EnhanceIT

Student feedback for quality teaching

2008-04-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

David Warlick of the blog 2 cents worth posted a very interesting thought a few weeks ago.

Disruption, or Demand to learn.

As teachers we are always using classroom management to battle the disruptions of life. The major ones at the moment being mobile phones and MP3 players, I tend not to think of iPods as a big problem if managed well. In fact, I've often found that students listening to music tend to be more on task, not to mention that you can use them as a teacher tool, it's only when you need to talk to the class as a whole that it can be a problem.

Mobile phones on the other hand can be a serious problem. Most especially when it comes to bullying, but even as something that can effect the efficient running of a lesson. There's nothing like a mobile ringing to throw you off your teaching flow.

David in his blog entry talked about how often the mobile phones are being use to complain about the quality of conferences, and I don't dispute that this kind of feedback is useful, I think it's a great thing if quality is raised because of the demand caused by feedback. At the convention he was attending, this is exactly what was happening, people were complaining about the quality of the lecturer via SMS messages. He was explaining that this was a new way for feedback to received.

I am skeptical however that this is indeed what is happening in high school classrooms. It seems to me that it's highly unlikely that teenagers are spending the majority of time in class texting about how good or bad the lesson is, rather than gossiping about Tina's new boyfriend who she's just going out with to prove she's over Geoff.

Perhaps what we should be taking out of this lesson is not that mobile phones are okay to use in the classroom (and of course they are for educational purposes), but that we need to get more feedback from our students to improve out teaching strategies, that self reflection and peer reflection are not enough. We need to take the time to hear our students and how they enjoy learning so then learning is more meaningful and we're more likely to create lifelong learners.

David Warlick's blog: http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/

Photo from: www.apple.com/education

Get Active with Education QLD 2008 Year of Physical Activity and Nike + iPod

2008-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Physical Activity for QLD Schools

Check out to see see what's on and how to get involved!

NIKE+ Tutorials

Reach me to Teach me

2008-03-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

When do we learn best? It's always when we are personally involved in the subject matter. When my cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia I learnt far more about the disease than I ever did in my biology classes. I have a fascination with science fiction, so I often find learning about science interesting, it captures my attention and imagination.

Obviously this is a dilemma in the classroom, we just can't reach all our students on this level, they're not all personally interested in every topic.

So how do we engage them on this level given this obstacle?

How about involving them personally in the project of learning?

Perhaps Young Jenny doesn't care much about how to calculate the hypotenuse of a triangle, but she probably likes making movies, so how about Jenny and 2 of her friends making a movie to show not only how to calculate this (a meaningful learning experience), but also the application of this formula in real life? To give this project more meaning, make sure that it's going to be posted on the internet, or used in other classes, students love teaching each other.

Reaching our students can be one of the hardest parts of teaching, but if we want to ensure that learning is meaningful and successful it is vital.

Thank you to Doug Spicher for the inspiration for this blog entry.

Melanie.

Managing your networking online.

2008-03-18T23:32:00.001-07:00

We all need to network, it's how we manage learning online, especially if blogging (or bleading = blog reading) is one of our major means of continuing our education and connecting to other educators of value.

However all this networking can begin to dominate our lives and a management strategy is necessary to keep us going or risk loosing interest or even the drive to update ourselves.

If you're like me you enjoy keeping on top of things, which means I like to check all the blogs and websites I value everyday, but this is not possible in reality, and it's beginning to take over my life. So I've had to find ways to manage this. Here are some helpful hints that might help you do the same.

1. Set a limit of how many bloggers you can subscribe to. It maybe 10, 20 or 30, you need to decide for yourself. This number of course may change over time, but setting a reasonable limit makes your bleading more manageable.

2. Think about your frequency of reading. Some blog sites, like this one are not update as regularly as others, or equally as important, they may not be of as much value. So assign blogs days, or even of regular contact. Put in on my bookmark folder those blogs you check daily and another that you check weekly, then pick a day a week for some serious bleading.

3. Take a break, don't do this everyday, you need to get yourself centered and fresh from time to time, make it happen and turn the computer off.

4. Using RSS can really be of benefit, by seeing the titles of blog entries can help you to know if an entry is something that really interests you. And even if you open it, but then find from scanning that it's not of value, move on. You are not required to read and respond to each and every entry.

5. There are times when your focus will be on different areas, increasing your networking time as you learn about a new topic . Don't be afraid to drop your favourite spots during this time, they'll be there when you get back and it'll help you maintain your sanity.

