CEO Sydney ILe@RN with Mobile Devices - Ipad 2 - Module 1

I've decided to do another E-Learning Course that is being provided through the Catholic Education Office Sydney. This year, I've decided to do the Ipad 2 course. This comes after doing a very interesting and informative Web 2.0 Course which I would recommend to those working in Catholic Schools within the Sydney region.

This also comes on the back of purchasing an Ipad over the past few months and keen to use it for educational purposes. I already have used it as a means of marking rolls in schools through the Sentral Program which is a start or for simple notetaking during staff meetings.

In my casual/temporary work at Waverley College as teacher librarian, I have used Ipad's in providing library services such as searches for OPAC during Wide Reading periods and when a student wishes to borrow a book. Also the school has been encouraging students to embrace E-Books through the E-Book Collection on Overdrive. Last term, I facilitated sessions to several Year 9 classes on how to access Overdrive.

In responding to the first module, this has been easy for me as being an owner of an Ipad, I am already familiar with a number of its key features.

If there were three new things I learn't, this is what I would have for this module:

1. Being able to split the keyboard in two. I do have a wireless keyboard that I tend to use when typing emails, notes etc but for little messages etc, I do use the touchscreen keyboard. It is more a comfort for my hands. Splitting the keyboard allows for better movement of my hands and if I want, I can use the thumbs only. Even being able to move the keyboard around the screen comes in handy as well.
2. Screenshots - I've never seen the need to take screenshots as I have used an Ipad more for recreation but I had no idea that the feature is there if I need it. It will come great for any "How to" guides that I might create or for troubleshooting when the Ipad plays up.
3. Highlighting & taking notes from text - It is nice to be able to highlight and create notes without making a mess particularly if I see something that I think is important. 

ICT & Maths

I was talking to a friend last month. They are a qualified maths teacher and we discussed some challenges of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in maths.

I can understand their viewpoint that traditional methods of teaching and learning such as writing on the board and students presenting their work in an exercise book is much more effective. At the end of the day students won't be tested on a computer and hence need practice in presenting their work by hand. The teacher does use a wide variety of resources such as learning kits etc to help in students develop their practical understanding.

After some personal reflection, I realise that there is more scope than ever for using ICT to help students learn.

Many students despise maths and ICT can make maths more interesting for students.

The rise of Ipads in the classroom has given opportunities for teachers to use to satisfy ICT requirements.

Last year, I was asked to identify suitable apps to support teaching and learning. This site contained a list of apps that are available for Maths. Calculators, quizzes, instructional videos are some of the apps that are available. As time progresses they will surely be refined.

And just browsing around today is helping me to identify possible resources that can help teachers. A wiki that I located has a list of resources that a maths teacher can use in a lesson. I like the fact they provide teaching resources to allow students to develop their mathematical understanding by using online sites such as Google Earth. I can even see a cross curricular link right there with Geography.

Anaphylaxis NSW schools 4.0 Online Course

Just a few thoughts from the online course that I did last week:

Generally I enjoyed it because its a handy life skill. This situation can happen with anyone, anywhere at anytime. It will help me not just at school but in the wider community.

It was interesting to learn the difference between an allergic reaction and a Anaphylaxis attack and being reminded that when in doubt, just inject the Adrenalin into the patient because it can make the difference between life and death.

I was taught last year by my mother in how to inject the needle with Adrenalin last year and impressed with how easy it was to do, yet it shocked me how the teacher at Ashfield Boys High would end up stabbing himself with the needle while trying to treat the boy who later died.

The only downside is that being an online course, practical training was quite limited. I think there needs to be some hands on training attached to the course and actually be assessed on it as well to make sure that the person knows what to do in such a situation.