Reflective Synopsis

Reflective Synopsis

Presentations In The Classroom

Presentations and presentation tools are prolifically used in the contemporary educational setting. PowerPoint presentations and high school go hand in hand, it's what we know; however, various new websites and applications have emerged over the years. English is the elective subject I have been focusing on in my reflective blogs so far. This is a subject in which presentations can be used advantageously in, as they are designed to persuade, narrate or educate (Hobdell, 2022). Persuasive writing is an example of this, as pieces are often delivered verbally and accompanied by a presentation. This is highly beneficial as it provides visual and audio elements which connect with a wide range of learners as the student presenting aims to persuade, inform and entertain. From my own experience of presenting in front of others, I believe having a presentation also gives you confidence and enhances audience engagement. 

The presentation tool I have selected to focus on during this blog is Prezi, a service I was not familiar with prior to the beginning of this unit. The site can be used by both students and teachers, promoting high level pedagogy as students are encouraged to make creative pieces which can be used in the English classroom. 

Student or Teacher

From a teacher's perspective, Prezi provides an innovative way to create purpose driven presentations which can be used to help deliver lessons in a whole class environment. A range of templates can be explored and customised, or you can choose to create a piece from scratch, aiding individualised learning strategies. Using Prezi, I created a simple book report presentation which is simply designed to show the functionality of the site from a student's perspective. The presentation is on 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, and includes the use of images, video, colour and creative layout. The link to this presentation is available below. 

https://prezi.com/view/IzcdNovlBygNs72Ez6OQ/

Prezi is an ideal tool for students to use as it promotes creativity, utilises digital media and supports collaborative learning. I found the easiest way to share the presentation was by using the link; however, several sharing options exist. Being able to share the link on blogs provides the chance for feedback to be shared, tapping into higher end pedagogy. Higher end pedagogy can also be reached through the utilization of collaborative learning, a feature that is pictured below as additional authors can be invited to access and edit the page (Hobdell, 2022).

Invite Collaborators

Add Media

Legal, Safe and Ethical Practice

In my previous blog my approach to this section was broad, and after receiving feedback I aim to be more specific to the site I'm focusing on. Prezi as a team have three core values which state:
1. We Picture - "Because visual thinking allows us to be more creative. We use it to understand each other and solve problems more effectively."

2. We Care - "Because change only happens when we support the people who expand our horizons, we act and lead by example in our closer and wider communities."

3. We Team - "Because together we are greater than the sum of our parts, we build our team on the foundations of trust and transparency." ("Prezi's Mission | Our Three Core Values | Prezi", 2022).

It is important as users that we become familiarised with their values and act within their expectations when creating and sharing content on the site. In addition to this, the section exists below which allows users to report abuse, this includes copyright infringement, trademark infringement and inappropriate content. 

SAMR

Prezi can be implemented at each level of the SAMR model. At the substitution level, it can act as a replacement for whiteboards or hard copy posters. The augmentation aspect is the ability to apply various media such as images, video and audio on the single presentation. Modification involves being able to share the content in various ways and redefinition means that collaboration and interactive learning/feedback can be achieved. 

Substitution - Students create a Prezi account and begin to gather information and media from online search engines in order to create a book report for an English subject as practice. 

Augmentation - Using Prezi they bring all the content and media together on the one platform, creating a multimodal presentation. 

Modification - Presentations are then made accessible by their peers through the sharing of links either on a blog or through direct copying and pasting. 

Redefinition - Students are then able to interact with each other online, sharing, giving feedback and collaborating together. 

References 

8 Inspiring Quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird's Atticus Finch. pastemagazine.com. (2022). Retrieved 11 April 2022, from https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/to-kill-a-mockingbird/eight-inspiring-quotes-from-to-kill-a-mockingbirds-atticus-finch/.

A+E Networks. Notice.aenetworks.com. (2022). Retrieved 11 April 2022, from https://notice.aenetworks.com/.

Characters. To Kill A Mockingbird Wiki. (2022). Retrieved 11 April 2022, from https://tokillamockingbird.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Characters.

