Workshop Week 3

Originally posted to Yola on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

In the week 2 tutorial our group had the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) and Learning Federation demonstrated to us by Jenni. The purpose of the activity was for us to gain an understanding through hands on authentic learning, to enable us to transfer our knowledge to Group 2 in the week 3 tutorial.

As a group we set a plan to break the teaching amongst group members and for each of us to go home and investigate further the concepts shown to us by Jenni. This was a very good idea to consolidate our learning and to allow us to search further for other IWB activities. Chris grasped the concept of the computer and IWB setup whilst I was enthusiastic at exploring some Mathematics activities as I have a maths prac coming up next week. This was a great opportunity for me to carry out the registration required to allow me to then pass on to next week's group.

Chris began our demonstration giving very clear instructions on the setup of the Mac and the IWB. We can read about this in Chris's blog.

Here I will review my instructions given on how to register with the Le@rning Federation.

1. Click on Registration URL.
2. Complete registration.
3. Murdoch MAIS will appear. Login with your Username and Password.

Well done you are now ready to learn, teach and collaborate using digital resources from the Le@rning Federation.

The activity I chose was a counting: whole numbers for Year 6 students. Follow on here for the directions I gave the group.

1. Click on HOME at the top LHS of the menu bar.
2. Locate the Browse by topic section on the homepage
3. Click on Mathematics
4. Locate the Number section
5. Click on Counting
6. Scroll down through activities to Hopper challenge: whole numbers
7. Click on Intro
8. Click on Start

From here you are free to explore the game. It has very clear instructions. From here Shelley demonstrated the way to navigate the IWB. I will endeavour to link to these instructions as they become available.

The beauty of the Le@rning Federation is the ability to use all of the resources on your own computer without an IWB. The difference is, on the computer you use your mouse to navigate and on the IWB you use your finger to tap the prompts. I was impressed that I could locate a game to demonstrate in which I was able to practice in advance of my presentation. As a teacher it is imperative for us to know what we are going to teach so I know I will take advantage of this site. This will enable me to make access to the site and know exactly what I have to do for set up and the procedure to follow the game. this would prevent a lot of time wasting in the classroom lesson time as well. I consider developing this good work ethic which will demonstrate good organisational skills and boost my confidence.

Good luck in following our groups instructions and I trust you will gain as much from The Le@rning Federation as I intend to.