Week 2

MS Publisher and ePortfoilios


This week we were introduced to Microsoft Publisher.  Again this came as a shock to me.  I have had the complete Microsoft Office package on my laptop for years and never once have I looked at it.  I am beginning to wonder where I have been for the last few years technology-wise!

The good thing is that this software is easy to use and I managed to produce this three sided flyer in about 30 minutes.  

I was very excited by my new discovery and can see the many creative opportunities to which it could be put to in the classroom, as a large number of students learn best visually.


I wanted to find out more so I performed an online search for 'publisher in schools' which lead me to Microsoft's website http://www.microsoft.com/australia/education/teachertools/ .  The home page is a celebration of awards won by teachers (like Erin Svean below) for the innovative use of technology in the classroom.

This is a fantastic website not only for learning more about Publisher but for all of the Microsoft's software that you might find in schools.

There are tutorials on how to use products, hints, tips and tech support.  I was particularly impressed by the 'Teachers Tools' page which had a great 'How to...' section.  This contained detailed lesson plans on how to use Publisher to: create a magazine cover, design a CD label case, design a menu etc.  They were even aimed at particular year levels.  It also had lessons plans for the introduction of all Microsoft software such as word, excel and its uses across the Domains.  All in all a very useful website that I am sure I will be returning to many times.

Next we looked at the use of ePortfolios in schools.  Again I had one of those 'wow' moments as to what uses technology can have in teaching and learning.  I was amazed by the level to which it has integrated into our daily lives and the lives of our children.  There is a part of me, though, that wonders if the reality in the classroom will match the possibilities of our lectures.

I can see clearly the power of eportfolios for turning information into knowledge.  As a primary school student, I would have loved the process of turning my ideas into a brochure, book or poster; to build up my eportfolio and have the opportunity to display my creativity.  There was a particular paragraph from the online source 'Digital Portfolios: Fact or Fiction', by Helen Woodward and Phil Nanlohy which summed this up for me:

"A further dimension brought about by the digital construction of portfolios is that of the engagement in learning. Armitage (1998) believes that digital portfolios assist student learning by increasing motivation and allowing publication of their work in ways that result in greater self-confidence. The opportunities for reflection and discussion about the artefacts chosen by portfolio authors also adds to their value as learning support ..."

We went on to create our own eportfolio.  I'm not sure if I grasped all of its possibilities within the short time of our workshop but this is one of the things I am beginning to enjoy about the Information Technology unit.  I am aware that I have started a new learning path and it is very exciting and daunting at the same time.  I think it is good to get these old feelings back because it might help me empathise with how my students may feel.

Week 1

An Introduction to Learning Technologies

Well today was a bit of a surprise.  I was aware that ICT, Information and Communication Technology, was part of the course but up until this week it had not appeared on the LMS and therefore, had not occupied my mind.

Well, not anymore.  Within five minutes of the lecture starting, about the time it took my first computer, an old Commodore 64, to load a game, I was shaken to the core.  Although I thought of myself as not being entirely computer illiterate, I hadn't realised how far ICT has progressed and how fast.  One of the great things about this course is how exciting it is to learn again.  Today's lesson highlighted how much new software is now available and how many uses there are for ICT in the classroom.  At first it was a little daunting and then it became eye opening.

We were introduced to Inspire by Greg.  Inspire is a software programme used in schools for visual mapping, outlining, writing and making presentations.  According to their website, it can be used to:

"Brainstorm ideas, structure your thoughts and visually communicate concepts to strengthen understanding ........ To take notes, organize information, and structure writing for plans, papers and reports....... transform your diagrams, mind maps and outlines into polished presentations that communicate ideas clearly and demonstrate understanding and knowledge".

In the workshop we used the software to create a mind map of our choice (see below).

In only a short period of time I was able to produce some half-reasonable results and, with practise, I feel confident I could improve. 


Here are a few examples from Inspire's website of the work which can be produced.

The Inspire website also contains some very good explanations of mind maps and their significance to students' learning: 

  

 

"Mind maps are visual representations of hierarchical information that include a central idea or image surrounded by connected branches of associated topics or ideas. Subtopics are added to the mind map flowing outward from the central idea".

"Mind maps provide a simplified overview of complex information allowing students to better understand relationships and find new connections. As students use symbols, colors and simple keywords to create a memorable mind map, information and connections within that information are more easily recalled. Supporting information is detailed in attached notes".

Taken from http://www.inspiration.com/

For more information on how to use mind maps, here is a useful link to James Cook University's website  http://www.jcu.edu.au/tldinfo/learningskills/mindmap/howto.html