Tag Archives: #UwinBlog

Feb 22 2019
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332thursday10

Teaching Technology to Teachers; Totally Tubular!!!!!

For this multimedia reflection, we were able to explore the use of technology within a classroom as well as ways to make technological lessons easier to access for all learners.  This was done through a module presented by eCampus Ontario with the help of Extend; they were able to clearly explain how easily this can be achieved in a classroom.  This is very beneficial in the classroom and can aid in your development of technology pedagogy.  A lot of teachers may lack knowledge in the technology department.
With an easy to follow module like the one that was presented to us, it allows for teachers to gain a better understanding of how to incorporate technology into their classroom in the most effective way for their students.  The module exhibits different steps or pathways to achieve the best
possible outcome for the students and to help teachers identify challenges they may come across with solutions to how to best solve them.

 

It is important to approach every lesson you prepare with openness; finding ways to share information on top of ways to allow your information to be accessible to a wide range of people.  As a future educator, incorporating differentiation into my pedagogy is key. Once the target audience is known (finding out the students in your class on the first day of school for example) you are able to make specific adjustments based on their needs.  Having particular needs should not penalize a student or make them any less.

Differentiation looks at the variety of differences and allows for adaptability where it is necessary.  Looking back on my first practicum experience, I know that this idea was something I failed to achieve.  Incorporating digital media into my lessons was something I found hard to do but thinking of all of the different exceptionalities that my students may have had at the same time was very hard for me.  I now can apply this module into my next practicum, ensuring that I make the different technologies I use accessible for all students as well as figure out any of the challenges I come across before presentation.  I will most definitely refer back to this module in a couple of weeks.  It is critical to have students reach goals in their own way that is best for them and I want to implement this idea in my next practicum.

 

When it comes to technology, I personally felt like I would have considered myself “technologically savvy”.  However, after going through the module, I realized I am just savvy in the social media field.  This is not a beneficial tool for me in the classroom or to my pedagogy.  There is a lot more to explore in the technology world, and I feel as though that not only this model, but this class in this entirety has improved my knowledge on this topic.  I will utilize everything I have learned to become a better teacher, but also to better my students and their needs in regards to technology.

 

The platform that I have chosen for this multimedia reflection was Canva.  (Click here for a better visual of it!) It was my first time using it, but I had heard many good things.  I however found it not user friendly.  This could have been due to my lack of experience with the website; identifying a learning curve that I was unable to meet.  I should have explored the website more before jumping right into the multimedia.  As well, I found that the lack of colour schemes was not beneficial. Most of the graphics I had searched for in the side tool bar were ones that you needed to pay for.  For a free website, having users pay $1 for a photo/graphic is absurd to me.  I found that adjusting certain objects and text boxes was difficult as it changed the font size itself as well as the positioning of certain graphics.  As well, italicizing font want not an option.  For my second multimedia I used Piktochart, which compared to Canva, I found to be more accessible to my needs.

 

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Feb 21 2019
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Gucci, Prada, Chanel…What Design Thinking Are You Using?

eCampus Ontario’sOpen PD Modules Summary – Piktochart

For a separate window to view the Piktochart – click HERE

 

My response to the key points

Digital Literacies

I think that that I would agree completely that digital literacy is certainly complex. Recently I was speaking to a professor and they told me how he, and many other adults, assumed that my generation is completely tech savvy, but that was a false notion. Even though I have grown up in this new age, I still find it difficult in trying to navigate through the technology world. 

Design-Thinking

After watching the video and reading the script on the design-thinking section I was still confused as to exactly what the process was because the description it gives in the script is different than the words and explanation that the video gives. From what I did understand I do agree that it is good to find solutions directly from the people affected instead of simply following some crazy idea that I haven’t even received any feedback for.

Empathize

This is a very important step in the design-thinking process as it is the root for the whole process. The goal is to connect better to learners and if I don’t know what the learners are really struggling with or wanting then I’d be stuck throwing darts in the dark.

Define

To me this is the hardest section of the module because I find it extremely difficult to pinpoint the true reason for the challenges of a learner. Often I have found it comes to learners not being motivated, but every learner is different and that makes it difficult to pinpoint what truly motivates them. This is why I find the empathize section to be so important because then I’m not left on my own to ponder the reasons behind learners’ lack of motivation.

Ideate

It seems daunting to try and simply create ideas about each potential technology and so it is extremely helpful to have links to various places that give ideas about what questions I should strive to answer and what technologies I can look through. Here is one example – website resource.

Prototype

This makes sense that now is where I would start to develop deeply into my top technology choice(s) otherwise I would be in the design process forever.

Connect

I also agree that I only start to connect my specific goals and curriculum aspects to my technology idea because there’s that potential that after I start using one during the prototype stage I may assess that the current one may not be the right fit for me.

Module Checklist

In terms of organization of modules and a summary section, this is great. It is concise and allows me to quickly assess whether I’ve done all that I needed to do and as a checklist I can visually cross things off which would give me a greater motivation by having a sense of accomplishment with each checkmark.

Extend

All in all I believe that the extend portion of the module for each section is one of the most important aspects. The extend truly helps go that extra mile that guides the process and sharpens every detail. Especially as someone who works much better with continuous feedback from other, the extend portion easily connects me to little hubs that allow me to put forth my ideas, receive feedback, and then tweak my ideas and plan afterwards. The extend truly enables me to have a fuller picture of the process and of what my actual goal in this is.

 

 

 

 

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Oct 31 2018
4 Comments
332thursday10

Caught in the Crossfire

Happy Halloween everyone ?

For my Multimedia Response #2, I read the article titled “Teaching in a Participatory Digital World” by Dr. Michele Jacobsen and watched the YouTube video titled “The Influence of Participatory Culture on Education” by Dr. Henry Jenkins. I decided to do a Twitter essay, which evidently turned out to be a lot more challenging than anticipated (my Twitter handle is @missmadisonbeth, please click the link to find the full essay). I am a very visual person, so I actually had to make my own sketch note after reading/watching the content to organize my thoughts and ideas. The most challenging part about using Twitter was the character limit. I had SO much I wanted to say, but creatively…Twitter was too limiting for me. Organizing my thoughts into the small character limit took a lot longer than I wanted and I ended up getting very frustrated. For my Multimedia Response #1, I designed a sketch note where I had complete freedom in what I incorporated. For a couple of my tweets in the essay, I drew words on pictures to help reflect what I was thinking, as seen on tweet #2:

My favourite component about Twitter was the ability to add a poll in the tweet itself. I thought this was a great, engaging way to get a discussion going on a topic. Another great component on Twitter is the ability to use emojis and gifs to help others understand the tone of the post. Twitter allows collaboration with peers and the ability to incorporate other resources to your thoughts to give further evidence (like adding a website link or a screen shot of research data).

Before reading the Jacobsen article and taking this Digital Tech & Social Media course, I never imagined that social media platforms could be used in a learning environment. During my high school experience, cell phones and personal social media was kept personal and would never have been thought to be integrated into the class lessons. I believe students today are caught in the crossfire between the way they have learned to communicate (i.e. they have grown up networking and collaborating via podcasts, social media, blogs, gaming, etc.) and the ways in which learning in the education system is taught (i.e. working individually, having standardized tests, collaboration is seen as cheating, etc.). Our education system appears to be frozen in time in the 20th century and is too stubborn to evolve with the rest of the world. I believe the uses of digital technology in the classroom should not be feared as it can provide teachers and students great value to the learning process. I agree with Dr. Michele Jacobsen in her article when she explains that digital technologies and platforms allow students to be creative and to actively participate with one another. Statistics show that the workforce is changing as the job opportunities in Canada are transitioning towards tertiary sector jobs (jobs that provide a service rather than extracting raw materials, like the primary jobs, or manufacturing goods, like the secondary jobs). Students should learn the proper skills to be critical thinkers, innovators, and collaborators in order to contribute to this changing society. Jacobsen argues that implementing open source platforms with technology in the classroom will provide opportunities for students to learn these required skills.

