An inspirational video
Seeing Allanah Kings report got me thinking today, technology is moving so fast and it is the way of the future unquestionably. And this is a great thing it allows for so much more collaboration, problem solving and reflection all at the touch at the finger tips, but what about those that are “stuck” behind, they are missing so much. Now I believe we shouldn’t abandon the pen and paper but we shouldn’t ignore the changing future. That is why seeing Allanah King’s video was so inspirational I am not very technological minded I do enjoy experimenting and whilst I am from that generation that has used computers unfortunately my school and prac school did not encourage it all that much. So it was so refreshing to see this teacher take courses and get comfortable with using the technology before she taught it. And the benefits she speaks about are mind blowing. From blogging children are in control of writing and taking photos and contributing to the class blog, now every class has a class blog and children are encouraged to contribute to each others blogs by commenting, it is a way to celebrate learning and share facts and lessons with others. Allanah King also contributes to the blog in the form of notices to parents this shows the wider community that the blog does have. Parents are also able to view what the children have been doing through out the day. The wider communication does not stop there they have links a site counter which allows children to see a map which shows who is looking at their blog and where they are globally. This means that their work is viewable to the world and anyone can comment making what they learn so much more valuable and these comments become a source of inspiration. They also have a clock linked to their blog which allows students to see what the time is in their collaborating schools in New York and Wales, it just goes to show that information and communication are all at the click of a button again something pen and paper can not provide.
The class also has a delicious account which allows children to save websites and come back to them with a click, this serves as an archive where children can return and share information from sites that they have found.
Another area that is discovered is podcasts, this improves literacy and focusing on learning, whilst each week 3 students act as the class monitors but sometimes they do class podcasts.
Allanah King states that technology is difficult but the trick is to master it yourself and then teach it to the children and once the children understand it there is such a buzz in the classroom. Just in watching this short video I am so intrigued and inspired to want to be able to learn more, because the benefits are obvious, they are taking over traditional forms of learning. Now nothing beats a good book and by no means should we abandon traditional forms but let’s not fall behind with this new exciting beneficial way to learn.
Hi there
I am going to be introduced to a meeting on Thursday and the person introducing me is going to Google my name and see what turns up. I thought I had better do the same tonight just to make sure there was nothing to incriminate myself and your blog post came up.
Thank you for taking the time to write about what I do in your blog.
Cheers
Allanah K