Feelings Towards Task 3

This being the third task i think it has become a bit easier. I was more aware of what i had to do and what i needed to have done. Although i have done similar things in task 1 and 2 task 3 included some elements that were very different such as the wiki.

There was a few moments when i did get confused on what was required. In the marking guide it says 5% of the mark goes towards the blog but in the lecture it was said it wasn't needed and in the peer reviews we didn't mark their blogs either? So i am still unsure if this blog is needed for task 3. I thought its best to be safe than sorry and i have included a few blog posts for task 3 as well.

This task was very group involved it was good as the work load was spread around and that made it less stressful. It was also good working in a group with such smart people! My group is very helpful and always gives time to help each other out!

I found the task a little bit stressful at times and frustrating when i couldn't wrap my head around certain elements such as the Wiki at the start. It was also time consuming! Lots of time had to be allocated to this task for meeting with group members at the library so we could work together. Although it was time consuming its lucky i really enjoyed working with my group!

This was the last task for the semester and now its time to prepare for exams. Considering all the task have been online I'm not to sure how the exam will be structured but hopefully that is discussed in the next lecture an tutorial. I am very much looking forward to the semester break and i cannot believe how fast semester 1 has gone!

Challenges During Task 3

We encountered only 1 main challenges during this task. Grant became very ill suffering from appendicitis and spend a week in the hospital. We were a member down for a while so that made things tricky. Grant was very helpful and used Facebook to communicate to the group whilst he was away. Although there was lots of help being given it was still hard as we could not work together in person. We managed to pull through this challenge buy having lots or library dates were we could all work together in our group of 4 and work together on the task. Luckily our group gets on very well so it was easy to get back on track!

 

Lesson Planning

Lesson planning was new to our group as we are only in our first year and first semester! 

Although we are new to lesson planning we managed to get quite a good range of lessons. 

We managed to create 6 lessons all different. 

Authentic Learning Task

Our authentic learning task is based around healthy food and physical education. This was chosen as we feel like child obesity is becoming an epidemic over the world but also here in Australia. We are working as a group to develop all of our ideas.

With our Authentic learning task its all about healthy, eating, nutrition and physical education. We are aiming to make this fun and original. Each lesson will be different and engaging for the students. 

Our authentic task will use a variety of resources to make it more interesting such as, power points, interactive white boards and of corse cooking and playing sport.

Whats a wiki?

Before starting this task i had not herd of a "wiki" before. 

After researching and starting the task i relised that a Wiki was a internet page were you can work collabrativly with a team of people so you can add and edit information as you go. In our wiki it took some time to set up. In the Wiki we added each group member in so we all had access to edit and add information to the Wiki. Using the wiki was easy once we got the hang of it. 

We add added ideas and information to the Wiki working as a team. Also once information was added by another group member be all went into the Wiki and checked over things like spelling and punctiation. We can also add any other ideas that seemed relevant. 

Task 3

These tasks always seem to sneak up on me... But task 3 is here and is the last task for the semester woooo!!!

In this task i have been working in a group with Brennan, Josie and Grant. These are the same group members i had in my last task and i am happy to be with them again :). My group is great and and easy to work with. We all work well as a team and communicate daily via Facebook.

In our group we decided to base task 3 on nutrition and physical exercise. Brennan studies physical education so we thought we would put his extra knowledge to use in this task.

We have been planning lessons that incorporate healthy eating, cooking and nutrition together. We are creating lessons to suit year 4.

We want the students to start making healthy eating choices from a young age and find exercise fun! We are hoping that buy teaching the students at a young age about healthy eating and living it will be able to be incorporated into their daily life and become a natural habit.

Finished!

So i think i can say this task has been a little bit easier than task 1? I feel like i had more knowledge on my blog and my website that made things a little bit easier and faster.

Overall i think i have done quite well on this assignment, i suppose i will just have to wait to get my marks back to know if i did well or not!!

This time around was good as well because i am closer to the people in my class. I am so grateful for my wonderful group "The Meerkats" through this assignment. Brennan, Grant and Josie were my support team and we all helped each other through parts of this assignment. Its great being able to work together and ask for advice from your peers as we all have different knowledge and can help each other through thing we don't no.

