Module 4 : Activity6 Information Literacy

 This  was  a  very fun activity. I was  able  to formulate  an activity  using  Google  search and  also designed an assessment  tool  to  assess the activity.  Through this  activity  students will be able to stay abreast with current information. Additionally, they will be   able to compare and  contrast information.This  is also  a  great way  to integrate   ICT  in  lessons.

Module4: Activity5  Assessment  tool

  I was   a little  confused  when  doing this  activity,  however  with clarification  from  my tutor  and  help  from a colleague I  was able  to finish  my activity. When creating   an   assessment  tool one  has to be  sure about  what  they will be assessing on  how they will be assessing it.  I  definitely  learned  how  to  create  rubrics for  assessing group  work and cooperative  grouping  in my class. I  truly  enjoyed the  hands -on  activity. I am  elated  that  I am doing  this course, not only  I  am gaining the  theoretical knowledge  but  I am  also  doing the practical work .

Module  4: Activity  4B

 I  gained  much insight  after  reading  the  two power point  presentations. I learned  a lot on assessing  Group Practice and  Peer Assessment. There are  many  benefits  that can be  derived  from  using peer  assessment  and  as  educators  we  can use   this method more frequently  to help develop  critical judgement, students  autonomy and to enhance  learning.  By  doing  so  we  will gain  great rewards.

Module  4: Activity  4A :   Assessment  Standards

 This  was  a  very  rewarding  activity. I  learned about  creative ways in which  I  can  gather evidence for  assessment. By  using  these  methods  the  teacher  is in a   better  place  to  use  the  appropriate   assessment  to test  students'  ability on a  content  area. This  activity  has  really developed my understanding . I was  also   able to  write  some  ICT standards  that I would use   to   assess  while integrating ICT   with learning  and furthermore  write  suitable   methods  to  gather  evidence. Self Assessment  and  Peer Assessment  were  also  highlights in activity. These    two  assessments are  of  great  importance to challenge to students. Here students  are  taught  to  critique others  work and   also their   own work,  this  in  itself  will develop  higher  order  thinking  skills.

Module 4 Activity 3: Catering  for  Diversity

 As  educators,  a  lot of  us  are  guilty of  using   one   assessment  tool for   a  class  of  students  with varying  abilities. As I read  the  information on  multiple intelligence  I  was   made  aware  of  some interesting  information. Although  Gardner's  theory   may imply that a  child only has one form of  intelligence,  however  as educators we need to place all eight  intelligences as  equally important  intelligences in  the  classroom.  All eight intelligences  deserve equal recognition and in order  for us  as  educators  to do   so we need to  assess  our  students to   find out  which group they fit into.From  the list of  intelligences   these two  intelligences  stood  out  for   for  me. Musical intelligence , which gives  persons the  ability to think in pictures  and  visualize outcomes and  the  Bodily/ kinesthetic intelligence, this    intelligence   encompasses the  ability to use  one's  body movement to solve problems. As educators  we  have to be  reminded  that  students  learn in different  ways  so therefore  we have  to  use whatever  approaches  we   can  we    reach  them,  whether  through   dance  or  music.

 Module  4 : Activity 2: What we  assess

The  discussion on what  we  assess  was  a  very informative  one. I was  able  to give  my  contribution  and  view  what  others  had   to say. The  readings were   very enlightening, in that  they  made me   aware  of  some  the things  I was  overlooking  when  I  am doing  assessment   with  my  students. It is  very true that  what we  assess   and  how  we  assess   students  is  interrelated.I  realized that  as    educators  we  have to be  flexible  and  creative when we  are assessing  our students. W e  have  to  make  students  feel   a  measure   of  success. I  was also reminded  that assessment  is   an integral  part  of  planning  and  instruction and  it  can  be  done   in so  many  ways.

                                                 Module 4 Assignment1


This  module started with  a lot  of  challenges. I  had  a  late  start with  my   assignment  and that  made  me  frustrated  because  I  really  didn't  know  what  I  was  about  or   where   to  start. I  am so  grateful  to  my  tutor  for  her  concern in  giving  me  an  extension.I was  able to finish   the  assignment  and  anticipating that  I would  get a  good   grade. I  have  really  grasped  a lot   from assignment  and  more  so the  challenges of  analyzing   the  data released  my  brain for  dormancy.

