Reflective Synopsis - Assessment Task 1
Synopsis
Digital learning is increasingly becoming one of the most prominent
means of education in the 21st Century. This is not only because
technology has become a part of everyday life, but this is also due to the fact
that there is more and more technology being used by classrooms. Since the
beginning of this course (EDSE11024) I have contributed in the use of many
different digital tools for learning. These tools consist of: blogs, websites,
images, video, audio, presentation software, mapping programs, online services,
interactive online services and wikis.
Legal, Safe and Ethical Issues – the Use of Technology for Learning
Copyright is an assortment of rights in certain creative works, whether
it be: literary works, artistic works, musical works, computer programs, sound
recordings, films and broadcasts, which can be used to stop others from copying
the creative works and programs without permission
(Smartcopying.edu.au,
n.d.).
The internet provides a powerful resource for learning and research
skills, however that power renders risks to students and teachers. Children
face the exposure to inappropriate material that is:
- Sexually explicit;
There are other ways to ensure students are safe whilst using the
internet. Physical danger – meeting someone online who may claim to be someone
they are not. This also falls under the notion of cyber bullying which can be
carried out through internet services such as e-mail, chatrooms, games, or web pages (Cybersmart.gov.au, n.d.). Mobile phone messaging
is also listed under this category or cyber bullying.
Reflection on Digital Pedagogy – SAMR
Model and Bloom’s Taxonomy
Before implementing these different concepts of technology into their
teaching practice, teachers need to consider the benefits and implications of
these digital learning tools and how to successfully and productively integrate
them into education. The SAMR Model is
the most effective model designed to help determine possible educational
outcomes from each of the different concepts of digital learning (blogs, wikis,
images, presentation tools and mapping or simulations). By creating separate
scenarios (situations) and evaluating/providing a rationalisation based on the delivery
method of each digital learning tool it allows teachers to have a pre-conceived
idea of how to effectively and successfully teach.
I have incorporated this model (SAMR
Model) into each of my six weekly reflections in this course. In each I
have explained, in detail, the different ways in which the digital learning
tools can be encompassed in education at each level of the SAMR Model – the Substitution,
Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition
levels respectfully. Successfully implementing this concept into my
reflections every week has been a very educational experience that in my future
would benefit my teaching practice a great deal.
The First Reflection (Mobile
Phone Wiki/de Bono’s Thinking Hats) I wrote on my educational blog presented me
with a very beneficial and useful digital tool to utilise in the classroom. A
wiki is a very malleable form of interactive, digital learning and when used in
the classroom this concept can be very advantageous to students’ education. Appendix 1A provides a link to this
reflection in my educational blog.
Reflection Two (Blogs, Wikis and
Websites) was a very in-depth reflection about how one of these – either a
blog, wiki or website – can be used to benefit the delivery of education or
modify the way in which the information is being taught. From this, I learnt
about creating blogs and wikis and I was able to rationalise the different
levels of the SAMR Model so that I
had an understanding of how to effectively incorporate my learning into a
classroom. Appendix 1B provides a
link to this reflection and the respective SAMR
Model explaining the benefits and limitations of using a blog to teach and
learn.
In the Third Reflection I
completed was based on the digital learning concepts of images, video and
audio. Throughout the completion of this reflection, I was able to download the
software ‘Windows Movie Maker’ and have a play with its different settings and
options. From this, I was qualified enough to start using the program and
create a video of my own that was in relation to the discipline subject I have
chosen to study – Geography. Appendix 1C
provides a link to this reflection and the different levels of the SAMR Model justified.
Reflection Four was based on the
digital tool - presentation. For this example of good practice, I was able to
create an example presentation on the topic of Volcanoes. To create this
presentation I had to access a website known as Prezi. I had no previous knowledge of the program but it was very
simple to understand and operate. Appendix
1D provides a link to this reflection on presentation and displays the relevant
SAMR Model used to justify this
digital tool in education.
Reflection Five was based on the digital tool/s: mapping and/or simulations. In this reflection I explained the operation and details of Google Maps and justified how this online service/program could be used in education. The example subject I chose to link this digital tool to is geography. Appendix 1E provides a link to my reflection on this digital learning tool and the respective SAMR Model which gives a rationale about its use in the classroom.
Throughout my time studying these different digital learning tools and
services that encourage education based on online, I have found that there are
many things I did not previously know about education and its relation to the
digital learning environment. This course has provided me with the knowledge to successfully incorporate digital pedagogy in my future practice.
Appendix 1A
Click here to access the first reflection.
Appendix 1B
Click here to access the second reflection.
Appendix 1C
Click here to access the third reflection.
Appendix 1D
Reflection Five was based on the digital tool/s: mapping and/or simulations. In this reflection I explained the operation and details of Google Maps and justified how this online service/program could be used in education. The example subject I chose to link this digital tool to is geography. Appendix 1E provides a link to my reflection on this digital learning tool and the respective SAMR Model which gives a rationale about its use in the classroom.