6. Be aware that your network is larger than you realise. The blogger you're reading got their information from somewhere else and they're now passing it on to you, it's a big web out there and it's all connected. So don't feel limited by what you're doing, realise how much your engaging by spending sometime connecting.

Case in point, I just read a blog entry by David Warlick who I've mentioned before in the blog about this very topic and agreed with it so thoroughly that I wanted to pass it on, and so the web of networking continues.

Melanie.

10 ways to make your iPod a better teaching gadget

2008-03-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Open culture list 10 ways to make better use of your iPod in education. The list includes the following topics and then some! - Wikipedia on your iPod, loading you tube videos, making videos iPod-ready, converting MP3 files into one audio book, ebooks for iPod, maps and language study.

Unleash the potential of mobile devices in education!

2cents Worth

2008-02-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

A very informative and tech-savvy blog for you all the check out is 2cents Worth and well worth checking out for every teacher. (I personally have it RSS) David Warlick who manages the blog not only gives great advice and links about ICT in education. He is inspiring about education and the way we approach it. Take a quote he put in today's blog entry.

"I’ve heard this one before, but it was shared again by Will Wright, creator of The SIMS, and I wrote it down word by word.

There was a professor who went into a kindergarten class one day and asked students to raise their hands if they could dance. Of course they all raised their hands. Draw? Sing? Again, they all raised their hands.

Then he went into a college class and asked the same questions of students there, and of course, no one raised their hands.

He concluded that education is the process of teaching us what we can’t do."

His personal commentary on PL as well as his outlook on education makes this a very practical blog to read, with ideas that you can incorporate into your own philosophy of teaching.

You can find his blog at http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/ and we have his blog listed in our links for your easy access anytime.

Melanie.

Meet Liz

2008-02-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone - welcome to our blog! Last year we developed a wiki that housed links, news and info about what we were getting up to. We've decided to build on this - hence developing this blog. With this blog comes a commitment to posting regularly about all things relating to the world of teaching with technology. (So make sure you check back regularly or RSS us!).

I'd like to officially welcome Mel to our team! It has been great working with her for the last couple of months!

For those of you who I haven't met - I'm Liz - the professional learning facilitator in Brisbane. In this role, I actively assist teachers to understand the educational objectives of Information Communication and Technologies.

I graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a dual degree - Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Art) Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with my second teaching area as English - and a few years ago never would have imagined being in this position. I have an invested interest in various creative projects including film, animation and interactive arts and through these passions I have developed a strong understanding of modern digital processes.

I believe that education is shaped around the fundamental values of freedom and respect and encourages students to constantly search for truth and technology allows students to achieve this.

I love to talk and share my passions with whom I meet.

Contact me on: (07) 3914 5343 or email: lperry@mac1.com.au

Look out for future posts.
-Liz :)

Back in December 2007

2008-02-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

December

Following on from the UNE Creative Animations workshop with two of my year 7 students, I took the skills I had learnt back to the classroom. The two students I had taken with three others had written a script for the inaugural Namoi CMA script writing competition. They unfortunately hadn't won, but here was the means for them to have the fulfillment of completing their vision and gain the satisfaction of taking their project full circle.

A few planning sessions followed where the girls divided the script into manageable sections, decided on backgrounds and cast members. The girls were so enthusiastic that they were happy to get as many supplies from home as were necessary and even completed each of the 5 background boxes at home in their own time. From there they only needed condensed time. I deliberately timed the filming for the end of year when I knew other teachers would not mind the girls being out of class. Setting them up with the digital camera on a tripod in the book room they worked well together, sharing the tasks to take photo after photo after photo.

They were long days, but the girls were so involved in the creativity of the task, the satisfaction of completing something they had started, that they never swayed. Each time they completed a section of the script they would crowd around for the uploading of the photos and watched in awe as using Quicktime pro 7 they were turned into a little movie.

As a teacher, I can't begin to express my own joy at the learning and devotion my students demonstrated with this task. This is the power of connected learning...watch out for them at film festivals!

Melanie

Back in September 2007

2008-02-12T21:23:00.000-08:00

September

On the last day of Term 3 at Peel High School I was very surprised to receive a phone call from Col Easton from Namoi CMA. He was running their script writing competition for high school students that had been the inspiration for a unit of work I'd completed with my year 7 class. He was calling to let me know that my group of boys, who called themselves the "Order of the Muffin", had won the competition with their script entitled "Squirt and Droplet: Environmental Police" The prize was $10K to have their script professionally filmed.