                                                   Module 4 : Activity 1

This activity  was an eye opener for  me  although it  presented  a great  challenge  because of  my late   start. It presented  some  really good ideas  for  assessing students.  My  students  were  very  enthused  when they  heard  that they  were  going  to be  interviewed and   so that  made  me  realize  that it  was   a  worthwhile  activity.As  educators  we have  to   be cognizant that   assessment is  an  integral  part of  the learning   process and  we have to   always   make it  a part of our  instruction.

Reflection  Assignment  3

This  assignment  required  a lot  of   deep thinking  as  was  mentioned   before   by the  tutor, however  I was  able  to   complete   my  draft  on  time   and  got  good  feedback. I was  also able to  finish  the  final  work  on  time.    My  knowlege   of  how  to  integrate  ICT  in  my  lessons  is  really  developing  through  these   assignments.  I  have  no regrets  doing   this  course   even    though at times  it could  be very   challenging.

Reflection : PLN
 It wasn't    a  challenge for  me   to set  up  a  personal learning  network.  I   have  used  different  social  sites  before   for   different purposes, however I have  never  set  up  one as  a learning  network . It was  also a  very easy process to add colleagues to  my  PLN .  I  have  also  gotten  acquainted    with  a   new    social  site that  my  colleagues would have  set  up and  invited  me  to  join.

Reflection   Act.9

Learning about the criteria to evaluate websites will definitely assist me in finding suitable websites for lesson preparation. I was also driven to do more readings to find more criteria and as I did that I found some interesting information. Prior to this assignment there were a lot of things I did not look for as browse the web but now that I am aware of these things my approach will definitely be different.

Reflection   on lesson

 Usig   ICT   in  my  lessons  is  very  rewarding  and  fun  for  me .I  had  a  really good  session teaching  my   students  how to enter  data  into  spreadsheets.  The  students  were  filled  with  excitement  and  wanted  to  do another   session.  They were  able   to use  autofill  to  find  total  and  averages.  Some   students    were  also  able to  use   different  charts  to  represent  their   data.    However  I  had  a  bit  of  a   setback , some  students    did not  get the  opportunity to do the  activty because  their  laptops  weren't  working so  that  means  I have  to find time  to  give them  that  opportunity. I am   very  pleased  to  know that  some of  my  students  have  learnt  in a  meaningful , fun  way.

Assignment2
I was  so confused  when I first  saw the  assignment . I really  didn't  know  what  I  was    supposed  to  do, but  after  reading   the  instructions over  and  over  I  got  a  better  understanding  of what  was  suppose  to be  done.  It was    really  difficult    to  find    objectives   for the    the   topic  I  chose, however I was  able  to complete  the  assignment. When  I saw  my  grade  I was   really pleased.  The  late   hours   of  searching   for   websites    and information really paid  off.

Reflection Assignment1 module3

It  was  a  really   good  experience   to have  tried out   the  different   activities  using  wordprocessor. I was  able  to create  my six  documents   without    difficulty, however  I  had a   bit  of  challenge  analysing  the  roles and  compressing   my   files. I  was  also able  to  finish   my   draft  on time and got  good  feedback  for  my  tutor. I am elated   that  I  had  no  issue  with  time   this time  around.

Activity 5   Teachers  Scenarios

Wow!!1 Some  very interesting  activities.  I  had  the  opportunity  of  trying   out a few   and  I can  truly say that  I  enjoyed  them.  I    did  the   certificate activity.  I   know  that  this  activity  will definitely  motivate  students  to   complete  their  assignments and  also   to persevere  in order  to  obtain  the  prize. As  an educator   I learnt that both intrinsic  and  extrinsic  motivation  are  equally important .

