Review of Assignement 1B

Throughout the last few weeks I have discovered new digital platforms to incorporate into my teaching. These digital platforms created challenges for me yet opened my mind to new possibilities using digital platforms in the classroom.

Most of these assignments made me interpret data and activities. Many of the concepts regarding assignment 1B challenged my interpretation aspect, due to the fact I am a visual learner. As I struggled, I found that many of these activates represent the knowledge and understanding teachers need today, due to technological learning students are having to participate in.

I became shocked to find out that digital technology is still not recongised in the Australia Curriculum and it is still been written. I thought at the beginning of this course that all the government would be up to date, due to the vast technological world we live in today. However, there has been a consolidation of humanities, yet there is no official realise of the future of Technologies Curriculum. ACARA addresses Technology to be imbedding “… on concepts, skills and processes developed in the Early Years Learning Framework. It focuses on developing foundational skills in computational thinking and an awareness of personal experiences using digital systems.”

Conceptual thinking was a major aspect surrounding the last three weeks of work. Understanding were I stand in the conceptual thinking opened my eyes, due to the fact, I realised I did not have little nor would not extend my thinking. The activity “Thinking myself”, really made me struggle, however, I enjoyed the extending of my thinking and the idea of the site setting and material for the students.  I later found out the method or structure to conceptual thinking, this structure was:

·      Decomposition: Creating a step-by-step process of a task or problem.

·      Pattern Recognition: Making predictions.

·      Pattern Generalization and Abstraction: Determine the laws, or philosophy that cause these patterns.

·      Algorithm Design: Expand the directions to solve related tribulations and duplicate the method.

All the activities in the weeks challenged me and made me extend my thinking. I think without activities that did not contain conceptual thinking, I would have been oblivious to the idea of incorporating these programs in my classroom.  I would have never realised activities such as Scratch and Online games, which help the students with their thinking.

Due to the vast majority of the world using technology in their classroom, it was interesting to experience different software and activities, which help the students, demonstrate their conceptual learning. My learning journey has honestly been a struggle, yet also an eye opener. I am able to take these activities into the classroom and extend my knowledge by using the software at home. I understand that being a teacher is about also being a student, which means that I am always learning. I hope to see these activities used in a classroom while on my prac, however, I feel due to time constraints and the data in the curriculum, teachers struggle to introduce students to such platforms. I have enjoyed every moment in revising the digital technology curriculum, as well as the introduction to conceptual thinking platforms.

Week 8

This week the course showed us about gaming and the techniques students use to create a game. I played two games online one was an Angry bird maze game and the other was a robot type game. Both these games were incredibly enjoyable. I see many of he students having an absolute blast interacting with these games. Of course, with my brain capacity, I had to keep refreshing the level because I was confused on what to do. These games help students to recall events and then problem solve on how they must master each level.

“Learning in Digital Technologies builds on concepts, skills and processes developed in the Early Years Learning Framework. It focuses on developing foundational skills in computational thinking and an awareness of personal experiences using digital systems.”  (ACARA, 2015). 

Design Challenge

This weeks design challenge was to make a game using the Scratch software. Man was this weeks challenge challenging. Honestly, I am still having difficulties understanding the software. I am currently trying to make a game using a crab and a cat. If I were going to incorporate this activity into my classroom, I would give this activity to the grades of for to six. It took me a lot of patience and still to this day I am figuring out on how to use the software, even following the tutorials.

Now I know there are various steps to follow to create the game, however, I am still finding it difficult to get the software to work. At this point in my time I think I might have a glitch or I am just incapable of such software. I see this activity being a challenge, yet exciting adventure for the students. I think that once I get started and read and interpret instructions properly, I will be able to interact with the software more.   

Week 7

WOW! Khan Academy is defiantly a resource I will be using in my classroom. Honestly, it has taken me a while to use my mathematical skills in cooperating with the task. Drawing basics and Coloring tutorials are basically fantastic resources to use when entering the Khan Academy, the tutorials to begin the process, help learners understand visually the task and process they are teaching. I did the drawing basics and it has helped me in a way with my logical thinking and my mathematical skills, which I have always, have had difficulties with.

“Computational thinking (CT) involves a set of problem-solving skills and techniques that software engineers use to write programs that underlie the computer applications you use such as search, email, and maps.” (Google, 2015).

The specific techniques include:

·      Decomposition: Creating a step-by-step process of a task or problem.

·      Pattern Recognition: Making predictions.

·      Pattern Generalization and Abstraction: Determine the laws, or philosophy that cause these patterns.

·      Algorithm Design: Expand the directions to solve related tribulations and duplicate the method.

I then completed the "thinking for myself" activity. I thought this was a wonderful resource to show students and see their ability with Algorithms and Abstractions.  I did have a challenge when it came to the introduction, with the machine. It took me many attempts and I am still trying to figure it out.

Reference:

Barr, V., & Stephenson, C. (2011). Bringing computational thinking to K-12: what is Involved and what is the role of the computer science education community? doi:10.1145/1929887.1929905

Google. (2015). Exploring Computational Thinking. Retrieved from  https://www.google.com/edu/resources/programs/exploring-computational-thinking/ 

Week 6

Week 6 educated peers about information and factors contributing to Digital Technology. As new technologies come into view, and influence our daily lives, it becomes progressively more significant for students to discover further about technology. We continued the week with reflecting on digital technologies in conjunction to the Australian Curriculum. Due in 2015, but then later delayed by Minister Pyne in 2014, Digital technologies have not been implemented into the curriculum and has not been implemented or questioned. “These changes reflect the key recommendations of the Government’s initial response to the curriculum review and I am pleased ACARA will begin the work to address them,” (Payne, 2015). However, there has been a consolidation of humanities, yet there is no official realise of the future of Technologies Curriculum. 

I have never heard of the term of Binary Code or heard of any games associated with the term. Even reading the PDF file on the topic, I am still very confused, so I am guessing I need more education on the topic. I keep studying the screen shot shown below and the more I study I seem to understand. I searched online more examples of Binary Codes and starting to see if I can understand the messages. No doubt, I am not a genius of them at this point, however, I’m learning just like how the students have to learn. 

Infographics merge diagrams with data analysis this helps with successful understanding of the data represented. I have always enjoyed Inforgraphics, due to the understanding that myself as a learner is visual, I simply do not understand text, unless it is complemented with a visual factor. Inforgraphics support a successful learner because  “Successful Learners have the essential skills in literacy and numeracy and are creative and productive users of technology, especially ICT, as a foundation for success in all learning areas“ (Melbourne Declaration, 2008). Infographics can be created using technology and to make a successful Infographics (picture below) demonstrates.  

Reference:

Melbourne Declaration. (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. Retrieved from http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

Payne, H. (2015). A better national curriculum for all Australian students. Retrieved from https://ministers.education.gov.au/pyne/better-national-curriculum-all-australian-students