Graphic Organiser

Graphic Organisers are a useful ICT tool because they organise learning into a progressive, digestable demonstration of the subject matter. Catering for visual, lingusitic, intrapersonal and interpersonal learning styles especially, graphic organisers can be a collaborative ICT tool through which students can have a role as both teacher and learner. For example students could have the task of creating a graphic organiser such as the above utilising the information they've gained from watching a video. Then in small groups they could organise their knowledge into different areas, using different symbols, in order to demonstrate their learning. The final product could be used as a concise summary of the subject matter and could be reffered to at anytime. As a consequence students have been empowered in their learning and have worked as a team to create an ICT tool that can help eachother. In the same process one could easily cater for a variety of learning styles and intelligences through assigning specific roles to students within their groups. For example linguistic learners may be involved in researching the material, interpersonal learners could then realte this material back to the group whilst the kinaesthetic and visual learners record the information. Such a task utilises many intelligences whilst resulting in an engaging collaborative ICT tool that will facilitate learning when referred to. This is an example of social constructivism as endorsed by Vygotsky as students construct their knowledge through social interaction with one another.

MP3 Posting

The Strokes - 12:51

The use of MP3's in a learning environment would cater particularly for musical learners who connect well with sound. Learning through music is something students will be able to relate to because for many it would be something they do everyday, and most likely enjoy doing. Therefore the student will associate the music with something engaging and fun; heightening their willingness to learn the subject material. Linguistic learners and intrapersonal learners will also be well catered for in the use of MP3 as they can both connect and reflect on what the audio describes linguistically. Similarly Interpersonal learners will find the communal element in music engaging and exciting whilst Kinaesthetic learners can tap there feet or clap their hands to the beat. The fact that music engages so many different intelligences is good reason to use music within ones lessons. Basically as the students find the presentation of the subject material engaging and involving they will come to associate the subject matter with engagement and involvement and consequently learn. Students are constructing their knowledge using a familiar and comfortable medium in music. This successfully facilitates learning.

Roman Slideshow

Imagery is an effective ICT tool catering for students with visual intelligence inparticular. Linguistic learners too will find the links between the pictures and the captions easier to grasp. However its benefit is not limited only to a couple of intelligences; the use of images in a learning environment greatly enhances the chance that all students have at learning because it provides a visual demonstration of the subject matter. In essence this makes the subject matter a reality as students are able to understand a more tangible link between their very visual world and the academic matter they are being taught. Bringing this element of reality to a students learning is an important thing to do because it grounds the learning onto a more 'everyday' plane. If students believe that the subject will be useful to them, and it is presented in an interesting and engaging manner, such as imagery as an ICT, then students will be more likely to be willing to learn and be engaged by the material. Simply because the subject is a reality to students so to will the learning be if they are properly engaged, ICT tools such as imagery facilitate this process.

Posting MP3

http://personalweb.about.com/od/linkingideas/a/408mp3files.htm

Gives a step by step guide to posting MP3's on the web. A little confusing though.

http://www.beta-templatetesting.blogspot.com/2006/12/to-include-audio-clip-in-your-posts.html

Gooooood one.

Click on the Gorillas to Play!

Educational games provide a highly interactive demonstration of learning material that is both engaging and entertaining. Educational games cater for a variety of learners; For example visual learners will find gaming very engaging as they can actually see it working in front of them or 'coming to life'. This provides a solid link between the subject matter and reality. Similarly linguistic and logical learners will find the problem solving, involved in english or mathematics games for example, very engaging. In the above ICT the acitvities involving memory will aid such learners particularly well. The scenery involved in some games, such as the setting of the island in the above ICT, will appeal to Naturalist learners, whilst the sound involved will appeal to those who learn well musically. Because many games have points tallies or a correction function students are able to see when they make a mistake and are provided with the correct answers immediately. This provides an instant feedback to students in a far less intimidating environment then if they were face to face with a teacher with their mistakes being discussed. Online gaming privatises mistakes whilst providing instantaneous correct feedback that the teacher may otherwise not get around to, at least not for some time. Consequently online games are highly useful, entertaining and ultimately engaging ICT tools.

Multiple Intelligences!