Lecture 8...

At the beginning of lecture 8 Jenni talked about how to find out our Task 1 results. I followed the instructions and retrieved my grade. I was disappointed with myself for not including instructions on how to access LinkedIn without actually creating an account.

Lesson learned...re-read the Marking Rubric. 

 

 

Jenni then talked about the educational research that has taken place during the years and how there are different theories relating to learning. The Instructivist Theory focused on knowledge reproduction, whereas the Constructivist Theory is concerned more with active learning that promotes students to form their own view point. I found an informative website that is a great teaching resource because it provides suggestions on how to teach using the Constructivist Theory. The website also provides links to other resources that include Appreciating and Valuing Diversity, Coaching for Success in the Classroom, Encouraging Creativity and much more.

Jenni then mentioned Subject Design and explained how important it is to incorporate Global tasks, exploration and relevant and irrelevant resources. Jenni also mentioned that with the implementation of projects and tasks the teacher should act as a coach towards their students and they can grade their students during various stages of the project; the project acts as the assessment.

The next part of the lecture looked at authentic tasks and activities that demonstrate real meaning to the students and enable reflective thinking. Jenni highlighted the importance of reflective thinking as a teacher because it clarifies any improvements that can be added. Jenni also confirmed how important it is for teachers to promote reflective thinking in the classroom so that their students can establish what they have done well and what they can improve on.

Jenni showed some real life examples of projects that teachers have used to demonstrate Authentic learning. My favorite example was a year 7 project titled "Claymation" that encompassed the English, Art and Technology learning areas. The finished project was fantastic because by focusing on meaningful learning the children produced a creative interpretation of the particular myth or legend that they had chosen. This project was a great example of how the 9 elements of authentic learning have been incorporated into this project. From watching this example I gained a clearer picture of what is expected in Task 3 and I have a few ideas that I will share with my group.

During the last section of Lecture 8 Jenni run through the Task 2 checklist and told us where we should be at...I seem to be on track. Jenni briefly discussed Task 3 and how important it is to pick the task we are going to implement first and then to choose an appropriate technology to wrap around that task. I am looking forward to Task 3 because I like to work collaboratively because it is great to build on each others views and ideas to create a finial product.

I particularly enjoyed this lecture because I love to see real life examples of how technology tools are used within a learning environment. It is fantastic to see how engaged and focused children are when they are faced with a meaningful, collaborative and enjoyable project. As a future teacher I will definitely be thinking of the 9 elements of authentic learning when planning a task or project for my students.

 

 

Adding my referencing screencast to my website...

After creating my referencing screencast I then had to add the video recording to my newly created Research page on my website. During the Live Lecture Recording I remembered Jenni briefly discussing Screencast-O-Matic and explaining that once the recording was finished it was easier to publish it to YouTube and then link the YouTube video to the relevant page on your website. As usual the things that sound easy prove to be rather challenging for me.

Problem...

After clicking on the "Publish to YouTube" icon, (as displayed in the screen capture below), I was advised that I had to create a YouTube channel before I could publish my screencast.

Feeling totally confused I decided to use google and found a great YouTube clip that demonstrated what I needed to do to create a YouTube channel.

By following the instructions on the above YouTube video I was then able to publish my referencing screencast to YouTube.

The next step was to add the screencast video to the Researcher page of my website and surprisingly this was very simple to do. All I had to do was go onto the Researcher page and click on the edit page icon, from here I clicked on the insert icon and video option and from the menu I selected YouTube, (as demonstrated below in the screen capture).

Before I started Task 2 I definitely felt over whelmed and apprehensive at having to use technology tools that I had not had any experience with before, however, I now believe that I will be using both Zotero and Screen-O-Matic at university and in my future career as a Primary Teacher. Researching different technologies has made me realise just how powerful they can be when used in the appropriate context and I am looking forward to discovering other technology tools that will also enhance both my learning and teaching skills.

Creating my referencing screencast...

After checking what to include in my referencing screencast, (from the "Living and Learning with Technology Information and Learning Guide" and screencast Marking Rubric), I logged into LMS and viewed Jenni's example screencast demonstrating how to input relevant resource details into EndNote and how to insert an in-text and end-text citation into a Word Doc, (using EndNote).

Screen capture of Research video resource Marking Rubric.

Before attempting to create my referencing screencast I opened Screencast-O-Matic and practiced using the tools to enable me to enlarge the recording area, adjust the volume level as well as record and play back the created screencast. Once I felt comfortable with the Screencast-O-Matic tools I then went over the procedure used to insert an in-text and end-text reference into my created Word document using Zotero as my chosen referencing technology.

