Reflection 1: What is a DIGITAL WORLD?

How we as a race interact and ingest media and communications has changed dramatically. From the mid-1920’s where television was black and white to now where you can transport a variety of media sources. A digital world as described by Dictionary Reverso is an “electric spectrum of data creating, storing, retrieving and synchronizing” (Reverso-Softissimo, 2015).
A digital world helps us to support and educate students with more up to date information that is easily accessible. As we educate children using a variety of media we need to remember that the modern work environment requires digital knowledge to succeed (Howell, 2012).
We as teachers use a variety of technologies to plan and prepare work for students. Without this, we would revert to hand written term plans and photocopying work sheets. In 2014, it was reported that more than 40 per cent of schools provided digital devices for students (Vonow, 2015). Since the findings this percentage has dropped by 20% to the year prior. In 2014, the Federal Government made changes to policies where the 1:1 ratio of computers and students under the Digital Education Revolution in 2013 was to be removed (Vonow, 2015). This has meant a decrease in technology available to students and teachers resulting in a loss of a digital world for some students.

For more information in relation to the Australian School Library Survey visit.

A digital world has shown that upskilling in a variety of technologies not only increases job prospects but also that students enjoy the use of technology within the classroom. It motivates them and engages them which ultimately builds on a student’s knowledge (Howell, 2012).
Learning never stops. A discussion at the dinner table can lead to the answer being Googled. Such a simple tool is so relied on in this digital age.

Referencing

Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity. Oxford University Press

Kho, A. (2015). Search Engines [Image]. Retrieved from http://autocruiseaffiliatemarketing.com/2015/07/26/understand-search-engines-work/

Prensky, M. (2008). The 21st-Century Digital Learner. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008

Reverso-Softissimo. (2015). Digital World Definition. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/digital%20world

Vonow, B. (2015, February 9). Survey shows almost 60 per cent of Australian schools don’t provide laptops or iPads for students. The Courier-Mail.

Evaluation Matrix 1 – Pinterest

Evaluation Matrix

Name of teaching resource

Teaching in a Digital World – Pinterest

Weblinkhttps://www.pinterest.com/kristen1843/digital-teaching-resources/

Who should this digital teaching resource be used with?

This resource is designed for a classroom of year 3 students.

How should it be used?

This resource should be used as a whole class experience. As there is sides to the resource that would interest a variety of children at different learning levels.

Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?

In all areas as it has such a broad array of topics.

Identify the strengths of this teaching resource

This teaching resource can be used as a tool for educators but can also be used as a display for children’s work. A class pin board could be used to display the work of all the children from the experience (Spangler, 2015).

Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource

The only weakness I could find in relation to this is that there is a lack of videos available. There are not a lot of pictures available as resources but if a student is unable to grasp the concept from a picture then they will be unable to complete the work.

Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource

I would use Pinterest for the student but also to further develop my knowledge and strategies for the classroom. A board could be created to share work from the students for parents to view from their private computers if they have a lack of time to attend the classroom.

 

References

Devick, A. (2014). Pinterest [Image]. Retrieved from http://yakketyyakllc.com/whats-pinterest/

Spangler, S. (2015). How Teachers and Educators Can Use Pinterest as a Resource In and Out of theClassroom. Retrieved from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/blog/2012/09/17/how-teachers-andeducators-can-use-pinterest-as-a-resource-in-and-out-of-the-classroom/

 

Reflection 2: Digital Identities and Digital Security

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The cyber world is a large domain full of useful information. Technology is used widely across the education system with most students having their smart device. When it comes to technology students often seem to know more about devices such as computers and the internet than many adults (New Digital Partnership, n.d). This can be dangerous for students as they are unaware of their digital security and identity. Educators and parents need to be informing students of such dangers as they think they are invincible through such devices as phones and computers. There are useful videos that can educate students on the importance of keeping their information private. Sites such as You Tube have a variety of videos available.
To view the Safe Web Surfing Top Tips for Kids and Teens Online click .
Another priority when it comes to the protection of student’s identity is educating them on what personal information is.
Personal information may include:

• full name
• address
• phone numbers
• school
• date of birth
• email address
• username and password

These pieces of personal data which ultimately end up across different databases, devices and social networks each says something about our personal identity (Himmelsbach, 2015). Personal information is any information that enables an individual to be identified. Information provided online is normally used for legitimate communication.  Some personal information can be misused by criminals (Australian Government, n.d.).
It does not matter if we are students, teachers or parents it is important to recognise once we have a digital identity it then leads to a digital trail.
Teachers can also view videos showing what information and how it is shared.
To view the video Hot on Your Trail: Privacy, Your Data, and Who Has Access to It click.

References

Australian Government. (n.d.). Protecting Personal Information. Retrieved from https://esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/protecting-personal-information

Himmelsbach, V. (2015). The Evolving Nature of Digital Identities and Security. Retrieved from http://blogs.ca.com/2015/02/04/evolving-nature-digital-identities-security/

New Digital Partnership. (n.d.). Internet safety for kids. Retrieved from http://digitalunite.com/guides/internet-security/internet-safety-kids

Reveal. (2013). Hot on Your Trail: Privacy, Your Data, and Who Has Access to It [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=44&v=bqWuioPHhz0

 Cast. (2013). Safe Web Surfing: Top Tips for Kids and Teens Online [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrln8nyVBLU

Evaluation Matrix 2 – Prezi

Evaluation Matrix

Name of teaching resource

Teaching in a Digital World – Prezi

Weblink

http://prezi.com/sktconcpqtkd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Who should this digital teaching resource be used with?

This resource is designed for a classroom of year three students.

How should it be used?

This resource could be built to educate children in any classroom. It could be used in any grade as it can be aimed at the relevant topic to that class.

Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?

It could be used in any capacity. But as a teacher I would use it when a subject may not be as interesting to students to encourage them to engage.

Identify the strengths of this teaching resource

Using a digital resource will engage the students as some become disengaged with works that are written directly onto a chalk board. The use of Prezi allows teachers to be able to place content that is relevant to the subject.

Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource

Factors that give this resource a weakness are that it takes significant time to create the slides. If using for a younger age group you need to be aware of their reading skills as they may loose interest.

Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource

This resource could be used from a home environment as it is posted to a site. If you share the link with students, it can then be used in the home environment to continue the learning.