ICT in VELS

ICT supports knowledge building among teams and enables team members to collaborate, inquire, interact and integrate prior knowledge with new understanding. 

The use of ICT Domain of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards, are vital in this technology driven ages, not only so students can familiarise and develop working skills to use the broad array of technologies students have access too, but can assist them in their learning of other subjects.

The ICT Domain of VELS is broken down into 3 key sections…

1.    ICT for Visual Thinking:  In the ICT for visualising thinking dimension students use ICT tools to assist their thinking processes and reflect on the thinking strategies they use to develop understanding. (VELS)

Students are able to use different ICT Technology to allow them to put their learnt knowledge in class and represent key concepts and ideas graphically. For example, students may be asked to show their understanding of a particular area of study or key concept, they now have the option to show this information a number of ways, including using Mind Maps, Graphic Organisers, Charts and Graphs etc. all of which can be developed through the use of ICT Technology, showing how this vital resource can help build knowledge and allow students to interact and evaluate their learnt (and prior) knowledge in a visual way – Something that many student find as an effective way of learning.

2. ICT for Creating:  The ICT for creating dimension focuses on students using ICT tools for creating solutions to problems and for creating information products. Through the selection and application of appropriate equipment, techniques and procedures, students learn to process data and information to create solutions to problems…and explore relationships and processes related to all areas of the curriculum. (VELS)

ICT can act as an interface between the student and the developing high order thinking that allows them to solve problems, understand and interact with the information, and be able to express their understanding in a creative way, so the learning is meaningful to them.  

3. ICT for Communication: The ICT for communicating dimension focuses on students using ICT to present ideas and understandings to audiences and support knowledge-building among teams. (VELS) Student are able to collaboratively develop work and discuss their learning in a safe and equal learning environment. Imagine where we would be without the use of Communication Technology education! Think about distance education programs. This element of the ICT Domain in VELS is vital. 

Week 5 --> Smart Boards

I wish my placement school had a Smart Board - it looks fun!!! I want to have a go in class...aka right now...aka instead of sitting here :)

Facebook!

Just a link that some of you might find useful. I found out about this through a friend of mine who is a teacher at a Large Government School. It is pretty much Facebook for School. Watch the video on the front page and it explains it all! I think this is something that could be great to use once we all get out there in the REAL world, and get our own classes. 

 http://www.edmodo.com

THE BLOCK...and ICT

So...First week back after the block placement, and let me just say... IT WAS AMAZING!

I had such a great mentor teacher that allowed me to develop my own teaching style while still developing my skills that are essential to becoming a good teacher. We were able to have many great and constructive conversations about teaching, the school, the students, life of a teacher etc. I found these conversations and 'learning experiences' we invaluable - Especially the fact that my mentor teacher has had over 20 years teaching experience as well as years of being a professional musician.

In terms of ICT Technology, I had the opportunity to use a few different pieces of Software and Technology in my teaching.

I was introduced to the SONAR Home Studio Software, which involves students using the MIDI controller (a Keyboard in this case) to compose different Sound Scapes. I had never used this sort of technology before so I had to take a bit of a crash course on this. I think all in all the Students enjoyed using the technology to assist them in there learning of what a Sound Scape is and how it can enhance other Art forms - for example a Cartoon, Picture/Image or a short story/film. 

I also got to use the Sibelius Software - a Musical Notation program. I was also lucky enough to attend 2 PD sessions on this program. The first was a part of the Staff Conference which was held through my placement school conducted by my Mentor Teacher. It went through the basics of the software (which I was familiar with), however it was nice to have a refresher on this software. The second session was held by the makers of Sibelius and other Music Software such as Pro Tools, Auralia, Scorch etc, AVID, launching the new Sibelius 7! It was interesting as this is the biggest development in the Sibelius with the introduction of the Ribbon format, to bring it in line with the latest Microsoft Office applications.

So as you can see from this now rather long blog, technology is here to stay in teaching and I feel that it is important to stay up with the latest advancements as schools are moving more and more towards implementing this in their curriculum.