My first screencast recording...it was a disaster.

Problems...

I had to many screens open so when I was talking and flicking back between screens I was bringing the incorrect screen up which resulted in me loosing track of what I was talking about.

I decided to just keep the necessary screens open on my desktop and I also made a short script to help me introduce the screencast and also act as a referral point. I also realized that it was easier to record small sections of the screencast at a time and then press the pause button to gather my thoughts. The rewind icon was also a life saver on Screencast-O-Matic because it allowed me to go back over any errors and re-record over the top of them without having to start the entire recording again.

It took me five attempts to create my referencing screencast but once it was completed I not only felt a sense of relief but also a feeling of satisfaction. I still find it hard to believe that in such a short space of time I have learned how to use and utilize numerous technologies that will help me with my future studies at university and also assist me in creating a meaningful learning environment, (as a future teacher), for my students.

Lecture 7...

While I had some spare time I quickly went through last week's lecture notes because I remembered at the end of the lecture Jenni discussed and showed slides on how to participate in the Live Lecture. The screen capture below shows the LMS Home page for "Living and Learning with Technology", and the link to access the Live Classroom.

This is the first Live Lecture that I have participated in so I am not sure what to expect; looking forward to seeing how everyone interacts...

Managed to enter the Live Classroom by following the prompts on screen.

During the first part of the lecture Jenni discussed how important it is to acknowledge the work of others, especially when using images from the web. Jenni suggested that the best way to locate and download images without contravening any copyright rules is to use Creative Commons because it allows people to share images legally. Jenni also clarified that images from Creative Commons still have to be referenced accordingly, (usually with a link attached within the image), however, if the images you use are your own then you do not need to reference them but it is advisable to make a note on your website to support this.

Jenni then proceeded to discuss the research technologies that can be used in Task 2 and then asked all of the students participating in the live lecture to confirm whether they have found their resource. From the response it was established that 57% of students had found their resource. I think using the survey system to find out information would be a positive technology tool to use within the classroom because it does not single people out and is non judgmental.

Clarification was then given to the APA referencing style that needs to be used for all tasks in the "Living and Learning with Technology" unit. Another survey was then carried out by the students which confirmed that 67% have decided to use EndNote as their referencing tool. I found this an interesting response considering I had so much trouble trying to download and open EndNote. I will definitely take the time to find out from other students where I was going wrong because I am still feeling frustrated at not being able to explore this referencing tool. Jenni also highlighted that a key feature of referencing tools is their ability to change referencing styles, (with just a click of the button), to conform to specific requirements. Considering there are over 260 different referencing styles I think that establishing your own resource library within a referencing tool such as EndNote or Zotero is a worth while activity.

In the last part of the lecture Jenni discussed the importance of checking the Marking Rubrics for each element of Task 2 and to keep blogging...

Just before the end of the lecture Jenni talked about Jing and Scrrencast-O-Matic which are both screencasting tools. I have already downloaded Screencast-O-Matic onto my Mac after discussing screencasting tools with a fellow student who commented on how easy it was to use. I have briefly opened Screencast-O-Matic but was confused about what to do with the finished recording. Jenni explained that the finished recording can be published to YouTube and then linked to the desired website.

During the Live Lecture I was impressed with the way that we were able to interact with each other through text messaging and give responses to Jenni's questions by using the response tools. The down side was the audio kept cutting in and out so at times it was hard to follow the lecture. I did not mind the lecture being presented Live, however,  I personally find it easier to listen and understand someone when you are able to see them because their body language gives of different signals and ques to follow.

Tutorial 7...

I am glad that I was not the only person who turned up for tutorial today, however,  I definitely need to listen more at the end of the lectures in order to acknowledge key points such as, "There's no tutorial next week."

During a very small tutorial today my group discussed the resources that we had found, which were related to our teaching area, and how technology might be used for teaching and learning in the classroom. One group member was having difficulty finding a video resource and was assisted by another group member who suggested she used different key words in her search. This was great advice because she found a relevant resource straight away. It's amazing how someone else can look at a problem from a different perspective in order to find the solution.

We also talked about EndNote and I mentioned the referencing tool that I have decided to use Zotero. It was interesting to hear how other students were finding EndNote and also comparing different referencing types. I am glad that as a group we are using various referencing tools because when it comes to completing our peer reviews we will all learn something new.

I find that interacting and communicating with others helps me learn new ways to approach problems, (like the situation of using different key words in a search), and I do not feel that I am the only one who struggles at times because we all share our concerns and thoughts.


The next part of Task 2 involves creating a 5 minute online narrated screencast to explain to my peers how to use Zotero to create an APA style citation for my selected resource type, (a book).

I decided to research screencasting on google and found this amazing website that related entirely to Task 1 and 2 because it is a teachers professional portfolio. Within this portfolio there is a demonstration of how the teacher uses screencasting in her classroom to explain to her students how to set up their own blogs while she is away from school. The teacher explains that by using a screencast the children are able to replay and rewind the visual and audio directions whilst they are setting up their blogs and work at their own pace.

I thought that this was a brilliant way of giving clear and precise instructions and can be used in a variety of contexts either by the student or teacher. As demonstrated above the teacher can create a screencast to deliver instructions and students can create a screencast to demonstrate their understanding of specific concepts. As a future teacher screencasting is a technology tool that I will implement within a classroom to promote authentic and meaningful learning.

Inserting in-text and end-text citations into a Word doc.

As mentioned in my previous blog, inserting an in-text and end-text citation within a Word doc., looked relatively straight forward, however, this was initially not the case...

After following the instructions and clicking on the Actions icon I then chose the preferences link and clicked on the Cite icon.
 

Unfortunately I was unable to use this function because I did not have Microsoft Word for Mac 2004, or a later version, installed on my Mac which was needed to use the Cite option. I had no other option but to download Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac in order to add in-text and end-text citations to my Word doc.

I have been meaning to add Microsoft Office to my Mac because Microsoft Word is used a lot at university therefore having Microsoft Office will save me time by not having to convert files etc...

The screen capture below confirms that "The Zotero Word for Mac add-on is currently installed."

I manged to insert in-text and end-text citations into my Word doc., with ease.

First I chose where I wanted my citation to go in my Word doc., by clicking in the relevant spot and then I clicked on the Zotero tool bar link and chose Zotero and add citation, (as demonstrated in the screen capture below).

Alternatively you can use the tool bar below that appears on the screen when a word document is opened, however, I prefer using the method previously mentioned because the tool bar has an instant description of the functions available.

I then got an option of different referencing styles to choose from, (see below). I chose APA 6th Edition as requested in the guidelines for Task 2.

After clicking OK my Word doc., displayed {citation} where the citation was going to be placed, (see below).

I then clicked on the source that I wanted to cite, (from my Zotero Collection named Technology), and clicked OK.

 

I then checked my Word doc., and an in-text citation had been added, (as you can see below).

I then followed the same procedure to add an in-text citation with a page number and also an end-text citation into the same Word doc., (see screen capture below).

I am so excited that I have managed to complete this part of Task 2, and wish that I had researched referencing tools when I first started University in order to save time inserting citations as well as creating an organized Library. Zotero is definitely a technology that relates to my work at university  because it acts as a data base to store and retrieve the necessary resources to assist me as a learner and researcher. I will also use Zotero in my current role as an Education Assistant to store relevant sources that will assist me in my teaching role.

Exploring Zotero...

After reading and watching the Zotero resources, (that were mentioned in the previous blog), I felt confident and started to add bibliographic references to my Library. I could either copy and paste the necessary details, e.g., item type, title, author, edition, publisher, place and year published, from a library database or search engine or I can enter the details manually. I have manually entered the details of the text books that I have been using during my studies at university and also organized the books into appropriate collections, e.g., Language, Technology etc...

Below is a screen capture demonstrating how to add a New Collection to My Library.

Once a name had been entered for the New Collection I clicked on the green + icon to add an Item Type, e.g., book, to the collection. I was then able to add the necessary details, from my chosen Item Type in order to store, manage and cite bibliographic references.

As you can see from the screen capture below a New Collection named Technology has been added to My Library with an added resource named "Meaningful Learning with Technology."

I then clicked on the Notes icon so that I was able to write a brief description of the resource for future reference.

By reseraching Zotero I have been able to create a library that contains a collection of resources.

The screen capture below shows all of the resources that I have added to my library so far.

This screen capture demonstrates how easy it is to organise resources into collections with the option of adding notes for future reference.

As My Library has started to grow I realise how Zotero will be a useful referencing tool in my future studies at university and during my career as a future teacher. Zotero will save me time locating appropriate books, journals, articles etc... for either university assignments or teaching resources. Although I have not attempted to insert an in-text reference into a Word doc., from watching the screencast explaining how to insert citations into a Word doc., I think Zotero will definitely save me time in the future when referencing is required.