The Pros and Cons of presentations

Our Aire of Questions

How can online questionnaires be used to benefit the teacher?

Questionnaires can be a great way to engage the class in something fun, whilst at the same time finding out essential information about the class.  In the questionnaire below, we sandwiched silly questions between sensible ones.  Asking participants their favourite colour (but only giving obscure options) added some playfulness to the questionnaire, but we also found out some useful information, such as: 

• The aspirations of our fellow classmates
• Valuable input on what they believe is important when teaching
• Ideas for delivering an inclusive lesson.

Doing something similar as a teacher could provide me with information such as the range of abilities, the expectations of the class, and the students' previous experience.  Depending on the questions, it could also be used to encourage deep or critical thinking about the subject being taught.

Using technology in everyday life

I went to London this weekend.  It was a spontaneous decision made two days earlier. Once the idea was planted, I went straight online to book transport, accommodation and theatre tickets: A weekend sorted in minutes thanks to the Internet and a laptop.

Making such a spur of the moment decision meant that there was little time to pack.  As I was leaving the house on Saturday morning wondering if I had packed everything, I thought to myself: "As long as I have my phone (fully charged) and my credit card I'll be fine." 

Armed with a credit card I can buy anything I forgot to pack. But why did my phone matter above all else?  Travel documents, hotel and theatre reservations, map of the underground - all these things were on my phone.  If I got lost, the voice on my map app would tell me where to go.  If I needed to look for somewhere to eat or the nearest attraction, my trip advisor app could show me. When does this museum close? How much does that gallery charge? Where is the nearest tube station? How far is The Courtauld from The Tate? All these answers can be found within seconds thanks to 3G (still waiting on 4G but I'm coping).  My phone can tell me how much is on my Oyster card, and can even top it up.  If I want a Starbucks without paying cash - I have a Starbucks app.  If I found myself without reading material on the journey I could read the news, play a game or connect to my Kindle, all on my phone - and when my eyes are tired, I can just plug my headphones into my phone and listen to Planet Rock instead.

Of course, my phone is not just something I use for travelling. As a learning tool, I have access to books, journals, podcasts, language learning apps, university documents, as well as my uni email and Moodle.  It's also my watch, my camera, my calculator, my planner, my alarm clock, my pedometer, my MP3 player, my GPS... Oh yes, and I can make calls on it too.

Who needs a camera when you have a phone?
(photo: my own)

First post

I opened my heart to its fullest extent
and this was how my first post went...

(photo: www.etsy.com)

Introduction

This is my first blog post for my PGCE PCET course.  Welcome.  This blog will chart the progress made in the ICT module which focuses on using technology to enhance learning. But enough about that; let's talk about me.

Hannah

My academic background is in history, philosophy and creative writing.  I'd love to teach arts and humanities subjects to older teenagers and adults, but I'm also interseted in SEN, teaching study skills, literacy, and basic skills. I already hold a certfificate in Preparing to Teach, and I'm hoping that this PCET course will help me to get where I want to go. Wish me luck...