My Personal Learning Space!

Image retrieved from: http://www.christmastree.org/youtube.jpg

This posting refers to the article entitled ‘Breaking the YouTube blockade’ by Jamie McKenzie.
Check it out as it has some really good information on the legalistic side to using YOUTUBE in the classroom.

In this journal article, the author looks at both the pros and cons to using YOUTUBE within the classroom. Most schools tend to block the use of YOUTUBE on school systems, as it slows down the network and may provide easy access to “objectional material”. However, if a teacher were to download specific videos and vodcasts prior to lessons, not only will the burden on the schools network improve, so will the monitoring of explicit material improve. By using YOUTUBE and TEACHERTUBE students can be immersed in technology and be introduced to a world of information and opinions held by other people which are being delivered in creative ways. Once this world has been introduced to students, teaching may move on to students creating their own vodcasts and publishing them onto blogs or even onto the school website.

Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mundoo/313716925/

In a podcast with Micth Resnick entitled ‘creative play’, the host states that imaginative play at a young age is essential. This podcast looks at toys as a form of technology and using these “toys” as a way of delivering information. Kids are enabled to experiment, create and explore through playing with toys. There are no “blue prints or rules” when playing, except there may be guidelines such as having a theme to their play. Resnick however looks at the use of Lego and other craft with technology in which students themselves can create and build. An example given is a birthday cake that when you blow out the candles which have sensors, the cake plays the music for HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

The way this could then be used within the classroom, would be by having specific time where students may be able to build and construct with toys, along with craft materials. If possible students may even be able to include some forms of technology… these may be lights, sound sensors and sound makers. By enabling creative play, students with shorter attention spans due to lack of interest are more interested and enthusiastic about learning. Therefore technology such as this may not be for each and every student, for each and every classroom, however some students may benefit from this along with learning how to be creative thinkers.

This online commentary found on YouTube, entitled ‘Telling a New Story’ gives illustrations of how social software such as blogs can be used with even the youngest students in primary classrooms. I found this short clip to be very inspiring!

This commentary outlines various ways in which technology can be practical within the classroom, As many things that can be done on a computer can also be done with pencil and paper. Some of these examples include the publishing of work. When students are ready to publish a piece of work, they will do so over a blog. Their audience is wider and they have people around the world commenting and giving feedback on their work.

I found this concept alone quite interesting as I tend to question the use of technology in the primary classroom at times. The school itself also uses blogs as a way of informing parents about what their students are learning along with the various events that may be occurring within the classroom. And this particular class is a year one class! I find this all very fascinating, and this commentary has inspired me to use technology within the classroom when I was fairly sceptical before at the beginning of this class.