Hobdell, G. (2022). Topic 5: Digital tools 3 - Integrated learning. CQU Moodle. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?id=2413599

Presentations and videos with engaging visuals for hybrid teams | Prezi. prezi.com. (2022). Retrieved 11 April 2022, from https://prezi.com/.

To Kill a Mockingbird Video Summary. (2018). [Video]. Retrieved 11 April 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=summary+to+kill+a+mockingbird. 

Digital Media

Digital media consists of a range of digital tools which can be utilised to enhance the teaching and learning experience in a classroom. The digital tools we have been focusing on include images, audio/podcasts, and videos. When applied correctly, these tools can have a positive impact in the classroom by improving teaching, supporting active learning and aiding students' creative projects (Hobdell, 2022).

Source: Salvador Dali, 1931, The Persistence Of Memory, Empty Easel,  https://emptyeasel.com/the-persistence-of-memory-famous-melting-clocks-painting-by-salvador-dali/

The digital media I will explore in this blog is images, a versatile digital tool which can be used to spark creativity, excite interest in a classroom and help present knowledge more effectively. A range of applications and websites are available which allow students and teachers to create and share images. The current technology accessible today gives users the opportunity to create media, use existing media and customize media. I explored Infographics, Concept Maps and ThingLink this week, and out of the three I chose ThingLink to highlight as I found its application the most appropriate for the subject of English.

Using ThingLink, I edited Fiona Katauskas' political cartoon 'Cancelling Culture' to show how images could be utilised in a classroom using technology. I used the websites technology to transform the original image in to an interactive one, with the hover over symbols each showing a step which can be used to analyse a satirical cartoon. This could be used in a classroom as a whole class viewing strategy which prompts visual thinking, discussion and promotes engagement. Creating an interactive image like this is a task students could then go and do themselves, as students creating media benefits engagement, communication and reflection (Hobdell, 2022). It took me awhile to share my content on my blog; however, once you get the hang of that, students and teachers can share their images on blogs, websites, PowerPoint and social media.  

Legal, safe, and ethical practice is something that should always be at the forefront when considering the use of digital media. The Australian Curriculum guidelines our practice and echoes the importance of our rights and responsibilities, respect, wellbeing, digital media literacy and the safe use of information and devices (ACARA, 2020). Standard copyright laws apply; therefore, it is integral that copyright rules be abided by when using digital media. When using websites and applications, it is important to become accustomed to their own individual rules and regulations. 

Using the SAMR model, I have constructed an English lesson where students are required to analyse a satirical cartoon. The interactive image they create will look roughly like mine; however, with their analysis appearing in the four tags and not the steps they represent. 

Substitution - Using online search engines, students will find a satirical cartoon of their choice and begin to research it. Following the four steps of analysis, they will begin to analyse their cartoon.

Augmentation - Students will create a PowerPoint, storing their selected image and the breakdown of their satirical cartoon. 

Modification - Using ThingLink, students will create an interactive image using the four tags to label and provide analysis on their satirical cartoon. 

Redefinition - Students will share their interactive image on their blog, which will be accessible to all students through the Wiki created by the teacher. Each student will interact with at least four of their peers' interactive images and will be able to provide constructive feedback or ask questions afterwards by commenting.

References  

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (n.d). Curriculum Connections - Online Safety. https://australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/curriculum-connections/portfolios/online-safety/

'Cancelling Culture' by Fiona Katauskas | 2020 | Behind the Lines. Behind the Lines. (2022). Retrieved 6 April 2022, from https://behindthelines.moadoph.gov.au/2020/off-the-leash/cancelling-culture.

Hobdell, G. (2022). Topic 4: Digital tools 2 - Simple digital media. CQU Moodle. https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?id=2413587&chapterid=179764

The Meaning of Salvador Dali's Famous "Melting Clocks" Painting: The Persistence of Memory. EmptyEasel.com. (2006). Retrieved 6 April 2022, from https://emptyeasel.com/the-persistence-of-memory-famous-melting-clocks-painting-by-salvador-dali/.

ThingLink: Create unique experiences with interactive images, videos & 360° media. ThingLink. (2022). Retrieved 6 April 2022, from https://www.thinglink.com/.