Reflective Synopsis

Reflective Synopsis

In today’s society with the increasing demand for the use of technologies in contemporary classrooms, educators and their students have the opportunity to thoroughly develop information and communication technologies. Educators must ensure that they are active and informed members in relation to the skills in which are needed for the successful implementation of ICT into classrooms today. In particular, the Melbourne Declaration (MCEETYA, 2008), identities that both educators and their students are required to use ICT in contemporary classrooms to foster the ‘digital age’. Furthermore with the incorporation of the SAMR Model and Bloom’s Taxonomy, educators have the opportunity to increase students ICT skills and competencies.

Over the duration of this course I have identified four particular dimensions of digital pedagogies which I believe are essential in the creation of effective learning experiences within the implementation of ICT. The four chosen dimensions include: Connectedness, Supportive Classroom Environment, Intellectual Quality and Recognition of Difference.

Throughout this course numerous weeks provided the opportunity to analyse and create activities which enable the fostering of information and communication into contemporary classrooms. One particular week that I have chosen to reflect upon is that of week 3; I have chosen to focus the ICT of Wikispaces. For instance this specific digital pedagogy tool provides the opportunity for students to greatly engage themselves in connectedness. This identifies ways in which students are able to effectively communicate with each other in both a classroom and global scale. In addition, this particular week has identified ways in which educators can ensure that their students are engaging thoroughly within collaborative learning. Students, with the aid of  ICT in contemporary classrooms are able to investigate, analyse and evaluate various forms of information thus ensuring that higher order thinking and student centred learning is present.

With the incorporation of information and communication technologies into contemporary classrooms, teachers must ensure that they continuously follow codes of conduct. In particular educators must focus on fostering safe, ethical and legal practices in all classrooms specifically those which include ICT.

Furthermore, with the incorporation of selected frameworks such as the SAMR model educators are effectively able to embed ICT and its capabilities into their classrooms. This chosen education framework consists of four levels, these include: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition. The SAMR model can be specifically used to ensure that students learning experiences are heightened and higher order thinking is obtained. With the implementation of the Substitution level educators are able to manipulate an everyday task with the assistance of Information and Communication technologies. Specifically, throughout this course using Blogger.com has been a great use for the substitution level as it has simply been adapted from a worksheet to computer based reinforcing the necessity of ICT in contemporary classrooms today. At the Augmentation level an educator is able to reinforce the importance of guided learning and instruction as it provides the students with an extended opportunity to continuously enhance their learning. In addition, with the implementation of ICT into contemporary classrooms teachers are able to replace teacher centred learning with that of student centred learning enabling the teacher to engage students in both the modification and redefinition stages in the SAMR model. By conducting activities in the classroom such as video creations, students, are able to heighten their learning whilst thoroughly engaging themselves in higher order thinking. With the implementation of ICT into contemporary classrooms teachers are able to use frameworks such as the SAMR model to ensure that their students partake in student centred learning.

For educators, it is essential to have the knowledge required to ensure that they provide students with the best educational opportunities. Specifically, the use of ICT identifies numerous ways in which an educators are able to enhance student opportunities and thus forming creative and informative learners.

 

References:

Lct. Gabriella, (2013). Retrieved from  https://gabriellalct.wordpress.com/  

Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). (2008). Melbourne declaration on educational goals for young Australians. Retrieved from http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf,