Revision, revision, revision

It is Thursday night of the reading week and my notes are everywhere.

 

 The weather gave us lovely surprise and we had snow!!!!

In the second week of January I started a GCSE English course. Every Tuesday afternoon I’m in college for 4 hours. The course is interesting but very intense at the same time. It is a long day in University and then college, sometimes I think it’s too much and I have my doubts and ask myself why I put myself through this ;-/
It’s hard...working two days a week, studying full time education in a second language and doing an extra course in college. The choices we make in our life are not easy, especially if we want to achieve something valuable and it costs us time and hard work. Since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. My Mum is a Primary Teacher and she passed on to me her passion about teaching, she is my role model. 

 It is only a few days left until my first exam. I have done plenty of reading and looked through my notes over and over and over again. Now, I just have to stay positive and hope for the best. 

Multiple Intelligence and Technology

       On my last ICT session we had been talking and multiple intelligence and technology. We read the article by Ian J. McCoog “Integrated Instruction: Multiple Intelligences and Technology”.  This is a very interesting article in which McCoog implement multiple intelligence theory into technological context in learning process. 

As we all know, Howard Gardner introduced the new concept of intelligence in 1983. Gardner introduced the multiple intelligences into a list of nine: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, naturalistic, existential and intrapersonal. McCoog explained each intelligences and provided integration strategies and examples for implementing them into learning theory. 

       The technology has had a massive impact on our day to day life, work, business and education.  In my opinion, we are more motivated to learn when we are involved in activities in which we gain new talents. The technology used in the classroom such as iPods, iPhones, and laptops allow us to develop our skills and abilities.

      In an ICT session we had an activity which involved the use of modern technology and multiple intelligences. In a combination of two strategies, we had to present how heart is working in few different ways. My group had the public service announcement. To do this we had to create a short rail station notice by recording our voice on an iPod and then changing it using one of the softwares installed on the computer. This activity was very interesting and enjoyable. I have learned how the heart works and realised how technology makes our life easier.   

However, we can’t only relay on technology because as we all know they are only machines which can break, damage, freeze or refuse to work. 

Educating my language

I would like to share with you one of the websites which helps me practice grammar, spelling and punctuation to improve my English language. The Learn English site is part of the British Council website, which offers free help and support in learning English language. There is a huge amount of resources such as games, tests, jokes, quizzes and videos. This centre is suitable for all learners, from children to adults. Everyone can find something interesting and practical for their needs. The practical tests are designed in a variety of levels: beginner, elementary, intermediate and advanced. 

 

 

The learning centre also offers free apps on smart phones which I can use on my smart phone. This is very helpful because I can learn and practice grammar using my smart phone anywhere I want.  The Learn English website provides help in business and in work. There are a variety of podcasts and articles on professional topics. This website offers activities to help improve the professional language vocabulary in a specific workplace. 

As part of my university journey, I have to enhance and progress my vocabulary, grammar and academic writing. I found this website very helpful and enjoyable.

The Primary Edutech

     

    A few weeks ago I found a very interesting blog which I now regularly visit. The primary edutech is a blog created by Scott Baldock, who is a primary school teacher in Australia. The edutech is based on the Australian Curriculum but the resources posted on this blog are very valuable and are worth having a look at to get inspired. This blog has been nominated to the best educational blog 2011. The primary edutech aims to share and develop passion about ICT and what it can offer education. The edutech provides huge amount of information of learning process and shows the influence of technology in education. There is variety of different resources for each subject which are divided into specific criteria. 

     

 The next advantage of the blog in educational context is collection of information about Interactive White Boards, iPad, Web and Media.  The author analysed latest technology devices, in teaching usage, which are placed in a separate headlines. The educational games, or programs, installed on an iPad provide a variety of different learning ways a teacher can use them in the classroom. By games and fun children learn and memorise more. The next good point is that users can create a fee free account to share new ideas or resources with other teachers.  

        In summary, this blog is worth our time to look for 

new or fresh ideas for primary teaching. It is significant to understand the impact of modern technology in education and how teaching depends on it.