I know what you blogged last summer……..

   by  lastonein 

I had a friend a couple of years ago who continued to make things up. Not big things just little biddy anecdotal stories to make the group laugh or sound more interesting. It was so habitual for her that she lost track of what she said to whom. One day she told me this funny little story about something uniquely cute her baby son had done. Problem is it was my story that I had told about my own baby about a month earlier.

I never called her on it I just felt sorry that she felt the need to pass off a story as her own to feel accepted or acknowledged.

I dont feel the same way however about uni students who copy and paste section of other peoples blogs to make quota for an assignment. The excuse of being “lazy” with an apology does not sit right with me. It’s right up there with the advice given on a facebook page to “just open the moodles and click on the arrows to the next page till the end you tick the box. I was running low on time so just sat and clicked through the pages and the boxes ticked…”

Why am I so appalled by this…. because these students are going to be educators… and they don’t give a s…stuff.

Without online study I would not be able to get a degree however I think it is the absolute worst progression tertiary education has made. There are an abundance of subjects that can be passed by submitting 2 assignments and that’s it. If you are able to source past students assignments it is happy days as you don’t have to engage in the learning you just have to be clever to change the work enough not to be done for plagiarism. Even with plans in place like this course where student need to illustrate some engagement, some will find a way of taking the easy option by cutting and pasting the efforts of conscientious students. They will pass, they will get a job and they will be ‘teaching’ students in the future.

I know life is busy… I KNOW. Sometimes things are stretched in the midst of a deadline however the amount of posts I see about short cuts, sharing assignments, requests for ‘easy’ electives far out ways any evidence that these future educators understand the enormity of the career they have chosen.

I am well and truly on my soapbox … and perhaps overly righteous but I will sign off with some last advice. Check out this  or google, or search TED talks, or find a mentoring teacher. DO SOMETHING to remind yourself that the career you are working towards needs your full effort. No more shortcuts – just do it.

 

 

 

 

Assignment 1 – Blog post

Here is my assignment 1 artifact.

 

Side commentary :

So many past assignments for uni seem irrelevant in the real world of education. Many a time have I sought the professional opinion of my work colleagues (in a primary school) only to be met with mirth of what I am required to submit.

This assignment however has real world application. It is actually something I could share with my parents if I was to receive a class tomorrow. As I was compiling the information for my class I was conscious of the language I needed to use to convince parents of the benefits of ICT whilst not going overboard with technical jargon. I remember talking to a teacher last year about her frustrations with writing report cards for her class. On administration edits she was required to change a number of words and phrases in her reporting because although she was accurate in her presentation of the information, she was reminded that not all parents are as articulate as she.

Its certainly not a case of ‘dumbing down’ the information however it is a essential to use language that is understood by a diverse group of people with differing education backgrounds. I really enjoyed this aspect of compiling assignment one.

 

 

ICT 4 ASD SWD – ASAP – TY

I am constantly saying “I’m only a TA (teachers aide) however when I dissect my role, as I needed to do for a recent performance review, I realise how crucial my job is especially for a student with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Our students have class teachers and special education case managers and a team of visiting specialist however it is the TAs who work one-on-one on a daily basis to support them and adjust programs to meet their individual learning needs who know them best. Those who are paid the “big bucks” have the big picture in mind but not the individual personalities and subtle differences that require individual attention to maximise the learning experience – Well thats a good TA anyway…. I have met some doozies in my time who … oh lets not get into what they do or don’t do to support a student with disabilities.

Several students have blogged about ICT to support SWD (students with disabilities) in particular Jo’s blog features a document highlighting the benefits for students on the spectrum. On my own Autism blog I have also posted a number of links to various resources. This comprehensive list from Autism Speaks goes so far as to state if the app is:

“Anecdotal = No specific or related scientific studies for this type of app.

Research = There are some related scientific studies, but no direct research support for this type of app or technology.

Evidence = There is solid or specific scientific evidence that this type of app or technology is helpful. “

I believe, it is far too often the case that ipad and apps are used for busy work or for educators to pat themselves on the back to say “Look how engaged little Tommy is now we have given him an ipad. At the core of my ICT subject (and my reason for getting into education in the first place) is to ADD VALUE to the learning experience of my students. Its not enough that the students are busy or quiet. The learning needs to have purpose, have substance, have evidence.

Title – Information Technology for Autism Spectrum Disorder Student With Disabilities – As Soon As Possible – Thank You …. but that is just way too long and silly

Virtual Birth ….. if only possible for the mum ….

