Family Values

The photographs were taken recently by my daughter during her time in Africa, these shots were taken in the Serengeti.  I saw the pictures and thought that elephants are amazing creatures that obviously have very strong family values, well instincts at least. I had a hard job selecting seven to be honest, but the ones that I have chosen represent values that I feel are important to me...as well as elephants!

I used Microsoft Photo Story 3 to create a move from the stills as I wanted the viewer to sit back and enjoy the story effortlessly. I was tempted to add music, but decided that it was about the visual so I went for silence. The single word caption is the value that I felt the image portrays. I would be interested to read what your interpretations are.

For this version I used a PowerPoint slide to arrange the images, then took a snapshot of the screen to create my collage of Family Values

The Art of Reflection

The importance of reflecting on what you are doing, as part of the learning process, is often emphasised. Students in higher education are responsible for their own progress as independent learners. They must of course take notice of and act upon formal feedback from their lecturers, but it is also important that they think about, or more REFLECT on, their learning. I use mind mapping tools to help my students to focus on aspects that help the reflection process. One of my favourite Web 2.0 tools for this job is Bubbl.us. It is a concept mapping application, similar to Inspiration, that allows the user to make graphical representations of ideas. Bubbl.us calles these concept maps "mind maps". But the Web 2.0ness allows users to share a bubbl mind map and work collaboratively, it also allows creators to embed their bubbls on their blogs, wikis or other webpages. In the words of Blue Peter, "here's one I started earlier"

Starting to blog

Beginning a blog is the hardest part.  Once you start, there'll be no stopping you! Well that is what I am telling me new Year 1 Ed Studies students.  Mainly because they have to create a blog for their module Visual Communication Culture & Creativity.  More than that the blog is their assignment.

'Blogging' - the term is a contraction of the term 'web logging' - is perhaps best described as a form of micro-publishing. It is easy to create use a blog, from any internet browser from anywhere in the world and is firmly establised as a method od communication. Lots of travellers, my daughter included, crate a blog to share their experiances with us less fortunate atill at home! The blogging phenomenon has evolved from its early origin as a medium for the publication of simple, online personal diaries, to the latest multi-modal technology, designed to engage people in collaborative activity, knowledge sharing, reflection and debate. Many blogs have large and dedicated readerships, and blog clusters have formed linking fellow bloggers in accordance with their common interests.

So if you are reading guys (that's you Ed Studies Year 1 2012/13) remember your blog will be your assessment for this module so ensure that you keep it up to date and interesting!

I found this site too which I though was interetsing if you are thinking of using blogs in HE.

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/help/2011/02/22/7-uses-for-blogs-in-higher-education/

The medium is the message (1974)

Click to view

When you get through the repeated words, there is indeed and important message. Play it and leave your comments please. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Welsh Government | Written Statement - Review of history, Welsh history and Curriculum Cymreig

Welsh Government | Written Statement - Review of history, Welsh history and Curriculum Cymreig

The power of mobile technology

For the last few years I have been promoting the possibilities of mobile technology. I could see great opportunities for collaboration, innovation and pupil autonomy. Now, in schools all other country, there is an iPad craze. I'm not so sure of the actual tech but some of the concepts are sound. I do however, feel that, nothing much has changed, except children are using APPS instead of applications...such a world of difference? For me it should be about autonomy, having a digital device that does it all is quite empowering. The tablet, iPad, iPod, smart phone, whatever device you have available empowers the user to select whatever tools they need for the job in hand. That's the power of mobile technology. Not the device. Not the name tag. Good pedagogy will ensure that the learning comes first, the technology is just a means to an end.

I spent the day in Casllwchwr Primary School on Monday, observing a dream realised, outstanding practice and children motivated.  In the junior classes, each child has their own mobile device, and in the infant classrooms there are plenty to share.  The children are no longer dazzled by the technology nor are they fazed by adults stopping to ask questions as they work. Will we be witnessing a radical change in pedagogical approaches now or will we be wondering where the money went?

Posted from my tablet whilst watching the football!

Tim Rylands Inspires

I have been to lots of conferences and courses during my time in education, for CPD etc., and no matter how good they are, I can't help but look at the clock and wonder wistfully when the coffee break will allow me to re-establish a connection between my brain and the rest of my body. Today, in ESIS listening to Tim Rylands, however I felt like a child waiting for the next instalment of my favourite TV programme, and I could not believe when it was time to go home, let alone break for coffee!

I met Tim Rylands a few years ago at Bett when I accidentally walked in to a seminar on Gaming in Education. I have been an avid fan ever since. As a lecturer in higher education I am always looking for new and exciting ways to reach our 21st century learners, and as such I often endorse Myster Rylands and his amazing approach to teaching and learning. Tim has always been supportive when I send my students in his direction, guiding them in their journey to innovative practice. After today's activities at ESIS I can see why they come back to university bursting with enthusiasm. Tim and Sarah are incredibly inspiring, I'm not sure it would matter what they were talking about though, as they are such charismatic individuals. But their chosen topic is ICT to Inspire and inspire they surely do. The blog is amazing, it is a fabulous resource and a great way to inject interesting and creative ideas to feed your children's enthusiasm to learn! Their training days are incredible, but the most important aspect of the whole approach is the realistic and believable way in which they deliver their wares, giving you real life contexts and examples, so that you truly believe you can do it too!

A great day and I'm looking forward to seeing how it is all put into practice tomorrow in school...