Final Reflection

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The digital world can be complicated. In creating my blog, I was forced to consider what it means to live in a digital world.  In terms of not only my chosen career path but my recent studies at high school I found myself thinking about the effect both on students and future education.

Personally, I found that the digital world has motivated me with my studies and has allowed me, as Tuma (2015) suggests, to take control of my learning.  I learned about the importance technological integration and viewing technology as a tool rather than the subject of instruction (Starr, 2011).  I also thought about the impact of the digital world upon the school curriculum and how it needs to support students to become digitally fluent.  However, there are also downsides to introducing technology.  For example, I thought back to when my primary school introduced iPads in grade 3.  Three years later, the school has seen a dramatic decrease in both handwriting skills and spelling.

The exciting thing about all of this is that teachers can educate their students with information that is current and now.  Students can collaborate and learn from each other’s mistakes and barriers can be broken.  Throughout my blog, I engaged with several different tools.  For example, Prezi, Microsoft Office tools, Voice recording Apps, Apps for talking Avatars, YouTube and WordPress. Initially, WordPress was like another world for me.  However, after finding some online sites and forums I made some progress.  To be honest, it was uncomfortable trying to use the new technology but with each day it became easier.  Through this experience, I can understand a little how daunting navigating the complexity of an evolving digital world (Tuma, 2015) could be for some teachers who are used to teaching in a particular way and have been doing so for decades (Cox, 2017).

kids at school

“Children at school” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Lupuca

References

Cox, J. (2017). Technology in the Classroom: Being a Teacher in a Digital Era. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-being-teacher-digital-era

Starr, L. (2011). Technology Integration / Ideas That Work. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech176.shtml

Tuma, S. (2015). Navigating the Complexity of an Evolving Digital World. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www.accenture.com/t20151002T161049__w__/us-en/_acnmedia/Accenture/next-gen/pulse-of-media/pdf/Navigating-the-Complexity-of-an-Evolving-Digital-World.pdf

Digital Fluency

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I have created an auditory speech on Digital Fluency discussing what it is and how it can assist with learning and teaching in a classroom setting.  The m4a file is housed in DropBox so please click this link to access it.  I have also attached the written copy of my speech for further reference: Digital Fluency

References

Cox, J. (2009 – 2017). Technology in the Classroom: Being a Teacher in the Digital Era. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-being-teacher-digital-era

Goverment, A. (2016). Learning about the digital world. Retrieved April 17, 2017, from https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/learning-about-the-digital-world

Joy, O. (2012). What does it mean to be a digital native?. Retrieved April 17, 2017, from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/04/business/digital-native-prensky/

Turple, C. (2016). Digital fluency in the Classroom. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://digitalfluencyintheclassroom.weebly.com/

Transmedia

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I have built a presentation in Prezi which explains what Transmedia is and how it is a powerful tool.  Click on this link to access it.

References

Hancox, D. (2014).  5 Examples of Transmedia Storytelling and Activism. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://thewritingplatform.com/2014/04/5-examples-of-transmedia-storytelling-and-activism/

Jenkins, H. (2016). Telling Stories: Lina Srivastava Talks About Transmedia Activism (Part One). Retrieved April 14, 2017, from http://henryjenkins.org/2016/01/telling-stories-lina-srivastava-talks-about-transmedia-activism-part-one.html

Moloney, K. (2011). What is Transmedia Storytelling? Retrieved April 17, 2017, from https://transmediajournalism.org/contexts/what-is-transmedia-storytelling/

Ratcliffe, A. (2014). A Look at Transmedia Storytelling. Retrieved April 17, 2017, from http://nerdist.com/a-look-at-transmedia-storytelling/

Rutledge, P. (2017). What is Transmedia Storytelling? Retrieved April 17, 2017, from http://athinklab.com/transmedia-storytelling/what-is-transmedia-storytelling/

 

 

What is a digital world?

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We are part of a digital world.  But what does this actually mean?   We have access to information ‘anytime, anywhere‘.  It’s about being connected through technology where we can share ideas, shape opinion, learn from each other and take advantage of opportunities.

But what does this mean for education?  How does a digital world impact the future of teaching and learning?  Today, technology has become a major part of our lives, allowing us to stay even more connected than ever to friends, family, and information.  It impacts on how we shop, socialize, play and connect.  There are many benefits when teaching with technology.   For example, some of the benefits include;

  • increased collaboration
  • the ability to support different learning styles
  • problem solving
  • being able to access the latest information
  • encouraging heutagogy or self-determined learning
  • making classroom activities to become more engaging and exciting

Hase and Kenyon (2000), Wainwright (2017).

But like anything, there are some potential drawbacks.  With so many new technologies teachers face what Howell (2012), calls ‘digital pressure’ – basically the pressure to use multiple technologies within the classroom.  Keenan (2015) suggests that there is the risk that children can become unsociable.  This is supported by Daniel Goleman’s in his book titled Focus.  He suggests that because children are now linking more closely to machines than people their brain development is being impacted negatively (Goldman, 2013).

However one looks at it, the role of the Digital World is essential to future teaching.  To face this Howell (2012) suggests that teachers need a digital pedagogy.  It’s about being able to use technology effectively and to provide brilliant learner experiences – making education more interactive and exciting.  Classroom teachers are expected to live up to the increasing demand of digital technology to raise students’ participation and motivation.  The technology used by students allows new skills to be developed including increasing their knowledge.

References

Blaschke, L.M. (2012). Heutagogy and lifelong learning: A review of heutagogical practice and self-determined learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(1), 56-71. Retrieved from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1076/2113

Goleman, D. (2014). Focus: the hidden driver of excellence. London: Bloomsbury.

Hase, S. and Kenyon, C. (2000). From andragogy to heutagogy. Ultibase, RMIT.  http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/dec00/hase2.htm

Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: digital pedagogies for collaboration & creativity. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.

Keenan, D. (2015, April 18). The ‘digital world’. What does it mean? Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://donnakeenan.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/the-digital-world-what-does-it-mean/

Wainwright, A. (n.d.). 10 Reasons Today’s Students NEED Technology in the Classroom. Retrieved April 13, 2017, from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/10-Reasons-Today-s-Students-NEED-Technology-in-the-Classroom