Reflective Synopsis.

A few weeks ago when I had started the Managing e.Learning course, I was excited about the learning journey that I was about to begin as I felt that I was going to enhance my knowledge in relation to various technologies. After finishing engaging with the courseware for the course, I must say I am pleased with the technologies that I have operated as I now feel more confident in designing and implementing learning experiences with my students that incorporate the use of ICT’s, as I now have a better understanding of how the use of technology helps to make learning effective (Central Queensland University, 2009).

In my current prac class the technologies that I would use the most with the year one students, most likely in a whole class experience are Digital Storytelling, ClassMarker, Google Earth, Voki, PowerPoint and YouTube as I feel that these technologies allow students to inquire, create, communicate and operate ICT’s and achieve outcomes associated with ICT’s being a cross-curriculum priority in the Essential Learning’s (Central Queensland University, 2009), (Queensland Studies Authority, 2007). I also feel that these technologies help to meet the needs of digital native students and the Learning Engagement Theory (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999), (Prensky, 2001).

I would use the technologies mentioned above to enhance students learning in a teacher centred and student centred approach which would allow students to work collaboratively and individually during learning experiences, in order for them to develop an understanding of how to operate technologies and reflect upon their learning in an engaging manner. I strongly believe that the use of these technologies will make my teaching more efficient as the technologies themselves save time, such as, ClassMarker marks students quizzes for you. These technologies will also help my teaching to be effective as the students will be more likely to be engaged and want to participate in the learning experiences because technology is involved, which therefore leads to, less time being wasted trying to get students to behave and more time being spent on learning.

However, I strongly believe that in my future role as a learning manager I could incorporate each of the technologies covered in this course into my students learning experiences, throughout all grades in the primary school setting not just grade one. It is to be noted that when implementing learning experiences with my students which require them to use these technologies and the internet, I will always facilitate class discussions about netiquette and internet safety, as this will be beneficial for the students learning, safety and social development.

Personally, I really enjoyed this assessment task and feel that in the home environment I will use Picnik, Flickr, YouTube, PowerPoint, Podcasting and Wikipedia the most, as they are the technologies that I find engaging as they relate to my interests and hobbies, and can help me to design rich learning experiences for my practical experiences (Central Queensland University, 2009).

Throughout the journey of this course I worked collaboratively with my peers in order to understand the technologies covered in the courseware, along with, develop an understanding of how others will incorporate the covered technologies into their learning experiences with students. I feel that collaboration with peers is advantageous to enhancing your learning as it allows you to clarify confusions, for example, one of my peers was unsure if her referencing was correct, therefore, I commented on her blog by giving her a link to a referencing guide which I find useful as it has clear examples of how to reference. Collaboration with peers also allowed me to discuss the different frameworks and technologies associated with this course in a professional manner, and I think that this is important to do when you’re a student teacher as being able to have professional discussions is an attribute that we are going to need to have in our future roles. I also found that the collaboration with peers was useful in gaining feedback about how well I was progressing and understanding the technologies and pedagogy associated with this course Managing e.Learning.

Today in the 21st Century, technology is an every-changing facet within society, and new technologies are continually being developed. Therefore, I look forward to continuing to develop my operational skills and explore knowledge in relation to current and new technologies, in order to be able to successfully facilitate e.Learning within educational settings throughout my career as a Learning Manager.

Reference List:
Central Queensland University (CQU). (2009). FAHE11001- Managing E-Learning: Moodle site. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Scot Aldred.

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement theory: a framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 16, 2009, from
http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Queensland Studies Authority. (2007). Information and communication technologies. Retrieved August 20, 2009, from
http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/learning/qcar_ccp_ict_yr3.pdf