Synopsis

Throughout this blog I have discussed many different types of ICTs that can be used in education in order to increase engagement and bring education into the 21st century. As mentioned in my post Reflect on what has been studied already students need to use ICTs because it is part of the way they think. “The fact is that even if you are the most engaging old-style teacher in the world, you are not going to capture most of our students’ attention the old way. …More and more, they just don’t tolerate the old ways – and they are enraged we are not doing better by them” (Prensky, 2005). By using web 2.0 and information communication technology (ICT), we ‘engage’ the students, not ‘enrage’ them with old-style learning strategies.

Connectivism is a 21st century theory of learning. There is no longer need for the teacher to be the main source of knowledge, there is wider and more accurate information that can be sourced from the use of technology and web 2.0. Teachers now have a greater role of guiding the student in learning. They help students develop a network, overcome problems they face and offer support. A number of ICTs help this process of connectivism.

Godwin-Jones (2003) said emails, discussion forums, chat are familiar to many teachers but blogs, wikis and RSS that may be less familiar are a more powerful tools. Blogs can be a good way for students to keep an on-line journal about what they are learning. They can also be a good collaborative tool when used with RSS. In my Blogs post I mentioned how blogs can be used in education.

Wikis are also good for students to use, in order to collaborate, on projects. Wikis allow students to edit the same piece of work online. In this way there is one place and one copy that all group members have access to. This wouldn't be possible without a wiki because other mediums do not have this ability. The Wiki post talks about how a wiki can be used for educational purposes. A site called Mahara allows one to have both a Wiki, Blog on the same site. It also allows someone to have a resume, forum discussions and visible networks. The Mahara post talks about Mahara.

There are also a lot of sites on the Internet where you can get information about any topic. Wikipedia for example, although one needs to be aware that this site does not contain cold hard facts. This is because it is open to the public and they can edit anything on WIKIpedia. "WIKIPedia is an online encyclopedia that allow anyone to contribute, but also has a tight set of guidelines/rules and moderators to keep the information accurate and avoid breaches of copyright." (Aldred, 2010). Aldred also goes on to say that it is a good place to develop background knowledge about a subject in an effortless way.

Another useful site is YouTube. Like Wikipedia it is also open to the general public and as such is not a trusted source for authoritative material. It does however have content that can be used to create a educational and engaging lesson.The YouTube and TeacherTube post talks about how YouTube can be particularly useful with IcIs students. For more information about IcIs refer to the What is IcIs blog post.

Students that are having fun are going to be more engaged. Voki Avatars can be rather fun to create and offer students many learning opportunities. In my Voki Avatars post I talk about Voki Avatars being used for learning a second language. Another rather fun ICT is SlideShare. This allows students to make a powerpoint and add sound to the presentation. Sound can be used to add music or just talk about the slides. I talk about how students can use this ICT at SlideShare-When I went to Japan. Students really have a chance to show their level of knowledge with SlideShare.

Digital storytelling also is a very good task for students to display their level of knowledge. This ICT allow students to create and is rather open in how much they can demonstrate they have learnt. There really is no restrictions in how creative a student can be. In this post Digital Storytelling I talk about the benefits of digital storytelling. Group work with this ICT is a good project based tasks and can be really authentic.

Technology is the virtual world and it allows us to explore many things which otherwise would be impossible. Animations and simulation are a wonderful tool that allow for students to do many things. Go to this post Animations and Simulation for mors information about the benefits of this resource.

Comments
6:17 AM 6 May 2010
Posted a comment to Merly’s Blog () commenting about making an IWB with a Wii remote.

6:21 AM 6 May 2010
Posted a comment to Amanda’s Blog (http://amandascqu.blogspot.com/2010/05/incompetech.html#comments) commenting about INCOMPETECH.

6:215AM 6 May 2010
Posted a comment to Amanda’s Blog (http://amandagilley.blogspot.com/2010/04/slideshare-incompetech.html#comments) commenting about how to add sound to SlideShare.

6:31 AM 6 May 2010
Posted a comment to Amy’s Blog (http://amysjournaling.blogspot.com/2010/04/voki.html#comments) commenting about Voki Avatars.

Time unknown 6 May 2010
Posted a comment to Zelina’s Blog (http://zelinasblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/sydney-opera-house.html) commenting about using Google Earth to demonstrate where we are and how big Australia is in comparison to Japan. Also using Google Earth to establish Japan and China are different places as students often have trouble with this.

10:23 AM 1 May 2010
Posted a reply comment to my Blog (http://teachwithicts.blogspot.com/2010/03/wiki.html#comments) replying to Zelina’s and Merly’s comment about my ideas for a Wiki.

11:58 PM 29 April 2010
Posted a reply comment to my Blog (http://teachwithicts.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-am-left-with-anger-sadness-and.html#comments) replying to Zelina’s comment about how teaching can sometimes be difficult when trying to find a job.

4:32 AM 6 May 2010
Posted a reply comment to my Blog (http://teachwithicts.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-i-went-to-japan_05.html#comments) replying to Sarak83’s comment about using ICTs to teach second languages.


References
Aldred, S. (2010) Applying Digital Pedagogies. Retreived from, CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Manage e-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=53491

Godwin-Jones, R. (2003)Emerging Technologies:Blogs and Wikis. Retrieved May 2, 2010, from
tp://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/rid=1131480053328_1801720929_4296/godwin.pdf

McInerney, D. & McInerney, V. (2006). Educational psychology: constructing learning.
(4th ed.). Frenchs Forest : Pearson Education Australia.

Nunan, D & Clarice, L. (1996). The self-directed teacher, Cambridge University Press,
Melbourne.

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon. MCB University Press,Vol. 9
No.5,October 2001.

Richards, J & Lockhart, C. (1996). Reflective teaching in second language classrooms,
Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.