Task 5: Sky View

For this week’s embedded task I have decided to talk about the technology and use of the application ‘Sky View’.

Technical Aspects

o   Allows you to use your phone, notebook computer or IPad or IPod as essential a scanner for identifying stars and planets within our solar system.

o   Easy to use and control

o   It is free to download from any app store.

o   No prior experience is needed to work this application as it is as simple as pointing your device at the sky or ground and seeing what stars and planets are where.

o   Also is an app that can be used within the day time and not just at night.

Learning Outcomes

o   Self-guided or individual learning.

o   Enhances technology skills.

o   Enhances knowledge and understanding of our solar system.

o   Could be used to offer collaborative learning. For example starting a blog or group discussion of what stars or planets each student is able to locate.

SAMR Model

This particular technology could be used with relation to the SAMR Model. This could be seen throughout the different levels of substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition.

Substitution

Instead of asking students to find where stars and planets are located within our solar system in a text book, get them to use sky view to find them.

Augmentation

Students are then asked to share their findings by contributing their finding to class blog or class folder which show what stars or planets they have found.

Modification

From here students are asked to find internet links which further research what stars and planets they have found and embed these link within their class blog or class folder.

Redefinition

From here students need to use their findings and the findings from other class member to build a mini solar system.

Unfortunately I wasn’t sure how to show evidence of these particular technology of sky view so instead I decided to share a link which allows anyone to download sky view and start finding out what stars are where https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/skyview-free-explore-universe/id413936865?mt=8

Also I have uploads two picture of the stars and planets in which I have found using this application. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 5: Class Reflection

Digital Pedagogies in Secondary Schools

Week 5: Class Reflection

Throughout this week’s lesson of Digital Pedagogies in Secondary Schools there were a number of learning outcomes that I was able to reach that I originally thought were impossible, the opportunity to work in a group in which I normally wouldn’t and I was also given the opportunity to see how other students interpreted and understood the same task I was given. The learning outcomes that I personally was able to achieve were:

o   The ability to improve my digital skills. This was achieve by creating my own account on Thinglink and actually being able to navigate my way around the site.

o   Interactive learning. This was achieved by working within my group as I was able to share ideas and questions I had about the given task. Also by sharing our interpretation of a Thinglink to the rest of our class as the end of our lesson.

o   Also I believe I was able to achieve a little bit of self-guided learning. This was due to the fact that I originally had no idea what a Thinglink was or how to access it, however by the end of the lesson I was able to explain to others what a Thinglink was and how to use its setting.

Throughout this lesson we were divided into group of two. Being that I was partnered with someone I wouldn’t usually do much group work with, I believe that I was given the opportunity to see how they understood certain task or also more about them in general. For example not only did I get to see the learning style of my partner and how she undertook certain tasks I was also able to understand why she come up with answers and question based on our group research.

Lastly towards the end of our lesson, I was able to see how other students not within my group understood and interpreted the same task my group was given. This was very interesting and fun as it made me see how others can understand certain ideas different to me, however also made me understand how they got to the conclusion that they proving. I rather enjoy this lesson as it was a good example of the different way students can learn and all the different digital tools that are available for students to be using within the classroom rather than just using a book and pen!

I was also able to figure out (with some help) how to comment on other peoples blogs!!! Yay!! 

 

Week 4: Reflection on Images

For this weeks Embedded Task I have decided to focus on what the technical aspects of images are, the learning outcomes that images offer, how images can benefit student learning and how images can be used with regards to the SAMR Model.

Technical Aspects of Images:

o   Images are a visual representation of things. Words can be used however images or picture are generally used.

o   They offer a visual learning style to students.  

o   Images can be customised or edited (This can included changing the brightness of the image, changing the shading of an image and adding or removing aspects of the picture).

o   Images can be made smaller or larger depending on the desired size.

Learning outcomes:

The learning outcomes offered by images include:

o   Visual learning. Visual learning is used but instead of using words, pictures are used for students to gather and interpret the information based on their understanding of an image.

o   Images can be used as online materials to engage thinking within learners. This can be through knowledge, understanding, evaluation and analysing.

Student learning:

 

Images can play a large part in student learning. For students that understand visual images better then oral discussion or visual written topics, will achieve make better if a visual image is present. For example as seen within the course materials provided a simple task might be allowing students to take a digital camera with them on a field trip to document important factors rather than writing them down. This would not only save time, it would make their task much more interesting and incorporate digital technology into their learning.

 

SAMR Model

As mentioned in last week’s blog, the SAMR Model is a scale which rates how technology can be used and what level it is used at. This may be Substitution, Argumentation, Modification and Redefinition level. Based on these four levels images will be discussed in how they could meet all four level.

Substitution: Instead of writing down important factors from a school field trip, students have been asked to use a digital camera to photograph the important factors.

Argumentation: When back in class students are then asked to upload there images into folders based on the categories in which they belong.

Modification: Using editing programs students must now edit their photos, this could be changing the desired background (seeing photos in a different light, shape or angle).

Redefinition: Students must now use these edited images and make a collage that presents them as an individual (showing their ability to add and delete certain parts of images).

Original Image

 

Edited Image