TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Managing and operating ICT
Element Five
(Adobe, 2016)
Resource Details
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Adobe Spark
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Teachers and students can use Adobe Spark to learn how software is used to manipulate layouts, graphics and text to create interactive content, which they will be sharing in the form of an interactive poster for an English assessment task.
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Available on all platforms and mobile devices.
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Free to all users.
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Stage 1 - Adult (Ages 5+).
Explanation
Adobe Spark contributes in developing student understanding and skills to “select and use hardware and software”, to develop an interactive infographic, allowing them to meet capability 5, “Managing and operating ICT” effectively.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical Analysis
Being multimodal, Adobe Spark enables students to create and publish their work (Adobe, 2016). “Digital publishing of student work” (Roblyer & Doering, 2014, p. 295) provides learners with genuine contexts, which creates a purpose for their completed artifacts (Roblyer & Doering, 2014). Through authoring content, students take charge of their learning as they become invested in the outcomes (Lau, Yen, Li & Wah, 2014). “Special care must be taken to ensure that younger students do not share any personally identifiable information (PII) that could potentially identify specific students” (Adobe, 2017, p.9).
Resource Details
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This online learning resource provides students with accessible information, outlining ICT systems in a clear and concise manner. Teachers and students can use this to conduct a post assessment with the interactive test on the site.
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Available on all platforms and mobile devices.
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Free for all users.
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Stage 3 - Stage 5 (Ages 9 - 14).
Explanation
This web module supports students in meeting capability 5, "Managing and Operating ICT". Students engage in a an interactive, online module, which develops their ability to "understand ICT systems" and assess their understanding through an interactive test.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical Analysis
Utilising web-based tutorials to break down information motivates and engages students with content that may otherwise seem difficult to understand (Roblyer & Doering, 2014). However, "the teacher should also consider how the technology selected fits into the objective of the lesson, methods of instruction, evaluation, feedback and follow-up initiatives"(Okojie, Olinzock, & Okojie-Boulder, 2006, p. 87). As the site does not allow for teacher modification to the tutorial, and as such can be problematic for differentiation purposes (Roblyer & Doering, 2014).
(Microsoft, 2018)
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This suite of online training videos guides students and teachers in managing their OneDrive effectively. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud based platform for sharing and storage of all resources.
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Suitable for all operating systems and mobile devices.
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Free for all users.
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Stage 4 – Adult (Ages 13+).
Explanation
OneDrive allows teachers and students to effectively meet capability 5, "Managing and operating with ICT" by providing a seamless and accessible way to "manage data" in and out of school. Teachers and students have free access to this resource through their NSW Department of Education portal.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical Analysis
Cloud storage has many advantages providing "universal access to data across time, space, and devices, (which) allows the teaching, learning, and collaboration to take place anywhere and at any time" (Hartmann, Braae, Pedersen & Khalid, 2017, p. 200). "Educational institutions can take advantage of cloud applications to provide students and teachers with free or low-cost alternatives to expensive, proprietary productivity tools" (Al-Zoube, 2009, p.58). Online security is always a concern with students, and much of this can be overcome in schools by teaching security protocols (Robleyer & Doering, 2014).