E-Learning

I have just watched an excellent video posting on Linda’s blog page from an Indian community. I think the key for getting on top of how to use technology effectively is to use technology regularly enough that you don’t forget. I can’t help but give thanks for the excellent access to technology we have here in Australia. I think we take for granted sometimes just the opportunities we have here. I know that socio-economic factors will play a role in how many students will have access to technology, it is fair to say though in Australia, you wouldn’t have to cram into a bus that comes to town once a week to get a dose of technology. I believe we should be making the most of what we have and reminding our students of how fortunate we are as well by showing videos like the one posted on Linda’s page.

Have a look at some Primary School students and their thoughts on using technology in the classroom. There are some great ideas for uses of technology that could be implemented in our future teaching. I found particularly interesting the race around Australia project that is mentioned.
Download Video: Posted by paulfuller75 at TeacherTube.com.

According to reports in Side by Side (The Newspaper for NSW Public schools) Issue 15 Feb 2008, government schools are set to be the recipients of somewhere in the vacinity of $158 million dollars in funding to enhance technology and internet speed. Initially 200 schools will benefit when the funding commences in July  but the  aim is for all public schools to have their fair share by 2011.

I feel that the implications of this for us as Primary School teachers is that we are going to be working in an environment in which we have access to tools for learning that are vastly different from the classrooms we were once students in. We will need to adapt to these changes and be equipped to deliver lessons in  ways that not only utilise the technology but also have a rationale for doing so. Students will benefit if we critically think about the use of technology in our classrooms and not merely use the technology available just for the sake of it.

I will be interested to monitor how well this funding is utilised by schools to maximise the students learning potential.

I have been perusing the internet for some quality educational blog sites. Anne Davis has written a blog posting which links to some blog sites that have been nominated for an award. This may be a collection of blogs worth viewing to get some ideas on what makes a quality blog.

Linda an I have shared our thoughts on teaching using pictures as a metaphor on IMovie. Linda and Matt’s IMovie

This Podcast is a response to the Teacher Tube videoDownload Video: Posted by rachelboyd at TeacherTube.com.

Please listen to my views by clicking below. Thanks!

matt-ellis.mp3

Today I was inspired to try and put together a short piece using photos taken using photo booth along with voice recording using My Voice.

My great passion involves cricket as does Tim Sparke

I would enourage you have a listen to his podcast as well.

matt-ellis2.mp3

Welcome to my E-Learning Blog, I hope you find it both informative and at times entertaining.