Learning Objects - Number Trains

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_early_years.html?showcaseObjectID=2146

This learning object is particularly useful when educating younger students, prep - grade 1.  When teaching younger students it can be quite difficult to find things that will engage them and hold their interest.  This activity would work well when learning about maths, and adding on.  This object is a practice object as students are able to use trial and error to see f they have placed the numbers in the correct order.

Using this object to engage students is just one of the advantages of using this object to assist teaching instead of the traditional way of teaching.  It is a lot more visual and interactive for students as opposed to just using a pen and paper to record their answers onto a work sheet.  By using train carriages it is making the concept of maths more real as many students would already have an understanding of what a train is.  This helps them to see how maths would be relevant outside of the classroom if you ever wanted to count train carriages.  The sounds and noises of the train will also help to engage the younger students as these are things that they react to.


To find out more about Learning Objects, see the 'Learning Objects' link on the left hand side.

Learning Objects - Eyeball Challenge

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_learning_materials/tm_-_science.html?showcaseObjectID=2223

This learning object is quite different and interesting and would be aimed at grade 3 and 4.  By using the objects students will be able to enhance their knowledge about eyesight and how eyesight can differ for different animals and species.  This object is a practice object as well as an information object as students are allowed to make mistakes and go back and fix them before continuing on in the activity.  There is also information present to guide students into completing activities.  The information present is clearly set out in a way that is easy to understand.


If students were learning about different senses this object would be a great learning tool to use when learning about 'eyesight'.  The object has set out instructions that are easy to follow and understand and this type of learning object is a lot more engaging for students than the traditional way of learning.  Students may find it boring to read facts about eye sight and to draw diagrams and colour in pictures, which is why this activity would be perfect to use as it engages the student through many different activities.


To find out more about Learning Objects, see the 'Learning Objects' link on the left hand side.

Learning Objects - How big are you?

http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/games/howbigareyou.html

This activity is ideal for younger students who are learning about dinosaurs as they are able to guess and calculate how long different dinosaurs may be.  This activity also incorporates some maths elements, as students are estimating different measurements.  This learning activity is also a simulation object as well as a conceptual object as is is showing some real-life process (by using the dolphins and other animals to measure) as well as the 'Representation of a key concept or related concepts of subject matter' (Churchill, 2007, pg. 484), as the game is relevant to the topic of dinosaurs.

This learning object would be very useful when running a unit of work based on dinosaurs instead of approaching the unit the traditional way because students are able to visualise how big dinosaurs actually are.  Instead of using unit measurements that some students may not understand, this activity allows students to make estimations, which also classifies this object as a practice object, of how big a dinosaur may be by using real life things such as animals.  Students have more of an understanding about how big a dolphin is so it is easier for them to visualise how big dinosaurs are.  This object is also useful in the way that it is a lot more hands on that the students just completing a work sheet.  Students are able to interactive and listen to different voices to follow instructions and are able to see their answers come to life on the screen.

To find out more about Learning Objects, see the 'Learning Objects' link on the left hand side.

Learning Objects - Sprats Adventures

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/digger/9_11entry/5.shtml

This learning object is a maths game that enables students to gain a basic understanding of trigonometry as they are working with angles and means (averages).  This learning object is a simulation object, as it is showing a 'representation of some real-life system or process,' (Churchill, 2007, pg. 484).


This learning object has many advantages as it is putting meaning to what the children are calculating.  When using traditional teaching methods, students generally can't see how these things will be used in the real world, but this game shows students how their calculations can be used.  The game puts meaning into what the students are learning.  It is also a lot more interactive.


To find out more about Learning Objects, see the 'Learning Objects' link on the left hand side.

Learning Objects - The Patchworker Game

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/magickey/adventures/patch_game.shtml

The game entitled 'The Patchworker' allows students to work on their sentence structure, and the ways in which they form sentences.  This particular learning object is a practice object as it allows for 'Drill and feedback, with practice,' as it is an 'educational game or representation that allows for practice and learning of certain procedures,' (Churchill, 2007, pg. 484).

The benefits of using this articular learning object as opposed to the traditional way of teaching are that the activity is more hands on and interactive.  Students are able to see how their sentences are forming, and are able to go back and try again if they make a mistake.  The colours surrounding each word allow students to differentiate between each word as they create their sentences.

To find out more about Learning Objects, see the 'Learning Objects' link on the left hand side.

Web 2.0 - Twitter

Twitter is a social networking website that can be used for posting short text based tweets of up to 140 characters.  These tweets are displayed on each users profile and are made available for the general public to view unless the user restricts it to friends only.  You can also subscribe to, or 'follow' other users.  This means that their posts will appear on your home screen so that you are easily able to keep track of who you are following.  Users are also able to receive new tweets via SMS.  You are also able to upload images to twitter, and 'tweet' them so that your friends and others are able to view them.  The following screen cap is an example of what the main home page for any user looks like on twitter, and for this example I have used Neil Patrick Harris's twitter.

Twitter is a fun way to stay in touch with what people are doing all around the world, but it can also be used to keep in touch with those who might live right around the corner.  This comes in handy when using twitter for educational purposes.  One thing that all users of like about twitter is how easy it is to use.  Everything is simple and straight forward and doesn't take long to sign up.  This makes it easy for students to use as well as teachers.  Teachers are able to make accounts for different topics, allowing students to tweet questions at their teacher in regards to different topics.  This makes it easier for learning at home.


Although there are advantages to using twitter, there are also some disadvantages when using twitter.  Twitter comes with many distractions, such as following celebrities and finding out what they're up to, which can detract from actual school work.  It is also difficult to fit into the 140 character word limit, which puts restraints on what students can post.


To find out more about Web 2.0 visit the link on the left hand side.

Web 2.0 - Facebook

Facebook is a website known by many as a popular social networking site with more than 500 million active users.  Users are able to create profiles, upload pictures and videos, connect with friends and family and play fun online games with other users.  

Facebook is mainly used as a personal homepage for many users, but that doesn't restrict it's uses for purely personal use as it can also be used for educational purposes.  As it is mainly there for personal use, there are a lot of disadvantages when it comes to education, but that doesn't mean it cannot be used, as there are also some good points about using facebook aswell.  Teachers are able to create groups that students can join.  This allows students to post information in an online group setting so that other students, as well as their teachers are able to view information that has been posted in that group.  It also allows for online discussions to be easily recorded.  Some celebrities and famous people throughout history ay have their own profiles or profiles dedicated to them which students can access to find out information that can be used for projects and assignments.


Although there are advantages to using facebook, there are also disadvantages to using the website.  It can assist to online bullying as students may post harmful comments on other students profiles.  There are also various online games that all users can access which can distract students from coursework.

To find out more about Web 2.0 visit the link on the left hand side.