Wikispace

We discovered during our last lecture a webpage called wikispace. We as groups went on to this site and began to use it, understanding how everything is set out and done. After watching a video demonstrating how to use wikispace, we could see that any information you put on the site can either be changed or more information can be added to it by another member of the group. We were given the task to find out what education may be like in the future as of technology being involved and it gave us the chance to do our own research and place it onto the website, where we could see what others have found out and change it if necessary. After placing all our information together as a group we discussed what we found out. I added to the group that I think the technology that will be produced in the future should not be used as an easy way out for teachers but used in educational context to help with teaching children appropriately to develop all their skills.


Here are some of the examples of where technology is seen to be heading in the future.

Teaching via holograms and live links..
Classrooms will become much more modern with various technology devices for children to choose from. Learning will be focused around using the internet with exams being taken online much more frequently and even from phone devices.


Smelling
Phones could soon develop a nose more sensitive than our own, able to assess cleanliness of a room or a person’s breath! OUR PHONES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE SMELLY BREATHE :O I WONDER WHETHER THEY WILL HAVE MINTS?

Seeing
New recognition systems will enable specific visual features to be identified and isolated. This could mean pinpointing a particular face in a crowd or even saving lives by spotting medical anomalies.


Technological Developments:[Online] Available at: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ibm-predicts-top-technological-developments-years-energy-biometrics/story?id=15200309#2[A [Accessed 16th December 2013]
.

Where is Technology Going: [Online] Available at: http://news.sky.com/story/1026453/where-will-technology-be-in-5-years-time [Accessed 14th December 2013]

Ted talks

From looking through the various videos on Ted Talks I chose to watch a video on a young boy called Mario who had an illness that caused him to lose the ability to move the left side of his body. I decided to look this video because my main focus in life is to become more involved with children with additional needs in the future.

This video looks at a couple who believed that their son was a healthy young boy when he was born. Within days of his birth the young boy has a stroke that leaves the right side of his brain damaged, enabling him from using the left side of his body. The moral of the clip explains that basically this couples lives had to change for their son, so that Mario can get the best support around him.

I can relate to this video clip as of circumstances in my family. Because in the future I wish to become a Special educational needs co-ordinator, this video makes it clear that for every individual to achieve to the best of their ability, then life needs to be altered in order for them to be able to carry out their daily routines, activities and to enjoy life just like the rest of us.

I found that this video is very inspirational and shows that miracles can happen. It shows that Everyone's must be valued and respected for their individuality and for them not be looked at as incapable, as there are strengths and weaknesses in all of us, not just people with additional needs. If people are supported with their additional need then there is always a chance they can achieve the best of their ability. As seen in this clip Mario's parents were told that he would not be able to move the left side of his body and now he is able to keep balance and is walking. This is what makes the clip much more incredible.

Guess this one :)

Are you able to guess the phrase?

Reflective learning

During todays lecture we looked at some of the theorists who came up with their own ideas on what they individually believe are the stages of reflective learning are. We also looked at Bubbl.us and looked at how to brainstorm by making mind maps. After this lesson I thought it was necessary to research what it means to be a reflective learning and make my own mind map of the key terms relating to this. I read what Kolb and Deweys theories are to help with gaining a better understanding of what it means to be reflective learner.

Being a reflective learner means one is able to think by themselves on information they have been given. By thinking about information that’s been given to you, you are able to gain a better understanding and knowledge on it. The information shared may be stored so that you are able to review, analyse and then evaluate the information. You can then evaluate your own thoughts by identifying the positives and the negatives and your own opinions on why you think this. You are able to explore your learning further by finding out other information you wish to find out and by doing this you gain a better understanding of the information so you will find it easier to remember it. By storing the information through reflective this information will always be there so you can go back and review the information when you wish to. Also by doing this you can improve on what you learnt and change your opinions and views if needed and you may discuss why you chose to do this.

Both Dewey and Kolb both came up with their own ideas on what it means to be a reflective learner and the different stages there are. Dewey believes that there are five stages whereas Kolb makes up the learning cycle that consists of four stages. After looking at the two theorists it can be seen that they both explain reflective thinking through stages but it seems a lot easier to understand Kolbs ideas other than Dewey's.

Here is the mind map I developed showing what it means to be a reflective learner.

Here is a video from YouTube, Explaining what the purpose of reflective practice is and why we use it.




Boud, D. et al (eds.) (1985). Reflection. Turning experience into learning, London: Kogan.  - 170 pages, a good collection of readings which examine the nature of reflection. The early chapters make particular use of Dewey and Kolb.

Creating a story using photographs.

During our last lecture we were given the task to create a story by using seven photos. We talked as a group on what would make a good story and we shared ideas on what we would like to do and why we chose this topic. I found this quite difficult to think of a topic to do my story on as I was thinking about it too much. I learnt that the story needs to have an introduction, plot, themes, conclusion and then it needs to be edited to make the story perfect. I have decided that I am going to try a few ideas that I think could be useful to make a good story. After trying a few different ideas I will then decide on which idea I think will make the best story and I will put it together as my own.

Whilst then being home over Christmas I decided that it was a very good idea to do my story on the Christmas holiday as this is a time of year where families come together and celebrate by giving and receiving presents, having a family Christmas and new year dinners and just simply enjoying the comfort, love and happiness of being around friends and family at this special time of year. 

Making rugby interesting!

I have to research about rugby, but because I don’t particularly think rugby appeals to me I am going to look at a rugby player called Mike Phillips and I want to know how much he earns yearly. Many people find Mike Phillips very attractive and find him a fabulous rugby player. Mike is 31 years of age and he 6ft 3in and weighs approximately 16st 5lb. He is known for fighting and being aggressive towards others. This year he beat record of 76 caps that was set by Dwayne Peel. Apparently mike is earning up to £180,000 a year.

I have completely made my topic of rugby very interesting by researching Mike Phillips and finding out lots of information about him and how much money he earns! :)

A little bit about myself :D

Well hello there,

My name is April-Louise Davies and I was born and bred in Neath, Port Talbot and I am 18 years of age. I was a student in Neath College and I studied a National Diploma In Children's care  Learning and Development level 3. Last year I came to a summer university at this campus and Swansea for a month to have a little taster of what university life is like and what I am to expect. After finishing summer university and making many friends I knew that university was meant for me. In the future I wish to work with children with additional needs, This is because I had a job after leaving college as an assistant for three children in their classroom. I got to know these children and assist them with their everyday needs. I like to help make a difference for these children and I want them to be able to enjoy school and achieve the best of their ability.