I feel very confident using Jing and will use again in the future as for Endnote i still am not a fan and will stick to my normal referencing tool i have available on my word! I am now on a week study break but will be starting my task 3. There is no real holidays when your at Uni!

Unit content during Task 2

So of corse during the past few weeks a lot of our corse content in this unit has been focust on Task 2. In our work shops and lectures we have focust on the task buy learning about things such as, how to screen cast, how to use our referencing tool, copyright and how to work as a group.  

During the last few weeks we have also learnt about a few direct learning styles as discussed in week 6 with the lecture with Jenni. I have attached a few pictures from one of the lectures i found very engaging. These screenshots are from week 6 were Jenni spoke about a few different styles of learning and teaching. 

 So of corse during the past few weeks a lot of our corse content in this unit has been

Learning and Problems with Endnote

Endnote. Now i am going to be honest and just say that i hate it.

It has caused me troubles since downloading it and i will be ever so grateful after this task that i never have to use it again!!!!

The first problem i had was downloading it. Once it was downloaded it kept asking me for a licensing key that i obviously didn't have. After closing it and opening it a few times with the same problem i then learnt that you had to drag it onto the desk top to open it with out it requesting the licensing key.

Once i got it opened it was quite simple how to create a reference (This is explained in previous posts). You could pick what style referencing you wanted and what you were referencing for it to be made correctly.

Myself along with Josie, who is a member of my group both have Mac laptops. These mac laptops made it impossible for us to use Endnote note on word. Apparently on windows systems endnote would just pop up as a tab on there word documents but not for us! This has caused a large amount of problems for my screen cast as i cannot demonstrate how to import citations and references from endnote to word, which is part of the task! At this point I'm at a bit of a loss and i am thinking I'm going to have to do two screen casts. Brennan who is another member of my group has a windows system and i think i will have to do a small screen cast on his computer at uni tomorrow and upload that. As there is no way i can use it in conjunction with word on my computer.

I understand for this task we needed to use Endnote to demonstrate how to use a referencing tool but when i reference i just type into Google 'referencing tool'. This search comes up with hundreds of very simple and easy to use tools that i don't need to download. ALOT easier than fighting with endnote. When doing it online like this i can just simply copy and paste, instead of having to export and import.

I would never use Endnote again in the future as it is to hard to use and is not user friendly. I also wouldn't use it as there are many online free referencing tools that do the job with out all the troubles. I do not plan on using Endnote in my career as a teacher.  

Learning and problems with Jing

So i am coming to an end of my task 2. Thank goodness.

During this task i have learned a few different things, one thing i have learnt is how to do a screen cast. A screen cast is something i knew little about and defiantly didn't no how to do but after this task i have worked it out! The software i used as mentioned in my previous blog posts was Jing. I really liked Jing and found it very easy to use. I think using screen casts are a great tool to use in the class room. A Screen cast is something i could demonstrate to my my students when i am a teacher to show them all at the same time how to do something  on the computer. Doing a screen cast like this on a big screen is defiantly more effective than going around to each student one buy one or having 30 students crowd around one computer to find out how to do something that could be quite simple. The best thing about Jing is how simple and user friendly it is. I think i will pick Jing in the future if i need to do another screen cast.

In regards to problems i didn't have any with Jing which is refreshing.... i wish i could do a screen cast on how to use this! Its a great easy to use application and i would recommend it to anyone wanting to do a screen cast.

Tired and overwhelmed.

I don't no why but i have not been motivated to do this assignment... I am so close yet so far from finishing!!!! I need to hand it in tonight for my peer reviews but am yet to finish my screen cast. I just feel so tired and over it really! Not just this subject but all. Defiantly due for our mid semester break i think!!!!

Word and Endnote?

I have no idea how to get my Endnote to my word document! I am starting to think its because i don't have the full version??? My computer is also behaving horribly and being very sloooowwww. Ill have to go on the lms website now and see if i can work it out!