Excitement throughout the school was evident and none more so than for the boys themselves. They devoted their lunch times and sport time to planning meetings so we could edit the script, design costumes, plan locations and gather props. Without the very great support and time devoted by Col to bring the project together though it would never happened. Many members of the community really helped also, the Tamworth dramatic society and even the Mayor of Tamworth, Mr Treloar, made it all possible within the budget.

Finally the big time arrived in November and our camerman/director, Gareth Tillson, arrived and really brought the project to life. We bundled all the students involved with all the props and supplies we needed onto a mini-bus and headed off to each location over 3 days. Timing was vital, we didn't have much and there was a lot of filming needed with a lot set changes. With the professionalism of Gareth and the ever present organisational skills of Col, the project did happen though and we managed to film all the takes we needed to.

It was then out of our hands, Gareth returned to Sydney to edit the film into the final product. I think this was the hardest point for the boys, the project was completely out of their hands now and all they could do was wait for the premier in the last week of school.

The big day finally arrived and Gareth delivered the final product for the boys, family, friends and teachers at the school to see. With breathless anticipation we waited in darkness for the movie to start and it truly lived up to my expectations. I think personally I had more fun watching the boys in the darkness and seeing their delight at watching their vision come to life and laughing their way through.

Afterwards they couldn't stop relaying events that had taken place throughout the filming and they really felt like celebrities with the local radio station there to record interviews with each of them.

All in all, it was a memorable experience for everyone involved and something I would encourage many others to take part in.

Melanie.

New to Mac1 PL

2008-02-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself, my name is Melanie Eggins and I'm the new PL at Mac1. I'm based in Sydney and my aim is to assist teachers with integrating ICTs into their everyday lessons more effectively to encourage connected learning and helping students to feel more in touch with their education. By making their learning more relevant to students I believe we can re-engage them in lessons and create life long learners.

Personally, I believe that is what our society is about today. With mobility in the working place and the access to the internet, our lives have become about learning, our students are not switched off, if anything they're more switched on and need to be stimulated more. This is where ICT can assist us if we make them more accessible and user friendly for all.

If you are interested in PL for yourself or your school, please feel free to contact me on:

(02) 8741 0700

or

meggins@mac1.com.au

More UNE Creative Animations

2007-11-16T19:35:00.000-08:00

Find out more about the UNE Creative Animations Enrichment Program here

Check out photos of the professional learning day, teachers and students animations.

2007 Break-Up Party

2007-10-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

MOE Myth Buster Forum

2007-10-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

The MOE forum held at the MAC1 Institute - Brisbane focused on the Apple build for EQ's Managed Operating Environment (MOE) it's implications for schools and the EQ Computers for Teachers initiative and answering questions of school administrators and teachers.

The MOE is a standardised build for servers, desktops and laptop computers across Education Queensland schools. Apple are building a solution for schools and demonstrated developments in the MOE build they have been working on in conjunction with the Education Queensland MOE team.

If you require any further information about the MOE and your school please contact MOE Senior Developer Luke Glyde on (07) 323 0043 or e: luke.glyde@deta.qld.gov.au

Useful Links

MOE Overview

Apple MOE build

About Smart Classrooms

Keep up to date with Smart Classrooms

MAC1 Institute Official Opening

2007-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

UNE Creative Enrichment Days

2007-09-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

It has long been suggested that the integration of Information Communication and
Technologies (ICTs) gives students the ability to be more proactive in the way they
learn and are more involved in the projects they work on.

Professional Learning at the enrichment days focuses on the study of animation and
supports quality teaching and a comprehensive understanding of creative arts
practices.

Teachers participating in Professional Learning at the UNE Creative Enrichment days on November 2nd will learn about three styles of animation.

These include:

Links to YouTube animation videos

Stop Motion

Traditional drawn animation

Pixilation

Teaching Resources

Kids Connect - Brisbane

2007-08-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Brisbane City Hall was a buzzing with activity! We had a ball and so did the kids! See student work at the Brisbane Kids Connect website

Kids Connect - Brisbane

2007-08-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

Kids Connect is Brisbane Catholic Education's two day ICLT technology conference organised for kids by kids.

This year Theresa Sheen and her year 7 class of Our Lady of Dolours, Mitchelton have been working hard to organise this event that would be held at Brisbane City Hall on September 13 and 14. This year there will be approximately 15 breakouts and 150 students!

