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As briefly discussed in module one it suggests that as a pre-service teacher we should consider including digital technologies to represent mental/conceptual models to assist in the learning process. I am interested to see how this may be achieved? Have you any ideas how this can be done in an inclusive classroom?

Currently I am teaching in an environment with a diverse group of students learning needs; Years 7-12. I have access to computers, IPad, Digital Projector, Internet the list goes on. E.g. Warm Ups are as a whole group on the whiteboard via the data projector and speakers. We have access to E-Books and Audio E-Books and programs like Reading Eggs for all ages.

Hi Tamara I came across a really simple concept mapping site today, which is very quick and easy to use. Bubbl.us While the same activity can be done in the student's book, so it is not transformative, it is an easy and engaging activity. Many of the students I work with as a teacher aid (mainly ASD and II) love using the computer rather than drawing and writing by hand. They can then download and save their image to their computer or google drive for later use.

Hi All, I found this article to be very pertinent to this weeks content in EDC3100. I hope some of you can benefit as well: ABSTRACT (Copied from Sciencedirect) Technology integration in K-12 classrooms is usually overly teacher-centered and has insufficient impact on students' learning, especially in enhancing students' higher-order cognitive skills. The purpose of this project is to facilitate science teachers' use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as cognitive tools to shift their practices from traditional teacher-centered methods to constructivist, student-centered ones. This paper describes the outcomes and lessons learned from an application of design-based research (DBR) in the implementation and refinement of a teacher professional development (PD) program that is a key component of the overall project. This DBR study involved 25 middle-school science teachers from 24 schools whose implementation of cognitive tools with their students in science classrooms and virtually through a social networking site were observed over four years. A mixed-methodology was utilized to examine the impact of the cognitive tools intervention on teachers' classroom practices and students' development of new literacy skills. Identifying reusable design principles related to technology integration was another focus of the DBR study. The results revealed teachers' positive changes in their classroom practices by gradually allowing students to take control over the use of technology, and positive impact on students' ICT skills and science learning. Design principles for future professional development programs aimed at preparing teachers to adopt a cognitive tools approach are described.