Digitally recorded educational experiences

Veiwing the Podcast – Geo literacy Skills- it demonstrates the different ways you can document an educational experience by which students can access and can be used in further educational lessons. The ability for students to continuously visulise their learning is an important aspect for children to develop cognitively. The ability for children to reflect on their learning not only from their memory is a great way for children to enhance their knowledge and skills. This video- digitial story is a great way for a teacher to assess children on particular learning experiences as the teacher is presented with the new views and ideas created by the learning experience. The need for teachers to introduce the use of technology- especially digital stories is vital in the need for students to think beyond the one experiences which will inevitably enhance the knowledge and skills of a child- the true meaning to education!!!

Bringing education into the 21st century

I have recently read the article How to bring our schools out of the 20th century which discusses the need to bring schools from the common pencil, paper, instructional teaching to that of something that is worthwhile for students to learn from. This article recognises the need for the all important mathematical and scientific skills and knowledge yet expresses the need for schools to catch up with the ever so adapting world around us. With the growing global economy based upon technology the need for schools to change and adapt to this new age is ever so important. When reading this article i imagined what school was like for myself and when entering a school for prac i realised nothing had really changed. I then began to think of why this hadn’t happened and how the world outside of school has change so much. I began to think all this children must at least have a Nintendo wee or a computer or a mobile phone at home. However, when entering school they understand that it is not a place for technology. I don’t understand this. If 5 yr olds can use a mobile phone, then why aren’t we utilizing the technology choices in our schools. Why cant children use photoshop in art or create i movies instead of role plays. Allowing children to understand that school is preparing them for real life then we need to incorporate all aspects of there lives- including technology and the use of e-learning in schools. Although it has been discussed by teachers that the idea of e-skills being taught in the primary school is a great idea they have expressed the lack of time they have within one day. Wanting to please but all teachers are unable to find the tme to incorporate the entire curiculum plus additional educational needs and then for e-learning. I understand boths sides, recognises that the world is changing into a techno digital age schools need to follow in this direction, however some aspects of the curriculum and school days needed to be assessed before we can cram more into a child’s day!!!

Mobiles as educational tools??

I have recently read the article ‘Please turn your mobile phones on’ posted by BBC.co. It discusses the idea that mobile phones are an educational tool rather than a hinder to a child’s learning. When learning about education, students need to be constantly motivated and actively involved. Here, mobile phones can be used to allow children to combine learning with new technology. Children can therefore increase their learning within the curriculum whilst learning technology. Here the idea of Constructivism comes into play. Allowing children to self discover their learning using technological sources generates student abilities and reflection within their learning. If a teacher is apposed to the use of mobile phones and asks them to turn them off, this hinders a child’s abilty to dive into the unknown and therefore scaffolds a child’s learning without the ability to explore. A child holds their knowledge when they are able to explore and discuss their learning.

The ability for a change to access the outside world using their mobile phones, allows a teacher to provide an insight and tangible evidence of education in the real world. Here. students are able to reflect on their learning and the need for education in the greater world. I believe the use of mobile phones within a certain learnig environment is a great idea and should be incorporated in schools rather than shone on.

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