ICT MEETS VELS

ICT provides a rich and flexible learner-centred environment in which students can experiment and take risks when developing new understanding.

(Victorian Essential Learning Standards)

Well it’s certainly an idyllic statement, but how much truth does it hold in reality? Today we’re looking at ICT in the classroom and in particular, how it is reflected in educational documentation. The Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) are a framework for what is essential for all Victorian students to learn during their schooling years. The standards a set of common state-wide benchmarks which schools use to plan student learning programs, assess student progress and report to parents.

In such a technologically driven age, there is a logical push to include ICT into the schooling curriculum. Not only are basic ICT skills now a necessity in everyday life, but ICT also provides teachers with a new unique method of information delivery to students. This topic extends beyond power points and YouTube videos to appeal to visual learners in a classroom. It opens up an endless virtual library of potentially student driven learning. It can quite literally put a tool for learning in the hands of the student. Not even a library can match the content rich potential of an ICT learning environment.

With particular respect to VELS Level 6 (approx. year 10), there are three key standards guiding student capabilities with regards to ICT, one involving visual thinking, another for creating and the last for communicating. Are there any noticeable correlations between these standards and the introductory phrase that set this blog in motion? There certainly are.

For me ICT in the classroom makes learning extremely flexible. There are endless online literary sources, educational activities and video blogs that students can experiment with online to aid in learning. But ICT extends beyond just a Google search. There are countless tools that I have personally used in the classroom that make teaching practices anything but bring and conventional. It is these that keep learning flexible and the student engaged and involved. This pedagogical variation is important for a variety of reasons.

Although potentially risky because learning isn’t certain, it’s important to try.  If we as teachers put any faith into Dewey’s multiple intelligences, we must at least attempt to teach to different alternative styles. Continuing on, there are times that as teachers we must not teach at all, and simply guide our students through inquiry based or discovery learning. In these situations, ICT makes the potential and capabilities for learning considerably greater. ICT is the way of the future and to not include an extensive level of it in our educational day to day activities would be grossly remiss of our responsibilities as teachers.

Andy, out.


(Sources: http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vels/ict.html)

About me.... (Finally)

So it just struck me that i haven't even properly introduced myself (after all these weeks of fervent blogging, how rude of me!), so here it goes...

Well I'm an M Teach accelerated student, my two learning areas are Biology and Science. I completed my undergrad science degree at Melbourne Uni, majoring in Human Anatomy and Physiology.

My current placement school is a large inner-inner city government school, with a mixed student demographic and relatively young teaching staff.

I hope you know me a little better now. Until next time,

Andy.

Edmodo...?

So, I've recently been introduced to a new Facebook/ blogging type site called Edmodo. Advertised as a "Social Networking" site for teachers and students, Edmodo offers the chance to publicly create a profile and maintain an online persona with which you can not only be linked with your students (presuming they are signed up), but also to network with friends and colleagues  to share ideas and resources.

Is anyone already signed up? Thoughts? Here's the link if any of you are interested..

http://www.edmodo.com/

I'll let you know how it goes in a few weeks. Wish me all the best.

Andy.

Did you say IPad?

So, it's Friday, Its 4th period, and everyone, students, teachers and student teachers all want the week to be done. All that stands in the way is 72 minutes of Unit 4 Biology. Jolly.

But wait, whats that?... in comes Steve Jobs on his high white horse, and everyone's stagnant levels of excitement spike. But does it last?

So as you may have guessed this post is to discuss the use of IPads in classrooms. My current school has them available for some classes and are looking to widen that to a whole school approach. But are they effective?

I'm currently sitting at the back of the aformentioned Biology class, and their initial levels of interest are waining. They realise that behind the glossy facade of this tech marvel is still an educational tidal wave threatening to wipe them out. They start trying to download angrybirds. IPad fail.

That aside, i am still undecided in the whole IPad debate. This school argues that it will revolutionise classrooms, students wont be burdended down carrying around textbooks all day (mind you they still have to buy the text book, then load the CD Program onto their IPad), all the students work will be centralised (and when it is lost, left at home, out of battery, or broken, what happens?), and students will enjoy being involved in class (until the excitement wears off).

So, actually after reading over the previous paragraph, i notice the negative slant in my own writing. Perhaps i am against IPads after all. What is wrong with the the conventional method of teaching with the occasional use of notebooks or laptops in class. Why all this focus on IPads and Apple?

All this seems to be achieving in my eyes is increasing the stock price of Aple shares. With regards to research studies and actual figures regarding the educational sucess of IPads, i know little, and as i said, its Friday afternon, so i have no intent to look into it further. All i can go on is how my students have reacted to and performed with IPads, and well, im generally not a fan. But hey, maybe i'm not doing it right?

Thanks fo reading,

A.

Why hello..

Hey everyone, my name is Andy, and welcome to my new blog. Aptly titled 'Mother Nature Meets Motherboard' as i attempt to unite the biological sciences with the not so natural internet. I though (after creating this thing ages ago but having some SERIOUS ISSUES with my google account) that i would finally post on my new blog.

So this blog is an opportunity for me to share with you the wonderful word of biology and all things science, through the fantastic medium of blogging. I'm new to writing blogs, but i find it exciting regardless.

To start off with i just wanted to post up a link to a fantastic resource i found on youtube that my Yr. 12 Biology kids loved in class today. I find that anything introduced through the magic of song is much better received by my students. I hope you enjoy it as much as they did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJvAL-iiLnQ&feature=related

Andy.

PS- Also amazing is this one on cellular respiration. This girl is the new Rebecca Black.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVXHYx8zYeI&feature=related