Jacobsen brought up the idea, that in order to unleash the power of using open source platforms, such as Twitter, in a classroom setting, the firewalls and filters would need to be obliterated. This information completely changed how I previously thought about the safety provided on the school networks. In order for the education system to evolve in the 21st century with the rest of the world, students need to be able to understand how to navigate and collaborate effectively and safely. As I posted in my Twitter essay, I believe internet safety and ethics need to be taught to students at an early age as individuals are beginning to use technology earlier and earlier. This article was truly inspiring and I believe that educators have the power to truly make a difference in individuals’ lives, as Jacobsen said, “engaged teachers and engaged students go hand in hand.” I am inspired to provide challenging, inquiry based tasks that have true value beyond the classroom for my future students. I want to provide a learning environment that encourages passion-based learning, as I learned from the Jacobsen article.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post!

 

 

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Oct 31 2018
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332thursday10

But I’m Ready to Learn of the POWER of Technology! (Yes, it’s a Celine Dion Reference)

For the second multimedia reflection, I chose to analyze the perspectives of Henry Jenkins, who created this notion of participatory learning (you can view his video here) as well as Dr. Michele Jacobsen who looks at all the possibilities that technology brings to teachers/people (you can view her article here).  They both view technology as a very important resource in the teaching world in today’s society.

Technology is beneficial in more ways than one, as it is such a powerful resource.  It is a useful tool in order to collaborate ideas with people. This can be student/student collaboration, teacher/teacher collaboration, or just sharing ideas for others to utilize.  Social media and technology allow for this to occur on a global scale.  As well, using technology helps students to become more engaged in classroom activity.  Students are glued to their phone (this was seen during placement), and any lesson that incorporates the use of their phone/computers of any sort becomes so much more interesting to students.  They can use it in a positive way, which in turn makes them feel like they are contributing so much into the classroom.  Teachers need to integrate more things that students can connect with on a personal level, and what better way to start than with technology.

Technology allows for the support of autonomous learners.  Students have the ability to become more creative and individualize their work.  It allows them to learn in a way that best suits them; they can utilize information given to them and form it into a learning model that works best for them.

However, there are some problems that can come up when dealing with technology.  One problem is most teachers are uneducated in how to use specific platforms.  Jenkins quotes “don’t build something like YouTube, use YouTube”.  It is very true in the sense that don’t build something to be used, use the tools that you have in front of you, but use them properly. There are many resources that can aid teachers, but some aren’t willing to adapt their teaching methods to best suit these students.  Also, most students have some access to technology, whether it be through a phone, computer or even iPad.  A problem that we are faced with is that students aren’t using it properly; in inappropriate ways.  We as educators (in training) need to teach students how to use technology in the best way for them.

My blog post (which you can view here) shows how useful technology can be, how teachers need to be willing to adapt and it looks at the tools that digital media bring to the table.

A lot of things came into my mind while absorbing all of this information.  In my opinion, it’s crazy that some teachers were defiant to the idea of incorporating technology into their pedagogical methods.  Why not use a resource to make your life easier?  I understand that in 2014 technology and the internet were still relatively foreign concepts, but it is an easy tool to learn.  If my teachers in high school incorporated more technology, I think school would be a lot more enjoyable and allow more connections to be made.  As well, I personally think that being able to connect with people all over the world and share ideas is such a cool concept.  Why not help each other out with becoming better teachers?  Why not share ideas, or lesson plans?  I know I will be reaching out to see what I am able to utilize for my teaching.  I can also show students what other schools/teachers are doing in their classrooms on the other side of the world and compare learning strategies between them.

Also, while reading the article/watching the videos, I was trying to envision how I was going to incorporate more technology-based platforms into my teaching methods when I go back on practicum at the end of November.  Standing at the front of the room and seeing all of the students on their phones is disheartening, but if I come up with ways to positively utilize them, then the students will be more engaged.  This is where platforms like Kahoot will come into play, especially in a science-based classroom.  As a student, I enjoyed activities that allowed me to be engaged and get involved. Now, with the big technology epidemic, what better way to involve students.  I know that if I was a student, I would have been able to get a better understanding of certain topics with all of these platforms at my fingertips. Even the addition of Edsby in the classroom is such a valuable, useful resource.

For this multimedia assignment, I decided to try a new platform.  I chose to utilize Piktochart.  It was an overall positive experience, that I was not expecting.  It was easy to use and right at my fingertips. They have different graphics, icons, shapes and pictures that can be added right to your piece.  Changing fonts, sizing, and backgrounds was also user friendly. However, the only downside that I came across was colour schemes; you need to upgrade (pay) for the version to be able to pick your own colours.  This meant that I had the option of choosing between dirty brown or unpleasant green as my default (I went with the green!).  I would definitely recommend this platform for anyone who is doubting using technology, as I was hesitant during the first Multimedia assignment.  I am definitely more open to using technology!

P.S. The Piktochart itself is a little blurry… I tried to add close up shots of it in different frames, but they seem to be blurry too.  I inserted a link into the post above, but here’s another link if you want to view in better quality!

 

 

 

 

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Oct 28 2018
4 Comments
332thursday10

NOW THIS IS A STORY ALL ABOUT… “FRESH” DIGITAL YO!

This multimedia reflection serves to emphasize the article on Teaching in a Participatory Digital World and the online video with Henry Jenkins.  It is important that educators understand that “digital technology” has changed our perception of education.  I believe teachers and students must work harmoniously with one another and create environments that allow for an exchange of learning on many different digital platforms.  Jacobsen suggests the idea that teachers matter too, their practice matters, and the classroom environment they teach in should be used to foster knowledge.  These ideas make me think about how I use digital media in a purposeful manner.  When I begin my practicum experiences, what affordances will I have? What connections will I make with curriculum and with the technology I choose to implement? Most importantly, can I make learning effective through digital media platforms?

Before reading this text, I must admit I was hesitant to choose this topic, as I was unsure about this article would come across.  I assumed it was my duty as a millennial to know and understand the digital realm–after all, I grew up in it!  After reading, I was amazed to see how this can be implemented into my own practice.  After my own practicum experience, I started to get a sense of working in conjunction with students and how important it is to use technology in a representative way to deliver curriculum.  I believe this can connect me to relevant world events, solidify connections with students and augment lessons to be creative and effective.

For this multimedia reflection I decided to create a PowToon along with a music video.  I found this to be the most effective platform to use while reading this article and watching the Jenkins video.  I had a great experience using PowToon and believe this form of media provides me with the confidence to deliver powerful and influential learning objectives and outcomes.  As I have used this before, it was nice to be comfortable in a platform, while still learning new ways to add creative texts, fix tiny timing errors and implement intricate details and subtle allusions to material.  I hope to use this in my own class one day and maybe it will spark a vested interested in classroom material.  I hope you enjoy this video and please leave a comment—(constructive feedback is welcome!).

In addition, as Henry Jenkins explains, we must not “safeguard” any of these digital media sources, but use the technology at our finger tips.  I hope to use media itself, not use alternatives to these sources.  I want to use Twitter, Facebook and PowToon sources to redefine my teaching practices.  I do not want to look for other versions that are “second best,” but instead use the technology that is already given and make good use of it in a classroom setting.  I want to be a good role model to students and demonstrate how to use technology appropriately and represent uses for it within the classroom. I value the importance of learning new skills and do not fear technology, but embrace it.  Will this be easy? No! But I like the uncertainty.  I hope to create a forum for collaboration, create conducive learning spaces and open sources that are accessible to all. I am ready, the world is too!

