Effective learning with technology in the classroom, is anchored on creative, experimental and purposeful activities. However, with particular presentation tools, the focus of the outcomes of these activities allows for the development of digital content creators, technology innovators and digitally fluent users of technologies (Howell 2012, p. 147).
Presentation tools such as Powerpoint, allow for scaffolding technology in assessment pieces. Student's can start by exploring basic visual slides and then move through to more complex multimedia slides. The Powerpoint presentation that I have prepared in on Public Speaking. It explores facets of the topic, giving examples and finally, the assessment task set for students. It is aimed at Grade 9 students. It uses a full range of functions including embedding of video's and images to clearly define elements of public speaking, illustrations and graphs to outline structure and standard animations to enhance visual learning. I have recorded the lesson using the slide recorder and notes functionality. Can only have one time of media recording at the same time (per slide)
At the end of my presentation, I clearly outline tasks associated with the assessment. The diagram below links the associated tasks to the SAMR Model.
Presentation tools such as Powerpoint, allow for scaffolding technology in assessment pieces. Student's can start by exploring basic visual slides and then move through to more complex multimedia slides. The Powerpoint presentation that I have prepared in on Public Speaking. It explores facets of the topic, giving examples and finally, the assessment task set for students. It is aimed at Grade 9 students. It uses a full range of functions including embedding of video's and images to clearly define elements of public speaking, illustrations and graphs to outline structure and standard animations to enhance visual learning. I have recorded the lesson using the slide recorder and notes functionality. Can only have one time of media recording at the same time (per slide)
At the end of my presentation, I clearly outline tasks associated with the assessment. The diagram below links the associated tasks to the SAMR Model.
Prezi is an online Presentation program that offers templates for creators. Presentations are 3D page, animated and free. Prezi is very user friendly and the output is very professional. You can embed music, images and videos into your presentations.
Glogster is also an online Presentation program that allows users to create single page 'information sheets'. It is cloud based and used for digital storytelling and interactive learning. Glogster encourages interactive, collaborative education and digital literacy. (www.wikipedia.org).
Unlike Prezi, Glogster is not animated but the end product is also very professional. You can embed links, images and video's into the posters. They would be very useful as handouts to summarise information learnt in a lesson of as referral. A certain degree of creativity is needed would prove an interesting activity for student's to take on.
There are many features to a glog and some functionality include creating a glog and sourcing a reusable glogster from the resource library. You can also download and app to use on your ipad.
Working with Glogster was I a lot more challenging than I first anticipated. I found it very difficult to format my ideas onto paper. Once you had locked a graphic in, you had no choice but to delete everything, including inserted text if you changed your mind on the graphic. It was also slow to respond to command and I ended up having to delete a number of extra graphics that I had doubled up on.
The diagram below Compares and Contrasts the two presentation applications, Prezi and Gogster. It considers similarities and the individual differences of each.
Google Earth is a 3D virtual globe, map and geographical information program. It has many features including street view, historical imagery, flight simulator, sky mode, planet and moon view and water and ocean bathymetry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth).
Google Earth can be a very useful tool to be utilised in the classroom. Google offers a range of suggestions including:
- Students can explore Hubble telescope images, check out current astronomical events, study the proportions of different planets, measure their size, and observe the relative brightness of stars.
- With the timeslider, view historical imagery to study the construction process of large buildings such as sports stadiums. You can also see how communities have developed by comparing the city layout of past and present.
- With 3D buildings Google Earth students have entire city landscapes at their finger tips. They can explore specific skyscrapers, public landmarks, famous ancient architecture, and even study city planning techniques and trends. With Google SketchUp students can recreate entire ancient cities within Earth.
- Discover the world's tallest building or the world’s highest mountain peak by using the ruler tool to measure skyscrapers and mountains. You can mark off specific regions you have studied, or want to come back to using the polygon tool.
- Students can create customized tours to share with their classmates. For example, they can build context around a novel by creating a tour of all the places mentioned in the book. Or, they can make a tour to highlight all the major rain-forests effected by deforestation.
The image below is based on the last suggestion. I have mapped out a tour around Australia that my family and I completed in 2013. I particularly enjoyed uploading photo's from our holiday at particular destinations. Scribble Maps is also useful for this exercise.
The potential use of Glogster and Google Earth in the classroom is limitless and and could be used in a variety of ways. Below I have given one example, incorporating the SAMR Model.
The use of presentation tools, animated or otherwise, can not only enhance learning by appealing to a variety of learning techniques and abilities but it also aids for digital fluency. Learning designs that incorporate technology provide engagement and technology know how for real life experiences. The outcome of use of presentation tools in the curriculum, supports the development of creators, innovators and fluency in a digital age.
REFERENCES
Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity (1st edition), South Melbourne Vic: Oxford University Press.
Wikipedia (2015) Glogster. Retrieved on 8th March, 2015 from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glogster).
Wikipedia (2015) Google Earth. Retrieved on 7th March, 2015 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth
