Web of Learning - Blogs

 

Entering this course and glossing over what was required of us in only the first few weeks was to put it bluntly, horrifying. I am a firm believer that technology is layered. It isn’t based on if you can figure A out you will cover B quite easily. Lucky for me I am young enough and have somewhat of a basic understanding of The World Wide Web and all its magical little layers. But one thing I have never done was blog. Even with the small quantity of social media I am attached too I am not what you call a regular “Poster”. So being asked to write Blogs is enough to make me second guess what sort of course this was but to manufacture and design my own blog and internet pages meant I was looking at deferring this course. But I stuck with it as even a blind man with a blind dog can see that the digital applications would help me teach but also my potential student’s ability to learn.

Gen Z are the technology generation. As it stands Gen Z will be the first generation with little to no memory of a world without smartphones or similar technology. (Pew Research Centre, 2020). So, adapting not only the way information is handed out but also how its absorbed is key to a fluent and collaborative education setting.

At the beginning of this course we were asked to set up multiple addresses. We had a few options for blogging websites and a website itself. I created a Google Blog (Which now can no longer be reached), a Blogger and Padlet. I found the Blogger the easiest to manoeuvre around and notice other students were choosing the same so I knew I couldn’t be too far away. I was also not aware that Blogger is a Google own and operated digital tool. I had a few initial issues ie. see Google Blog, but mostly easy and effortless to set up with multiple settings to make it as individualistic as one might hope. 

A few nice touches are multiple colour schemes, customisable, time stamped entries, which can be a negative especially if you need to edit or add something because it then shifts the date to the last time it was edited. But most of all it’s free. No try and pay or “Free” 14 day trial. My favourite feature is that you can add a Picture to the blog, to give the reader a little more insight into how you might really be feeling towards the project. Its a fully customisable tool that can be used for a variety of different applications or reasons. 

Using this in the education setting would be a great way of engaging with your students. Being able to allow students to be fully engaged in their own Blog and see how they would interact and put their own personal touches to it can only assist in keeping the students engaged in the subject. A teacher can give students feedback and assistance promptly, students can also communicate and collaborate with each other regarding the work they are completing.

Find below images of how Blogger could be used for teacher to student USB project communication -

1. After the initial set up of your Blogger, open a new post.

2. Give your subject matter a heading

3. From here you can open almost anything, from a file, video, pictures etc. 

4. For this Demo I am adding a picture of Colourful USB's. I  found the image or file from the internet and copy the URL. Entered it into the URL search port and my picture was made available.

5. Once image is uploaded, we can add or subtract whatever information or subject sequencing required. 

6. You can lock others out from commenting, minimise or maximise, the choice will differ depending on the subject. Then once complete, hit the publish button in the top right hand corner. 

SAMR

Year 7 USB Design Task -

Substitution - Students will be required to use set up a Blogger and course instructions will be set by Teachers Blogger page instead of traditional learning to design a USB. This gives student the greater possibility of remembering what the task is and how to achieve the end goal.

Augmentation - Students will be given a term to work through all the course requirements. Teacher can inspect to see where individuals are up to and comment accordingly. No more use of Week 1, Week 2…. etc. Understanding and applying the skills needed but only as quick as they allow themselves to be.

Modification - If Students are struggling to complete works additional assistance and information can be added to Blogger for students’ perusal to further analyse, clarify and provide greater feedback and possible adjustments of original project.

Redefinition – Students to have entire project, all stages and proof of works uploaded for Teacher perusal and grading. USB to be created and gifted to students upon completion.

ICT has many benefits and only minimal pitfalls in education. If the Teacher is knowledgeable about what applications are being used and how, this should assist in the greater outcomes for all.

Trusting students to use digital technology within curriculum requirements ethically and legally requires continual monitoring and further adjustments. Ensuring students understand their rights and responsibilities when using these platforms is paramount to successful outcomes.

References –

Pew Research Centre - On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z So Far - https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/?msclkid=3a6aac48ad5e11ec9f3099598e5404fb

Collins, R. (2014). Skills for the 21st Century: teaching higher-order thinking. Curriculum & Leadership Journal -http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/teaching_higher_order_thinking,37431.html

What is the SAMR Method (Video) - https://youtu.be/9b5yvgKQdqE