Types of activities and software in lessons

At first, I thought that as long as you are using ICT in lessons then it is good, without any thought of the activities or software that is being used. However, after reading the Smeet article, I have realised that it is very important, that you choose the correct software to promote learning. To create the right environment it is also very important to differentiate in ICT so that all students are being pushed to their own potential. Thirdly, from this article and others I feel that it is very important to use ICT to help children work collaboratively and co-operatively so that they can help each other learn, and learn vital group work and discussion skills. I need to make sure that ant lack of knowledge and confidence I have in ICT does not negatively affect my teaching.

Wikis

Today we learnt about Wikis, which was again all new for me as I did not even know what a Wiki was until I started this course! It seems like a great way to make arrangements with people socially as well as a great teacher resource. As we have been shown today this can be used as a resource base or can be used with other teachers to plan lessons on an everyday basis.

I have tried adding resources and found a good one for PE warm ups, games and activities, which I have attached onto the Teaching resources Wiki. So I now know what Wikis are and how to add to them. Now I will try to add a Wiki on my facebook page so I can start arranging social events through them as well to keep my practise up!

First Blog of the year!

It's very scary doing my first blog but I need to overcome this intimidation for when I start teaching. I've read lots of articles recently about how teachers are nervous with ICT which is leading to many schools and therefore children falling behind in their ICT knowledge. Teaching the curriculum seems to be fairly successful but as soon as they have to come out of this comfortable arena, people start falling back.

From what I have seen so far, ICT can be so useful across the curriculum for example, incorporating play within a subject like Maths, using online games or enabling children to be more creative in Art or English using different programmes for designing posters or making photo collages. So there is lots to learn and explore over the next few months which hopefully will be just as exciting as it is scary!