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Article describing how on US-based 5th grade teacher is using technology to create a "blended" approach to learning that apparently allows more catering to the different capabilities of her students. Some linked to the approach used in EDC3100 as explained in the first (and last) Toowoomba lecture.

I found this and thought it supported the previous article regarding tool belt theory

Aspen, did you find the info on the theory, the task or the environment?

Hi Colleen, If you open the link, you will find info on all three- theory, task and environment :) The snippets above are what I highlighted

One for the HPE folk.  A Victorian PE teacher who labels himself "The PE Geek".

He does discuss other reasons why ICTs should be used in classes, but unfortunately doesn't give enough practical examples. The gamification he talks about most specifically is a dance game on the wii. Now of course the students are taking part in a game, but their bodies are moving just like they would be if they were dancing without the use of the game, so it is definitely physical. Using these types of games in your teaching shouldn't outweigh the the students taking part in physical activity or sports and training, but it should supplement it. I think using ICTs in HPE will help to improve motivation and interest in students who are uninterested in sport, which is a big focus that teachers face, particularly with junior high school girls. Using these games to get them interested is better than forcing them to take part in an activity where they aren't going to put in much effort anyway. ICTs are also immensely beneficial to students studying PE in senior, as a lot more of the focus is on technique and improvement, so using videos to view performance and receive feedback is great for these students. Especially the apps and programs you can get nowadays that let you pause and rewind video, play in slow motion, and draw on the screen (to check if your body is creating the right angles in the movement etc). In primary they wouldn't be so concerned with technique improvement like this, but ICTs can be used to expose students to sports that they wouldn't normally see or experience. Primary students could research and create their own games and sports using the internet and computers. (It is harder for me to think about the primary context, because I haven't had much to do with it). I am sure there are many ways ICTs can be incorporated in the Primary HPE setting, you just need to think outside the box.

Oops, I think I got PE Geek confused with a PE blog I was reading recently. After looking at the actual link, this PE geek offers so much more! It is actually great, the apps he talks about are great for primary and secondary.

Article talking about a different perspective (and examples) of how to teach mathematics. Not directly related to ICTs, but will likely be used in the Week 2 learning path and later to make a number of important points.

''They also miss the essential point-that mathematics is fundamentally about patterns and structures, rather than "little manipulations of numbers,"....'' How true this is! I had to go to uni in order to be exposed to the beauty of numers and maths, learn about Fibonacci and see the world differently! If anyone is interested here is a very nice video about the simplicity and beauty of our world and I am sure that ICT has its place in it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0

A description of the 1st one-to-one laptop program in the world (at a Melbourne-based private school). The important aspect of this is the purpose behind this program and how that differs from what has happened since. Arguably, how computers and computing devices are being used in schools has radically decreased even though the capability of the technology has radically increased.

I found this article really interesting after an experience in two year seven classes a few weeks ago. I was asked to help two grade 7 classes for the first 2 periods for three weeks. In that time, I wandered around quietly paying particular attention to what the students were actually doing on their laptops. I noticed on many occasions, several of the children were actually entertaining themselves by just "pottering" around on their laptop, even while the teacher was explicitly teaching. I was really curious to know how much the majority of students were actually learning. The class environment was relatively quiet compared to schooling in my day (in the '70's and '80's) but I had the thought, if laptop programs are NOT successful, we have a big problem that may not be confirmed for a decade or so. The other thing I found interesting is that the majority of the year 7's had done extremely poorly on their ICT exams.... interesting...

With almost 70,000 followers Vicki Davis was named one of "Twitter's Top 10 Rockstar teachers" by Mashable. Vicki is a full time teacher and IT Director at a small school in Camilla, Georgia. In her words, "my mission is to help you be a better teacher. I'm passionate about helping all teachers reach every student so I write a lot about teaching, staying motivated, and how to connect with other teachers." 'Coolcatteacher' has also been consistently named one of the top 50 blogs in education worldwide. What piqued my interest is her belief in using technology effectively as a teacher.

Questions should ignite learning. Curious kids never get bored. But why do young kids ask more than 100 questions a day and by middle school, they've stopped asking?

This teacher is preaching the "Teaching Gospel for Today"! Asking questions and promoting problem-based learning to students is how to teach students today. Thank-you for sharing this bernielou!

News article describing how one Brazilian school is encouraging their students to reply to the tweets of their favourite celebrities to correct their grammar and spelling. On the plus side, it's engaging students in something they might get a kick out of in relation to grammar/spelling. On the down side, there are questions about how well this fits the Twitter culture. Some may also raise questions about the practice of having students attach photos of themselves to the tweets.

Ms Cassidy's blog documents the interesting and valuable learning achievements of her students. Her blog offers a great variety of lesson ideas, including those which involve ICTs such as twitter to communicate with other learners from around the world and enhance the learning experience of all.