Activity 4 Record Book.
Spreadsheets are  not  new  to  me. As   educators it is our  job to keep  records  ,however  I  faced   a  bit  of  difficulty finding the  rank while  doing  my  spreadsheet  activity. I  really  do not  know  what  I did  wrong  however I  intend  to spend  sometime researching .  Spreadsheet  are  not so  time  consuming as oppose  to using  a  calculator  to find  averages and adding marks  especially if   you have  a  big  class.  They  are  also  excellent  tools  to  diagnose  students'  strength  and weaknesses and  additionally  for  administrative  purposes.I  am  definitely enjoying  this  module  the  activities  are  very  stimulating.

Reflection : Activity 3b

I enjoyed   doing  the lesson  plan  activity   without   any  difficulty. I  also enjoyed   my colleagues  lesson plans and  even got  some  ideas. I  realized  that  as  educators we  have  a  wealth  of  knowledge   and  we  can definitely learn  from each other. I  did  a  fraction lesson    and  my  students  enjoyed  it very much. The  reinforcement  activity  was a  fraction  game that  was  played  by using  the  computer.  Students  were  very interactive and the  session was  very lively.

                            Self Activity Module 3

As I viewed my colleagues presentations,  I  realized that there  are  so  many things  that  we  can  do by using  word  processor. I did not  only view  but I   gained  some knowledge.  A lot of  the  activities were interesting   and I  think  they can  be   implemented into my own  teaching.My understanding  about  the use of  ICT  is  being  deepen every time  I am  through  with  an  activity  especially a  collaborative  activity.

Reflection :  Activity  1 module  3

I  can  say  that I  truly enjoyed  the  workshop. Gerald was  indeed   helpful in clarifying  certain things   that were  not so  clear.I  also enjoyed  the  collaborative  effort  that  was  made  by my colleagues. I  am definitely  learning  a  lot  of   new   things  that  I  can incorporate  in my  lessons.  I learnt  that as    educators  we   have  a  number  of  different roles and  therefore  we  have  to  be  flexible  for  meaningful learning to  take place.

                                Reflection on Module 1

 Amidst  the  many  challenges  to  finish   my  readings  and meeting  my  deadlines,  I  can  say that am truly   grateful that  I  am  doing  this  course.  I  have really learnt  a lot . I  am  now  more  driven  with the  wealth of  information    I  have  to impart  the   things  I have  learnt  to  my  students  and  fellow  colleagues.   I   enjoyed  the  discussions that we  have  had  so  far. Being  able  to  reflect and share  my  thoughts  gave  me  the  drive to   persevere in my  difficult   moments .  The  assistance from the  tutor was indeed  helpful  throughout  the  module. I am  definitely looking  forward  to  the  next  module.

                                                           The Star Chart

 The   chart  has  an excellent  sequential  outline  of  activities  for  the  integration of  Ict in  schools. Amidst  the  few  shortcomings   regarding   my  school's readiness, I  think that  this  outline  would definitely    work for  us  educators.The   time  frame is  very  much  appropriate  and  the  activities  are   very  fitting .  The   main  areas    mentioned   are  very  detailed  and  can be     followed.  As  I  read  the  comments   from  my   colleagues  I have  come  to the  conclusion that  the  ideas  from the   star  chart  will be implemented in some  schools if  not  all.   I am  really  enlightened  and  challenged  every time  I  read   an  article.  My  understanding is  deepen as  it  regards  to  using  ICT.

                                                    Assignment  2-  The   Critique

I choose   the  Australian  Cultural  Heritage  page  , age  10-12 to  critically evaluate. The lesson depicted  an  excellent  use of   the integrated  however I had  some  challenges  doing  the  activity. Time   was  an issue  for  me  so  I didn't get  to send  a  draft.  Although  the   challenge was    grave   I   learnt  a lot. My  understanding    was   deepened. As  educators   we  are  teaching students to become   critical  thinkers ,   and  to help them  do  that  we  ourselves  have to be  able  to think  critically as  well. This  exercise   was  a worthwhile for  me .  The  feedback that  I  received  from the  the  assessor will  definitely  assist  me  in doing  my  next assignment.