Endnote

So Endnote is the referencing tool we are using for the task. This tool again is a free download for a period of time. Endnote is what we will use to reference different things like books, dvds, newspaper articles ect. You can also choose many styles of referencing such as APA 6 and Chicago. For this Task we are using APA 6. 

The first thing you need to do if of corse down load the free trail. This is done at their website endnote.com. There is 2 different options for your download, either for mac of windows. I am using mac so i pressed this to start my trail. 

One thing about Endnote is there is a little bit more information that you need to fill out... I wouldn't call this a negative because its not that much but there were a few people that didn't seem to like putting all their information in for the trial. Its just simple stuff you have to fill out like your names and where you live also what you do for work or if your a student. I wouldn't say this takes about 3 mins to complete. 

Once you have filled out the information needed you just press next, then again it starts with letting you choose which system you want to use. I of corse choose Mac as thats the system i am using. Once pressing try it now it automatically starts to download. 

I along with quite a few people did actually have troubles downloading this application. One thing it kept asking for was the licensing key password. This was frustrating because we have downloaded a trial so of corse don't have this licensing key!!! I finally worked it out after a bit of frustration. In stead of opening it straight from the downloads you actually needed to drag it into you applications then it opened as it should!




 When you open the application this is what pops up first <---- I suggest if you want to do it probably you should press 'learn more about Endnote' I don't no why but i didn't watch this step and am now paying for it because i can work out the basics but really needed to find out more.... Luckily there is a screen cast that shows you what to do on LMS. This is a good example of why screen casts are important!!!!

I straight away went into create new library as this is the first time i have used Endnote. This library will keep all your references and you can export and import these references into a numerous amount of places.

There are many different referencing styles to choose from which is handy as it must be close to impossible to remember all the different styles! Another great thing is it does let you choose what you need reference for whether its a book, article dvd ect there are all different options so you can fill in the spaces to get a perfect, correct reference.

 <--- This is an example of what you do when your writing about your new reference. You choose what your referencing. As you can see i am referencing a Book. You then just fill in the blanks and its all done! Very simple.

Then as you can see my first saved reference is in my library :). I am yet to work out how to export it to word which i no will be very useful in the future. I have a bit more researching to do for this task. I will have to watch the screen cast on LMS for some handy hints! The next thing i have to do is my screen cast then I'm basically done. YAY.

Oops missed a step..... This is how you download Jing!

Sorry i missed a step! Forgot to mention how to download Jing. It is very easy though so don't worry!

The reason i choose Jing is because this is what out Tutor recommended to us. Also Grant who is a student in my group also said this is a great easy screen cast tool so i listened to him and downloaded it.

All i did was type Jing into google search engine and it popped up like this. I went straight to the 'Download Jing for free' section.  ---->

After pressing that it then popped to this page. You just have to do the download for which system you are using. As I'm using a Mac i pressed start the download for the system. Once i pressed this it automatically started downloading... few minutes later it was on my computer ready for using!

How to use Jing

Jing is very user friendly. It is also quite a cute little application.

Jing sits up in one of the corners of your computer ready to use at any time. As you can see in this picture. It has 3 sun rays the allow you 3 different options. You have capture (the top + symbol), history (under the +) so you can see previous recordings and at the bottom settings so you can change things like what microphone your using. Quite simple. 

The ray i am going to be using is of corse capture as this is what i will be using for my screen cast. 

When you press the capture button you have this tool bar -> pop up. This tool bar allows you to take pictures and videos. 

Once you have pressed the Video captures it will pop up in a new screen like this ------> 

This is the screen that will allow you to pause your live recording. It also allows you to cancel the recording. 

To view your recording it is very simple. You just go to your sun rays and click history. Once you have finished recording it will save into your history. In your history that is were you need to press to view what you have recorded. 

<---- This picture here is an example of what your recording will look like. This looks like my desktop but is actually a very short screen cast recording i did for testing purposes. I tested to see if the microphone and the recording was working. It was all working fine which is great! 

So as you can see i have worked out Jing... Hopefully these steps have been useful to you all as well! 

