TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Element Four
Communicating with ICT
Resource Details
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Spiral enables teachers and students to communicate, share information, participate in live chats, and exchange ideas in an interactive learning space.
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All operating systems and mobile devices suitable.
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No cost, teacher sign up required.
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Stage 2 - Stage 6 (Ages: 8 -18).
Explanation
Spiral supports and develops students in meeting in capability 3, "Communicating with ICT" and will help teachers and students "collaborate, share and exchange" by interacting with their class, creating in teams, and sharing ideas in an online learning environment.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical analysis
Spiral, an online, chat based collaboration classroom tool, used as a learning community and collaborative space, enabling students to collate, problem solve and create resources in one place (Rose, 2014). Providing the flexibility and accessibility of an online working space greatly enhances collaboration, resource creation and sharing as well as a place for communication and negotiation of ideas (Wang, 2010). Collaborating online can create conflict, and teachers need to ensure that students learn to manage interactions effectively and “provide conflict management strategies on resolving diverse or conflicting views” (Chai, Lim, So & Cheah 2011, p.49).
(Spiral, 2016)
(Poll Everywhere, 2013)
Resource Description
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This resource enables students to contribute to whole class learning using a mobile device to ask and respond to questions and comment on the content being presented by the teacher in real time.
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Suitable for all operating systems and mobile devices.
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Basic & K-12 Education accounts are free. Teacher sign up required.
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Stage 4 – Adult (Age 12+).
Explanation
This resource will contribute to student understanding of capability 3, "Communicating with ICT" and will help teachers and students "collaborate, share and exchange" by participating in real-time interactions using mobile devices.
(ACARA, 2013)
Critical Analysis
Computer mediated communications provide a platform for sharing ideas and views in a non confronting manner in the classroom, increasing student participation and engagement (Kappers & Cutler, 2015). Furthermore, participating in computer mediated communications "helps increase social interaction, encourage learning satisfaction, initiate in-depth discussions and promote collaborative learning" (Mahdi, 2014, p. 75).