My Blogging Experience

Blogging is something I have never thought of ever before. I've read a few blogs in the past on fashion and beauty but never thought I'd actually make a blog of my own. However, I've really enjoyed making this one! It’s made me realise there's blogs on absolutely everything on the internet, and that anyone can make one, even if it’s about something really random! Writing a blog has definitely improved my IT skills! My favourite part of this blog was producing the photo story, as I really enjoyed taking the photographs, and putting the story together. I hope my blog is interesting and reflected my journey in discovering visual communication and technology!

Multiple Intelligences

 I have been really interested in Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences, since learning about it in 21^st century leaning. Since 1983, Gardner revolutionised the way we view intelligence. He questioned the use of IQ tests in measuring ones intelligence. He argued that intelligence is not based purely on academic capabilities but that we all have intelligences in different areas.

         Gardner came up with seven intelligences, and then added two more. Linguistic, Logical Mathematical, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Bodily Kinesthetic, Visual/ spatial, Naturalistic and Existential.

Linguistic: the ability to read and write well, being a good speaker and being effective communicators. An example is a teacher.

Logical Mathematical: works analytically, can see patterns and relationships, works well with numbers. An accountant or architect is examples.

Musical: the capacity to think in music, pick out instruments and patterns in a piece. Examples are musicians and instructors.

Interpersonal: the ability to work well with others, easily forms relationships, good at team work. A social worker is an example.

Intrapersonal: the ability to know oneself. Being aware of their feelings, beliefs and moods. They are very motivated. An example is a clerical worker, or self-employed.

Naturalistic: Someone who has the ability to discriminate with living things as well as other features of nature around them.

Existential: Someone who asks questions about the world around them, life, death and after death.

         The ability to know one's intelligence is highly beneficial, as it allows them to feel more confident in what they are learning, and will try to use their way of learning to benefit them in remembering and carrying out tasks. It will boost self-esteem and allow pupils to feel in control of their own learning. Teachers can also find multiple intelligences useful in knowing what teaching styles to adopt. The idea of thinking can be taught, metacognition: learning about learning. Gardner's ultimate goal was to make the curriculum more accessible and teach students the value of having a unique blend of intelligences.

       Looking at a way someone expresses themselves using technology also shows intelligences. For example, bloggers on Blogger or Blogspot tend to be linguistic, visual and intrapersonal. While those who use Windows Movie Maker tend to be visual, musical and interpersonal.

21st century life as a student

Being a student at Swansea Met means different things to different people. To me, it’s all about the course, the people I meet, the money aspect, the social life and becoming independent. Myself and my friend Becca produced a video on an ipad to give an insight to university life.

          Our video focused on the life of a uni student who lives at home, and one who lives on campus. As both of us live at home, we wanted to show our point of view and how it compares to other students. We filmed various scenes, such as waking up at different times, one arriving in the car, the other walking out of halls and it ended with us writing on the white board. It was really fun to make and I think our point we were making was easily to see.

           Using technology in the classroom defiantly makes learning more fun. My younger brother, who is ten uses ipad's all the time in school. He enjoys using them, and makes learning easier.

How a web 2 app could be used in education...

I went on http://taggalaxy.de/, a web 2 app. I was amazed by the graphics and design of Taggalaxy. It is so vibrant and ultra-modern. The website is based on tags, there is a box to type in any word, and there are suggested tags. Once you have clicked search, you are sent to a galaxy where your word you searched will appear, along with other associated words. Eventually once you have narrowed down your search, there is a planet made up of all the pictures linked to your word.

           I think this website would be a brilliant idea to use in the classroom. Probably best suited to younger children, it would help them connect words with photos. It is fun to look at, and to create your own search. The visuals would mean it would never get boring and at the same time children are learning. Seeing photos from all around the world helps them to see the bigger picture and get an insight to different cultures and society. What is most interesting about the website, it that you are in control. You choose your search, the images you want to see, move the globe and narrow your search. Children can learn a bit about geography, improve their spellings, ICT skills and broaden their knowledge of the world.

Review of "Creative Education Blog"

One of the blogs I have on my blog list is http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/10/autism-in-school-5-of-the-most-common-misunderstandings-explained/ The blog is educational, focusing on "Providing teaching advice, ideas and opinions". One post I was particularly interested in was based on autism, and five myths about it. It was written to raise achievement for pupils with autism in schools. The blog is really inspiring, and I can see it would be very helpful to teachers. It has posts on how to engage pupils after school holidays, how to gain control of your class, how to put together interesting lesson plans and many more motivating posts. There is also an option to follow the blog on twitter, and sign up to a free guide on their teaching guidance.

            I think having this blog on my blog list is relevant as I am studying Ed studies, and want to be a primary school teacher. A blog like this may be useful to some teachers, especially new teachers who don't have much experience yet. I hope to use this blog in the future and keep reading its posts! 

Pro's and Con's of a Wiki- Wikipedia

Wikipedia is an easy to use, straightforward, simple wiki. It was founded in 2001 and it attracts 470 million visitors a month. It is a free, on-line encyclopaedia which is expanding every day. It is a website I use frequently to gain an overview of a topic I’m researching.

      The website has both strengths and weaknesses. The positive aspects of the website is that it is continually being updated, making it modern and relevant. It is simple to understand and brings together a mix of different people's views from all different sources. Wikipedia say they monitor what is published on the website, so that what is written is correct, making it more trustworthy.

      However, using a wiki as a dependable source can have its weaknesses. It is not very reliable, as anyone can update the wiki, and say whatever they want. It could be biased as someone may try to put over their own point of view. Therefore, there is a lack of accuracy in what is presented. It also has its limitations as a trustworthy source.

     In conclusion, Wikipedia is a website I will still use, even if it does have its faults. However, I will use it with caution next time and use it as a starting point for my research. 

http://www.wikipedia.org/

TED Talk

For Learning Knowledge and Education, we looked at an inspirational talk on TED, which focused on the changes that is needed in the education system by Ken Robinson. I have found my own inspiring talk from TED by J K Rowling at Harvard University. She talks about the benefits of failure, and what she wished she knew when she was graduating. She takes a humorous view on what she had studied at university, her parent’s views, being brought up in poverty and how she failed in early life. She says if she had never failed she wouldn't be where she is today. "Some failure is enviable", J K Rowling says that everyone will encounter failure at some point in life and it gave her more of an experience about life than her degree. She goes onto talk about the importance of imagination; she says it is the foundation for invention in life.

        J K Rowling also talks about those who close off to imagination, who are ignorant to what does not affect them which goes on in the world, or emphasise with others. "We touch other people's lives simply by living". She urges the students to use their advantages to speak up and transform our world.

        The speech is very inspiring, and gives an insight to J K Rowling's hardship she uncounted when trying to make it as a successful author.