4.6.4 Reflection on integration of teaching search literacy and information literacy skills.

4.6.4 Reflection on integration of teaching search literacy and information literacy skills.

Many schools in Uganda have very poor facilitated libraries, and some do not even have one. this often hinders learners access to reading materials, texted books and education resources. The introduction of ICT integration is going to help improving teaching in these disadvantageous schools. 

Search literacy

Search literacy is the way to acquire or access knowledge or information from any resource. In an education environment, another search literacy skill is or should be addressed, is the one of checking the source of information and giving credit where it is due. Certainly encouraging a conversation between children,peers, and parents.  

As an ICT teacher, i couldn't agree more that teaching how to search using the internet is the only way ford. the define features in the Google are endless, but there are certainly other online resources available. We have the Dictionary program which can be installed on all the school computers, and the students can use it to look for important resources   

I would suggest helping your learners to learn how to explore computers and the internet on their own. and how to find and read technical help. The educator and the school should be building the curiosity and skills that can help learners find out how to best use a given tool, not to use the tool its self.   

Lastly, school should not be teaching sit-specific knowledge expect as examples. learners should learn how to use word perfect (DOS version) in any lesson. They should be free to adventure, explore different sits for resources, use digital technology and tools in classes.    

4.5.4 Reflection of media literacy integration principles in teaching.

   

4.5.4 Reflection of media literacy integration principles in teaching.

The integration of media in teaching has taken on new significance in the digital age, as students frequently are called on—both in educational contexts and in their personal and home lives—to access, analyze, create, reflect and act on variety of diverse information in multiple media formats.

 Although Internet access has expanded dramatically in recent years, many young people still spend a majority of their time using what is sometimes called “passive” media, including popular films, television, music, and non-participatory online sites and games. In turn, children and young people still put faith in the high credibility of mainstream print-based and television news outlets, especially local news; in one large study, a majority of young people claimed television news was the most credible source of news information.

 there are varieties of  ways in which different educators at the school approached media integration. Though approaches, interests, and values of each teacher vary considerably, all teachers share a commitment to the following classroom principles:

 1.  the use of inquiry to guide lesson development, 

2.  the role of ambiguity and uncertainty in otherwise structured learning environments,

 3.  the use of scaffolding and planning to limit and shape students’ experiences with a variety of unpredictable media texts in the classroom, 

4.  written reflection on how individual teacher values and motivations contribute to the unique classroom culture. Implications for future professional development in K-6 news literacy are explore

My understanding of Digital Literacy

4.4.4 Reflect on my understanding of Digital Literacy

Digital Literacy is the ability for learners to access, engage, evaluate, analyse, and use digital technology in responsible environment. It is important to note that infusing digital literacy in classroom needs the learners to have the norms and appropriate responsible behavior with regards to technology use which we term as Digital Citizenship. It is a way to prepare the learners to fit in the society full of technology. So learners needs to be guide as to how they can put technology into use, how to work as a team, and how to improve their communication skills using the varsity of information and resources offered by technology.

One of the area in digital literacy which is new to my understanding is the visual representation of information. People normally communicate using signs, words, and other means suitable and available. In visual representation type of communication, illustrations plays a big role in depicting what what the communication is all about. People can illustrate by using images, colors, texts but in a design form and many other form depending on the designers.

Bellow are example of the visual representation of information.

   Using illustrations is a very important aspect  in communication, you don't need to read in order to understand some of the information. You just look at the illustrations and you automatically know what the sign post or advert and what ever  is all about. So it is important to the Educators to employing images in their illustrations.                                                                            
  

A Digital Literacy Infused Lesson

A Digital Literacy Infused Lesson  

First and foremost let us understand what Digital literacy is all about. I have learnt that a lesson which involve digital technology in a responsible environment is the one termed to be, a digital infused lesson. In short Digital literacy is the ability for learners to access, engage, evaluate, analyse and use digital technology effectively. Most of the lessons which infuse digital technology gear up the learners thus improving their communication skills, team working,collaborating to mention but a few. We should know that the more the learners engage and employ digital medias, It help the to broaden their understanding ability and internalizing what they have studied. 

I managed to view two lessons, one from the media and gender Gr 3-5 picture perfect. This lesson had a project aimed to improve the children s internet reach skills particularly their ability to access of digital resources. This project explored the use of digital video cameras to support the development of descriptive language and effective communication.

 The way i see this lesson, learners like and enjoy what they are doing thus helping them to internalize and work as a team. 

The second lesson was about telecommunication in teaching  classroom-to- classroom collaboration. This lesson the learners engage in higher level thinking through collaborating, using emails to collaborate, Audio to compare and contrast, internet to research, digital camera for multimedia and many others. These two lessons infuse digital literacy and also educate about digital citizenship.

Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate responsible behavior with regard to technology use. it is away to prepare the learners to fit in the society full of technology. Most of schools in Uganda don't infuse digital technology nor educate about digital citizenship. 

    

Experience of collaborating online and the potential of Digital Pedagogy

Experience of Collaborating Online and the Potential of

Digital Pedagogy 

In an attempt to use technology to change teaching and learning in varieties of ways, i have appreciated the fact that online resources and tools are endless on the internet. The internet is the collection of all net works around the world. .It is an essential part of learning and teaching online.It gives an opportunity to different people or organisations to share ideas or opinions online. this can be achieved through different ways like the educational online programs, video conferencing, Skype, and many others. This was my first time to work with others in a collaborative way online.

Online collaboration is an electronic way to work together in groups. It is a replacement of the traditional face to face sharing of information which is commonly used in our teaching. To day most of our learners have started collaborating online using social medias, they are not aware and exposed to the endless educational tools and resources. So i feel it is an obligation for educators to help the learners to achieve their dreams.

In this model i managed to create a comic strip with my partner collaboratively. This is under the many slangs and jargons on the internet.They do portray some messages illustratively in cartoon way. Below is the comic strip have a look at it.

   

Comic slangs are good examples of digital pedagogy. They helps to portray some messages to the learners through those attractive illustrations which are in cartoon form. They also play a big role in promoting digital pedagogy which is the attempt to use technology to change learning and teaching in a variety of ways.

4.1.4 Reflect on changing Education Landscape 

                                                                              

  

 In my opinion changing of Education landscape is the transformation of education,waving innovative practices into teaching and learning to enhance the educational system. 

This is an era of technology enhancement, were by there are varieties of tools and resources for  learners to acquire knowledge as well as communicating with other people globally. This is evident that learners prefer spending more time using technology than attending to an ordinarily lesson. They are now aware of the importance of the internet, but still luck the knowledge of acquiring the desired skills. So it is the duty for the teachers to help and guide them accordingly.

In this lesson i have appreciated the fact that technology resources are endless, There is a lot of information on the web which can help learner and the educators, We should bear in our minds that not every thing on the internet is collect, so there is a need for educators to guide learner to use the internet effectively

I have noticed the need of reforming our education system because due to the fact that, now every country on this earth is yearning for the same. There are many reasons for this, among them is the economic growth and culture diver-station. They all plan for their children to take their place in the economy of the 21st century, since that we can not anticipate how it will look like at the end of the week. More so the need to educate our children so as they have a sense of cultural (to know were they come from) and be part of the globalization. Its a small world after all.

I have learnt the different interest styles of transmitting messages, for example. by finger messaging and also doing it in an illustrative way like a wordle.

Bellow is an example of a wordle i created.

When you look at this wordle, it has some message repatriated by words .

How technology can support teaching in classroom

3.9.4 Reflect on how technology can support teaching in classroom.

First and foremost let us know what technology means? 

Technology is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and extracting of materials. In other words it is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purpose. 

There are varieties of technological tool, media, materials and many aids which are uprising day by day. New services, social network, mobile apps and other digital tools are introduced frequently thus keeping up with them is nearly not possible. You can think that your update, finding out something newer comes along.

 There are a number of online services and solutions available to help promote education from teaching reading basics to organizing classroom activities. Allow me to share with you some i have find inserting in this course. 

One of the service is the office software

  This gives the user a variety of options to select from depending on what the user is working on. some of the services in this application are, Ms word, Ms excel, Ms power point, Data base management to mention but a few. This service is called an application software, normally most devices are sold with out this software, it is Upton the  user or owner is the one to buy or apply for it.
So it is part and perusal to the day to day normal operation of the teacher.

An other services is the TPACK and SAMR models.
Researchers have determined that technology integration typically moves through specific levels. the higher the level of an activity the greater the educational benefit. The two models we are going to look at are TPACK and SAMR. these tow are all abbreviations

TPACK in full is Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. It is an intersection of four know ledges 

The SMAR model 

This model is a useful tool for helping us to think about our own teaching as we begin to make 

small shifts in the design and implementation of technology driven learning experience to achieve 

the next level. 

SMAR in full is Substitution, Modification, Augmentation, and Redefinition.  

Last but not the least the ASSURE model.
ASSURE model is a broad best teaching tool which integrates technology designing enhancement. It is a procedural guided for planing and delivering instruction that incorporates medias, materials and the methods.

This model is based on six classroom procedures that is Analyze Learners, State Objectives, Select Methods, Media, and Materials, Utilize Media and Materials, Require Learner Participation, and Evaluate and Revise. It is very important when a teacher is planning for a lesson to observe the following steps. these six steps are a guide to a proper lesson plan.

All in all technology enhancement is the key to the 21st century teaching because of it richness of resources, tools, material and endless aids.  

ASSURE Lesson Plan

                                 

3.8.4 ASSURE Reflect on lesson planning

It is the responsibility of the teacher to plan for his lesson  effectively before attending to his learners. This can be more effective when you incorporate technology in your planning and teaching. the ASSURE model is the answer for this. It gives room for Analyzing, setting objectives,selecting methods,utilizing, requiring learners participation and finally evaluating. 

I have succeed in planning for my students in active engagement of technology enhancement. This has been enhanced by the effective utilization of the ASSURE model. As a teacher, Analyzing helps a lot to get prior knowledge of the class your going to attend to, for example you should know the number of the learners, their age, culture background, knowing the special cases, their weakness and strength. 

Its important to set objective and selecting the materials for the lesson your are going to teach  depending on the mentioned examples. A lesson which is enhanced with appropriate technology resources and materials simplifies the students understanding and also giving the teacher different teaching options of helping learner depending on their weakness or strength. For example you can find a learner who understands after seeing and touching and vise versa, so planning is very important to achieve the desired goal. 

In what ways will the learners be involved in activities you have not previously tried in your classes? 

 There are various ways of involving learners beyond the previously tried lessons. first and fore most it is important to give them research tasks for them to work on. this will help the learners to move a step foreword and this can be achieved with the help of the technology tools and resources. 

Secondly, employing some teaching models which can encourage learners to interact or discussing  in big or small groups. learners have different understanding, internalizing, and ways of absorbing things. Doing this gives an opportunity to some learners to involve some activities which are not previously no tried in class.   

Do you think that it is an effective way of planning a technology-enhanced lesson? How would you change the process to make it more effective?

Yes is ASSURE model is an effective way of planning a technology-enhanced lesson. Due to its structure, the S and U step were the teacher select the methods,materials and after utilizes them. This can be effective by, the teacher adding value to his teaching. for example the teacher employing instructional design medias like the internet,laptops,projectors, and supportive medias like charts, drawings, and etc.      

       

3.7.4 Reflection ASSURE Model to Technology Designing Enhancement 

Any thing said to be perfect, it has to be having a master plan. ASSURE model is a broad best teaching tool which integrates technology designing enhancement. It is a procedural guided for planing and delivering instruction that incorporates medias, materials and the methods. 

May learning experience in the ASSURE model is that each step has an added value to the teaching sector. It has six stages as demonstrated below. 

ASSURE starts with looking at the learner in detail. Nothing you plan or design is effective unless you have taken the time to look at the learners.teachers must assess their students' knowledge and skills prior to instruction to ensure that they differentiate instruction.That means that by understanding where the learners are at the start of instruction, a teacher will make every effort to assist all learners to be successful in their learning endeavors and that is the Analyzing stage. 

After you have to state the objective knowing the intended outcomes or expectations. No instruction should begin without everyone having a clear understanding of what is supposed to do.Learners need to know what they are to do. And, I add that you cannot assess learning without knowing what is expected.

In brief the rest of the stages have their importance, but i would like to point out the  importance in the design and implementation process to ASSURE good learning is the reflection component of evaluation. Once you have completed, it is important to account for what you have learnt.

The ASSURE model has helped me  think more systematically about designing technology-enhanced lessons since it is important to plan for your lessons and acquiring the right media,materials and appropriate methods to of helping learners.

 In summary, most valuable lessons i learned from my peers in the group discussions are, work in collaborative groups for critical thinking and problem solving, good selection of medias and methods.

   

3.6.4 Reflect (ASSURE) The value of analysing students

After being exposed to the ASSURE lesson-plan template, i learnt and appreciated the value of ASSURE model.  The ASSURE Model is an instructional guide for planning and conducting lessons that aim to integrate media and technology while focusing on the learner's needs. This model is based on six classroom procedures that is Analyze Learners, State Objectives, Select Methods, Media, and Materials, Utilize Media and Materials, Require Learner Participation, and Evaluate and Revise.

The value of Analyzing students. It is very important to plane for lessons before conducting them. Analyzing is valuable in that it creates room for prior planning of any thing. for example, knowing the number of students of the class your going to teach, this help the teacher to organize the specimens, teaching aids and support material depending on the size/number of the class.

Secondly its also important to know the age of the students your going to teach. This help the teacher to prepare the lesson knowing the understanding of his students depending on their age. Technology enrichment varies according to understanding. age and every thing on this universe. So the teacher can not fail to identifier an appropriate tool or material to the learners.  

It is also important to know the quality of the students, their internalizing ability and the power of understanding. This help the teachers to look for supplement technological support to help the learners to either add to what they have learnt or to understand more depending on the varsity resources of technology.

