EDTK 2030

Graded Discussion 1 is a powerpoint presentation, i have tried many different ways to upload the document but without  success. Below are the contents of the powerpoint presentation in microsoft word format with the hope that you will understand what it is about.

What is convergence?

According to Janssen (n.d) convergence is the process of combining two or more different pieces of technology into a single system. Convergence allows more than one thing to be done saving space and energy (Janssen, n.d). The connection of technologies can be done with or without wires for sharing information. Services such as conference calling, news via the internet and skype using cellphones have all become possible because of convergence (Asthana & Panda, 2002).

3 images of ICT media that can effectively be converged.

There should be a pictureof a digital camera, a laptop and a LCD television

Using 2 forms of media to teach 1 lesson

Theme: Animals

Subtheme: Pets

(inserted here should be picture showing how the lesson is transfered from the digital camera unto the LCD television and a mouse for the children to use)

Lesson Plan for 5 years old

Objectives – at the end of lesson, children should be able to ;

Tell name of animals seen

Count the different animals seen

Click on the animal you would like to have for your pet

Developmental steps

1. Teacher will transfer pictures of animals from digital camera unto laptop individually. Children will be asked to tell names of animal seen.

2. Children will be asked to count the different animals seen while teacher uses wireless mouse to move each animal.

3. Children will be randomly chosen to click on the animal they would like to have for their pet.

Materials Needed:

Digital camera, laptop with wireless mouse

ICT has caused the teaching and learning process to be less time consuming has persons no longer have to be reading this vast amount of books but instead surf the internet for exactly what they want.

                                                                                                            References

Asthana, M. K., & Panda, D. M. (2002). Convergence, The Human Perspective. Delhi Business Review, 1.

Janssen, C. (n.d.). Convergence. Retrieved September 19, 2014. from Techopedia: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/769/convergence

unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2014. from google: ttps://www.google.com.jm/search?q

Option 1

Critical thinking is defined by the Foundation for Critical Thinking, (2013) as a mode of thinking that allows the thinker to improve his/her quality of thinking about a subject, content or problem by taking charge of essential parts that exist in the thinking process. In other words it is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-corrected thinking which attempts resoning at the highest level of thinking. It entails conceptualizing, applying, analyzing and evaluating information gained from experience, observation, reasoning or communication (Foundation for critical thinking, 2013).

Analysis is the breaking down of complex topics into smaller parts in order to gain a better undersatnding of it (Wikipedia.org, 2014). Analysis is one method that can be used in ICT to build critical thinking skills. Teachers can contribute to the develoment of critical thinking skills in ICT by providing materials where children can be creative by linking experience or observation to ICT. Teachers can alos give assignments that requires students to think critically and at the same time use ICT tools to analyze their thinking.

An example of critical thinking in ICT is a set of grade 6 students were discussing the importance of eating 3 meals per day and in what proportions each meal should be eaten. These children already know that 3 meals are to be eaten each day, however, they do not know in what roportions and what are the best things to eat at a particular time. They will need to think critically and use ICT to get the information. After finding the information they will now develop habits of eating healthy as they would have discovered important information that contributes to their health.

Providing opportunities that enhances children critical thinking skills teachers can act as guide or mentors for students by asking open-end questions (Smart Schools Program, 2012). Teachers can also give assignments that will involve the participation of parents.

References

Foundation for critical thinking. (2013). Defining Critical Thinking. Retrieved from The Critical Thinking Community: http://www.criticalthinking.org//

Smart Schools Program. (2012, august 22). Develop Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in ICT. Retrieved from Smart Schools Program: http://www.smartschools.ph/tools/teacherresources/12-08-28/Develop_Students_Critical_Thinking_Skills_in_ICT.aspx

Wikipedia.org. (2014, August 31). Analysis. Retrieved from Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis

According to Wikipedia.org a wiki is a server software that can be modified by its users from any web browser (Wikipedia.org, 2002).

The wiki I choose is Mrs. Anderson class http://mrsanderson10.pbworks.com/w/page/33263525/FrontPage this wiki encourage students to work together in compiling information to share what they have learnt with other persons worldwide. This wiki gives valuable information about the brain that not only students will find useful but also adults. The different subject areas were accessible and an assignment which I think was very helpful.

There could have been more fun activities/games. There wasn’t a parent’s space where parents could go and make their contributions. The page could do well with some more pictures/graphics to make it look more attractive.

Reference

Wikipedia.org. (2002, June 27). What is wiki. Retrieved from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Years_Professional_Status

Theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky and Dewey suggests that discovery learning encourage the child to actively participate in a lesson by exploring and answering questions based on the experience. The goals of Discovery learning includes promoting a deeper understanding and higher level of student engagement, encourage autonomy and independence and provide an individual learning experience (Coffey, n.d).

Example of a discovery learning lesson plan can be found at

http://www.togethercounts.com/at-school/lesson-plans/food-and-energy

Topic: Food and Energy

Summary

The objectives of this lesson is to teach children how food and beverage gives them the energy they need to work and play. Children will be to tell what energy is, tell what calorie is, the role of calories in our diet, tell reasons why some people need more energy than another and put in order some foods and beverages by the amount of energy we get from them. Materials to be used in teaching this lesson include foods from the different caloric levels, measuring cups and spoons and access to the internet.

Strategy/Procedure

Children will be asked to participate in a game of “Simon says”. Children will be introduced to the word “ENERGY’ and its definition. Children will be asked to tell some things they love to eat. Children will be asked to tell what they get from eating food. Children will be asked to tell activities they love to do. Teacher will ask children “how do you feel when you do not eat breakfast?” teacher will put the caloric foods on table top and ask children to tell which one they think would give more energy. Children will now be introduced to the word “CALORIE” and its definition and importance. The measuring cups and spoons will be used to show children how much calorie they would get from each food item on table top. They will be asked to guess before see actual answer. Children will be asked tell why they think some people need more energy than some and to arrange the foods in order of the appearance based on the larger to the smallest portion of calorie gained from each.

Assessment

Children will be assessed by providing answers to questions from the link http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/calreqtips.pdf. They will be asked to name one energy food or beverage they had eaten for the day. Teacher and children will do some energy activities such as dance, jump run etc. children will be given an assignment to encourage parental participation where the parent/guardian will be asked to go to the following link http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/calories-burned.php and do the activity with their child.

Reflection:

Were children able to:

1. Tell what energy is?

2. Tell what calorie is?

3. Tell the importance of calories in our diet?

4. Tell reasons why some people need more energy than another?

5. Put in order some foods and beverages by the amount of energy we get from them?

6. Does children show and understanding of what was being taught?

7. Was teacher satisfied with the outcome of the lesson being taught?

References

Coffey, H. (n.d). Discovery learning. Retrieved from LEARN NC: K- 12 Teaching and learning from the UNC School of Education: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/5352

Together Counts . (2014). Grade-K-2 Food and Energy . Retrieved from Together Counts: http://www.togethercounts.com/at-school/lesson-plans/food-and-energy