Assessment #2 – Learning Package

Part B:

Information, communication and technology (ICT) is rapidly becoming a common practice used in the
classroom. Many different ICT tools can be used to benefit the learning of students. The tools can cater to
the students needs and can easily be tracked through certain websites. The tools can help students,
teachers and parents to access information relevant to a specific child or the entire school.

ICT is greatly becoming more and more useful in today’s society (Topic 1). This means that if students are
given access to technology at a young age the possibilities of future enhancements are high. Many
professions now rely on technology. This means that students will understand how to use these tools before
going into the workplace. This will save time and build confidence within the student.

ICT not only has a great range of tools to use, but it is also very engaging. It is a different way the students
can learn which allows them to explore other ways of learning. Students find the content to be fun as most
activities are games. This means the student is more likely to engage with the content because it is not seen
as learning, instead it is seen as “playing”. It is also a great way of keeping track of each students work. This
can be harder for teachers to do if the children are completing different tasks, but most commonly ICT tools
have a grading system which automatically shows what stage the student is at. This makes it quicker and
easier for teachers to have access to the child’s progress.

If the class is told to work on the same website every student is given the same instructions. Often it is hard
for the teacher to be able to help each individual student and to convey the task so each student
understands. By using websites and programs for the entire class, it will ensure that each student will be
given the same instructions and the same information. This will allow the teacher to help those students
who need more help than others, without being distracted by those students who weren’t paying attention
to the instructions.

Research is made simple through using search engines. Search engines are very useful tools because they
provide a vast range of information quickly and simply. There are many different options to narrow down
your search, which is a great tool to look at relevant information. The search can be refined to publication
date, region and specific words amongst others. Search engines not only allow you to search for relevant
websites, but have a range of areas which can enhance students learning. These include maps, images,
news stories and videos. Including search engines in an everyday class setting can enhance the learning of
students as it is readily available (with internet) and it makes finding information much quicker and easier.
Research is not only useful for students but it is relevant for educators to become comfortable with the
content they are teaching (Topic 3).

Presentation softwares such as PowerPoint are very useful tools. They can be useful not only for the
students who are presenting to the class, but to the teachers as well. This can be used regularly to assist the
information which is being given. Generally only small amounts of simple information are put onto the
slides which makes it easier for the students to follow and the teacher to expand on. The presentation
softwares can incorporate other tools such as linking to a video or specific website. These tools can also link
to movie clips. A great way of incorporating Bandura’s social learning theory into the classroom can be
through presentation software. As not all students learn in the same ways, a great way to engage students
and make them feel comfortable is to introduce a common ground between students (Woolfolk, A &
Margetts K 2013, p. 315). This can be done by watching movie clips and engaging in a topic together to
create a piece of work. This will engage the students in the same activities to promote collaborative work,
expanding their social networking.

Blogs can be a great way of distributing information to the school community(Roberts, K 2013). This is a way
of ensuring that (if each household has access to the internet) every parent/caregiver has access to the
same information. Similarly it can be used only to address certain classes or parents. This is a useful way of
communicating with a large amount of people without having the student lose a note.

Videoconference tools can be used to interact with a range of people. This can greatly enhance the students
learning. Through these programs, students will have access to a range of people with a wide range of
knowledge. These people can be from overseas, a person who specialises in a particular topic or maybe
another class from a different school. By engaging with these people the students can gain a different
perspective.

ICT can also be used to access a wide range of different learning activities. This can range from online games
and activities to print-out work sheets. This is very useful for teachers because they are able to gather a
range of resources and choose which are most relevant to the topic they have chosen and the year level
they are teaching. The ICT tools used to gather information for Part A include, search engines, presentation
software and video software. These were all very useful because the information was readily available.

The downfalls of using ICT in the classroom can include the distracting elements of the task. Some online
pages have links to other sources which can be distracting for students who find it hard to stay on task.
Another downfall of ICT in the classroom is it can be unreliable. This can be hard for teachers who base their
lessons around ICT because the internet may not be a reliable way of reaching information.

Although ICT can have some downfalls, overall it is a great way to enhance both learning and teaching.
There are many different types of tools that can be used in the classroom to benefit the learning of students
and teachers. Overall ICT makes learning interesting, quick and easy. This means students will be engaged
and in turn, most likely learn and retain more information.
References:

Boundless.com, The importance of using technology in the classroom, Boundless.com, viewed 20 May
2015, <https://www.boundless.com/education/textbooks/boundless-education-textbook/technology-in-
the-classroom-6/edtech-25/advantages-of-using-technology-in-the-classroom-77-13007/>.

Roberts, K 2013, The benefits of educational blogging, Primary Tech, viewed 20 May 2015,
<http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2013/03/08/the-benefits-of-educational-blogging/>.

University of South Australia 2015, ICT in learning and teaching – vision for the classroom, University of
South Australia, viewed 13 March 2015, <https://lo.unisa.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?
id=233994&chapterid=35797>.