This blog site is up to date and relevant, providing an inside look at the class practice with current photos and videos.

I found this blog really interesting as it shows the children are engaged in using ICT in the classroom with their own blogs and videos of their work. It also shows the use of not using ICT with lots of hands on experiences. I think it shows the importance of using both in the classroom depending on what your learning. I will definitely keep a close eye on this blog.

Newspaper article about how the new Apple Watch is opening up a range of new possibilities, in particular for a deaf and blind woman. Mentions the Apple Watch's haptic capability - the ability for the device to give feedback via touch. Likely to be the first widely used example of haptics.

I read this article today and it made me think about the 'older' generations and how they cope with the new technology. It isn't going to be long and we'll become the 'older' generation. How long until we are overwhelmed with a variety of 'new' technologies we can't cope and just go back to our 'old' ways, in this case sending a letter. I'm sure some children have never sent a letter through the post office!! I also love the offer of the CEO to help teach the gentleman how to use online shopping!!

Fair comment about the letter at the post office, but according to my own kids "the post office is where you pick up stuff from ebay" so I guess the concept is still there just the context has changed.

Unfortunately are lot of teachers are "the older generation" as far as classroom practices are concerned. Often using technology means booking a computer labs to allow students to type their assignments (so they can read their hand writing); allowing students to email completed work instead of handing in paper copies or using a data projector to show the class a power point presentation.

Post that includes a video showing how to add voice comments to a Google doc - e.g. feedback on a student assignment.

Audacity is an open source program for recording and editing audio. This post talks briefly about Audacity and provides pointers to how to use it and how to apply it for learning and teaching. Some definite applications in terms of literacy, and other learning areas.

"Equitable Use, seeks to maximise the usefulness of design for everyone, identical whenever possible and equivalent when not, so that it avoids segregating or stigmatising any users. Flexibility in Use , values design that accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Simple and Intuitive Use, seeks to create ease of understanding for users, regardless of their experience, knowledge and language. Perceptible Information, seeks to ensure that design allows information to be communicated effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the userÕs sensory abilities. Tolerance for Error, seeks to minimise hazards and the negative consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Low Physical Effort, seeks to ensure that interaction with the environment can occur efficiently and comfortably and with minimal fatigue. Size and Space for Approach and Use, seeks to maximise approach, reach and manipulation capabilities of users irrespective of their size, posture and mobility."

A program where you can 'create and share your own interactive stories, games, music, and art'.

The first week at uni we started to use a program called Scratch. This program can be used for teachers and students at any level. It is also has free membership. The first activity that we were required to do was to use the motion button to create simple commands to move the script (the cat). The next part of the activity was to make a sequence of commands. This included the moving the script 10 step and then having the script turn around in a clockwise direction at 15 degrees. The number of steps and the degrees can be changed to suit the way you want the script to move. The next activity was to use the simple commands and have them repeat the commands over and over until you stop the command. We also learnt how to have the script change colour while the command sequence was going. The next activity was to draw regular polygons. The first polygon that was drawn was a square. The next challenge was to create other polygons. This program is great to work with. I had some time just to play, adding backgrounds, pictures and sounds. The goal for using this scratch program at uni is to explore options for introducing digital technologies and related concepts in the primary school classroom, as the Technology curriculum is being introduced sometime this year (2013). This program would fall under the Digital Technologies strand in the Australian curriculum: Technologies. This is where students will engage in the components of digital systems: software, hardware and networks.

Great site for children to create stories, games and animations.

While the post is focused on Universities, there are a number of interesting points. Perhaps of most interest is the explanation why much of the research claiming that taking notes by hand writing is better than using a laptop/table.

Introduces the idea of conceptual change in the context of science. During week 1 of EDC3100 we will be looking at conceptual change as it applies to learning how to use an ICT.

Before you go to a forum or help desk with a computer problem, it is essential that you be prepared properly. How you ask your question or present your problem is key to obtaining help. Be sure to have all the facts about your problem lined up beforehand. You will simply waste your time (and the tech's) if you are vague about what your problem is. Here are 10 steps that will help.

A project that gathered audio of people speaking one of two texts. The audio has been combined with a Google map to show the location of the voice. You can traverse the map, select a voice and listen to it. Shows how ICTs can be used to gather and store information. And then be used to manipulate it (to present a map interface) to allow distribution.

Kids are crazy for technology! And it's important to provide early learners with time to simply play, create and use their imaginations. However, teachers must also ensure that students learn to use current technology in this constantly-evolving world.

Kids are crazy for technology! And it's important to provide early learners with time to simply play, create and use their imaginations. However, teachers must also ensure that students learn to use current technology in this constantly-evolving world.

This is what is expected of early childhood teachers to learn about the benefits of integrating technology and how it reinforces key technical skills to thrive in coming ages where technology is becoming a necessity.