Learning Engagement Activity (i-devices) - Week 6

As seen by educators, there is a significant need for technology to play a part in teaching students, just as educators have now incorporated this, Apple is now as well. In fact, majority of schools are in the trialing stage of incorporating the iPad into an everyday class routine with children already able to take them home. This is an image of how some of the Apps on the iPhone correlate with a learning theory called Bloom's Taxonomy  http://ilearntechnology.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Screen-shot-2011-06-07-at-5.04.53-PM.png (Copy and paste URL - can not be hyperlinked). There is also a new curriculum developed by Apple which includes all the key learning areas for example http://www.apple.com/au/education/apps/ and  http://www.ipadcurriculum.com/. The question is how can it be introduced and work in a classroom, from these examples, it has already been done so, through the work of applications and some being able to linking to theorists as well.

There are apps to finally help students progress through homework instead of distract them.

Here are some applications for key learning area:
English: MEE Genius - http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/333079/3/Educational-apps-for-all-ages.
Maths: http://www.imore.com/top-5-math-apps
Science: http://appadvice.com/applists/show/apps-for-science-lovers
Music: http://www.iear.org/iear/2009/8/4/music-education-the-iphone-touch-for-teachers.html
Health and physical education: http://thepeteacher.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/ipad-apps-for-physical-education/ 
These applications can help provide lesson ideas, shape lesson plans, help to create a better base of learning and attainment of knowledge by the students, this is how they can be used within the classroom.

Education has changed a lot since 1950, as such learning facilitators should adapt to the change in order to become learning managers. If students are going to function in our society which is increasing on its dependency on technology each and everyday then learning managers need to incorporate technology into the classroom to expose students to it early in order for them to grasp it when they leave the classroom for good.


Learning Engagement Activity (QR Codes) - Week 6

Use for them QR codes now: Is primarily to take a image of a series of numbers/letters/image to open up a website; it could be a website that opens up from taking a picture of a QR code on an advertisement for a movie which the website shows the 'trailer' for this movie to give insight about it. The QR Codes are used for the quick access of information, on an i-device, it is much easier to take a picture compared to writing a web address.

Now imagine if, as educators, we can apply this to the learning of students especially the 'quick access of information' part. Education now is becoming more about how can we source this information and quickly at that fact and teaching students where to find this information instead of  providing students knowledge that they may not use. QR Codes can achieve such a goal, imagine the same QR Coding system was applied to society and its many marvels. For example, a inquisitive student possessed the need to find out what a street post does, no one was around to explain what it does and how it plays a much bigger part then just 'stand' there but lucky for the student, he or she has an iPhone where they are able to take a picture of it with the QR Code attached and a video or text is able to come up for the student. This tells the student that society revolves around them, they give direction, show a destination, form a grid of a city which helps many of businesses - the QR Codes can also alleviate a lot of misconceptions developed by students which may have been produced because they added one piece of information with the third piece of information but leaving out the second piece forming a misconception.

Now lets apply this concept to a classroom, students are becoming autonomous when it comes to technology, majority of teachers and parents would claim they know more about it then what the facilitators of knowledge and role models know. If QR Codes are introduced to a classroom, students are able to clear up any confusion with topics or even definitions so one student doesn't fall behind in their work due to being to shy to ask. This will keep all students engaged with the work as well because knowing and finding out information along the way whilst keeping up with the class will provide the student with confidence and at their level of learning confidence is an important factor for learning at their present state in primary school to years further on. If students feel as though one subject or part of a subject is to hard, they may apply this negativity to other aspects of education.