Activity 10 &11: Producing Resources

It's accepted that digital resources can significantly improve learning in the classroom. This activity, in conjunction with a similar activity in a earlier module has taught me how to create my own or modify existing digital resources. This reduces the heavy reliance on text books. With these resources students can be provided new and exciting experiences that can deepen their understanding and enhance academic performance.

Activity two of the learning resource was well received but not without its challenges. The students were using blade to dissect flowers and required strict that proved challenging. The joy was obvious as they dissected the flower and proudly displayed the various parts.

Children on a whole love the outdoors immensely and activity four of the learning resource provided them with an opportunity to be outside. While the on the outside they investigated flowers that were visited by insects and those which are not. They thoroughly enjoyed being investigators making observations, taking notes and discussing their observations. The students were very eager to share their knowledge of local plants as well.

Activity 7 Reflection

 

                              

The value of resources accessible by you

Activity 7, “the value of resources accessible to you,” closely resembles an earlier activity that required of us to make an inventory of the resources available at our school and to examine ways in which these resources could have been used. I nevertheless found this activity quite informative and rewarding.

I especially liked working in paint as it appeals to the creative side of me. Just a few days prior to the commencement of this activity, I discovered that paint can be used as an editing tool. This would come in quite handy in the preparation of diagrams for quizzes or tests. I did some further investigation on the use of paint and discovered that some of the tools can be customized by selecting the tool (brushes, pencils, line), holding down the control key and depressing the plus sign (+) on the numeric pad.

In summary, digital resources have the potential to add new dimensions to the pedagogical practices within our classrooms. But to be able to realize the full potential of these resources, teachers must be conversant with the technology.

Module 5 Activity 5a: Explore Website Resources

 Explore Website Resources

Educational websites like educational software are powerful tools that go a long way in helping to transform pedagogical practices within the classroom from a teacher centered approach to a student centered approach.  This comes at a critical juncture as we move towards making our schools child friendly while at the same time equipping them with 21^st century skills.

As part of the requirement for activity 5a, I had the opportunity to examine several websites. Several of them proved quite useful to me a Science teacher at the elementary level. These site use innovate ways of presenting age appropriate information through interactive, educational games and simulations. Additionally, students are offered further support through digital worksheets and homework assistance among other things.  Teachers are also offered support through the availability of lesson plans and opportunity for collaboration with other educators in some instances. Some of the sites also provide assistance to parents so that they can better help their child.

Below is a list of some of the websites reviewed.

http://interactivesites.weebly.com/teacher-tools.html

http://www.discoveryeducation.com//parents/?campaign=flyout_parent
 http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz

http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm

Activity 3:Reviewing Educational software

Prior to activity three, Educational Software/ Web base resources were simply selected at face value. Very little or no attention was paid to critical evaluation of these resources. This activity (activity 3) proved quite beneficial in that it provided necessary information needed to evaluate educational resources. The knowledge gained from this activity will be employed in the classroom and in the end will be of great benefit to my students.

 As part of planning, teachers should include a list of criteria that would guide the selection of educational software/ web based resources that would be referred to or used by learners, or colleagues.

Module 5 Activity 2: Experiencing Educational Software

Educational software as the name suggests is geared toward teaching students or towards self- directed learning. Activity 2 dealt with the personal experiences gained through the use of educational software. The readings provided some  insight into the factors that influence the development of these software such as age and purpose. According to the readings educational software would be appropriate if they help learners to achieve learning outcomes and assessment standards through:

• repetition and practice (especially in Foundation Phase and remedial situations)
• basic skills development
• cognitive (thinking) skills development
• deepening subject understanding through interactivity
  
  

After having gone through the readings, I am now equipped with the tool to evaluate and select educational software that are appropriate. The knowledge gained

Module 5 Activity 1: Reflection on the value of Social Bookmarking

While I am not entirely new to book marking, I am new to social bookmarking. In order to set up my account, I would have listened and viewed the tutor's presentation which was helpful in that the regard. I however encountered difficulty in actually bookmarking a page. I found this rather frustrating. I eventually got the hang of it with some online help. Downloading and installing the Diigo toolbar proved very helpful to me. With practice, I would eventually get better at bookmarking with Diigo.

What I have discovered from going through the help page, and bookmarking a few pages is that my online resources can be organized into lists or groups which makes saving and retrieving information easier. Diigo or should I say social bookmarking also makes it possible for us educators not only to store, manage and search online resources with minimal effort, it also allow us to share resources. This is perhaps the most important advantage of social bookmarking. The sharing of bookmarked resources with colleagues can help to improve our practice in the classroom.