they simply ask the question and the teacher on Skype will be able to answer any problems the students may face.
Extending the Curriculum One example of Video conference online is 'WE TEACH', this company enables schools to expand their curriculum choices. For example, a school with a small group of children wanting to learn Latin can provide that option through WeTeach without having to employ another member of staff.
Interactive Whiteboards have been introduced into Education as a way of making lessons interactive, fun and memorable. It is said that 'Anything that can be done on a computer monitor, can be replicated on the interactive white board.'. Therefore this allows a teacher to plan an interesting lesson which engages pupils. A teacher may include one task, for example, a matching game, this will allow students to match items with their finger or pen. The interactive whiteboard allows pupils to engage with websites, photos and music. The children can write their opinions on the board about them and have fun moving them around or carrying out searches.
As you can see from this example, the children are very excited to use the interactive whiteboard, and use it as a way of showing the teacher and the rest of the class what they are capable of. I think that it is vital that children have fun when learning as this is the best way for them to learn.
As well as showing their knowledge on a topic, children engaging with the whiteboard are also showing presentation skills and increase in confidence.
Ways which technology could be adapted by teachers Snapchat
Snapchat is a free application available on smartphones and tablets. It allows the user to send free pictures and short video clips which are deleted after the selected time. One way a teacher can integrate technology into education is by using snapchat. A teacher could create a snapchat account which the parents would be able to view. With consent, the teacher could take a large sample of photos per day. She could then add the pictures to a 'story'. The parents will able to view the story and print screen the photos of the children having fun throughout the day. Captions can be added to each picture, this allows the teacher to add information about the activity the children are taking part in. I believe, this will be a safe method of sending pictures as you can choose who you send them to. Importantly, only people that you choose can view the pictures. The parents will only be able to view the pictures for 24hrs and this means the pictures of the children will not be stored on a social media website, online. Examples of pictures could be; pictures of the children on school trips, school concerts if parents are unable to attend and pictures of children's work (with captions indicating clearly work produced by different pupils). Although this might seem like a good idea, not all parents have a smart phone and as a result they wont be able to view the pictures. Another problem is that some parents, do not allow pictures of their child to be taken and published, this might be an increased problem if the parent cannot view the pictures.
Reducing the number of blind people in the world.
I have chosen this video as Andrew Bastawrous is improving the lives of many people around the world. I also like this video as it demonstrates a way in which smart phone technology can be used to save someone's life. It is important to realise here, that it is taking smart phones away from being a simple way of communicating to a vital tool in health care.
39 Million people in the world are blind, and Andrew Bastawrous has moved to Africa, and helped to reduce the number of people who are going blind.
I really enjoyed watching this video and it showed a way in which smart phone technology can really help people in the world. While researching, Bastawrous noticed that a huge proportion of the citizens living in Africa were blind, therefore, he moved out to Africa to try help as many people as possible.
Setting up technological equipment was very difficult, and with a lack of power Bastawrous thought that he had to find any easier way of helping people.
The biggest shock to me whilst watching this video was the fact 'More people in Kenya and in Sub Saharan Africa have access to a mobile phone than they do running water.' And as a result this is what encouraged Bastawrus to discover a new method of delivering eye care.
The phone application allowed a person of any age, and of any language the chance of an eye test, anywhere in the world. If bad eye vision is detected, a person is required to buy a 3D camera to fit over your phone. This allows you to view inside your eye.
They then also reduced the problem of low electricity by providing solar panel back packs which charge the phone as you walk.
Now, a single person can be sent with a smart phone and help people with their eye care. Costing $500, this has been reduced considerably from when Bastawrus first arrived in Africa. All thanks to Bastawrus, people around the world can access eye tests without even leaving their home.
Technology is now an important part in everyones lives. Researchers for the Mail Online believe that the average person uses technology (Computer, Phone and TV) for up to 7 hours a day. Researchers also stated that, the average person checks their phone up to 110 times a day. However, this increases to 900 times a day during peak times.
Using technology effectively
Having seen the amount of times the average person uses technology, I have looked into the applications you can buy on your phone or laptop to help me, during my educational experiences.
As a result of being dyslexic, I have poor organisational skills and short-term memory, I therefore decided to look for applications which would help me to organise all my timetable, homework, and exam deadlines.
My Study Life- Windows Store (computer)
The first positive about this application, is that it is free to download. However, you then had to sign in and create an account, this took me a little while but once you've created an account it is well worth it. It was interesting to see that you were able to create a blog on the 'My student life' application.
After logging on, and experimenting with different things on the app, I was very pleased and would recommend it to secondary students and higher. Although, it was slightly difficult to grasp at first, I quickly got used to it and thought reminders were easy to set and worked well. For someone who is not very confident on a computer, there wasn't much help and guidance and I felt to start it was a bit of a guessing game, as a result, people with little computer skills may find this application difficult to use. The layout was very clear and this made it easy to read, view and sort my work. I set reminders for my deadlines in December and January.
Uni Calculator- Apple IPhone 4
This application I found on my phone, I believe will be very useful as I will be able to keep up to date with my assessment results. The application allowed me to see clearly on a scale of how close I was to not passing, and showed me pictorially the result I received. It also helped me to visualise how well I did in the assessment.
The benefit of this application is that it is free, however, as soon as I opened the application I faced my first problem. I was asked to select my institute to proceed, however, only American universities were listed. I am unsure, but I think that the pass boundaries might be different in Wales to America, and therefore, show incorrect information.
To enter the site, I selected a random university, however I was faced with my next problem. When I searched for 'Educational Studies' to add my subject, it didn't exist.
The idea of this application was very clever and would help university student to monitor their grades clearly, but it was not suitable for my needs, so I didn't look any further into it and deleted it.
