Saturday 27 September 2008

First WebQuest

I have completed my first WebQuest. A WebQuest is an inquiry learning approach in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. It also develops students ICT skills and can be very engaging, with a focus on cooperative group work.

This WebQuest is to inform children about the various careers in cooking. As my first WebQuest I am very happy. Yet as I learn more about ICT integration, the more I learn about the skills needed to engage and challenge.

Go and visit it and let me know what you think. Click Here.

I am very interested in ICT in education, they provide many tools to explore teaching and learning in new ways. Watch out for my next WebQuest, I have reflected on this start and believe I need to have more animation, sound, movement and vibrancy. I would also like to experiment with speech and interaction that offers choice.

Sunday 14 September 2008

Talking the talk

I decided that considering I have such a passion for using ICT in learning, I should be applying it to myself as well. I have begun that process by creating an online CV to compliment my paper version and provide further relevant links. This blog will become the first link.

http://shaunwoodnz.googlepages.com/cv

Friday 12 September 2008

Sunday 7 September 2008

Chrome a serious challenger in browser battle - International Herald Tribune

Chrome a serious challenger in browser battle - International Herald Tribune
Having become a bit of a Google junkie myself I'll be watching the development of Chrome. It doesn't seem to be on par with Firefox yet, but ...

Classroom of the Future - Learning TRENDS: Classroom of the Future

Classroom of the Future - Learning TRENDS: Classroom of the Future
When considering the classroom of the future there seems to be an obvious focus on technology. Other top educators argue that it is the nature of teaching that should be the focus. We need a move away from the classroom structure towards a community structure, is what Sheryl says in her blog http://21stcenturylearning.typepad.com, a blog well worth reading.

I believe that both are relevant, technologies are not only a motivator for children but given good constructivist learning opportunities can help create a social learning community where the teacher is a guide and learner.

Saturday 6 September 2008

One Laptop Meets Big Business

One Laptop Meets Big Business. I found this article very interesting as I had heard of the XO one laptop one child project but had no idea that they had 'competition'. I get quite angry when I think about how businesses sabotage charity initiatives for $ reasons while waving a do-gooders flag!

Even after a rant, I believe that the one laptop for one child concept is brilliant and the way forward for disadvantaged children and our own ideas about e-learning.

Thursday 4 September 2008

ICT achievement objectives

Today as I searched through the NZ Curriculum 2007 for ICT achievement objectives, I could find nothing in that fine document to guide me. I knew that, but I hoped anyway. I wondered if this had been considered. Perhaps I needed to read the Digital Strategy again. Surely if there is such a push towards the knowledge society, then teachers need some clear guidelines to scaffold ICT teaching and learning. We need to make ICT integration less hocus-pocus and more a curriculum area with achievement objectives.