Overal ICT opinions

As we come to the ICT module, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss my opinions of ICT as a result of the module.

We have seen some great ways in which ICT can be used in the classroom, and I think that I have a renewed appreciation for ICT, particularly in reference to the e-confidence framework. I plan to think about this in my future planning so that my lessons that feature ICT are at least enhancing and extending the children's learning. I don't think thatit is wrong to exchange non ICT for ICT occasionally, so long as that is not the extent of the ICT in the children's expierence.

I also think that this module has highlighted the need for times in school without ICT. The prevailing image of children using ICT is a group of individuals staring blankly at a screen. There are times when it breaks down and is useless and other times where is it amazing. As I said in an earlier post, we should definately teach children to live in a world where ICT is all around and how to use it to maximum effect, but also to live in a world without it.

This will probably be my last post here I imagine, but i fyou like you can join my hundreds of loyal followers at http://chris-contemplates.blogspot.com/ which is updated occasionally.

Flowol

Flowol is an interesting program, though I question it's range. There is not a great deal that you can do with it beside DT or electronics, though decision making would be something that you could discuss with it. That being said, I do not mean decision making in a PSHCE way but an electronics way, wchich does not have much of a place in the primary curriculum.

So the verdict is: Interesting for a look, but not much use.

Podcast

http://www.esnips.com/doc/f87ea217-b22c-42b8-8bc4-dcd76b663818/podcast

This is a link to our podcast. This was another task that I enjoyed for similar reasons to the powerpoint hyperlinking becuase it enables chioldren to produce something professional.

Hyperlinks

I have to say that I enjoyed the hyperlinking task. This could be very useful in schools as the output is something that looks and works very similar to a website or electronic encyclopedia. If children can produce something that looks and works in a professional way then they will be more proud of their work. I remember being in school and being frustrated by having to write the date in my history book beacuse I wanted it to look like a proper history book. Something like a hyperlinked powerpoint slide looks and works like something real.

Tanks

This is my interpretation of our animation. The second half was a little rushed, but I think it works OK.

This is the music that we created with Sooper Dooper Music Looper which seemed like a good tool to use when teching children about texture in music. If you could also include the music that the children had created and recorded then it would be a fantastic tool to use in the classroom and the children could add sound that are nearly impossible to create with instruments. I would quite like more time on the program to see more of what it could do.

The Stickmen

I've had a look at the stickman animation program and it's a lot of fun! It never takes much more than a happy looking stick figure to cheer me up.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/stickfigure.html