PMI Chart - Using a Wiki to teach content

A wiki is a website that any user can edit – right there live on the webpage, in real time – as well as read.  In its purest sense this means that any visitor to the site is also an author, with no technical controls on what they add or delete and no gatekeeping editorial process prior to posting; in more limited forms it means any user within a defined group who has access to the wiki – a project team working on collaborative documents, for example.

Using a wiki to teach content can be benefical. It provides opportunities for students to have their own input, change, add or delete text. Wikis have been found fantastic to coordinate group assignments etc. For example I have used a wiki during a group assignment. We all needed to communicate and found email dificult because you could only email one person at a time. However, wiki gave us the chance to communicate on a document that each member could access and share. The following PMI (Plus Minus Interesting) Chart is highting the benefits and negative things about using a wiki to teach a particular conent.

Week Three - SWOT Analysis

The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for using blogs to teach content.

Week Two - TPACK

TPACK - Theoretical Pedagogy and Content Knowledge is a way of adding technology to the Pedagogical Content Knowledge that is being taught. TPACK is a theoretical framework designed to allow experts of a particular content area to support learning as well as develop their teaching with technology. It is also about building relationships between technology and teaching therefore transforming teaching practices.

The diagram below represents the blending of content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge otherwise known as PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge).



Before PCK was existent technology were considered to be separate. Technology was seen as an Independent knowledge domain show below.  However this is no long the case. Content knowledge, Pedagogical knowledge and technology subsequently form an overlay providing opportunity for good teaching which required and understanding of how technology relates to the pedagogy and content. TPACK is shown below.



Content Knowledge relates about actual subject matter.

Pedagogical Knowledge relates to the processes and practices or methods of teaching and learning.

Technology Knowledge relates to standard and advanced technologies.

Pedagogical Content Knowledge is how elements of the content can be arranged for more effective teaching.

Technological Content Knowledge is about the manner in which technology and content are related.

Technological Pedagogical Knowledge of the existence components and capabilities of technologies as they are used in teaching and learning therefore how teaching may change as a result of using particular technologies.

Mobile Phones - Should they be allowed in the classroom?

This is a tough question, most people have their phone attached to their hip. So maybe in somecases phones are neccessary, however in  a classroom their not. With all the technology out in the world today students don't need their phones for calculators or internet because majority of classes have other reliable sources such as ipads or computers. When you think about it phones have both pros and cons, however I strongly believe mobile phones should not be allowed in classrooms for several reasons. In my opinion mobile phones prompt cheating and are a huge distraction for learning.

Learning Styles

What is your learning style? What sorts of learning experiences would suit you best with your learning style?

 After completing the Felder & Solomon Learning Style test I reached a conclusion that the learning style that best suits me is Kinesthetic. I was not surprised after the learning style test showed that I am not music smart as my skills and knowledge in that particular department is poor. However, after seeing the results were low for my word smart it has encouraged me to continue to work hard and develop my knowledge and skills. Marjority of the results from the test show that I am a Body and People Smart and enjoy mixing and engaging with others. Although I do also enjoy being number smart and picture smart.

In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson?

In a traditional classroom of 25 students I will use ICT to cater for all learners. I will also use differernt work environment and work in collaborative groups to develop social networking in the classroom. I will also invovle visual, auditory and interactive resources, colour and multiple formatting opportunities for all students to engage in acommodating to multiple learning styles appropriately. 

21st Century Leaners

Shortly after reading "Engage Me or Enrage Me" by Marc Prensky I was able to gather a general understanding of what today's learners demand. The article describes the 21st Century Learners in our schools today and their attitude towards school in general. The third group of learners mentioned in the article "The Students who Tune us out" are commonly not catered for in classrooms today, or the complete opposite. Those students who are not engaged can either be "pushed aside" and giving the option of if they want to learn they will or become the main focus of the classroom teacher. In the situation of this occuring in any classroom it is important that the teacher finds a medium allowing all learners to be catered for. However the main point in this article is that all learners have different interest, whether it is being a school or playing their gameboy. Whatever the engaging item is, it works for them. Never the less, all learners have a something in their lives that is seen as "engaging" to them. Finally coming to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to create a learning tool for learners that they will see as engaging rather then enraging.

Multiple Intelligence Test Results