• Introduction • In this presentation tonight I would like to share with you how my classroom functions, and also the role BYOD plays in my classroom programme.
• In regards to BYOD ... • Devices as learning tools • Diverse learning needs of our students • Different learning opportunities that the BYOD programme can offer our students • Digital literacy •
• The way I tend to use the “space” within the class reflects my e-learning philosophy for teaching & learning. • What desks there are in the class, are no longer in rows facing the front of class, because there is no front, the teacher’s desk no longer exists, The environment is designed to encourage collaboration amongst students, it has a variety of furniture - couches, beanbags, tables, there is no fixed seating, students are free to move & work where they choose, depending on what type of task they are doing.
• Not only do we utilise physical space in the class differently, we also use a variety of online spaces for our classroom as well. • This is our class portal to our other online spaces which we use on a day to day basis.
• So within these physical & online spaces we use a variety of digital tools. • The pie chart shows a breakdown of the devices my students bring daily to school to support their learning • One third of my class bring in ipod touches • My class is a little different to a typical class in that we have 10 computers + 1 ipad as a base to work from. • This pie chart would be a pretty accurate snapshot of how things look over the rest of Yr 8 as well.
• The device itself is merely a TOOL to support the teaching & learning process in the class. Sometimes the best tool for the job is in fact, pen & paper. • The role of the teacher is crucial here, on how to maximise the potential for learning opportunities, that comes with this range of tech. • As a teacher I have had to change my approach to the way I teach as a result of the diverse range of tech I now have in my class. Over the last few years the school has been working hard to build teacher capability in this whole area.
• Learning here at Somerville is about meeting the diverse learning needs of our students. Our kids are all different. We all learn in different ways. The wonderful thing about the NZ curriculum is that it lends itself to ICT integration. Coupled with our internet and wireless set up here at school, we are in a great position to maximise the varied learning opportunities that BYOD provides for our students.
• From my perspective, the BYOD programme offers my students more opportunities to learn in new, exciting and engaging ways that were just not possible, until recently. • As a teacher, I want my students to have the best learning opportunities that I can provide them. Combining digital tools with effective teaching practice, allows me to achieve this aim. In a nutshell, BYOD = more opportunities for success in the classroom for my kids. As I’ve reflected on what we have achieved as an elearning class this year, I’ve realised that ...
• Our learning has moved well beyond the four walls of the classroom - to become “anytime and anywhere” through the use of google apps, wikispaces, blogs, social media tools.
• Our learning has become more mobile. We are learning in NEW ways.
• We have had opportunities to showcase our learning using emerging technologies such as augmented reality, again, experiencing NEW ways of learning.
• We have used a wide range of apps to support our preferred styles of learning. Again MORE opportunites.
• We have taken popular games and used the tools within them to design and create our own structures, to support our understanding of different concepts within the framework of our authentic learning journey.
• We have also designed & created our own websites to demonstrate our learning about new concepts ...
• We have made our own ebooks to showcase our learning during our authentic learning journey. • Students made these using an app on their ipads. ebook creator - highly recommend it.
• Created our own original digital content and products that other students in the school have been able to use. • Some of these particular examples of book trailer movies were made using an app on our smartphones. Smartphone = powerful learning tool.
• Continued to write for a global audience through our blogging
• Developed our independence and ownership of our learning through using such powerful learning tools as maths buddy. • An app for this particular programme should be available in February 2013 allowing students to interact with it via their mobile devices.
• Documented and managed our own learning through the use of eportfolios - which will be a continued focus for the school next year.
• Reflected on some of the many issues surrounding the use of digital and social media tools through our digital citizenship programme. • Learning how to manage our online reputations and the importance of leaving a positive digital footprint
• I’d like to conclude this presentation with a few words on digital literacy. We live in a world where its is no longer the case where students need to be proficient in just reading & writing text. Students today, need to be confident with manipulating various forms of digital media to suit their own purposes . One of my jobs as a teacher, is to move kids away from just being consumers of digital media, and turn them into creators of their own original digital products and content. Students today need a new skill set to confidently enable them to navigate their way in the world. They also need to be able to make sense of this world of information we now live in. From my own personal experience, students bringing their own device to school, coupled with effective teaching pedagogy, increases opportunities for success within the classroom for ALL of my students. This can only be a positive thing for our students.
• Finally, I want to touch on digital literacy. We live in a world where its is no longer the case where students need to be proficient in just reading & writing text. Students need to be confident with manipulating various forms of digital media for their own means . We need to move kids away from just being consumers of digital media, but rather creators of their own original digital products. Students need a new skill set to navigate their way in the world. They also need to be able to make sense of this world of information we now live in. If BYOD, coupled with effective teaching practice, increases opportunities for the development of these skills within the classroom, this can only be a positive thing for our students.