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.

 

Using Collaboration Tools- making a WIKI

I put together a "wiki", an on-line information page on the topic of "what was education like 30 years ago?” A Wiki is an on-line collaborative tool which allows anyone to create an information site on whatever topic of their choice. Wikis can include texts, graphics, videos, pictures, just like a blog. A popular example of a Wiki is "Wikipedia", this website is a collection of people's information they know about a topic, all posted on one page. It is an encyclopaedia which is free to use. The only disadvantage of using a website similar to this is that anyone can publish their ideas; they may be incorrect, biased and not reliable sources of information. 

        To create my page, I first had to research the topic. I asked my parents and lecturer about their experience of school 30 years ago. I also Google searched the topic to find pictures of what the technology was like in the classrooms. I found pictures of huge computers and over-head projectors. With this information I created my Wiki, and attached it to the other pages members of my group had made. It was straight forward and easy to create and looked simple but effective.  

        The good thing about using a Wiki is that it can be updated all the time. Whatever information you write, it can be changed and improved over time. They are also very flexible can be made as vibrant and interesting as possible and you can design the layout. 

Using Microsoft Word To Reference

Microsoft Word is really useful in helping to reference. In assignments, you have to reference citations from various sources, such as books, journal articles and websites, to support your work. The Harvard Referencing guide shows you how to reference correctly in your work, what you need to include and in what order. For example, author, date, location of publication, publisher. 
          I found that using Microsoft Word, there is a feature which allows you to type in your reference, and it inserts it into your work using the Harvard Referencing format (Word 2010). You don’t have to use the Harvard Referencing guide; there are other options too, such as APA sixth addition. It also stores your references you have used and there is an option to put together a reference list or bibliography. This is helpful, as if you want to use a reference which you have used before, you can look it up in the history and use it again. 

Animation- evaluation of Kerpoof

Kerpoof is a vibrant, easy to use website which has many interactive features based on making art work, movies, and features which allows children to chat to friends. The website is easy to navigate around; the homepage has many icons to click on. Each feature has a suitable age range; therefore the website is aimed at children. The age range varies from three to eight. Not only does it make learning fun, it has games to play and the chance to become a member at an extra cost.

          The website also has features for teachers, lesson plans and teacher guides. There is a how to play icon and a video for the teacher section explaining what the website is about. There is a page "about us" explaining what the website is based on and its aims. The website is free, but some aspects are not, and a monthly membership fee is required. There is the option to make your own movies, drawings, cards and pictures. The overall feel for the website is high quality and straight forward. My ten year old brother loves this website, and goes on it in his school ICT lessons, so he helped me put together an animation!

http://www.kerpoof.com/#

  

The Changing Seasons

My Reflective Process

Reviewing your work is really important. By reflecting on your work and what you have produced you can see areas you may need to improve, check spelling and grammar, look over the content and what you may need to add. This blog post is my personal view of my own reflective process. It shows my strengths and weaknesses, how I learn, what I learn etc. Hopefully it will help me to improve the work I produce to a higher standard. The website I used to create this bubble diagram is bubbl.us. It was really easy to use and only took a couple of minutes to create. I plan on using this website in the future to help me revise and organise my work.

https://bubbl.us/

WAG's

The WAG's (wives and girlfriends) have a desirable look for many women. They have the designer clothes, flawless hair and makeup, and of course a diamond ring on their finger. For those who want to imitate this glamorous look for themselves, The WAG academy is on hand. It is a course run at West Cheshire College, women who enrol on the course have the chance to "create Disney Princess hair, orange fake tan, and the famous Scouse brow" in the hope of getting the right look to attract a footballing boyfriend and future husband. The WAG look is all about big hair, false eyelashes and full make-up. At the college, women are taught how to perfect the smoky eye, how to apply false lashes, how to get a voluminous hair style and to choose the right foundation.

          For those who can't afford to go on this course, Youtube offers many great tutorials to look just like your favourite WAG. Videos like this one show how to get the queen of WAG's make-up look, Victoria Beckham. Websites such as WAG World Online, feature glamorous dresses at affordable prices to achieve the ultimate WAG look.

Similarities and differences between a blog and website

A blog is fairly different to a website. A website is generally a site to publish information; a blog is normally a bias view of someone's own opinion of a topic. For example, BBC Sport is a website featuring recent football news, topics, fixtures and comments. Football Blog is a blog also featuring most recent football news, but is more opinionated.

        A blog features many posts, all dated, displaying most recent at the top of the page. A website will also have posts, but they are more like articles or stories. The blog will have a heading, as do many websites. It will feature quick links to archive posts dating back to when the blog was first published, whereas a website doesn’t, however it does feature links to recent pages. They both have the chance to post a comment on the story or blog. They both have hyperlinks to social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Websites usually have text, photographs and videos, whereas blogs normally have just text and photographs.

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Hi I'm Katy and I'm studying Education Studeis at Swansea Met. I have always been intrested in working with children from a young age, and hope to be a primary school teacher. I am from porthcawl which is about 35 minutes away. I've come straight out of sixth form where I studied Religious Studies, Sociology and English. I'm really settling into uni life now and enjoying my course!! :D