With the micro teaching sessions starting next week I thought I would model my presentation on the above video starring the Guard at the Tower Of London.  I would take a guess I might fail in several key areas of the marking, however I am sure the session would bring a smile to all those present.  If you haven't seen this clip, it will bring a smile to your day.

My  Experience of Mobile Technology

When I initially asked myself the question ‘how  much do I know of,  or use mobile technology? ‘, my initial thought was, very little.  However during the lesson with Mandy it soon became apparent that I was, in fact, utilising a number of mobile technologies for work and teaching purposes, as well as in my personal life.

For example, I use my mobile phone, a Blackberry Bold 9900 smart phone, in a variety of ways. The smart phone is able to send and receive emails relating to both my work and personal accounts.  I can also access Facebook and I use this for both work and social purposes.   In addition, the Blackberry messaging service, BBM, allows me to  keep in touch with family and work colleagues on the Blackberry network.

I am able to access the internet and open and download documents directly to the phone.  Word, Excel and PowerPoint can all be viewed on the phone’s touch screen.

I utilise the diary and notes application on the phone and I am able to store contact details.  My Blackberry is an important tool and I use it in all aspects of my day-to-day life.

When teaching, I utilise a number of mobile technologies. Many of the training venues I teach at do not have either, a laptop or projector.  To support my teaching I use an ACER laptop and ACER K330 projector.   The projector is compact and easily portable and provides excellent viewing of slides or video, greatly enhancing the learning experience.

 One section of the Autism Awareness training that I run, requires learners to complete an online programme and for this particular task we utilise Ipads.   These have proved extremely successful and  are very popular with the learners.  It is an area of the learning we plan to expand upon.

In summary, my use of mobile technology is far greater than initially thought and as my knowledge of available mobile technology increases, I am certain I will start to utilise even more.

TED Talk

TED talk

 Joe Sabia: The Technology of storytelling 

Deciding which TED talk to reflect on, with so  many to choose from was quite difficult. During my search I found myself being somewhat distracted from my learning task and exploring the videos.  I was drawn to talks in subject areas in which I am interested. One in particular, presented by Professor Brian Cox
What really goes on at the large Hadron collider  really caught my attention and I was completely engrossed.

Once the video had finished I realised how focused I had been, and how much I had learned.  Having spent some considerable time exploring various TED talks, I eventually chose the TED talk by JoeSabia: The technology of storytelling.  

Joe Sabia describes himself as “ an independent conceptor, director, copyright-reform advocate, and speaker on creativity/building internet video audiences" (Sabia, 2013)  He has certainly added me to his fan base.

As the Ted talk task made up part of the ICT module, I decided I would try to find a talk that incorporated the use of ICT.  ICT is central to the talk and a good example for the ICT module.  The use of  tablet technology in this Ted talk, to enhance the storytelling, is excellent.  The story is laced together with both the spoken and written word, made amusing with sound and vision clips and underpinned by the correct use of the technology. 

Although the story itself is simplistic, the utilisation of ICT enhances, not only the narrative but more importantly the learning.  Armitage describes how ‘’teaching and learning resources should be used to promote and enhance student learning‘’ (Armitage, 2007 third edition page 109)  and this presentation is a prime example of how this can be achieved.

The Ted talks as an educational resource certainly enhanced my learning experience and encouraged me to explore further the subjects being discussed.  This is a resource I feel sure I will utilise again in the future.

I hope you enjoy the clip

Reference

Armitage, A et al (2007) Teaching and Training in Post Compulsory Education, 3rd edition
Milton Keynes: O U Press

Review a blog that you feel may be useful in your teaching

 

 

The Autismtank blog provides useful insight into teaching children and young people with Autism. Hailey Deloya (author of the blog) utilises her professional knowledge and experience gained through her teaching,  to share what has worked well or not so well, during her lessons.

The blog is kept up-to-date, and this helps when looking for advice on dealing with particular events/holidays during the year, which can often cause those with Autism extra anxiety.

For example there is a post discussing how best to plan a school Halloween party, it outlines a lesson plan and how best to work with Autistic individuals to achieve the aims and objectives of the lesson. 

The style and structure of the blog is very simple, with the emphasis concentrated on the blog content. Even though I teach in the adult sector, I come into contact with many families who have school age children and I am often asked my opinion on what is, in my experience, the best form of education for them ie. mainstream, resource base, home schooling  etc.  However, as the Autistic Spectrum is so wide and encompasses so many, these are not simple questions to answer and advice will vary according to a child’s specific needs and personality.  Hence blogs like  Autism Tank, which are written by a teacher with wide autism experience in a simple, straight forward and user friendly manner are invaluable resources.   



Microsoft Applications

My home and work computers have windows operating systems, ranging from xp through to windows 8. Having gained experience with windows 7 I have found adjusting to the windows  8 operating system troublesome. Windows 8  with integrated touch screen technology ( if your computer has this facility) does have  its advantages, however the new layout of the desk top I feel is difficult to navigate.  In time I  hope to build experience  of the windows 8 operating system and in time develop skills to utilise windows 8 fully. I have used Microsoft word and powerpoint to prepare presentations.  I have limited knowledge and practical use of excel. I will usually choose Internet explorer for my INTERNET search engine. 

For my Inspirational blog I have chosen, Life with an Autistic Son by B’s Dad

There are a number of reasons for choosing this particular blog. I work with those affected by Autism and teach in this subject area.  My youngest son has Autism which means the blog is of both personal and professional interest.
The blog was recommended to me by a friend who worked for the National Autistic Society (NAS) 
The blog is simple to use and easy to navigate. It provides archives dating back to 2011 with posts ranging from handling emotions to parenting those with Autism.
The blog is up-to-date and provides constantly evolving sources of information full of practical and professional help and advice.  It also contains product reviews on a whole host of useful and practical autism related items, for example, Chewigem,  a product aimed at helping children and adults who need to chew things.   
Life with an Autistic Son has recently been launched as an ebook, which contains posts featured from the blog.  The blog goes from strength to strength with an ever increasing number of bloggers making valuable and thought provoking contributions.
In an article in the Telegraph of 15th October2012, B’s Dad describes how a fellow teacher reacts on discovering B’s Dad is father to a son with Autism.   The teacher in question states that she does not class Autism as a disability.  B’s Dad comments ‘ coming from a member of staff, such lack of acceptance of autism as a disability is troubling ’ (B’s Dad, Telegraph 2012). Unfortunately, from personal  experience, and years of dealing with main stream teaching staff , such a lack of understanding about Autism and just how debilitating it can be for students, comes as no surprise.   
I hope you have found the blog of some interest and are encouraged to learn more about Autism.
Paul

I have signed up to bubbl.us and created the diagram below