The Three X’s – by Idit Harel

I read an article titled, “The Three X’s” by Idit Harel, who is the founder and CEO of MaMaMedia Inc.  It was interesting to read how the traditional “Three R’s” being reading, writing and arithmetic have some what evolved and teachers and students alike are now becoming familiar with a new set of skills which Harel refers to as the “Three X’s”: eXploring, eXpressing and eXchanging. 

In the article Harel goes on to discuss each skill in slightly more detail and further more throughout the article the reader is given helpful hints on how to get started in each of the ‘Three X’s’.  There are links within the article to great websites that are not only fun and interactive but also provide students with a great tool to use technology.

Although I agree that these new skills are indeed valuable and should be taken onboard, I also believe strongly that the traditional three R’s should not be discarded.  Both sets of skills should be incorporated together to form a strong, rich method of learning.  The traditional three R’s provide students with needed skills to understand the basics whereas the three X’s can be used as the next step to their learning, taking it to that next level.

“Telling the New Story” – youtube.com

Wow I agree with what Jodie has said on her blog about the video.  It was extremely interesting to hear directly from a teacher about her point of view in using blogs as part of her teaching.  It was great to hear and see how the use ofblogging within the classroom could connect so many different people together.  In the video we see not only the student’s viewing each others blogs but also parents whilst at work and also a wider community around the world.  I think it is great in the sense that children using blogs feel that their work is good enough to be viewed by so many different people and this is another great motivational aspect to using blogs.

Why Let Our Student’s Blog?

(sadly it can’t be embedded any more but please follow the link)

I found this short video on teacher tube and feel that it fits in perfectly with the article I read below.  It is a perfect visual summary of how educational blogging can effect and enhance childrens learning.

“What the Research says about ICT and Motivation”

source: Google images.

I thoroughly enjoyed this article as it was not only very interesting to read, containing a wide range of facts but also it was written in a way that was quick and easy to absorb.  I found out a lot of information I realised I did not previously know.  The article listed many benefits of ICT in teaching relating to not only students but teachers and parents as well. Some effects toward the students when ICT was incorporated in their learning where things such as:

• Increased commitment to learning,
• Enhanced sense of achievement,
• Improved behaviour,
• Improved confidence, motivation and self esteem especially for children within special needs education.

I found this last point very interesting how with the incorporation of ICT in their learning it could help special need students.  A study described within the article stated, “…for the first time in their careers they have felt success. They can all go as far as they can go. There is no exclusion in opportunity.” This was very well said and I thought it was perfect as it matched my belief of teaching, that every student should be given the opportunity to be able to learn and engage themselves mental, pushing themselves to their own academic level. 

After reading this article I strongly agree that teachers can indeed maximise the impact of ICT towards student motivation by not only being confident themselves as educators in the use of ICT but also by exploring new ways in which to incorporate ICT to make lessons more stimulating and enjoyable.

“The Passion Behind My Choice To Teach…”

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