Week Two Workshop Reflection

In this week’s workshop; our main focus was Microsoft Office Publisher, which made me really happy! Previously working as a full time executive assistant, my word processing skills were strongly influenced and I really enjoyed using software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft Publisher however, was always the one aspect in Office that I was really uncomfortable with, which is a shame because it comes across as being such a useful tool.

I initially contemplated using Microsoft PowerPoint to compile my ePortfolio but wasn’t really satisfied with the ideas I was bringing together. I guess I simply chose PowerPoint because it was software I was familiar with and it was potentially my ‘comfort zone.’ Being a more paper based person, my only concern was the presentation of my final copy.

When asked to design a brochure of any destination, I chose Istanbul (a city in Turkey). A copy of my brochure produced has been posted in the image above. This simple exercise allowed me to play around with the different templates, different pictures of different sizes and different alignments and different colours, themes and styles. I was really grateful for today’s workshop because I’ve constantly wanted to excel my knowledge using Publisher. Having the chance to play around with the software in this week’s workshop was a fantastic way to help me overcome my fear. 

I now have a better insight of the program, which I will definitely be using to produce my ePortfolio. Using a web site template, I believe such a design has the capability to work well in both the soft and hard copy format. This workshop has encouraged me to be extra creative with my ePortfolio; whereby I have already started brainstorming different ideas, the summary of my pedagogy and a consistent quote which can be followed throughout my portfolio. I sincerely believe an extra resource such as an ePortfolio can be the edge, which allows me to stand out within the recruitment process. 

Week One Personal Reflection

I was incredibly surprised with the first Technology workshop for this week. Frankly, I never understood the importance of utilising such opportunities within the classroom. I guess I’ve always thought about education the old fashioned way; pencils, paper, an eraser and perhaps a calculator. However after only one workshop, Greg’s passion for technology has me thinking otherwise...

I knew I had to research this notion at hand further and really comprehend the concept of incorporating ‘technology’ within a primary setting classroom. As a result; I came home after finishing classes for the day, turned off my iPhone 3GS to avoid any distractions, sat in front of my Sony Wireless laptop and opened up my internet homepage to Google... And that’s when it hit me! Technology has enhanced on so many levels in the world today, we have become oblivious to how many times a day we use it. If we as future educators have the luxury of using such methods to elaborate our understandings, why shouldn’t the students in our classroom?

Wikipedia describes a blog as being ‘maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.’ Blogs are a useful form of communication between teachers and students, which give children the opportunity to share ideas and have the ability to simply develop writing skills (Resourcing the Curriculum, 2010). I personally believe creating blogs is a good way to develop ‘community’ within the classroom as well as give each child a sense of identity. With the use of internet rapidly increasing around the world, students are also introduced to the guidelines of being safe online.

All in all, this subject has already opened my eyes and allowed me to really consider various ideas of keeping students engaged and enthusiastic. The development of technology is truly amazing and I think we’d be crazy to not introduce children to such facilities at a young age. I honestly believe we will not only be teaching children about the curriculum at hand but also developing life skills for their future. I guess it all comes down to the following; ‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.’ (Chinese proverb).

References:

Resourcing the Curriculum: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Week One Workshop Reflection

Today was the first technology workshop where we set up our own blogs and had a play around with the Inspiration software.

With so much to work with; I believe the software is a fantastic tool for group work, brainstorming and linking ideas within one topic whereby relationships can be made apparent. I think it gives children the option to think outside the square, which as a future educator is something I wish to encourage within my classroom.

Having never even heard of the Inspiration program, I actually found myself having a good time! Children are given the wide availability of creating hyperlinks, using set graphics as well as migrating ones of their own and simply being creative. With the option of different colours, different sounds and different shapes and objects; I believe Inspiration encourages students to explore ideas and concepts within different topics across the curriculum.

Today, I created a mind map of simple animals and grouped them into four categories as illustrated above. This simple task can work extremely well with the younger children of primary school. Students can be assigned into groups where categories can be arranged as is and children can then be asked to find animals of their own and place them into the correct categories using the software. Rather than simply learning about the unit of work on hand, students are given the opportunity to unconsciously build team work and leadership skills.

With so many options and easy to use software; Inspiration is a reference tool I hope to have access to. Simple ideas such as brainstorming and planning are useful in everyday life and I believe it is essential to introduce such thinking views to children at a young age. Incorporating programs as such within the classroom; students are encouraged to build their computer and research skills, which will be carried with students to secondary schooling, university and hopefully even work life.