Carly Peart's Blog

Integrating ICT across the Curriculum

2009-03-14T14:34:00.002Z

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?

2009-02-24T14:59:00.004Z

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

2009-02-18T17:29:00.002Z

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

2009-02-15T17:24:00.003Z

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

2009-02-09T20:49:00.002Z

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

2009-02-08T17:14:00.001Z

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?

2009-02-08T14:21:00.009Z

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...

Animation

2009-02-02T22:36:00.002Z

Having had some experience creating a 3D animation in our Art and ICT module last year, I know most of us felt quite confident with our abilities to do a 2D animation. So it's been nice being able to get straight into the creation of it without having to figure out what on earth we are doing! So far, we have completed the actual animation and next week intend to include a soundtrack and perhaps credits etc.... Dreamworks though, need not worry!

Having looked at what other primary schools are doing across the country, it's wonderful to see that children are not only creating animation, both 2D and 3D, but taking charge for it too rather than being led by the teacher. I think that is where ICT is a bit of a phenomenon in that it can be primairily child led, as they learn so much through television and just seem to have a knack for technology. Although of course, if taught properly a teacher can propel them into realms of technology that they wouldn't have dreamt of.

I'm personally, really excited about the prospect of making a podcast and a soundtrack. Perhaps naive, but I didn't know what a podcast was this time a year ago until my Mum introduced them to me on iTunes and I now have a selection downloaded onto my iPod. Thinking back to what Rob said about it being used as a way of broadcasting lectures and seminars, I think it has wonderful potential and could be the new way into teaching, creating that 24 hour style classroom, without actually being wake 24 hours!

Have to say, I feel far more excited about the prospects of ICT in the primary school than I did during our Year 1 module, whether that be because there is more to get excited about, or that during our first year module we hadn't had much experience in the classroom so I couldn't relate the needs of the children very well to the opportunities that ICT had to offer.

Anyway, I shall stop rambling now, and go back to doing something else equally productive!

Art and ICT

2009-02-01T17:27:00.002Z

Having spent a few days in St Ives, Cornwall this week on an art trip, I realised how I've started to think more closely about linking ICT in with art. We did a module entitled 'ICT and the primary art educator' last year which started to open our eyes to the possibilities of linking the two, but looking forward into what the ICT module is going to show us, I realise the possibilities are endless.

Art and ICT can work so well together and really help enhance each other. For example, looking at an artists work can be difficult if you only have access to a book. Looking at it online, you can zoom in on sections, crop them, enlarge, and even start to edit and manipulate the picture, which you wouldn't dream of doing when it's in a book.

Digital photography has taken on a new life, and has rapidly taken over the 35mm camera. Many children nowadays probably haven't even seen a film camera, though that is something I would like children to explore in Art but ICT opens so many doors for them. Children can manipulate their own images in ways we would only dream of.

Animation, something we will be exploring this week, is something I would certainly like to explore more with children. We did a short 3D animation last year which was a lot easier than we anticipated, and made me realise how accessible it can be to children of all ability levels.

I've even starting thinking about how children can make podcasts of the noises they hear around them, to use as inspiration for drawings and paintings etc.. They could set up their own online blog to discuss how they feel they worked as a class (both in art and cross-curricular).

I had a look at some people discussing blogs, and one teacher described how she had used it as a class portal; giving out homework briefs, discussing key issues in class etc... And could be the new way to an interactive classroom where school days don't have fixed times.

I'm going to end by posting a link to a website I found advertised in an education magazine. It has brilliant resources for children (all to do with art) but also has some videos of artists discussing their work, just showing how ICT can bring so much into the classroom; virtually having the artist there talking to the children.

www.artisancam.org.uk

ICT in the Primary Classroom

2009-01-26T18:47:00.001Z

Having just been introduced to the world of blogging, I'm finding this all rather exciting! Sad that may seem, but I'm instantly seeing some of the possibilities blogs present within schools and can be incredibly useful for children learning at home, or distance learning etc...

As this is my first post, I'll probably be keeping it short, though apologies, I do tend to waffle on frequently! I've seen others have managed to attach videos, and although I've found some really interesting ones, Ive yet to discover how to attach them so will aim to do that in the next week!

My own experience of ICT has been varied, with some schools really embracing it and engaging the children with ICT from an early age, and others have shyed away from it, seeminlgy terrified that it might in some way, harm them. Interestingly, the experience we had as a group in America, was that ICT was seen very much as something of the future. Out of what appeared to be a modern elementary school, only one classroom had an interactive whiteboard and even then the teacher didn't know how to use it properly. All the teachers recieved training later in the year, but it seemed pointless as none of them had whiteboards! All the computers were outdated and the ICT technician was certainly wary of them. In total opposition, another international school I have worked in embraced ICT. They had several ICT suites with the latest technology. They had the bee bots, that were regularly used across the curriculum and age levels, and had even had (admittedly this was a private school, therefore they had larger funds than most schools) an astronomy dome. Here technology has been used to simulate the experience of being in space using ICT and digital imagery. For all children, it has truly been a visual and exciting learning experience.

In terms of my own teaching of ICT, this has again varied as my confidence with ICT has wavered. Interestingly I'm not scared of ICT, more of my lack of confidence in being able to pass on my knowledge and skills to the children. This is certainly something I aim to change in the next few years as we get ready for the next generation. One ICT activity that I have done with something that I am rather proud of is, I got the children working with the Digital Blue cameras, videoing themselves then reviewing their work. As they were Year 2's and had never had much experience of ICT, this was a wonderfully exciting experience for them and ertainly improved their literacy learning and ICT skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pM5pZ04Ib4