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

Tanks

This is the first start at our animation- we hope to truly finish it shortly.

(Also available at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1XzJz8IOYZs)

My ideal classroom.

THis is the moment where I go into the world of fantasy and wonder. I am about to describe the best classroom I can, using ICT in places and sometimes not. Run with me on this...

Firstly, the children all have computers but they are set into the tables so that they can be switched off remotely and used like a normal table. They are touchscreen, which means that the interface changes according to the needs of the lesson or of the child, and they are also linked to a central PC that the teacher controls, so children can sometimes use them independantly and sometimes the teacher controls what they see. This will cut down on the need to copy sheets, but can also be used as a normal table should ICT fail.

There is of course an IWB, though there is also a normal whiteboard and flipchart, covering for all eventualities such as computer failure, pen failure or blackout.

I appreciate that the technology is not entirely there, but on the subject of class management, the teacher has the ability to confine sound to a cretain part of the room, probably using neutrons or something. This would mean that group work would be a lot easier as you could section off certain areas of the room, but also that disruptive pupils would suddenly find themselves talking but no-one hearing them. As another bonus, there would be no disruptions from other classes as you could hold a brass band lesson and the teacher next door would be none the wiser.

Display boards could be computerised, so that you could create a disply at home and them bring it it, but also post up work or resources in paper. I really do intend to have my cake and eat it.

Attitudes to ICT

As this is a first post, I thought that it would be a good idea to make a note of my attitudes to ICT in schools as is at the moment.

Firstly, I think that ICT is a brilliant tool to use in the classroom, it can enhance and expand a lesson and encourage the children to learn and engage in the learning. There are a whole load of programs made by professionals that can serve as a basis for a lesson or introduction or plenary.

However, I fully support the idea that ICT should be invisible. The classroom that we were shown a few weeks ago was far too much ICT for me. It was in your face and completly unnecessary for a classroom. It was set up like a lecture theatre- great for learning 'stuff' but children should be learning how to be people as well. This would be difficult to learn when you spen your days sitting at a screen.

There is also the issue of cost. very few schools and even less families can affort to keep up with the advance of technology and there is always the very real possiblity of system failure- something that you do not have to worry about with a pencil.

Don't get me wrong- I am in no way against ICT and hi-tech schools, but I think that we should go in carefully rather than diving in headfirst. We should teach children to live in a world full of ICT, but also how to live without it.