Integrating ICT across the Curriculum

In the last two weeks, as a group, we have really managed to plow through with putting together a medium term plan based on a topic of work. This plan incorporates 3 main subjects as well as having links to virtually every other area of the curriculum. Having been encouraged to make cross-curricular links with everything in the last year, I personally, found it very easy to make those links in the plan.

What with the recent presentations of the potential for ICT, it's amazing to realise how ineffective it is currently being utilised in schools. Admittedly, that is more likely to be through lack of awareness of these products than ignorance. I certainly, prior to this module, was unaware children could simulate computer programming, or create their own podcasts, let alone so easily! My main worry is, how do I continue to find out about new innovations and developments within the world of ICT? My lecturer certainly won't be there each week to update me! So I guess, it's upto me to continue to do my research to enable my teaching of ICT (and its integration within the rest of the curriculum) is as effective and inclusive as possible. I am lucky enough to be fairly computer literate, and am certainly looking forward to taking my new learned skills into the classroom.

Geography and ICT; A new world?

GPS is nowadays, something many people are becoming dependent on, possibly without realising it. I know many who have Sat-navs couldn't be without them, which in some ways shows how valuable ICT is, but is it detracting from essential skills such as map reading? But do we really need to retain these skills? Watching Top Gera the other night, Jeremy Clarkson went into meltdown when his sat nav died on him whilst he was driving through Tokyo, and he gave up with the maps, relying instead on a local policemans limited english language. Personally, I think ICT holds an invaluable place in geography, but am concerned it is starting to make traditional skills devoid, and making learners 'lazy'. If every computer in the world suddenly shut down, where would we be?

On a more positive note, looking at the potential for bringing ICT into the primary geography classroom, it holds much potential for empowering learners and allowing them to start taking control of their own learning. I'm still slightly confused about what 'geo-caching' is, but that's for me as the teacher, to read up on and improve my own subject knowledge. Interactive maps are wonderful tools, and until yesterday, I wasn't aware that Google Earth had so many different features and layers. For example, it can start to aid in the teaching of astronomy which is a subject that is difficult to get hold of primary resources for (e.g. we can't see stars in the daylight).

The more I get into this module, the more excited I become about the potential for ICT in the primary school, and am now itching to try out some of these opportunities. Learning will never be the same again.

Podcasts as a tool for learning

I normally consider myself ICT proficient, but even I am struggling to keep up with the wave of technology! I was introduced to podcasts last summer (by my ICT-phobic mother of all people), and now regularly enjoy listening to them at the gym, or walking to the shops, etc... Having listened to the lecture, I also realised how conservative I've been in my choice of podcasts; only chooisng and selecting those from the iTunes Podcast Directory, though I was genuinely unaware that there were thousands out there on other websites! Having come to understand what 'RSS feeds' are, I now recognise that many websites have podcast subscriptions, and from now on, I will endeavour to start branching out my selection choice!

In terms of what podcasts can do in the classroom, the following video shows some of the exciting potential http://www.teachers.tv/video/31119)

As the video discusses, podcasting can help improve speaking and listening skills, which can be done without the child even being aware of it. It could potentially help build confidence and self-esteem, and allow the children to take control of their own learning. Through this, they are learning other valuable skills such as problem-solving, communication skills and collaboration - developing team building skills. It also allows children 'to show their real voice', and like those who often need a puppet to talk to (rather than an adult), it could be a good way of encouraging speech from emotionally-damaged children. (Global Gateway, 2009) Podcasts could also prove to be a useful form of assessment for teachers, allowing the teacher to take the podcast away, and mark/assess it at their convience which will probably prove more efficient and productive.

I have yet to see podcasts used in schools that I have been into, but am excited about the prospect of starting them and utilising them in my teaching. Having had a practice using the audacity software, I am excited to have a go creating our own (as part og a group) podcast in this week's seminar.


Here are some links to websites explaining about how podcasting can be used in the primary school:

http://www.globalgateway.org/default.aspx?page=2515

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2007/sep/18/link.link16

http://www.globalgateway.org/default.aspx?page=2536

http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/podcasting/docs/PodiumStarterGuide2007.pdf

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/ict/podcasting.htm

http://epnweb.org/

Music and ICT

Like most teachers I imagine, my first reaction with music is to avoid it. I enjoy listening to it, but am aware nobody else would gain any sort of pleasure from hearing me create music! It's important to remember though, that this self-awareness is only brought about during late primary school, through to secondary school, and therefore children tend not to judge you. They will quite happily sing at the tops of their voices, regardless of how it sounds to everyone else, or play an insturment totally tunelessly. Like I said, as adults, we hold back with fear of embarassing ourselves, something children tend not to think about.

So therefore initially, it's important to try and get over that initial hurdle of being embarrassed and just throw yourself into music mercilessly. Anticipation is far worse than the actual event! Just talking to music specialists, and looking round on the internet shows you the vast variety in music lessons, if lack of creativity is your worry (which it was mine). But being introduced to the integration of ICT and music, has personally, unleashed a new sense of confidence in terms of teaching ICT. Being shown the different forms of software available to help create and compose music, I felt excited and inspired, and imagine it would have the same effect on children. Of course, like most things, it can't take away from the reality of using a 'real' instrument, learning the breathing techniques or finger patterns etc... But it allows music to become far more inclusive to those who perhaps can't hold an instrument, e.g. children with cerebral palsy, or those who lack patience (as I do!) in learning the finer points of playing an instrument. It's also building the foundations for those looking to venture into the music industry in the future (achieveing economic wellbeing in 'Every Child Matters') where ICT is an integral part of creating and recording records. My secondary school was lucky enough to have a recording studio, used by local musicians, and I would love to see how that has developed in recent years with the milestones made in ICT.

So to summarise, although music like everything else, should begin with using the real instruments, I feel ICT has an incredible amount to offer children when learning about and creating music.

Animation

Just thought I would see if I could upload a video onto my blog. Been trying to do it for weeks but unsuccessfully. Fingers crossed it works this time!

Podcasts

Just thought I would let people know that iTunes offer free podcasts from Teachers TV on a range of subjects, from ICT to improving behaviour in the classroom. I haven't quite worked out how to add a podcast on here, but just go into iTunes, then 'Podcast Directory' and type in Teachers TV and they will give you a list of possible subscriptions!

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ICT: does it inspire creativity or hinder it?

The lecture we had this week was all about planning and teaching creativity within the curriculum by incorporating and using ICT to the best of its ability. Being an art specialist, we have already started to use more ICT within our lesson planning, something that used to go against what art was about. When I did my GCSE's, we were encouraged not to use ICT, instead to resort to books, and focus more on drawing things rather than using ICT to document them. Admittedly, we weren't aware then of the vast opportunities ICT represented, and nowadays I think art and ICT go wonderfully together.

In terms of integrating ICT into the primary curriculum across the subject range, I find that ICT enhances and improves lessons rather than just being there for the sake of it. As it has rightly been mentioned, the children we teach today, will have a far deeper and better understanding of technology and what it can do for you than we ever will. Already, children struggle with the concept that there was life without internet, without televisions, without MP3 players.

Introducing ICT has certainly helped in terms of time. During my most recent teaching practice, I relied heavily on my trusty laptop to get me through the massive amount of lesson plans I had to create and write up. Of those, some were repeated on a weekly basis, so I was able to cut and paste specific items, rather than writing them out again. I also had access to an unlimited amount of resources, and was also able to upload my own resources to share with other teachers (enabling the use of Web 2.0).

ICT is not something that should be avoided, but something that should be encouraged hugely. In terms of creativity, ICT has endless opportunities. Just allowing the children to take control of an ICT based activity is encouraging creativity. Exploring animation is a key example of how they can control the ideas, the model making, script writing and how the animation is actually created. ICT gives children access to forms of teaching they may not have previously seen. Children with physical and mental disabilities have been using ICT for years as a means of communication, therefore showing it is accessible to all if presented and introduced in a simple and clear way.

To summarise, I feel excited about the prospects of what ICT will be achieving in schools in the very near future, and can't wait to start planning and teaching all the exciting opportunities ICT can offer.

I have included some links below to teacher resource sites that I have used during my planning and found highly useful:

http://www.sparklebox.co.uk - a website offering thousands of downloable resources and lesson ideas for all subjects and ability levels (very good resources for early years as well)

http://www.espresso.co.uk - a huge selection of digital resources for all subjects

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/index.htm - where you can share and use resources uploaded by other teachers for most subjects and age ranges

http://www.artisancam.org.uk - brilliant website for art, documenting videos with artists discussing their work, resources for teachers, activity ideas, etc...