It got me to thinking about how I am using technology in my classroom. And I guess it really looks at moving us from Substitution way up to Modification and Redefinition. I am about to begin a trial with one of my year 9 classes. The trial is to create an digital representation of their learning. Particularly in Physical Education as a lot of the concepts we teach, we teach verbally due to only having them twice over our cycle. So I wanted them to create something to show their understanding of the concepts we are talking about. So I am going to venture into the world of google sites. I have used weebly a lot and I know that this is a really easy tool to use for students, however I like the ability for students to restrict their websites initially to allow us time to build confidence in the process (and to figure out the process). I read/or listened to something recently that resonated with me (can't remember where, so my apologies for no reference), but it was about learning through doing. And realising that we can't know it all at the start when doing new digital things in particular. And that it is ok to explore it, and learn how to do it along with your students, after all things are always evolving. Now this is scary I know, but our students are actually keen to have a go at things even though we don't know everything. So we can't hold back on account of our own nervousness!
I have already begun to work with my classes on creating videos as a way to show their understanding of a topic or concept. After some work this is now starting to pay off.
So how does this all fit into what we are doing at WGHS? Well I believe it fits into our E Learning vision under the Creativity and Innovation component. One could argue there are elements of Problem Solving for example students figuring out how to get their video's to me! And also communication. In video creation in particular they have to think deeply about what it is they want to say. Over time my Year 12 students in particular are slowly learning about how you communicate a concept through this medium also. In addition to Creativity and Innovation, Communication, and Problem solving, if tasks are group oriented this then also fits under the collaboration component. |
Here are two examples of recent video creations that my Year 12 Outdoor Education students have made. Their brief was after watching a video on how to survive in the bush, they had to choose one thing from their notes that resonated with them. Students needed to use other knowledge from this year to help them create a 2min video aimed at beginner trampers. They had to have audio but could use any digital program of their choice. (some useful ones are their cameras on their phones, google slides and then using a screencasting tool). Another requirement (a new one for them) was that this was going on youtube and so it had to be of a good quality. Once their video was made students then had to get it to me. The best two options are to upload it to youtube themselves and send me the link or to upload it to their google drive and send me that link.
| |