Teachers+Page

// This project is designed to encourage us, as future teachers, to consider how we can integrate ICT into our students’ learning experiences. This will involve researching ICT tools and judging if they can enhance the understanding of a particular learning area being taught. In addition this project highlights how important it is for us to focus on a student based activities rather than just using the ICT resources in a rote/drill practise format. This project needs to be designed to engage the children in an original and authentic idea that also provides them with chances to learn skills in cooperative learning and discovery. //
 * __ Understanding of the Project __**

// The format for this project includes creating a wiki spaces page where all the relevant information and instructions how to complete the task will be addressed to the students and teacher. The topic will be carried out over four sequential lessons. //

// Our selection process involved looking at ICT tools that would provide a new experience to the students and secondly to build on the use of other ICT resources they may have already seen or personally used. //// We are aiming these lessons at a year level 1 class and therefore it was an important factor to ensure the tools selected are easy to use and would result in an element of success in the task the students would have to carry out. We wanted to choose tools that the students would find fun to use whilst also providing them with some skills that they could utilise across other learning areas, at home, and in later school and adult life. //
 * __ ICT Tools Selection Process __**

// In addition to the Internet and the Interactive Whiteboard we selected the following tools: //

// **Microsoft Office Word Processing** – Most children have access to a computer out of school and probably will have played games on one or watched a video clip etc. However they may not realise what other ways a computer could be used in their daily lives. Using Word can help children learn how to organise information and try new techniques in how to present this information. In addition it also helps improve the children’s typing skills and to recognise and feel comfortable with the keyboard layout. Most laptops and computers now come with word as a standard package. //

// **Digital Cameras** – Digital Cameras are very portable and can easily capture a moment or memory, an important message or help to illustrate a point by providing a visual aid. The children can learn not only how to take a picture, but how the picture can be used to back up written information and how using a variety of formats helps our learning. There are a vast array of cameras available on the market but simple versions of digital cameras can be bought relatively cheaply and need little maintenance and are a long term resource. //

// **Photoshop** – Photoshop is a photograph editing programme that can help modify or alter the presentation of a picture using certain editing and special effect tools. In this project Photoshop is not one of the main focus of our ICT tool box but as an option for an extension activity for those students who are confident in the use of computer software programs. Its use will highlight to children how work can be edited to improve its appearance, correct mistakes or add in different graphics to make it more suitable for the audience. Photoshop is an add on program and costs are around $200.00. //

// **Talking Tins** – Talking Tins were designed to help children develop their speaking and listening skills. We have selected to use a talking tin book where the children are responsible for choosing what photos will go into the book and the notes to record against each picture. The children can learn how to create a presentation in an interesting way and also learn from the information stored in the talking book for future reference. They are very cheap (around $50) compared to other ICT tools and can be reused. //

// A constructivist classroom encourages students to be actively involved in their own learning process. Although we have not given the students a choice in which ICT resources they select, they will be learning how to use them in response to the task to find relevant information about zoo animals and to record information about animals seen at the zoo and create a presentation of this information. // // This project builds on prior knowledge of the students. Many children will already be using a range of ICT tools in their homes as they play games on laptops, take photos with cameras and learn through talking books etc. This project shows how resources can be used in a variety of ways and how ICT resources can support learning. Through the ICT resources we have selected children will have greater control over their learning, and they can learn at their own level and speed. //
 * __ How this ICT Integration project is centred on a social constructivist classroom __**

// Learning is improved if real world situations or problems are used as students retain more information and are able to transfer the learning to other situations. This project was based around a visit to the zoo and to discover how we could learn about animals. // // Learning is a natural social art. In a constructivist classroom students lean through integrating with others. In this project the students will often work in groups. They will also meet experts in the area being studied (zoo talkers etc). Through this experience they will learn how to communicate effectively with other people, how to cooperate and take on specific roles in a group, and how to handle differences of opinions and resolve issues. //

// The children will learn how to use cognitive tools by collecting, organising data and presenting it in a suitable format for their age group and the audience. These tools will help the students engage in critical thinking, and gives meaning to their knowledge. //


 * __ Inspiration File __**


 * __ Project Management Plan __**




 * __ Mapping of Learning Area Outcomes __**




 * __ Lesson Plans __**

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