Assignment 6

1.1 Ipad, IWB, Quizizz, Google Classroom, Collaboration.

Describe Technologies

• iPad - touchscreen mobile tablet device that supports using the internet (information/research) and apps (tools).
• supports learning, teaching and assessment.

Describe Technologies

• Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) - computer images are displayed on it via a projector.
• The images can be manipulated by using a finger as a mouse on the screen. Items can be dragged, clicked and copied. Notes can be written and later saved (BBC Active)

Describe Tools

• Quizizz is a web 2.0 student-paced formative assessment tool styled like a computer game.

Describe Tools

• Google Classroom is a blended learning platform developed for edcuaton that aims to simplify creating, distributing and grading assignments in a paperless way (Wikipedia).

Describe Techniques

• Collaboration allows learners to pool their knowledge, understanding, ideas and skills to produce work/reach a desired goal.

1.3 Advantages of Ipad

• iPad
• Interactive technology makes learning more engaging and memorable.
• Enables a huge choice of tools to be used.
• Audio and video recorders change the way that learning takes place and homework is completed.
• Gives access to information and resources on the internet.
• Can be linked to the IWB.
• Quick loading time compared to a desktop.
• Has built in support for learners with visual/hearing impairment.

1.3 Disdvantages of Ipad

• Very expensive.
• If broken, takes time and money to get repaired.
• Limited storage on device (need to use cloud).

1.3 Advantages of IWB

• Allows learners to interact with the information on the board.
• Allows learners to work individually or as a group (collaboration) at the board.
• All notes, labels, mindmaps, etc can be saved and shared on a VLE.
• All learning support accessories that are available on the teacher's computer can be applied to the IWB.
• Screenshots can be taken and saved to the VLE.
• Can incorporate multimedia resources into the lesson.
• A tablet can be linked to it.

1.3 Disadvantages of IWB

• In practice there is insufficient training given on how to use IWBs.
• Teachers are only using them as a 'blackboard' and not utilising the full range of possibilities.
• Teachers need to be comfortable using computers to use an IWB.
• Teachers need access to the software to create lessons or to access previous work saved on the notepad.

1.3 Advantages of Quizizz

• BYOD Learners can use their own device or any internet enabled device to access the quiz.
• Learners can move at their own pace when answering questions.
• Learners are shown their answers at the end and can compare these with the correct answers. Instant feedback.
• There is access to a lot of public content quizzes that can be edited and used by any teacher.
• It is possible to upload your own images/GIFs to the quiz.
• You can select MEMEs to be shown after learners answer questions, making the quiz a fun and positive experience.
• Teachers can export the results of quizzes to Excel spreadsheets for tracking learners' progress.
• You can jumble the order of the questions to prevent cheating.
• It doesn't require anything to be projected onto the IWB.

1.3 Disadvantages of Quizizz

• Requires an internet enabled device.
• Teacher needs to be IT confident to create their own quiz and to pull down teh reports.

1.3 Advantages of Google Classroom

• Cloud storage - access from anywhere.
• Integrates with a lot of web 2.0 tools e.g. Quizizz.
• It's free.
• Provides a productivity suite of email, documents, storage youtube account.
• Accessible from all devices.
• Allows effective communication through sharing documents, working collaboratively, teacher - learner, learner - teacher, teacher- teacher communcations.

1.3 Disadvantages of Google Classroom

• There have been questions about Google mining personal data from accounts and not allowing privacy.
• Is anything really 'free'?
• Users need to become familiar with Google symbols and icons.
• Can only use tools that are aligned with Google products.
• There can only be one 'Owner' of a document that is uploaded
• When an assignment is sent to learners they are able to edit it, this means they could delete all of the questions/information that has been typed on it.

1.3 Advantages of Collaboration

• Learners learn to work with their peers.
• Share knowledge, understanding and skills.
• Builds self-esteem in learners.
• Develops oral communication skills.
• Uses a team approach to problem solving.
• Stimulates critical thinking and helps students clarify ideas through discussion and debate.
• Helps learners to persevere with more difficult tasks.

1.3 Disadvantages of Collaboration

• Team members having distracting or irrelevant conversations.
• Slower team members holding back teh others.
• Individuals with dominant personalities taking over.
• Learners refusing to work with the rest of a group.
• Teachers not discussing the rules of working collaboratively with learners and enforcign them.

1.2 How needs and preferences can be met

• Most devices have built in learner support tools e.g. Apple VoiceOver speaks items that are on screen, Zoom magnifies the screen and the screen can be moved using fingers, Magnifier uses the devices camera to magnify anything around the learner, Colour filters can be applied to aid learners with colour blindness, and the intensity of light can be reduced. Similar tools can also be applied to the IWB.
• Collaboration allows teachers to differentiate tasks for different abilities of learners and the different DL levels. Learners can also use tools to collaborate online using Google. Classroom.
• Learners can be supported remotely by the teacher. They can talk via Google hangout.
• Learners develop digital skills usign all of these tools, technology and techniques.
• Tools like Quizizz allow learners to move at their own pace, useful for learners with lower reading abilities.
• There are many apps that can be downloaded to tablets to support learners needs for dyslexia e.g. SoundLiteracy, Autism e.g. SightWords, Visually Impaired e.g.Dragon Dictation, Writing Difficulties e.g. The Writing Machine. This means the learner has access to this support at home as well as in the classroom.

2c Barriers and Challenges to embedding TTT

• Funding or cost of TTT, it can be beyond some people and schools to purchase these things.
• Sufficient training to enable staff and learners to become confident enough to fully utilise TTT.
• Staff unable to guide learners to use devices because they do not have experience of using different devices (for BYOD courses).
• IT failure in the classroom.
• The internet or WiFi goes down during a lesson.
• Literacy or Numeracy issues with learners or teachers preventing them from wanting to try new TTT.
• Disabilities of learners or teachers preventing them from trying new TTT.

2.1 Explain activities that develop DL Skills

• Use new tools during lessons, e.g quizzes usign Kahoot, Quizizz and PollEverywhere.
• Get learners collaborating in groups and putting their work on collaboration tools such as Padlet and Google Slides.
• Allow learners to create things such as multimedia presentations and access them via QR codes.

4.2 How to keep up-to-date?

• Follow social media feeds to keep in touch with the latest developments.
• Take advantage of any training taht is provided.
• Share information with colleagues.
• Look on help sites for tools and technology training clips.
• Search on the internet for reviews of the latest developments.
• Check for authenticity and dates of inforamtion.