We should not forget that it is also important to Analyze areas of weakness of your students. this can drive the teacher to study and organize the learners depending to their abilities. The research has pointed it out that learners deffer from their understanding, internalizing, interpreting, sit and many others. So its the duty of the teacher to have some knowledge of his or her learners. 

Last but not the least, Analyzing the challenges of the learners is also an important sector in the preparation of lessons, helping, motivating,providing feed backs, leaving students to work at their own,  to mention but a few. All these highlights the value of Analyzing students.        

3.4.4 Reflect on the principle of learning in relationship with Education software

First and fore most let us know what software means. 

Software is the general term which describe different programs and instruction that governs the computer. It is the software which tells Hardware what to do and how to do it. we should know that hardware are the physical and tangible parts of the computer.  

What are the principles of learning?

These are the laws which governs learning which seems generally applicable to the learning process. these principles provide additional insight into what makes people learn most effectiveness. some of the examples of these are constructivisim, instructional design, learning theory, authentic learning, educators effectiveness and creativity to mention but a few.

Most of these principles are theory best observation and scientific sturdy about how people learn.It is said that people construct their own understanding and knowledge through experiencing things and reflecting on them. In education, authentic learning is an instructional approach that allows students to explore, discuss, and meaningfully construct concepts and relationships in contexts that involve real-world problems and projects that are relevant to the learner It refers to a “wide variety of educational and instructional.

Educational software.

Educational software is computer software. the primary purpose of which is teaching or self-learning. the examples of this software are Educational games, tutorials 

Simulation, which is an screen study which help learners to experience events which are at times beyond the schools reach. simulation studies exited electronica.

Drill and practice, it is very important to practice and working in group. This help learners to physically work at their own in small groups. 

Last but not the least is the Problem solving software, which is aimed to help learners to work on their ability of reacting on their own thinking skills and getting solutions. 

The Potential of Web Resources

           3.3.4 Reflect on potential of web resources

                                                                                                                                          What is a web site?

For the information of our followers, we should know that a web site or web, is just a service on the internet.The internet is the mother of all connections. It is the world wild connection of net works. A web is a collection of related web pages typically saved from a single web domain. A web page is a single document which is always accessible.

. Web resources are virtual files that are stored in the Database and they can be retrieved by using a unique URL address. Web resource are stored as records in database. they can be managed pro- grammatically by using the standard techniques to create, retrieve and update records. 




The potential of web of web resources is valued a lot no mater of which subject your teaching. The world wild web is a broad best network which is embraced with variety of endless resources. Some of the great things with the web is the reliability,reputable, factual and frequent update of information. You can get text, pictures, and every thing you want on the website.

When you look at computer studies as a subject, it is too practical, with endless computer peripherals, some of which can not be accessed locally. with the web you only need to know the name of that thing you want the students to learn about. and even though you are not sure of. the web can guide you by giving related alternatives. 

One of the greatest potential of the web is its multimedia, its text , sound, videos, virtual realities and many others.

I urge the readers to use the web since it is the source of knowledge. and for those who are interested in computing try to visit some of these sites.
www.study.com/academy/lesson/computer-operating-system-hardware-software-resources.html     
www.wydea.com 

The value of office software

Microsoft office software is a set of interrelated desktop applications and services. most of computers are bought with limited application software, or totally with out any. For the teaching professional , micro office soft ware is one of the application one has to install in his computer. some operating systems are sold when they have this application. a PC with out office software is of no use to a teacher and even other organisations.

 The value of Microsoft office software is that, it give the user a variety of options to select from depending on what the user is working on. some of the services in this application are, Ms word, Ms excel, Ms power point, Data base management to mention but a few. 

Logs of the Ms office software

    

An other value of this application is when your files and data are saved in the cloud, they’re more secure than when simply stored on your hard drive. MS Office 2013 is completely integrated with sky drive. which means you’re able to access and perform actions on your files, regardless of where you’re located, as long as you have an Internet connection.

In MS Office software 2013, editing files is easier than ever before. In addition, you can now edit PDF files using Office, which wasn't possible in the past and, adding videos to your content is easy; it allows you to search for appropriate videos within the software application you’re using.

MS Office 2013 is tablet-friendly, unlike the older versions of Office. Mobile users can use the suite on their tablet without any issues or inconveniences.

 Ms Office software has the depth of knowledge of the activities that we can plan with their integration. an examples can be sited on the different options which are on the bars on top of the application window  

 

 Ms office allows editing, modifying, inserting, and every thing which can be possible to be integrate  with the computer. an example is that you can import photos, graphics, and any thing from or out of the computer. 

All in all Ms Office software is a user friendly and cost effective with some default programs which can be of great importance to the user. I argue the fellow teacher to consider this application as a tool to enhance their professions.