University of South Australia 2015, Searching and evaluating information on the web, University of South
Australia, viewed 19 March 2015, <https://lo.unisa.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?
id=233999&chapterid=35814>.

Woolfolk, A & Margetts K 2013, Educational psychology, Pearson Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
Assessment #2 – Part A:

The topic chosen to explore the use of ICT in the classroom is Australia. The age group specifically being
targeted for this task is year 3-4. The web was used to find most of these sources, as well as pdf files and
apps. These are all very useful resources because they each have a unique way of delivering information.

R1: Australian War Memorial

https://www.awm.gov.au/education/schools/resources/?
field_tags_tid=All&field_tags_tid_1=7573&field_tags_tid_4=7569&field_code

The Australian War Memorial a very useful website. It allows the teacher to have access to a range of class
activities. These activities can be sorted by year level and theme. The website is a great tool because it has a
vast arrangement of information. This can be used to further the students study. The information is aimed
to teach the students about Australia’s influence in the war and the significance of war.

R2: Australia Day Trivia

http://www.australiaday.org.au/storage/1-australian%20trivia%202011.pdf

This pdf file is a great way of testing the student’s knowledge. The pdf file is set out to quiz the students but
can also be used as a game. It has a range of topics that can regularly be drawn on. The answers are
supplied which means if the students were to answer a question incorrectly, the answer could be given and
further research could then be undertaken. This source would be used at the conclusion of the topic to
ensure the students have learnt the content.
R3: Aussie Icons (App)

This app would be very engaging for children of this age. The app can be accessed on a mobile device such
as an iPad or iPod touch. The app can also be accessed at home which means the children can engage with
the content even when they have left the classroom. The app uses a range of appealing colours to engage
the students and has useful instructions to follow. The app is not very educational as it does not provide a
wide range of information, but as a game to play to engage the students with the topic, it works.

R4: National Archives of Australia

http://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/education/resources/index.aspx

This website has a range of different topics that each fall under the main topic of Australia. This website is
very helpful for teachers who want to focus on a particular event/subject about Australia. The website can
also help students to find information about Australia if they were to complete a project/task. Although this
website is not very appealing the students of this age group would still find it useful because there is a large
amount of relevant information.

R5: Civics and Citizenship

http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default.asp?id=9025

This website is very useful for teachers. It has a range of different lesson plans addressing many different
scenarios. This is useful for this age group because the tasks are aimed specifically to address this age level.
The website itself can both be beneficial for teachers and students because there are activities for students
to do and lesson plans for teachers to access.
R6: Voice of Australia

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/education/voices_of_australia/rightsED_Voices
_of_Australia.pdf

This pdf file is a great resource for teachers. It states the rights and voice that Australians have. This is a
great lesson plan for teachers wanting to allow their students a chance to understand what Australians
stand for and what we tolerate. It includes handouts for the students which is helpful for teachers to use.
However the student would not be using the full lesson plan to construct their tasks.

R7: Pinterest (app)

Although this app is not based on Australia there are many useful searches which can be made using
Pinterest which can enhance students learning. This app can be useful for students to find ideas of ways to
present their ideas. It is a very appealing way of engaging students in different options for their
presentations. It is also a great way for teachers to find different activities for students to participate in.

R8: National Geographics Kids

http://ngkids.com.au/search

This source was not very useful when searching for information about Australia. The search only had four
results which could be useful in the classroom but not necessarily for a year 3-4 class. This website however,
was very appealing using bright colours and images to captivate the audience.
R9: Science Kids

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/australia.html

This website was not very appealing. Although it was very simple and had some useful information about
the topic of Australia, the students would not easily engage with this content because it was very plain and
not appealing. It did not have a great variety of information which would allow the students to disconnect
from the information. It also provided links to other pages which may become very distracting.

R10: Kids World Travel Guide

http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/australia-facts.html

This website uses appropriate pictures but is very plain and unappealing. This means the students are less
likely to engage with the tasks which are set based on this website. It is however, very useful for its
information. There is simple information given which is easy for the students to read.

Most of the resources would be very useful in the classroom when teaching about Australia. Most of the
sources were very easy to navigate and teachers will be able to instruct lessons using these websites as
useful tools to engage the students. They were mostly engaging and appealing. If the teacher were to
search for other resources using the criteria in mind it would be very simple to find sources which would be
beneficial to a year 3-4 classroom.
 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
C1
Simple * * * * * * * * *

C2
Clear Instructions * * * * * *

C3
Reliable source * * * * *

C4
Easy to navigate * * * * * * * * * *

C5
Appealing * * * *

C6
Engaging * * *

C7
Appropriate language * * * * * * * *

C8
Appropriate font size * * * * * * *

C9
Appropriate visuals * * * * *

C10
Appropriate for age * * * * * *

Ausstralian War Memorial 2015, https://www.awm.gov.au/education/schools/resources/?field_tags_tid=All&field_tags_tid_1=7573&field_tags_tid_4=7569&field_code

http://www.australiaday.org.au/storage/1-australian%20trivia%202011.pdf

http://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/education/resources/index.aspx

http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/default.asp?id=9025