Some people see a rabbit, some see a duck - the key message is that we don’t all see things the same way. This also applies to how we feel, not everyone feels the same way. Remember to always view things from a different perspective.
2.6 Information and Communication Technology
Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.
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Given the dynamic, and ever-evolving state of technology, it is essential that instructors continually learn about technology-enabled learning processes in order to innovate teaching and learning. Learning experiences should be founded upon self-discovery through online tools, engagement, feedback, class participation and team dynamics (Gan, Menkhoff, & Smith, 2015). Furthermore, the interconnected and globalised nature of the world removes time and location barrios which makes connection, communication, and collaboration with global peers possible for students (Younie, Leask, & Burden, 2014). This is especially beneficial for educationally disadvantaged students in rural and remote schools as ICT provides access to educational opportunities and subjects that would not previously have been possible (White, 2016). Web conferencing is a very effective interactive digital tool that can be used to enhance students’ learning and process. In the context of primary education classrooms, web conferencing is used to conduct live classes or presentations over the internet. Saba Meeting is the Department’s web conferencing platform and can be used by staff to initiate or attend web conferences. Web conferencing platforms are useful in situations where a rich, interactive, live online teaching environment is required but high quality video capability is not necessary (Department of Education, 2016). Typically, online participants are able to utilise audio, video, text chat, visual presentations and various other online interactive tools during web conferences (Department of Education)
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With assistance from my mentor, I organised for our Year 6 class to participate in an online, web-based SABA conference about cyberbullying. The event was led by Greg Gebart, a Senior Trainer for the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner and one of Australia’s leading presenters. The topic relates specifically to the Health and Physical Education Year 6 curriculum under ACPPS052 which encourages students to build strategies and resources that minimise and manage conflict, support self-esteem, and support relationships (School Curriculum and Standards Authority, 2014). The presentation was very interactive, with Greg frequently posing questions for students to investigate and discuss as a group before answering. For example, students had to examine the image below and report back on what they could see:
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A message feed that captured participant replies in real time allowed students to view the contributions made by other students from across the state. This communication tool proved to greatly enhance their engagement and enthusiasm. The learning experience was very personalised as students were able to see and hear multiple visual and audio cues in natural language while receiving immediate feedback. As recognised by Smyth (2007), web conferences provide the unique opportunity for students to work in collaborative groups using remote connections while participating in authentic activities. The involvement of students has been transformed from a passive capacity to an active one.
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Cyberbullying Resources:
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#GameOn Cybersafety video
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References
Department of Education. (2016). E-Schooling services – web conferencing. Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/curriculumsupport/ocs/detcms/navigation/e-schooling-services/web-conferencing/
Gan, B., Menkhoff, T., Smith, R. (2015). Enhancing students’ learning process through interactive digital media: now opportunities for collaborative learning. Computers in Human Behaviours, 51(1), 652-663. Retrieved from ScienceDirect.
School Curriculum and Standards Authority. (2014). Health and Physical Education – Year 6 Syllabus. Retrieved from http://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/p-10-curriculum/curriculum-browser/health-and-physical-education
Smyth, R. (2007). Internet-based videoconferencing for teaching and learning: a Cinderella story. Distance Learning, 4(2), 61-70. Retrieved from ProQuest.
White, B. (2016). Using ICT to enhance curriculum opportunities for students in rural and remote schools. Australian Educational Computing, 25(2), 27-30. Retrieved from Informit Humanities & Social Science Collection.
Younie, S., Leask, M., Burden, K. (2014). Teaching and learning with ICT in the primary school. Retrieved from Ebook Library.