Jing

So for this assignment a big part is the screen cast and being able to show others how to use your referencing tool. For this i decided to use Jing. Jing provides you with a 30 day free trial which is perfect for this assignment. Jing is a application that allows you to screen cast. You can record what you are doing on your computer screen, and also allows you to talk (using a computer microphone) to explain clearly what you are doing. I will be using Jing to do my screen cast to show how to use Endnote (My referencing tool).

Task 2

So after completing task 1 i am now starting task 2. All assignments seem to be building up around me and getting harder and harder!!! I am very happy with how i did in task one so hopefully i can do just as well in task 2!

My understanding of task 2 is that we are to complete a research assignment using a referencing tool and document out steps here, on our blog. I also no we have to make a screen cast of how we use our referencing tool? So far i am a little stuck, but i no as soon as i start i will be able to make sense of it all. We get to do part of this task in groups, and luckily i have a great group. My group consists of 3 other students and we will be able to help and support each other through this assignment. I have left it a little late but to be honest i sometimes feel like i work better that way!!! It means there is no time for distractions or procrastinating i just have to get on with it! I will be documenting my task through my blog! So keep tuned...

Assignment 1 done and dusted!

So i have finished my first assignment for EDN113. I have to say i am feeling relieved that it is over.... This task has taken me quite some time and i'm happy its out of the way! Even though i am sure we will have lots more to come! But i also think that now i have done the first assignment for the unit maybe i am getting the hang of it?

The task has thought me a few things like how to make a website, a blog and simple things like how to save a document as a PDF! I think i have found making the website more handy than the blog. I know a lot of teachers use a blog and share their experiences, but i just cant see my self doing that. Maybe i am old school? I hope to be teaching younger children and i don't think i would be putting 6 year olds on the computer and getting them to do things like make a blog. I just feel they should be technology free for a few years whilst they are young because as soon as they reach the age of about 10 I'm sure they will all be right into the computers!!!

If i was to teach older children then i think i would do a task were they could design a website as i think this is a great thing to do. I like the website idea because i feel like its more useful. It may help them open their eyes to design or advertising or just an easy way to share things with people all over the world!

I just also want to say thank goodness for my friends on completing this task! I don't think i could of done it with out asking for tips and advice but also we did a lot of problem solving as a group and we helped each other though each section. We bought our laptops to uni and each lunch break we would work on our assignments. Its always good to have other people help you and give you advice!

Back in the classroom!

So we have just finished week four.... The content of EDN113 this week was all based on our blogs and websites, making sure everyone is up to date!

In the lecture we went through how to mark other peoples blogs and websites. We went through this in quite a lot of depth and i did get a little bored.... especially as it was my 3rd hr in the lecture rooms!! After about an hr i feel like my brain stops a little bit.

In the workshop we again went through how to mark and marked some samples. This was really quite helpful because it remind me what i needed to have in my assessment to make it great! I will defiantly use  the marking guide to go through and check everything.

I have chosen my social learner as you can see from my previous posts, i choose Skype!

I feel like I'm pretty close to finishing everything, thank goodness!

Skypes the winner!!

So after researching my 3 technologies I've decided to go with Skype.

I decided on Skype as it is the most convenient was to communicate with my parents whilst they are overseas.

Few of the main benefits include

1. Its free
2. Easy to use
3. Comes as an app also, so if I'm not at home on my laptop i can use it whist out and about
4. Can chat, video call and have basic call, which is more features than Facebook and emails
5. I can have 3 way conversations so Mum, dad and me can all speak and share ideas at the same time. 
6. I can see Mum and Dads faces so its more personal.
7. If i stay signed in Mum and Dad can contact me at anytime and i will receive notifications. 

I choose this over the other 2 options because of these benefits. These are benefits that out did the other technologies by a long way!

Skype?

The last thing i decided to research was Skype.

Skype has been around for years and i really used it religiously when i was travelling to talk to my boyfriend friends and family.

Some positives

1. Free
2. Easy to use
3. Can message, call or video call. 
4. Is an app for smart phones 
5. receive notifications or your phone rings like normal when a Skype user is trying to contact you 
6. Video calling so you can show others things. For me i can easily video call my parents to show them any ideas i have in regards to my party. 
7. Is a bit more personal than things like sending an email. 