MAC1 are major sponsors of this event. We provide MacBooks for studnets and teachers over the two days to create their projects over the conference.

Mike Anderson will be facilitating a two day professional learning hands on workshop that encourages teachers to embed ICLT into their teaching and learning.

Visit the Kids Connect website for more information.

Term 3 Discussion Groups - Brisbane and Gold Coast

2007-08-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Two great nights of learning! Our ICT discussion groups are growing and continue to provide educators with the opportunity to establish links with other schools and professionals interested in developing their technical literacy and embedding ICT in curriculum.

Both evenings began with an Apple trivia quiz and a look at the just released iLife '08 Suite with a discussion about the differences between the two.

Bob Rodgers shared with us stories from his recent trip to the USA where he participated in professional development in Pasco and My Worlds. He also shared with us some of the ways he uses spread sheets and conditional formatting in his maths classes.

MOE Myth Buster Forum

2007-08-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

MAC1 Institute - Brisbane

5pm - 8pm October 23, 2007

The MOE Forum is aimed at addressing the concerns of Education Queensland (EQ) schools and debunking myths and rumors regarding the managed operating environment (MOE).

Representatives from Apple and EQ will attend to address the concerns of educators and schools to provide them with the knowledge to make informed decisions when considering the technology appropriate for their school.

Term 3 Discussion Groups - Brisbane and Gold Coast

2007-07-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

We are holding this term's discussion groups at 5:00pm - 8:00pm on Tuesday August 28th at Mary Immaculate Primary School Thursday August 9, 2007 and 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Surfers Paradise State School - Thursday 9, 2007.

The ICT discussion groups are a terrific way to interact with peers and discuss the implications of embedding ICT into curriculum. We invite guest speakers from different areas of education to come share their experiences of using ICTs.

This is an excellent opportunity for educators to participate in professional learning at no cost.

ICT Discussion Group Brisbane

2007-06-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a ICT Discussion Group here in Brisbane at St Catherine's, Wishart. It was fabulous! The guests at this discussion group were very engaged with the very rich discussion about ICT's in education. I myself learnt a great deal from the other guests. It's amazing sometimes how much you can learn from others just through sharing what you're doing in your world! The Discussion Group was planned to run from 5pm - 8pm but didn't end until after 9 due to the involved nature of the guests.

Guest speakers at the St Catherine's, Wishart Discussion Group coved a range of topics. ADE Bob Rodgers discussed his 1 to 1 laptop class in general and took a specific look at the GIS package and application 'My World'. Denise Marshman from Education Queensland Sunshine Coast South District Office and Learning Engagement Online Teacher spoke about the LEO program and her role as a teacher results of online learning for ‘at risk’ secondary students.

Elizabeth Pearson from a school of 150 students spoke about the role she has played within the school as a Teacher Librarian over the years. The advancements in Apple technology having implemented Apple in their school since 1983. Elizabeth also shared some of the schools concerns and how they integrate the use ICT within the curriculum as a small school with a high refugee population and a small budget.

I had planned interactive activities for guests to participate in but the discussion was powerful and therefore the activities were not used.

I called the host school St Catherine's, Wishart this morning to thank them once again for their commitment to fostering communities of innovative educators and supporting MAC1 Professional Learning through the generous use of their Library and iMac lab. Maria, the ICLT Coordinator of St Catherine's remains enthusiastic and very impressed with the evening and what she had gotten out of the the discussion and eagerly awaits the announcement of next term's discussion group.

Kids Connect Gold Coast 2007

2007-06-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

The MAC1 Brisbane Education Team were heavily involved in supporting the third annual two day technology and learning conference Kids Connect. Kids Connect is organised by kids for kids from grades 6-8.

The Students of 7O at Guaridan Angels with the guidance of their teacher Tina O'Keefe organised this year's exciting event for over 100 students from across the Brisbane Archdioceses.

2007 marks "The Year of the Lifesaver" and the concept for the Breakouts at this year's Kids Connect, Gold Coast. The location for Kids Connect, Gold Coast was Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club - the weather perfect which allowed groups to work outside and on beautiful Main Beach.

MAC1 Professional Learning Facilitators were involved as Breakout Presenters teaching students and facilitating the creation of Docudramas and Podscasts with the central theme of Beach Safety. The students were so engaged with the projects and proud of the work they produced many mentioning they wished school was like Kids Connect!