daynastone | #UWinDig 2020

Upon participating in the Technologist Module, I decided to create an info-graphic summarizing the key components listed on the module checklist. This multimedia reflection was more challenging for me because I created a sketchnote last time. I used Canva to design the info-graphic and found it to be very user friendly. However, there were images that I used from websites because the free version of Canva did not have many options. I decided to use the grey/blue colour scheme because that is just what I pictured in my head when going through the Technologist Module.

Shiba Inu Reaction GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY — Dog typing on laptop (giphy.com)

This process reminded me of one of our previous readings where it mentions that technology brings “new problems into our lives, but just watching the creativity behind these tools makes me so excited to live in a time when so many people can actually bring their ideas to life and watch those ideas impact the world” (Gonzalez). I found that I was able to incorporate my creative ideas into this info-graphic, but I also had to make sure the main ideas of the entire module came across clearly. It is quite amazing that there are endless online opportunities, so having to choose one specific platform/media for an assignment can be overwhelming. I felt this way initially because I could not decide what to create or how to create it. Eventually I chose Canva because I was already familiar with it since I used it in my technology-integrated lesson plan.

Napoleon Dynamite Technology GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY — “Yes, I love technology” (giphy.com)

I found that the Technologist Module gave me many online platforms, websites, approaches, and suggestions when using and creating technology for my classroom. I must admit that going through the module for the first time was a little daunting, but the more I read and clicked on the hyper links, the more I understood the concepts in the module. I found that the discussion board posts of certain aspects from the module helped me understand the module as a whole.

Schitts Creek Agree GIF by CBC - Find & Share on GIPHY — “Now this all makes sense” (giphy.com)

I appreciate that the Ideate and Empathize pages of the module offer many opportunities for Universal Designs for Learning. Especially with Ideate, the technological platforms provided demonstrate affective networks, recognition networks, and strategic networks. From MindMup to Coggle and even Prezi, there are multiple means of engagement for teachers to choose from for their students. The variety of platforms provides many ways of representation of content/information as this can also to lead to different ways of how students can learn. I can see myself integrating the Technologist Module into my teaching practice. The brainstorming templates allow for creativity to blossom with any online tool, any age, and any capability. I feel that this module can help me develop my pedagogical technological knowledge for the better.

No End In Sight Fox GIF by MasterChef Junior - Find & Share on GIPHY — “The possibilities are pretty much endless” (giphy.com)

I decided to split up my infographic so that the image is larger and easier to read.

References

Avalos, Joanna. (2019). Transparent Telescope Clipart Black And White – White Telescope Png, Png Download. KindPNG. https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/iRwoiRb_transparent-telescope-clipart-black-and-white-white-telescope/

Bubamara. (2019). Magnifying Glass Print Clipart Pink Background Transparent – Transparent Background Magnifying Glass Png, Png Download. PNGITEM. https://www.pngitem.com/middle/JhmJiw_magnifying-glass-print-clipart-pink-background-transparent-transparent/

Curved Arrow Pointing Right SVG Vector. (n.d). Vimeo. Retrieved February 19, 2020 from https://www.svgrepo.com/svg/123477/curved-arrow-pointing-right

Frame Clipart. (2020). Clipart. Retrieved February 21, 2020 from https://www.clipart.email/clipart/frame-clipart-127.html

Holding hand in heart shape vector. (n.d). Vecteezy. Retrieved February 21, 2020 from https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/532505-holding-hand-in-heart-shape-vector

Najera, Viridiana. (2019, July 3). Storyblocks-brain-training-with-dumbbells-and-glasses-vector_rA-6CycLz_thumb. Delaney Delaney &Voorn, LTD. https://www.ddvelderlaw.com/exercise-and-seniors/storyblocks-brain-training-with-dumbbells-and-glasses-vector_ra-6cyclz_thumb/

Network child care services. (2019). Network child care services. Retrieved February 20, 2020 from https://networkchildcare.com/annualreport-2016/community-partner-ontario/

Question Mark Clipart – Image (9353). (2016). Best clip art images. Retrieved February 19, 2020 from http://gclipart.com/question-mark-clipart_9353/

RIMM-Art. (n.d). Green check mark icon checkmark in circle for vector image. VectorStock. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/green-check-mark-icon-checkmark-in-circle-for-vector-26839334

Smith, Sherry, and freepik.com. (2018, March 12). WHY IT’S TIME TO KILL THE “LEADER” – YOUR PRESS RELEASES DESERVE BETTER. Clarity. https://clarity.pr/news/time-kill-leader-press-releases-deserve-better/

Treasure map Free Icon. (n.d). Freepik. Retrieved February 20, 2020 from https://www.freepik.com/free-icon/treasure-map_814687.htm.

I recently listened to the HyridPod podcast called Questioning Learning by Chris Friend and Amy Collier and created a sketchnote as my artifact (see below). I found this assignment helped me gain more technological experience that I can now add to my pedagogical content knowledge. While creating the sketchnote, I found that my first drafts were very wordy and confusing to the eye. I then began to think about how others would view this artifact and what would make sense. That is when I heard the word “grow” near the end of the podcast and immediately thought to use plants as a metaphor. Above the surface are strong plants all developing at their own pace, but underground, the intertwined roots give a strong base for the plant to continue to grow. Creating the blog post and embedding the artifact has taught me that technology does not have to be complicated in order to be effective. I encourage future educational practitioners to consider technologically interactive assignments to not only challenge students, but give them creative freedom as well.

Now onto the podcast. I enjoyed when Friend and Collier discussed various pathways and mindsets of teaching can impact the students’ learning. I agree with the points that Collier made about how learning outcomes can act as a guide for educators to build off of in order to see true growth in the student.

During my undergraduate degree, I created many lesson plans for elementary and secondary students, so I am quite familiar with writing learning outcomes. When I first started, I really disliked having to explain a goal for each activity or lesson plan. I found that even though I had written it down, it was nothing more than words on a page for me. It was not until last year that I realized the power of learning outcomes. Not only are they a tie to the curriculum expectations, but they allow the educator creative freedom to teach the content in ways that make sense for the students. In a way, learning outcomes can act as a pathway to discovery.

Collier also mentions that the word “understand” is defined in many ways, and even though the learning outcome for the lesson is for the student to understand the topic, each student will understand differently. For instance, one student might understand from a technical side, by relating to personal experiences, or by applying the topic to the assignments and projects in the future. Learning outcomes and understanding are difficult to define. Collier states that she “can see the ways in which they can provide a roadmap to faculty and students”. Even then, a road map contains many back roads, long routes, and short cuts. Metaphorically speaking, the class as a collective will not all take the same exits, take the same green lights, or the same right turns. Everyone finds their way differently, and everyone has a different experience.

#UWinDig 2020

Ed 5332, University of Windsor

Author Archives: daynastone

Technologist Module

Learning: How Do We Question It?