Negatives 

1. Is run though internet so if there is not connection to internet Skype wont work

Emails?

Another social resource i though about was emails.

Some positives about emails are:

1. My parents both has emails and check them regularly 
2. Its free
3. You can easily attach things like photos and videos, so i would be able to show my parents things visually if needed. 
4. They are on smart phones so can be viewed at all times 
5. Easy to use 

Some negatives include:

1. You cant call on emails, only type, which can take a lot longer than speaking verbally
2. when emails come though as a noise of vibration on the phone it doesn't tell you who it is, so my parents could easily ignore my email thinking it was someone else when i may be needing to speak to them urgently. 
3. Emails can sometimes be slow! 

Facebook?

So one of the technologies i though about using was Facebook.

I thought Facebook would be a good idea for a few reasons.

1. Basically every one i know has Facebook, including my parents who are who i need to speak to. 
2. Its free 
3. Its an app for smart phones, again something that basically every one i know has. 
4. Its easy to use
5. It provides notifications when something new happens 
6. You can create an event, so i could create my event add my parents and use this as the place for discussion

I then thought about some of the disadvantages 

1. My parents aren't always on Facebook , and don't always hear the notification 
2. It is not as private 
3. It doesn't have a video option which would be helpful for me to have to physically show my parents my ideas when it comes to things like venues and decorations 

Social learner?

So after feeling really quite confused about what an earth a social learner is i have finally got it!

I have chosen as the topic "my 20th birthday"

Both my parents live overseas so i am researching what technology would be the best way to talk to them.

So far i have thought of emails, Facebook and Skype.

28/03/2013

So its week 3! I think...? I am already loosing track of things and to be honest struggling a little bit to keep up! So many readings and assignments. Not to forget all the other things like working, social life and for me looking after the horses. It is so busy!!!! I haven't felt like this for a while and yes, its a slight shock. I need to take a few deep breaths and instead of panicking about every little last thing i have to do i need to just get on with it!!

This week in my technology class we focust on our website and blogs. Now the lecture.... The lecture was a slight let down for me. We watched a lady make a website. This was good i suppose because i got to see how the website was made and they used Jimdo with i hadn't herd of before. But i would of preferred to be shown what is required in our website not so much how to make it.

It does all seem quite simple but i am struggling a bit with the social learner category. I think what i will have to do is just make it and then bring it in next week to show and compare and see if it is at all along the lines of what i am meant to do!!!

I did start a website with Yola but that went down the drain since you had to pay to have another page, which i really need.  so my goal for technology is to perhaps finish my website, so that i can check with Tomaz and my friends to see if they think its along the right line.

Will let you no how i go!

21/02/2013

Today was the first tutorial of EDN113. Again another new class room, new people and a new tut teacher, Tomaz. We did a few things including a survey to find out a bit about each other and also a discussion/debate about Facebook.

We decided as a group whether a) Facebook would die in 5 yrs., b) Facebook will die in 10 years c) Facebook will never die.

This was an interesting discussion... Majority of the group was in B. Including my self! I choose this group because its hard to think that this social site that i am unfortunately addicted to will die in 5 years.... But also because not everything lives for ever. When i had myspace i though 'Ew i will never join Facebook, and i will never leave Myspace!' But as all my friends started joining Facebook, i then conformed and joined to. Mainly for the fear of being left out and the need to be up to date with everyones personal life!

So who knows the exact date Facebook will end? No one i suppose. But in the the future I'm sure one day it will fade away, when some thing bigger, better and more interesting comes along. But for now, and the next few yrs. i can happily say that i will still be a Facebook member!

Harriet

My first Blog

So its my first week at Uni... So far so good! Im studying to become a Primary School Teacher :) Im doing four units, Knowing Nature, Mathamatics for teaching, Language and Learning and of corse Living and Learning with Technology (EDN113). Living and Learning with Technology will be what this Blogs all about! This is my first blog so be easy on me! Ill try and make it as interesting as possible!