Issues Facing Rural and Regional Australia.

Reading, C. et. al (2006). Focusing on ICT in Rural and Regional Education in Australia. Australian Educational Computing. 21(2). 20-24.

I read an interesting article about the issues which schools in rural and regional Australia are faced with in terms of technology.  In todays ever changing, technological world, all schools in Australia are being faced with the challenge of being able to provide students with up to date pieces of tecnology and technology which allows students to connect with each other and others in the outside world.  Schools also have to ensure that their students are not disadvantage to other students in other schools who may have access to better, more up dated technology.

The Australian ICT taskforce has set up national priorities in order to help such schools who are faced with the difficult of updating to newer technologies.  The two most important priorities are:

1. The promotion of pedagogic leadership, an

2. Helping to create new learning environments.

The article also discusses information gained from a national survey administered by SiMERR, which stands for the Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia.  Some of the key issues which were identified across Australia were:

1. State of ICT equipment in schools : Some states reported a lack of equipment and unreliable equipment and slow internet access was also a big problem.  On top of this the remoteness meant a lack of technical support.

2. Differences between home and school experience of ICT: More community resources are needed to improve access and ICT areas need to be improved in schools.

3. More suitable ICT curriculum and more integration to allow students to develop their skills.

4. Lack of teachers trained specifically in ICT: High turnover rate in remote areas.

5. More professional development in ICT for teachers to be up to date.

6. Leadership by teachers confident in ICT: Those confident, lead the school in ICT endevours.

Overall I can see how important it is that all schools are looked after and no school is left behind when it comes to up dating from old to new technology and it is important that the government continues to work together with schools in improving the infrastructure.

How NOT to use PowerPoint!

According to Don McMillan (Comedian), here is a humorous & yet insightful viewpoint on how people (teachers included) should not be using PowerPoint.  I found this video on you tube and thought it was very funny! It may prove to be more appropriate to teachers than students, however this video, whilst humourous is highly relevant to e-learning and the incorporation of technologic tools and devices.  It is important that we as teachers use technology for variety and deeper learning rather than just another tool that a text book or blackboard could be just as appropriate for.

 

 

 

“The Prototype Classroom”

I had a look at a fellow students blog (Caitlin Goodchild) and came across an interesting posting on an article titled, “Learning Technologies: Prototype Classroom Project.”

 podcast to listen to my podcast on this article please click here.. Houndbite was unavailable and this was my only option as i could not embedd the audio..

Miller, J & Janovsky, K. (2003). Learning Technologies: Prototype Classroom Project. Australian Educational Computing, 18(1), 21-24

“Web-Based Assessment”

Doe, C. (2006). A look at Web-based assessment. Multimedia + internet @ schools, 13(6), 17-20

I read an article titled, “A Look at Web-Based Assessment” and was written by Charles Doe.  It was all about how Online or Web-based assessment is increasing in number and variety.  Web-based assessment not only includes simple assessments but also covers more complex knowledge, personality, progress and placement tests and is used by education institutions at all levels.

Computer based curriculum with web-based assessment can make a teachers life a lot easier in trying to meet the needs of diverse student populataions.  Some other benefits are:

• Scoring and reporting can be nearly instanteous

• Results are available to teachers and administrators soon after the test has been completed

• Student feedback can also be achieved instantly

• Web-based assessment can take the form of self-assessment and be part of the learning experience

Overall I can see that web-based assessment is so beneficial that it is almost certain that every school system with in some way adopt it in the coming years.  Some problems which look to be minor obstacles include some schools having adequate student computer access and possible security issues.  Once these initial set backs have been addressed, teachers will surely wonder how they ever got along without wed-based assessemt in the first place.

The article goes on further to talk about a variety of programs available on the web which have been designed for use with specific subjects and in relation to education in general.  I have provided a list a few below…

• TechLiteracy Assessment – http://www.learning.com

• PLATO eduTest Assessment – http://www.plato.com

• mCLASS:Reading, Inc. - http://www.wirelessgeneration.com

• Pearson Benchmark – http://www.pearsonschoolsystems.com

• SAT Online Prep – http://www.kaplan.com/TestPreparation

“Digital Video Goes to School”

This is a short vodcast I created after having read the article titled, “Digital Video Goes to School”. It was written by Helen Haffenberg and Marianna Handler.

Hoffenberg, H., & Handler, M. (2001). Digital video goes to school. Learning & Leading with Technology, 29(2), 10-15.

Technology Advancements…!!

Whenever you hear the words “Technology Advancement” you straight away think of these amazing, new pieces of equipment from out of this world.  Pieces of equipment that are seen to change the way we either think, learn, work, interact and some are even meant to revolutionize the way in which we live!

But what about the downsides to some or maybe all of these advancements?  There is a famous quote which I have forgotten who it was said by, but it goes something like, “To every disadvantage there is a corresponding advantage”.  But I believe that quote can often be turned around and certainly in terms of this related topic it can become, “To every advantage there is a corresponding disadvantage”.  The topic I am referring about is “Cyber-Bullying”, which is one disadvantage I have come across in terms of technological advancements and I’ve talked in more detail about it below.

…..For Bullies.

Below is a short video on “Cyber-Bullying” in the primary school and how, with all the new technology now available, it makes bullying that much easier to not only carry out but also to get away with.

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=816798f3144061053bff

With the increase in technology within our classrooms and the increased independence of students in online discussion forums and blogs etc, it makes bullying someone anonymously that much easier. 

The definition of cyber-bullying is:

- Bullying which is carried out through an Internet service such

   as email, chat room or messenger service.

It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as short messaging service (SMS).  Bullying can happen to a person by a group or by an individual and children must be aware that saying something mean or disrespectful through another source, even if it may be through a virtual means, is still considered bullying. 

I think that the main key to solving the problem is that schools should also inform parents about cyber-bullying as often it is the case that they turn a blind eye towards it when they don’t understand technology as well as their children.  It also comes down to the teacher to ensure they give a talk on cyber-bullying before conducting any lessons with the use of technology.