029: 1.1 Describe at least 5 learning technologies, tools and techniques. (At least one of each).

029: 1.3 Analyse the advantages and disadvantages (at least 2 of each) of the technologies, tools and techniques described above.

In their book 'Understanding Digital Literacy', Jones and Hafner introduce the digital practitioner to the concept of 'affordances and constraints' of digital technology. In layman' terms these are what we can and what we can't do with the tools and technologies at our disposal.

Digital tools and technologies can influence the way that we:

Do things
What we can mean
How we relate to others
How or what we can think
Who we can be

As a digital literacy practitioner we should be considering how the tools and technologies we are using fit into the above.

Technologies are the devices that we use to use, for example, tablets, laptops, computers and smart phones.

The Apple iPad is revolutionising the way we use technology in the classroom. Tablets are fast becoming an everyday item in the home and at work, and this has now started to reach into the classroom for both tutor and student. The tablet is changing the way that we do things in the classroom, it is changing the type of activities that we do, it is changing the way that we collect evidence and indeed the way that we relate to each other in the classroom.

For a comprehensive list of the affordances and constraints of the iPad please follow the link on the slide.

The interactive whiteboard can be used to really embrace collaboration within the class. The IWB can change the relationship the teacher, student and the material has with each other. The learners can become active participants rather than merely passive observers.

For a comprehensive list of the affordances and constraints of the interactive whiteboard please follow the link on the slide.

Tools are the software and apps that we use on devices to complete tasks, for example, Prezi, PowerPoint, HackPad, Facebook, Google, Emodo and Nutshell.

Glogster is an interactive presentation tool that allows the user to create an interactive poster to present their information. The poster can be made up of images, audio, video and text. The presenter has total control of the presentation and can manipulate the poster to access further slides, links, videos and images by simply touching the interactive white board.

Pro's -
Basic version is free
Relatively easy to use
Visually pleasing
Makes presentations fun and interactive
Promotes student/teacher collaboration
Offers templates
Offers a Glogepedia to share ideas

Con's
Can be quite time consuming
It is easy to get carried away with information
Posters can get very 'busy'
Work is made public on completion

Prezi is a cloud-based (SaaS) presentation software and storytelling tool for presenting ideas on a virtual canvas.
Prezi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prezi

Pro's
Easy to use
Free
Offers pre-set templates
Videos and audio can be embedded
Easy to use and for user to develop at their own pace

Con's

Slide movement can be a little distracting
Presentation style is not everyone's cup of tea
Can be a little daunting to use at first
It looks harder to use than it actually is
Presentations become public on completion

Nutshell is a clever little presentation tool created by Prezi. The user simply takes three photos and the app stitches them together to create a short presentation. The user can then add captions, graphics, audio and the app puts it all together into a 'shareable cinematic story'.

Pro's

Free
Very simple to use
User can self differentiate
Looks great
Great for capturing evidence in a classroom

Con's

Very limited applications
Only allowed to use three photos
Requires iPad
User can only create simple presentations

Techniques are the way that we implement the learning tools and technologies into the classroom.

Nutshell can be used as a lovely little tool to capture classroom activities for evidence. A very simple tool to capture images and captions during a session. Easy to use, the app produces a lovely little presentation with minimal effort. This tool is a very good app to introduce a novice or nervous student to the wonders of modern technology as a presentation tool. This will also develop the learners iPad using skills. Great as a 'hook'.

The teacher could ask the class to research a topic, such as, Internet safety and feedback their findings in the form of a Glogster poster presentation.

Pro's

Fun and interesting way of presenting facts
Develops literacy
Audio visual presentation
Develops learners digital literacy skills
Can be shared on line

Con's

Difficult to know which learner did what part of assignment

Only one learner at a time can input to poster

May need some level of preparation before learners can use Glogster.
Time consuming

The tutor could split the group into two and set a task. Each group would have to create a treasure trail based on the topic they are studying,for the others to follow. In order to do this they would have to use their iPad to create clues using images linked to the Aurasma app that they will need to download.

Pro's

Very high tech and fascinating to watch
Relatively easy to create an 'aura'
Lots of examples come with the app
Fun and innovative

Con's

Needs to be on line to access
Requires an iPad
Requires a certain degree of digital literacy skills
Can be quite time consuming