One for the parents out there….

As I watched this I was instantly critical. “ITS NOT THE SAME!!!!” I yelled at the computer screen. “SHE NEEDS HIM THERE TO HOLD HER, TO TOUCH THE BABY, TO RUN TO THE HOSPITAL CAFE FOR CHOCOLATE” I continued to rant.

I was instantly bought back from my verbal abuse at my computer screen when I read a comment  that all serving military spouses should have access to this technology.

Of course being there in person is the ideal situation however its not always possible. As I now calmly critique the technology as scaffolded in this weeks course content, I am thinking of the value this ICT adds to the experience of this FIFO worker. To date the option available for him included a phone call or being streamed in via a laptop open in the corner using skype. This would be excruciating for the father and the mother I suspect. With this new technology, not only does the father have the freedom to control his view of the room but he also has the option to intimately coach his partner though her ear piece. Reflecting on my own personal experience ( x 4 natural births), I was not able to concentrate on anything in that birthing suite except the sound of my husband voice. Hugh Jackman himself could have entered and announced he had undertaken a commitment to be our personal butler and I would not have heard it unless my hubby had relayed the message in my ear. It was only after the arrival of our new baby/ies that I realised that there were more than the two of us in the delivery room and I began faint recollections of instructions voiced seconds before my husband told me what to do…… I just thought it was some reversed echo phenomenon happening.

So…. great technology with added benefit of inducing tears from any parent.

 

 

(Hugh, I would notice you with or without your commitment to be our butler – just to set record straight)

 

“But Daddy cant even spell algebra…..”

Actually that’s not true but I suspect it FELT true for daddy after our 8 and almost 10 year old sons asked for his assistance with this:

 

Why did they need help with an algebraic equation clearly beyond their grade 2 and 5 year level I hear you ask.

Because 2 days ago I came across Dragon Box in the course content and before I completed the first level I had called to the boys to bring me their ipods for a download. We then spent the next couple of hours helping each other with the various problems we were presented with on our perspective devices.

Ipods are a new technology in this house. In fact before Christmas the kids had only had limited experience with smart devices at school and the odd reward play with my android tablet. When I told the boys I was downloading a math game there was a unison groan of protest. After all is there a game on earth that can compete with Five Nights At Freddy’s. Apparently there is because my boys are now asking for the +12 version of this game.

What I found surprising was the 3 way conversations we had as we worked though the problems as it is common practice for my boys to totally disconnect with the world around them while ‘gaming’.

Here is a little trailer of the game. There are many user reviews on youtube too. If you download it you MUST play for 15-20 mins initially. Without this advice from the course examiner, I would have given it up as a boring, repetitive and pointless game. I really had not idea of its worth in the first couple of minutes and now I know I MUST buy the next version simply to increase my own personal skills. This ipod game will be a part of all 4 kids homework routine this year.

 

 

 

Self-Serving Socialising

We received a quick review of our progress so far relating to our engagement with course material and the requirements of our learning journal (this blog). I received a 4/5 which I am happy about as I understand the missing 1 mark is due to the third weeks course content which I am yet to complete.

I am trying not to get carried away with blog posts having already completed the minimum requirement with 2 weeks remaining before we submit assignment 1 however I am addicted to this:

 

almost as much as I am addicted to this:

 

The narcissistic validation of my thoughts being worthy of others perusal is all-consuming.

Of course the ultimate purpose of this learning journal component of the assignment is to link in and share ideas while scrutinising your own understandings through comparison. I have just come across a perfect example of this within Tanya’s blog. In a similar fashion to Tanya’s closing line I will commit to critiquing my own work and curb the self-serving validation I crave from my followers.

 

No Ahh-Haa Moment This Time

This video was included in this weeks learning

 

Many students blogged or posted on the forum site about the revelation of the quotes in this video being fictitious. The most entertaining of these Ahh-Haa moments I have read came from Michael’s blog entitled Oh, the anguish.

I must say I didn’t see a light bulb as I viewed this. The quotes were referenced with “High school math teacher, 1980” and “District employee, 1995”. It didn’t occur to me to think these could be authentic. It is even entitled “What if?..” I thought the purpose of the video was as a stimulus to reflect on the barriers we face by presenting some hypothetical scenarios. I viewed the video and reflected on the bureaucracy I have faced.

I remembered an incident last year when I was trying to connect with the parents of our school by starting an SEP blog with updates of work examples the students were working on, congratulations for student of the week and so on. Each of my kids have a class blog (at a different school) and I saw the benefit of keeping connected with parents. The school I worked at was resistant to the idea of an SEP blog because not everyone has a computer. I literally smacked my forehead with my hand on that one.

 

Is Technology Creating Disconnection

This weeks course content included a true or false statement for us to ponder.

“The rise of computers and especially mobile devices making people more likely to ignore those around them and focus on the devices – True or False”

Of course any parent with a teenage child would say that the inclusion of a mobile device directly correlates to an increase in number of instructions to put the rubbish out before compliance is observed. However, I answered false as I was thinking of times I have traveled in the past. Public transport on buses and trains, airports etc where before mobile devices people would be engrossed in books or newspapers to avoid eye contact. Ironically after answering the one question quiz, this image was displayed to represent the course examiners views:

 

Looking back now though, in my experience, this technology disconnection is related to location. I grew up in Tasmania (Tassie) in a small town.  Everyone knew each other and a trip into town would give you RSI in the finger due to the customary steering wheel wave that is prevalent in the state.

Moving to Sydney as a young adult, the hustle and bustle was so foreign to me. People walking right by you without looking you in the eye seemed rude at first. It is customary to get on the bus or train and avoid eye contact and starting a conversation with a stranger was just plain CRAZY. I often put my swag in the back of my car and just drove for hours out of Sydney into country towns just to get away from the crowds that wanted nothing to do with each other. This was 20 yrs ago before smart phones and although the world wide web was new in town, it certainly wasn’t the cause of these issues.

Perhaps it is location and increased population which causes disconnection not the technology.

 

Be Critical, Question Everything

“Be critical, question everything” is one of the messages within week two content. This content also focuses on some of the barriers we may face when introducing ICT in the classroom. I am now reflecting on an example that occurred just this week in a classroom I was working in.

I am a TA (teacher aide) supporting students with disabilities in a mainstream classroom environment. For this lesson I was assisting a grade six student engage in a science class. I always have my smart phone with me because, especially in special education, I find I use it for all sorts of situations:

• calculator to check work
• timer countdown (do this task for 10 minutes and 2 minute reward)
• recording speech lessons
• Class dojo reward points

(just to name a few)

This particular class was engaged in a discussion exploring water and how different plants and animals had developed adaptations to conserve water. Of course a cactus was discussed then the teacher lead the class to a discussion about camels and how they stored water in their humps. I thought this was a myth but I have been wrong numerous times in the past so I did a sneaky google search on my phone and had the page open as the teacher came near – I whispered “its a myth” and revealed my phone. The teacher laughed it off with “Hey, no smart phones in class” as if I was a naughty student (a game we often play) and rightly so. I wasn’t about to sabotage the lesson she was running, jump on the desk and loudly declare ITS ALL A LIE!!!!!!! but I did feel uncomfortable that a room full of grade six students scribbled in their science book that camels stored water in their humps.

I am a mum of four young children all of primary school age. They are CONSTANTLY asking me questions that I do not have the answers to. My phone is out all the time just checking world facts. The issue I have with the above lesson is the discussion was limited to the prior knowledge of 10 and 11 year old students and one adult in one little tiny room, in a tiny little school, in a tiny little town. Meanwhile, positioned in the corner of this room was a porthole to infinite information.

 

 

 

Week One Done

Have just complete week one course work and I am not feeling as stressed as many of my peers appear to be. Yes there is a lot to get my head around and I know I am not using Diigo and Feedly effectively….. yet…. but that is the word of the week ….”YET”

(I directly address my peers who may be following me right now) I think its important that we realise that we do not need to be experts in week 1. In fact, I think the resounding message so far is that we don’t need to be experts at the end of this course…. or in 5 years time.

A verb is a verb, was when I went to school, it will be a verb when I have completed my career in education, retired and watch my grandbabies go to school. At that time however, digital technology will not resemble what it does today.

This journey learning ICT will never end. There will always be new things to wrap my head around so my focus needs to be on how ICT can reform and innovate learning and teaching (Kirschner and Wopereis, 2003) .

I am grateful I no longer resemble this:

 

 

References

Kirschner, P., & Wopereis, I. G. J. H. (2003). Mindtools for teacher communities: a European perspective. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 12(February 2015), 105-124. doi:10.1080/14759390300200148