 Teaching Spaces and   curriculum delivery

Teaching spaces enable for motivation. As I read the above  articles  I am  aware  that learning  spaces  are  being   change  to remain in  harmony  with the  changing  needs of  society. According to Grabe 2004, technologies can engage and support thinking when students learn with [technology] them. According  to  the readings, ICT learning  environment is  not limited  to just  the physical  space of the  school but it   also  includes  virtual space and  resources available  to the  students. For example tools, equipment, material and information which all affect the opportunities available to the students. I   am  also cognizant  of  some  of  the  characteristics that  an  ICT   learning  environment  must   exhibit. For   eg. Flexibility- this is  the  layout of the  furniture  and  equipment  used in ICT learning  environment . These   should   facilitate  reconfiguration to accommodate a  variety of   design and  production  activities .It  should  also  support  students’ and  teachers’ research and planning.    

Learning  spaces  should  also be  multipurpose, in that it  must  support  students  in various stages of  activity  and planning. Additionally  the learning  space  must support  for  variety of  types of  activities as  students  draw   from the  available  tools , equipment  and  material to  meet their  challenges. As educators  we  have  to also  be  flexible  to remain  harmony with  the  changes of  society.

Curriculum  delivery

According to the report ,  the integration  of  ICT  into curriculum   indicates   a lot  of positive  results. I  was  amazed to  see   the impact  that  ICT has  on  students ‘learning .The  use  of  ICT   supports  learner- centered   strategies  that  caters  for  the  diverse  needs  of the  learners. As  educators we  should   all  strive  to  reach all   students  if  possible  and  keep in mind  the  varying  abilities   and learning  styles  of  students. Integration of  ICT into the  curriculum   enables  for the  following: the development of various intellectual skills and problem solving. Students’ interest can  also be  stimulated  . I  believe  when the integrated  approach is  used  it  fosters  holistic  development. I am  now  more  knowledgeable after  reading these  articles. My aim is  to  try  as much  as possible  to put into practice  what  I  have  learnt   so far. 

Reflection  on the ACOT'S  Readings

Although  the  reading  was  a  bit  lengthy  I  gained much  insight.The  development  phases   had  me  doing  some  introspection  about  the  use  of  ICT in the  classroom.From  reading this  article  I realized   that with  much training and  support  a  teacher's   perception can   change  from the  traditional way of  teaching  to  incorporating  ICT in the  classroom. Many  benefits  can  be  derived  from the  use of  ICT   in the   classroom ,it is definitely  evident in this  article. Students  and  teachers  are  both motivated to  work. The report  also stated that  the "lasting change will not occur simply by giving teachers the latest technological tools  but    teachers must be provided with on-going support  and  guide   and  when this  is  done  I  definitely  think that teachers  will be  motivated  to use  Ict. This is pertinent  because  technology is   advancing  very  often. I really like the  principles  that  were  established  from the  ACOT’S   teacher  development model, especially    the  aspect of constructivist  learning    that is promoted  throughout..  Also Rogers’ five  attributes  to an innovation  really  stood  out   for  me  . These will definitely  assist   me in choosing    the   tools  that  are  relevant  for  each  activity.
 These  are  questions  we  should  really ask  ourselves as  educators according  to  Rogers

• Relative Advantage-is the innovation seen as better than what it replaces?
• Observability- can others see how the innovation works and observe its consequences?
• Compatibility: How consistent is the innovation with the values, past experience, and needs of potential adopters?
• Complexity: Is the innovation easy to understand, use, and maintain? I  was  taught  that  practice  makes   perfect ,  so  as  educator  there is  a  constant  need  for  us  to   upgrade  our  knowledge  and practice  to  use  ICT  in the  classroom so we  can  become  better  at  it
• Trialability:  Can the innovation be tried out on a limited basis? When this  is   done  we  would  be  able  to use  our  tools  appropriately in the  delivery  of   lessons.

                                                 Reflection 7
 Drop box

I definitely  enjoyed the  Drop  box  activity.   It was   a very  interesting one. I  must  mention  though, that it  was  the  first  time  I was actually hearing  or  seeing   a  Dropbox . This  course in general is   a  very informative one  and  I  really have  no  regrets   in doing it . The challenges at  times are  very overwhelming but  I  have   learnt  to persevere in  trying  times . The  best  part of the  drop box  activity  for  me  was being  able  to  view  others  work   . I   am   now driven   to do   some  research on the   drop box  so  I can  actually  try  it out.