The Big Six

Developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz. Around the world the Big 6 is commonly used in K-12 schools and education institutions, corporate and adult trianing programs. The Big 6 information problem-solving model is applicable whenever people need and use information. The Big6 integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks.
This application would be beneficial to students undergoing a course such as the Managing E - Learning. This would help students analyise problems to produce the best course of action.

1. Task Definition
Define the information problem
Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies
Determine all possible sources
Select the best sources

3. Location and Access
Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
Find information within sources

4. Use of Information
Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis
Organize from multiple sources
Present the information

6. Evaluation
Judge the product (effectiveness)
Judge the process (efficiency)


Reference:
http://www.big6.com/

Video Podcast

Podcast can be created from original material by students and teachers or existing audio files can be downloaded for classroom use.
Creating a podcast allows students to share learning experiences. It provides them with a world-wide audience that makes learning meaningful and assessment authentic. Teachers can use the technology to provide additional and revision material to students to download and review at a time that suits them. The flexibility that such time-shifting offers makes podcasting a valuable educational tool.
Allowing such podcast as the one I have selected for may classroom gives students first hand knowledge from professional woodworking craftsman, it give students first hand techniques. It also helps students to be engaged with master craftsman and inspires them to produce quality work.

Please click on the web link below to see how Podcast or Youtube can be used in the classroom:

ASH`s VOKI

Vokis avatars are a great source for teachers to introduce course information, it will engage children with with the animation. Children can interact with each other by exchanging Vokis, it will also help with shy students engage with the rest of the class. An ice breaker excersie could be used with Vokis for students to introduce themselves to the class.




How to post a VOKI tutorial.







Reference:

http://www.voki.com/create.php

ASH`s Flickr

Flickr contains imagery that can be used in every aspect of teaching to help develop visual literacy skills, and in the process, help students understand intellectual property rights, while contributing greatly to a host of learning applications.

1. Anywhere visual images are required, such as presentation, etc.
2. Single image analysis
3. Single image writing prompt, sometimes called Flicktion
4. Multiple image digital storytelling projects
5. Creating slides shows within Flickr
6. Virtual Field Trips
7. Creation of visual arguments, e.g. biology classroom-The Case for Genetic
Engineering
8. Illustration of Poetry with Flickr, or Flickr meets Carl Sandburg
9. Using Flickr with Google Earth to teach Geography
10. Visual documentation of school events
11. Visual documentation of student artwork and other school products
12. Creation of digital visual portfolios, using the photoset function of Flickr
13. Social software applications: how to tag, how to make comments
14. Delivery of school/classroom visual information via RSS
15. Intellectual property rights lesson using Flickr Creative Commons licensing
16. The use of third party Flickr applications to produce classroom products:
. Motivational posters
. Magazine Covers
. Movie Posters
. Flickr slideshow
. Mosaic Makers

My Flickr photo posts. Click on link below to view them:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashbyel/

Dimensions of Learning (DOL) Framework

Reference:

Mclnerney, D. M., & Mclnerney, V. (2006). Educational psychology: constructing learning (4th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.

Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J. (with Arredondo, D. E., Blackburn, G. J., Brandt, R. S., ... Whistler, J. S.). (2006). Dimensions of learning teacher’s manual (2nd ed). Heatherton, Victoria, Australia: Hawker Brownlow Education

How does DOL relate to my teaching discipline area

In my teaching area of Design Technology and Industrial Processes it is important for students to stay up with the ever changing technology. Students are encourage to use ICT by the means of web sites to conduct their initial research of products they wish to manufacture. They have all information they require at their finger tips. This allows the students to produce their design analysis to start the invention process, it gives students confidence that they have achieved something by their own research. The teacher is more of a facilitator guiding the students and assisting them on their learning journey, encouraging students to make decisions. Out of the five Dimensions in the field of Design Technology and Industrial Processes I would say;

DOL 1: Attitudes and Perceptions pay an important role, giving the students the opportunity to have the best learning environment and tools for them to complete their assignments.

DOL 2: Acquire and Integrate Knowledge this allows students declarative and the procedural knowledge the understanding of knowing? (declarative) e.g. why we use certain timbers for different jobs and the practical side of the doing. (procedural) e.g. demonstrating the types of timber joinery.

DOL 4: Use Knowledge Meaningfully pays a very important part for this covers in the Dimensions of Learning model, there are six reasoning processes around which tasks can be constructed to encourage the meaningful use of knowledge:
•Decision making
•Problem solving
•Invention
•Investigation
•Experimental inquiry
•Systems analysis

DOL 5: Productive Habits of Mind
The most effective learners have developed powerful habits of mind that enable them to think critically, think creatively, and regulate their behavior.

Reference:

Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J. (with Arredondo, D. E., Blackburn, G. J., Brandt, R. S., ... Whistler, J. S.). (2006). Dimensions of learning teacher’s manual (2nd ed). Heatherton, Victoria, Australia: Hawker Brownlow Education

Uses of Power Point Presentations in the classroom

Using the power point program as an aid to a presentation assists teachers remembering the areas of importance, or the key sentences that they have researched and, as a result, allows teachers to get their message across to the audience more clearly. Main points can be emphasized and the presentation itself can be enhanced by using graphics, animation, or sound to make it attractive to your audience and keeps students engaged. It also can add a flair to presentations with slide and bullet transitions and animated effects. Presentations can be used to make lessons more organized and flexible.
The text on a PowerPoint presentation is much easier for students to read than trying to read notes that are written on an overhead projector or chalkboard. Student interest can be stimulated through the use of graphics and cartoons, this helps them to relate to the message you are tiring to get across. Good productive pedagogy allows variety and this is the key to keeping the attention of students, as a result power point tools are available for use and a very flexible, so experiment to see what works best for you and your students.

ASH`s weebly site

Click on my link below to view my weebly



http://www.ashbyel.weebly.com/

ASH`s wetpaint Wiki

Wikis can be used in classrooms to encourage sharing, there many wikis on various topics.Students work together in one place to research, outline, draft, and edit projects within the wiki.Teachers can post homework, course materials, study guides.
They can also post questions for student brainstorming, or have students post papers for peer feedback. It also allows parients to gets involved to be a part of the classroom and stay up to date on classroom news and events.

Click on the link below to view my wetpaint site

http://ashbyel.wetpaint.com/photos

What is a Blog ????

A Blog site (a contraction of the term "web log") is a read, write, or edit a shared on-line journal.
The shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies; "postings on a blog are usually in chronological order.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal on line diaries.
As for teachers, Blogs provide a communication space that teachers can utilise with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom.
From an education perspective the availability and ease of use of blogging software makes creating blogs a viable classroom activity and a means for teachers to communicate with other teachers.

Concept Map for Week One

Learning Styles

Hi fellow Lifelong learners

As you can see from my Memletic learning style graph that I am quite even across all areas of the web. However, I am 5% stronger as a social learner. That means I would most probably learn best in a collaborative environment. So therefore, as a Learning Manager it is important to note that other people have different strengths in the way they learn and absorb information. As teachers it is very important that we met the needs of students learning style to ensure they stay engaged with their learning journey. This is where ICT can play an important part in catering for all types of learners, whether being visual, logical or any other styles seen on the web graph. For example, mobile phones are a great source of ICT ,by interacting and engaging students with dictation by the means of text messaging or even spelling test using SMS. All this technology is cool for children to use, therefore it is engaging.

Style Scores
Logical 16
Solitary 14
Visual 16
Social 19
Physical 16
Aural 12
Verbal 11