I've just about enjoyed all the classes offered so far for this course. But by far the class that has been most enjoyable is this ICT for Reading class. I have learnt so much about the internet and all that it has to offer. We learnt about Web 2.0 tools that can be used in the school setting. Some of these include
Cloud computing
Blogs
Wikis
Concept Mapping
Digital Story Telling
E-books
I am sure that we, as budding reading specialists, would use these tools as they allow teachers to use what is relevant to the students now, in the classroom.
I am very impressed with how this course was delivered. It was a very comprehensive and enjoyable class.
The lecturers were very professional and willing to assist where needed.
It is my hope that I can be as effective a teacher as we experienced.

Inspiration from Webspiration

I’ve always thought that whether or not a child is visual learner he or she would still be more receptive to learning via visual means.

With television and video games being such an important part of the lives of our children, as they spend hours glued to it, I suppose it makes sense.

The use of technology in the classroom then also makes sense, as the other part of their lives is spent on computers.

As such interactive activities would assist our students in becoming more engaged in their tasks.
With this in mind Webspiration, is a great tool for use in the classroom. It was developed by the same people who gave us Inspiration. However this tool offers concept mapping software online.

It is great for any subject area, and offers a very interactive experience. Again I can see very few disadvantages with respect to its use and its effectiveness to achieve the objectives we set out to achieve.

Internet safety (Part 2)

Internet safety is not just, about knowing what is appropriate to be on the internet. It is also about the information that is shared. Like pictures, and videos, your name and address.
It also has to do with how you are treated and how others make you feel when on the internet.
There are so many dangers on the internet, from cyber bullies to pedophiles and hackers.
We need to educate our children on how to use the internet, sensitize them to the dangers that are out there.
Below is a link that gives tips on how to be safe.
There is also a video that sums up safety on the internet.



Internet Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

Safety on the World Wide Web (Part 1)

Now I am not one to be paranoid. But there are some things about having all your business out there, for all to see that bothers me quite a bit.

This ‘new web’ is a very social environment and everyone wants to share their lives.
And yes, today’s society is a very transparent one especially with sites like Twitter, and Facebook.

But some people don’t seem to know what to put on the internet. They don’t seem to know that the whole world will see everything and what’s worse you can’t undo what has been done.
Things that were once private are being broadcast to the world. Things that were taboo are no longer so.

So when is it too much?

I think when people start getting hurt, when they lose their sense of dignity, when they are humiliated, when their safety is threatened; then I think it is too much.

A lot of the time, it our own students who find themselves in situations where they put themselves at risk.

So how do we help them protect themselves?

I read a post of one of our colleagues whose concern was not that there was too much to much new technology available or that it was too challenging but that it was not available at the schools.

Now I know that the Ministry is making some effort to have the primary schools equipped with computers. However with these computers you are unable to install any programs. Then there is also no internet access in most primary schools.

As such it is almost impossible to use the computers that are in the schools.

Teachers have to use their own laptops, which not the most ideal situation for a class of thirty students.

I can relate to the frustration felt by my colleague because we know that conventional methods don’t seem to be as effective as they use to be and we know that the students would not just appreciate the use of technology in the class, but they would be capable of adequately using that technology.

I do wish that the Ministry would be diligent in their efforts to provide the necessary technology in our schools, so that we can join the rest of the world in reaping the benefits, technology has to offer.

I remember when I was first introduced to the wonderful world of E-books. I was very excited. And I marveled at the possibilities of a tool like this being used in our schools.

But what I really excited me the most were the E-book readers.

You know, like the Apple iPad, Amazon’s Kindle or Barnes and Noble’s Nook.
Now those are tools that we need to have in school.

These books have capabilities that would capture the interest of any child. They have dictionaries, text to speech capabilities and you could highlight text and make notes, just to list a few of the features.

Imagine a child who is having difficulty reading. However he/she must get the information from a particular book. These tools can assist the child in getting the much needed information. It can also be useful to a child who is not as engaged with reading as he/she should be or a child who loves reading but needs help with study. It can be used for so much more.

The children of today have been born into a technological age. They are wired accordingly and as such should be educated using the technology to which they have become so accustomed.

INFORMATION AT OUR FINGERTIPS

Since I started this ICT for Reading course, I have been spending a lot of time online. Not only doing assignments or making posts, but just searching for ideas, answers, methods, examples any thing and everything.

I was asked today how teachers keep abreast of what is going on the field of education. And I was forced to think about that. (and I ‘m not even trying to do too much thinking this week) but as a budding reading specialist I wanted to know.

First I thought about the Ministry of Education and the fact that teachers are sent on workshops and training seminars.

But then I thought, we don’t have to wait to be sent on a workshop, we could use the internet? There are hundreds of sites available for exploration. I will surely find answers on the web.

As I searched I found that there is a myriad of information concerning the way forward for teachers, new trends in education, information about strategies for dealing with at risk student, students with special needs and even students that are gifted. And the information is current and relevant to our situation. There were even sites that allowed teachers to share their ideas.

So we don’t have to sit around waiting on the Ministry to send us on workshops and seminars we have all the information we need, literally at our fingertips.