To what extent are practitioners’ skills and knowledge important for the effective use of ICT?

Studies are continuously showing the beneficial impact technology has on students. However practitioners have been identified as being nervous when working with computers. Agyei and Voogt (2011) identify that this has a significant impact upon their pedagogical performance.

Even though technology is a significant factor unless teachers are trained and have the right knowledge and confidence within these methods their teaching through ICT will not be effective. (Brown. 2014)

The video below demonstrates how understanding and confidence have a beneficial influence on the use of technology.

Agyei, D.D. and Voogt, J.M., 2011. Exploring the potential of the will, skill, tool model in Ghana: Predicting prospective and practicing teachers’ use of technology. Computers & Education, 56(1), pp.91-100.

Brown, H (2014) "Teachers Attitudes and Confidence in Technology Integration". Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 893(1) pp. 41-55.

Pasco County School. (2012). Teaching with Technology the “Write” Way. [Vodcast] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYowyQ-o4oQ (Accessed: 16.01.2017)

Are Practitioners Skills and Knowledge Important for the Effective use of ICT?

I have carried out a spider diagram on a webpage called Popplet. I have discussed whether practitioners skills and knowledge are important for the effective use of ICT? I considered factors such as learning styles, teaching, confidence/training and padagogies.

Here is a link to the webpage: http://popplet.com/app/#/3744780

The Effective Use of ICT by Practitioners

Jeff and Katie Dunn believe that Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but that teachers who embrace technology will replace those who do not (Dunn, 2015). So how important is it that teachers keep themselves and their knowledge up to date with technology?

To get more of an idea, I met with John Smith, who is a primary school teacher from Tonypandy Primary School, to discuss what he thought about technology in education, and how useful it is for teaching.

Below is the full interview I conducted:

 

From the responses he gave and the information I gather, I believe it is in the best interest of both the educator and the student, that practitioners keep themselves up to date with modern technology.  It not only supports teaching, but can allow for a more engaged audience and more information being learned by the students.

To Quote George Couros - “Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational”.

Do you agree that teachers should keep themselves up to date with technology?

 

Couros, G (2014). The Principle of Change: Stories of Learning and Leading. We need to see beyond the "Tool". Available At: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4803. (Accessed on: 16th January 2017)

Dunn, J & Dunn, K (2013). Technology will not replace teachers. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-dunn/teachers-technology_b_4130200.html. (Accessed at: 15th January 2017)

 

 

To what extent are practitioners’ skills and knowledge important for the effective use of ICT?

Ensuring that practitioners are able to teach ICT effectively is an essential skill particularly evident throughout the curriculum. Many researchers emphasise the importance of teachers being comfortable and knowledgeable using these methods of technology. (King-Sears&Evmenova,2007). Starr stated teachers view computers as valuable teaching tools when they themselves were comfortable using them (Starr,2003)

Do you agree that practitioners are more likely to use a variety of ICT methods if they feel confident that they can use them effectively? This video identifies this.


Austin, L.(2013)ICT in teaching. .Brown, H. (2014) ‘Teachers Attitudes and Confidence in Technology Integration’, Marshall-University Marshall-Digital-Scholar-Theses,DissertationsandCapstones,

The Effectiveness of Using and Creating Podcast's/Vodcast's in Educational Settings

On the Cardiff Metropolitan University website and YouTube page, a range of vodcasts are available. Here are two vodcasts, one giving a virtual tour of the Cyncoed campus and the other reviewing Cardiff’s accommodation/halls.  

1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqAw31jYow

2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll6eEhhRmyY

I would say both these vodcasts are effective, and very beneficial for students contemplating studying at the university. International students could view the university before arrival or open days. All information is given through vodcasts, which is easy to access and cost effective. If individuals have questions or queries about accommodation, they can watch the vodcast for personal experiences from other students.

Pena and Challoo stated ‘teachers today need to be savvy in the ways they present material and how they get and keep their students’ attention’ (2011). Therefore vodcasts seem to be supporting teachers when presenting or setting work. However creating these vodcasts can be very time consuming for filming, editing and researching. Not all students would know how to access these videos, neither would some want to be filmed.

Pena, R., & Challoo, Linda. (2011). The Impact of Podcasts, Screencasts, and Vodcasts on Student Achievement in the Science Classroom, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

Podcasts and Vodcasts in Education

It is becoming increasingly common within education, that lessons are no longer taught with traditional book learning, but through the use of Audio and Video tools.  More and more education systems, such as schools and universities, are making information available online.  One of the most common systems to use are Podcasts and Vodcasts. But what are these and how useful are they really?

Below is an interview I conducted with 2 students of Cardiff Met University to see what they thought about Podcasting and Vodcasting and how useful it really is:

 

It seems that although this type of resource can be useful in education, there are some negatives towards using it effectively. 

I do believe however that using podcasts and vodcasts will become a more common way of teaching as technology continues to improve.

The Importance of Multimedia and Multimodality within Compulsary Education

The prezi I have created identifies the difference between multimedia and multimodality whilst providing examples of how practitioners involve both within their pedagogical techniques. It then continues to explain the importance of these methods within education.

http://prezi.com/dvntd19fbiw0/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy