Candy Crush

Candy Crush

With the old hit game, Bejeweled which stormed the world in playing this addictive puzzle with it's own challenges now comes the latest hit Facebook game called Candy Crush Saga (CCS) by King.com has 12 million likes on Facebook and more than nine million daily active users.
This game looks like this generally and you are to swap the came colour candy to get 3 or more in a row. The fun thing about this game is whereby you are given a certain number of moves and in some levels time limit or an objective to fulfill in order to pass the next stage with only 5 tries per 30 minutes. The game also encourages you to Facebook your friends for life or extra moves if you finished your 5 tries per time. Below are the info-graphics of the game.. quite interesting.

Dance Revolution

this popular arcade game is now being introduced in some schools to promote fitness in Health and Physical Education classes. I have tried Dance Dance Revolution in an arcade before and it is way harder then it looks. Not only is it fun and gets your heart rate pumping, it also allows people to practice their coordination and rhythm, as they try to stomp on the arrows in time to those on the screen and the music.
I love how technologies are being incorporated into classes. I wish my school had of done something like this, it would have been enjoyable. Great HPE resource, if your school can afford it!
Check out the short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfI62hDBSpg
Happy Blogging

week 14

National Geographic Website

Hi everyone,

I love the National Geographic channel, however I don’t have the privilege to watch it on TV.
But it popped into my head tonight and I decided to look at their website. It is a really awesome website filled with so many different resources, especially for science.
I would encourage all to go have a look. There are kids sections with games, recipes, science experiments, geography facts and generally a lot of video footage, if you are interested in watching something that is not on free TV.
So what are you waiting for go check it out!

References
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/au/

Addressing the diversity problem

Technology tools can enhance students’ holistic development. According to NAEYC (2012), technology in children’s learning and development can support and extend traditional materials in valuable ways. Besides that, technology  tools also can help teacher make and strengthen home and school connections, and assisted technology must be available as needed to provide equitable access for children with special needs. For example, just like Ellie says there is no “average” child means no two children are exactly the same. When in practicum I do my lesson to asking student to create their own recipe, I found the problem. Students who are good in language they will use their own words to create their recipe but students who weak in English language will always asking me how to spell the words. Sometimes, they will feel bored because of they do not know English Language. In conclusion, teacher should create difference level lesson by using technology for difference level students.

NAEYC, (2012). Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8. Retrieved on 24 May, 2013 from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PS_technology_WEB2.pdf

Does Environment Plays An Important Role In Supporting ICT

I have read one of my friends blogpost and I agreed with her that environment is definitely the third teacher.It is vital to create a positive social climate, to carefully plan balanced experiences and to consider ample time for children to reflect and think to support learning. It is not only the socio-emotional climate of the environment that affects children’s learning but also the physical climate. Dr Maria Montessori spoke of the ‘prepared environment’ because she thought it to be the adults’ responsibilities to prepare an environment for the child at his/her appropriate developmental stage. Montessori approach includes placing a child in a mix-aged classroom to enhance a wide range of learning possibilities. Individual work meets individual needs; while in group work, children are encouraged to help each other. Therefore, when establishing environment as a third teacher, educators should consider easy approached and enriching open-ended and self-correcting resources, experiential learning, homogeneous and heterogeneous group and pair approaches, visual representation and aesthetic, and a multicultural classroom. A relaxed, unhurried, calm environment gives them opportunity to make decision, express themselves, pose question consider the views of others and etc

week 13

Can ICT manage children behavior?

My answer is yes.

ICT is definitely the language of this generation. Children are born into this ICT era and they love ICT naturally. By considering this nature of today’s generation, I find that ICT integration is a way to manage children behaviour. Children tend to be more engaged in lessons when ICT is integrated as they are eager to play the tool. As it is one of their favourite activities, adding and withdrawing ICT integration can be one of the reinforcement. I have tried using computer time as a reinforcement to manage children’s behaviour and the result is satisfying. For example, computer times is cancelled as the consequence for misbehaving in the class. Besides, I find that interactive activities and sharing ICT tools are ways to build good relationship between children and teachers and also among children.
In conclusion, teachers can find their own way in classroom management by awarding or withdrawing the use of ICT. Check here to read more about how “Losing a privilege” works in behaviour management.

ICT

Changing Education from the Ground Up. By Sir Ken Robinson

It was very interesting to read what Sir Ken Robinson had to say about the structure of the education system and how Government’s are not forward thinking, thus choosing administrators to promote a predetermined style and having other follow suit from the bottom up. Sir Ken Robinson also states that the structure of education needs to include people who are creative, original and adaptable in all areas from the top to the bottom of the organisational structure. He goes on to explain that when people are forward thinkers they are able to move with the times and sustainability occurs. i.e. this forward thinking did not occur with Kodak in the digital photo, camera industry and they are now bankrupt.
Having myself worked many years for Visyboard Australia under CEO Richard Pratt I saw that new employee were always on the look out for who could drive the company into the future. Even those who were long time employees were encouraged to be forward thinkers from the bloke who swept the floor to the factories manager. Everyone was encouraged to be thinking progressively and no idea was ever quashed as being stupid. I believe as Sir Ken Robinson states in his article a need for a progressive education system needs to be put in place. In my opinion Its a pity Government’s don’t view the future needs of children , hence the future of our society from a progressive standpoint rather then an economical viewpoint that seems to be the norm
The below link is an interesting article from the new times blog on why the American education system needs to moves with the times and be restructured.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?_r=0

Technology creates winners and losers

Postman (1998) mentioned“I say only that since technology favors some people and harms others, these are questions that must always be asked.”In this post, I would like to share my experience towards “technology creates winners and losers”. By the way, I just came across my coursemate, Stephanie blog who shares the same experience as I do regarding the controversy between “typing/reading with pen and paper” and “typing/reading with tech”. I totally understand how she feels as I’m also in her shoe.
My example:
During my elementary and high school time, I have always been receiving compliments from teachers and friends saying that I have very neat handwriting. My friends like to use my notes to study as  I’ve been always making good use of mind-mapping and info-graphics. Hence, I have a lot of colour pencils, highlights and whatever stationary that you can name.  Frankly, I am proud of my own handwriting. BUT, it’s not like that now . With the advent of computer and keyboard, the things that I was proud of has totally being replaced by technologies. Nowadays, we can create mind-mapping using softwares such as easel.ly and gliffy with ease. The advantages of using tech is that you can SAVE TIME, SAVE SPACE while SHARING with one another across the Internet.

From the above picture, we can also see that “Technology change is also a trade-off” (Postman, 1998). Using the example shown above, the advantage that technology offers is that we can save a lot of time and effort in producing work, while the corresponding disadvantage is that it losses it’s sentimental value of it.
If you came across reading “Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change” by Neil Postman, do share what do you think about it.
References:
Postman,N. (1998). Five things we need to know about technological change. Retrieved from
http://usqstudydesk.usq.edu.au/m2/pluginfile.php/202983/mod_resource/co

week 12

Are you a creative and productive user of technology?

According to the Melbourne Declaration second goal,All young Australians become successful learners, confidence and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens (p. 8)
Melbourne Declaration also seeks to describe the characteristics of 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 (p. 8)

One of my coursemate share about this in her post ➸ Teaching is not simply putting a computer or laptop in front of a student and saying ‘off you go!’ I couldn’t agree with her more on that. As I came across reading an article in Edudemic, I found one picture which makes me reflect on myself, as well as the purpose of this course subject……

Picture by Bill Ferriter

 This picture actually reminded me that I need to reflect on whether what I do has truly reached the purpose of education or am I simply do what I am asked to, or tell my kids to do what I’m asking them to do. As a childhood educator, we are to shape our future generations into productive users of technology, not a slave for technology.

The Education 2.0 vs Education 3.0

I would like to share an informative chart with you. It is a very good chart. I got it from- The Education 2.0 vs Education 3.0. ICT is not only the future of our children’s education it is the present; and we need to make the investment in ICT now!’ (Walter Lockhart as cited in Naace, 2013). Thus, I believe it is essential for teachers to promote and implement ICT in the school’s curriculum because ICT is used to facilitate and motivate students in their learning development.
Going through this chart will help you understand more about the ICT education effects and changes in the past and modern day classroom.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog, do drop in some comments. Thank you.
Reference:
Kharbach, M. (2012). Educational technology and mobile learning. Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/06/education-20-vs-education-30-awesome.html
Naace. (2013). ICT in Education is important! Retrieved from http://www.naace.co.uk/1068

Technology is always a trade-off

Postman (1998), describes that technology giveth and technology taketh away. This means that for every advantage a new technology offers, there is always a corresponding disadvantage. The disadvantage may exceed in importance the advantage, or the advantage may well be worth the cost. Now, this may seem to be a rather obvious idea, but you would be surprised at how many people believe that new technologies are unmixed blessings.”My example: Technology is always a trade-off
Every one of us uses different ICT tools to communicate and socialize with others. One of the most common tools we use is a “Smart phone & an iPAd.” A while ago, I had dinner with my friends in a restaurant. Every one of us seems busy texting, typing, chatting and playing games with smart phone or iPad. We seldom talk to each other. The only topic or question came across between my friend and I was, “hey, do you know the answer for this game? Which levels are you at now?”
After awhile, we end up playing game with smart phone on the dinner table individually. We seldom talk much with each other. I felt bad when I recall back my experience like this.
Yes, it is true that now is a 21st century technology modern world, we need to catch up in order to keep us updated with all the high-technology stuff in our environment. But, sorry to say that, the more high-tech person you are, the lesser interaction with friends and families.
Anyways, I believe interacting face-to-face with people is the most essential part that you and me should have. No matter how updated you are in ICT world, we still need interaction with people around us especially our family.
 Reference:
Postman,N. (1998). Five things w need to know about technological change. Retrieved from
http://usqstudydesk.usq.edu.au/m2/pluginfile.php/202983/mod_resource/content/0/postman.pdf

week 11

Flipped classroom

What is flipped classroom? The flipped classroom inverts traditional teaching methods, delivering instruction online outside of class and moving “homework” into the classroom. According to Educause (2012), the flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed. During the term is widely used to describe almost any class structure that provides prerecorded teacher followed by in-class exercises. Devoting class time to application of concepts might give children a better opportunity to detect errors in thinking, The flipped model puts more of the responsibility for learning on the shoulders of students while giving them greater impetus to experiment.  I can find that advantage and disadvantage of flipped classroom.

Reference:
Educause, (2012). Things you should know about Flipped classrooms. Retrieved on 25 May, 2013 from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7081.pdf