Forum+Posts


 * Forum Posts **


 * Forum Post 1 **

I enjoy reading articles which give examples of the capabilities of mobile technology to engage and enhance students learning, and this one was no different.
 * From: || Louise Hall || Date: || Wed 24-Jul-13 09:16 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Study Task 1 - Why mobile is a must ||

The example of the 3 students at the beginning of the article working in 3 different locations yet collaborating on an assignment is nothing short of amazing - well the possibility of it is amazing and McCaffrey uses the word 'can' a lot throughout her article about mobile technology. It can do this...it can do that...

If mobile is a must, I would like to know 'how'.

McCaffrey then goes on to state that "It's the obligation of 21st century educators to prepare students". This point is what particularly resonated with me about our obligation as teachers to our students.

I disagree with McCaffrey's statement - "...students, generally already expert users, need little or no support, and faculty and staff quickly become acclimated". In my experience students are not generally experts - it is assumed that they are because of their 'digital native' status.

I don't think that we need the 'sales pitch' on why we should or can use mobile technologies, as there is a plethora of these articles available. What I want more of is the practical uses of mobile technologies in 'real' school situations to achieve the outcomes of our current education system and how do I monitor and document the evidence of students actual achievements?

Lou  I agree I would like to see more mobile technologies in action in a practical way in school education.  Thanks for your comments, Lou. I agree with your comments about students not being experts using technology - we often assume they are, but experience shows that they have lots to learn! Social media is another issue..
 * From: || Sarah McLaren || Date: || Tue 30-Jul-13 04:04 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Study Task 1 - Why mobile is a must ||
 * From: || Anne Sparks || Date: || Mon 29-Jul-13 11:52 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Study Task 1 - Why mobile is a must ||


 * Forum Post 2 **

 I understand Broadbents message to be that with the availability and accessibility of the internet and other tech connecting applications and devices we are more connected than ever before, therefore our relationships are are enhanced by technology.
 * From: || Louise Hall || Date: || Mon 29-Jul-13 11:55 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Is the Internet capable of cultivating deeper relationships? - Stefana Broadbent ||

My husband is a fly in fly out miner who is away for 9 days and home for six days. My children skype him most days or speak to him on the phone at least. He calls or sends a text whenever he is not underground (terrible reception down there!). We exchange photos through MMS and we are kept up to date with what is happening in our lives. We are more connected as a family than I was with my father when I was growing up and he was home every night.

School Of The Air is a prime example of how relationships and learning can occur over great distances and with a large group of people. When I worked in Mount Isa in outback Qld, many years ago, I was amazed that the SOTA children could put together a concert performance after only gathering for one day before the performance day, when ours took months of rehearsing together as a group. They did all of their ground work over the air! Now with the internet and skype isolated students are achieving even more astounding feats for example Bella from Devoncourt (typo in story) station outside of Cloncurry, who learned how to play the cello over the phone and with lessons through SOTA. If you are interested you can read her story here: @http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/363141/bellas-a-musical-mastermind/

Lou  Nice to hear the enthusiasm of students in your story. It is surprising to know how long it takes us to get things happening when they can produce such wonderful outcomes so quickly. Thanks for sharing Steve Lou, a really interesting point (if a little sad)you make with you and your father. We seem to more readily use technology as if the novelty is the reason. McLuwen said the medium was the message. And our global village seems to sometimes echo this. Can I ask do you use the technology now to stay in touch in with your father? David. I agree with you David that the novelty of communicating through technology prompts us to make increased contact with others. I text, skype and call my Dad a lot - even more now he is retired. Our lack of communication was due to his being on building sites all day (long before the advent of mobile phones) and the fact that using the land line phone in the site office for personal calls was a big no no.
 * From: || Stephen Carter || Date: || Wed 31-Jul-13 09:37 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Is the Internet capable of cultivating deeper relationships? - Stefana Broadbent ||
 * From: || David Ferguson || Date: || Tue 30-Jul-13 07:28 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Is the Internet capable of cultivating deeper relationships? - Stefana Broadbent ||
 * From: || Louise Hall || Date: || Tue 30-Jul-13 07:30 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Is the Internet capable of cultivating deeper relationships? - Stefana Broadbent ||