This is a music video I have created, and it was not an easy task.  I did not fully understand what concepts I wanted to pull and what I needed to do to show from the Jenkins video.  When I first viewed the video, I pictured a go-getter, an individual who was a media agent for social change in a positive way.  I was walking around the house aimlessly with my laptop in my hand and was trying to figure out something relatable to this.  Well… my sister had on the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” I was enlightened and extremely anxious to begin.  I ran to my room and knew I had to create the theme song with my own version of the words. It was a revolutionary experience, because I had found a connection to the material that truly resonated with me. Henry Jenkins is a media agent for social change and I considered Will (the main character) to be an individual who initiates change and pushes boundaries.  In class, we focused on being model learners as educators, looking at our artifacts with a revision lens.  I believe this form of reflective practice helps initiate conversations that inform education and develop new insightful learning techniques.  This was my inspiration behind the video… and I hope you enjoy it!

Enjoy,

Anthony Pisciuneri

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Oct 03 2018
4 Comments
332thursday10

Critically Critiquing the Core Concepts of Critical Pedagogy (Say that 7 times fast!)

This mind map serves to illustrate the significance of Amy Collier’s Hybrid pedagogy (which you can view here). As discussed in this podcast, critical pedagogy refers to the constant analysis, review and critique of our own individual practice. As future educators there is no “best practice.” Technology helps us develop, build and innovate our own educational pedagogy. As an educator studying in the field, I wish to incorporate the use of many technologies through roles of substitution, modification and perhaps redefinition in order to evaluate, engage and enrich the learning styles of my students. This “not-yetness” to learn is important in understanding how educators must strive for uncertainty and risk in their practices. We must never stop learning, growing and implementing new and effective practices into our own teaching modes. Be willing to feel uncomfortable, fail and implement the impossible. The future generations of our educational system depend on our uncertainty now to lead them to better things. I believe I am willing and open to new technologies and will do my best to critique my own practices for the sake of my development and my future students. I am not afraid to immerse myself into this new world of media, reflection and ambiguity. My “not yetness” is my key to braving a world full of media and new advances. I am ready to begin… I hope you are too!

Please enjoy this illustration.

The platform I chose to use to summarize the article was a sketchnote. I personally did not feel comfortable using online technology that was new to me. As well, as I was listening to the podcast, more and more ideas popped into my head about what to draw/create in my sketchnote. In my sketchnote, the different ideas/topics that are touched upon in the podcast are connected by links.  I incorporated illustrations, with the least amount of writing. If you can see the second idea is eyes, an at symbol and a light bulb. This is to represent us “looking at her thoughts and feelings” on the topic of not-yetness. I also threw in the SAMR model (literally, the letters SAMR modelling on the runway…). Amy touches upon this in a way during the podcast and how to use this to better our pedagogy. I enjoyed making this sketchnote as I found it relaxing to colour and draw things while working on an assignment.

 

Here are more zoomed in photos of my sketchnote! Just want everyone to be able to see it! (I didn’t realize there was not a zoom in feature of the blog!)

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Oct 01 2018
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332thursday10

NOT YETNESS IS A-OKAY!- Anthony Pisciuneri

This multimedia reflection serves to emphasize the Hybrid Pedagogy Podcast with Amy Collier and the importance of critical pedagogy within a classroom setting.  It is important that educators understand that there is no “best practice” for teaching, especially in a world where technology is changing how we access, understand and deliver information.  Amy explains the importance of “not yetness” and how we must encourage teachers to be willing to grow and create new ways of reaching students using the present-day technology.  Uncertainty, risk and discomfort is okay—for it is what motivates us to keep searching for effective educational practices.  As a future educator, I value the importance of learning new skills and gaining information using multimodality platforms.  In addition, this inspires me to use these methods within a classroom setting and relate curriculum to student experiences through forms of substitution, augmentation, modification and perhaps redefinition, in order to delivery curriculum efficiently and with the utmost enthusiasm.

Link to Podcast is below

http://hybridpedagogy.org/questioning-learning/

I hope you enjoy this POWTOON video. The link of the video is listed below.

Enjoy,

Anthony Pisciuneri

 

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