However, if we ever needed him Mum would drive us to the site where he was working so we could talk to him face to face, which interestingly, doesn't seem to happen as much now with mobile technologies. We did have the occasional Saturday with him in his truck and we would have our lunch in the underbelly of the new Parliament House during its construction!! We loved the 2 way radio and would talk to all of the other truck drivers all day :)

Lou
 * Forum Post 3 **

 I thought I would share some recent experiences. I have made a concerted effort to incorporate more technology into my teaching program since starting this degree. The kids are loving it! One particular child remarked "it feels like we are not working that hard but I am learning heaps more than normal." I have greatly reduced behaviour management as the children are far more engaged. One student refuses to complete any work in mathematics but introducing mathematics in the form of computer programs and some websites (I am trying to learn more about educational software and web 2.0 tech as part of assignment 1) has proven very effective. This particular child's parent informed me that her child is actually engaging in mathematics games at home. I was very pleased and very happy I enrolled in this degree.
 * From: || Dwayne Noud || Date: || Thu 22-Aug-13 04:38 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Resistance to ICT ||

The issue however, is that I have met stern resistance from the principal who believes kids should not be using the computer and should be taught via pen and paper pedagogy. She has openly stated the use of ICT in education is to the detriment of their academic growth. I presented my case but I am still receiving ridicule for integrating ICT. What action do I take? The principal's feet are firmly set in the old traditional style of teaching and is very unwilling to adopt any new practice. Has anyone else experienced this problem?  My principal loves technology and encourages that we use it all the time. maybe if you designed a unit using smartboard programs, laptops (or what ever resources you have at school) and get the students to create an amazing project that you could present to the staff to support your argument. Include writing in their notebooks but present it all using technology. Hope this helped  Hi Dwayne
 * From: || Tarsha Mournehis || Date: || Thu 29-Aug-13 09:22 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||
 * From: || Stephen Carter || Date: || Sat 24-Aug-13 11:22 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||

Such a shame but a common tale. I wonder if we will still hear these sorts of rebuttals in 5 years - 10 years time? I am sure that such principals will be finding it difficult to hold their positions. People tend to overlook the engagement factor of students as a novelty, rather than a serious contribution to improved learning. I look for it in the workplace as well - engagement for better outcomes - and yet we still see many systems and companies who ignore such importance.

Hear are some research articles I have collated for the improvement in student outcomes through the use of iPad as a this is what my assignment is on but they may help. Some refer to specific improvement in global standardised test results due to technology integration. It is nerver about the tool or device, but what we do with it - sounds to me like you are doing the right thing with the technology available to you - well done!

PRIMARY

Study of one pilot school of Algebra 1 app comparing iPad version to traditional textbook found that app ‘transforms the classroom’ and led to somewhere between 9 percentile pt and 19 percentile pt increase in test scores. Additional pilot results pending. @http://www.hmhco.com/content/study-shows-hmh-fuse-ipad-app-can-dramatically-improve-student-achievement @http://www.hmheducation.com/fuse/pdf/hmh-fuse-riverside-whitepaper.pdf @http://www.hmheducation.com/fuse/pilot-1.php Higher Scores with Algebra iPad App @http://www.marketwatch.com/story/houghton-mifflin-harcourts-algebra-curriculum-for-appler-ipadr-stimulates-a-near-10-percent-boost-in-math-scores-2012-08-01

Content Mastery in Flipped iPad Classroom - Algebra @http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/08/13/ipads-in-the-classroom-raise-math-scores-49/

Academic Gains with iPad Fractions App @http://www.gamedesk.org/reports/MM_FINAL_REPORT.pdf @http://edudemic.com/2011/12/ipad-apps-learning/ Literacy Gains with Early Learners @http://www.auburnschl.edu/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=4&PHPSESSID=snxljymix @http://www.sunjournal.com/news/city/2012/02/16/auburn-report-ipads-help-kindergartners-learn/1155484 iPad for Learning to Read, Literacy Skills @http://iteachwithipads.net/ @http://iteachwithipads.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ipad-data-pdf.pdf iPad Can Lead to Cost Savings @http://iteachwithipads.net/2012/05/21/just-the-facts/

Spec. Ed—Performance, Behavior Changes @http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20124718/iTechnology%20Pilot%20Study%20Outcomes%20Final.pdf

Engagement Aids in Reading Recovery @http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=26872 @http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/tablets/words-come-to-life-when-theyre-at-your-fingertips-20110619-1gaav.html iPad Research with Pre-Service Teachers @http://news.wfu.edu/2010/11/07/ipad-more-than-a-gadget/  Hi Dwayne, We certainly do not have that problem. Since the D.E.R. we have been 1-1 with computers (I only teach teach senior school). The problem with us is that the principal has deemed that students should be able to use computers at all times for everything. You have to tell students to close their computer so that you can talk to them. If you don't they will be playing games. When they are supposed to be working, I can monitor their screens from my computer, if necessary, or walk behind the students, so it is not a problem. However, with your problem - that is more serious. Can you form a group who can demonstrate their efficacy to the principal? You have to do something. Hi Stephen, thanks heaps for the suggestions and great links. I will keep you guys updated with happenings at school. I do feel reassured and comforted with the support from you guys. The fight shall continue!  Hi David, yeah I agree I have to keep the fight alive for the sake of the kids.....that's why I have come to you guys. I have received some great suggestions on the forum but more importantly I have been reassured that I am doing the right thing by my kids. I am glad to hear this is not a common theme in other educational institutions. Let's hope the principal at least agrees to a trial period. Cheers. dwayne, you present a very interesting dilemma in getting your principal onboard. if you can illustrate ict effectiveness through your research, engagement in other communities of practice, through positive student feedback, improved student behaviour and performance, other staff and teachers, the parents and community, then surely the overwhelming evidence availing would change perspective. surely... but good luck and don't give up. david.
 * From: || David Watkins || Date: || Sat 24-Aug-13 08:48 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||
 * From: || Dwayne Noud || Date: || Mon 26-Aug-13 05:07 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||
 * From: || Dwayne Noud || Date: || Mon 26-Aug-13 05:13 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||
 * From: || David Ferguson || Date: || Wed 28-Aug-13 07:36 am ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||

I have been watching this thread with interest. What a hot topic!
 * From: || Louise Hall || Date: || Sat 21-Sep-13 09:33 pm ||
 * To: |||||| EMT501_201360_A_D ||
 * Subject: |||||| Re: Resistance to ICT ||

Have you considered approaching your Principal with AISTL? @http://www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au/

"The Standards support the Melbourne Declaration which describes aspirations for all young Australians for the next decade. This commits Australian Education Ministers to the specific educational goals that Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence and that all young Australians will become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. 'All Australian governments, universities, school sectors and individual schools have a responsibility to work together to support high quality teaching and school leadership, including by enhancing pre-service teacher education'. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5477bb; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> @http://www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au/Overview/ProfessionalStandards

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> The standard which your current Principal would benefit most from reviewing is:

Professional Practice Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning. In particular 3.4:

Highly Accomplished: Assist colleagues to create, select and use a wide range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

Lead: Model exemplary skills and lead colleagues in selecting, creating and evaluating resources, including ICT, for application by teachers within or beyond the school. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5477bb; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> @http://www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au/Standards/Standards/AllStandards/3

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Leading by example is what Principals and Executive staff should be doing - it is why they hold their positions. I cannot fathom the reasoning behind any Principal or Executive staff member to impede or prevent a colleague from implementing ICT in their teaching practice and curriculum. Most importantly, though, is that you have a responsibility to yourself and your students to not allow it to happen.

I hope for a positive outcome for you and your students.

Lou