The most appropriate applications to support my teaching, why they are appropriate and how have they added to the learner experience
As a trainee teacher I have and regularly use blended learning. Teaching Degree Level Graphic Design students it is part of the course that a number of applications will be used.
To get down to basics I definitely use Microsoft Office suite of applications, predominately Word in all of my planning. I use this application mostly to create all of my lesson plans, lesson evaluations and to write up my reflective writings. This helps me to reflect on my teaching and helps me decipher where improvements are needed.
I also use Powerpoint, an OHP and a laptop in my teaching however since I have been introduced to Prezi, Powerpoint may take a back seat. I feel that Powerpoint supports my lesson and it helps to have handouts at the end of the lesson so the student has something they can take away to read.
I have also used the strategy of 'flipped learning' in one of my lessons. The students are asked to view a YouTube video on Wordpress in their own time so that we can discuss it in the next class. As Bergmann and Sams(2014) state that flipped learning allows the tutor to best use class time for teaching at the next lesson.
I use a lot of practical demonstration in my teaching followed by practical application. The applications I use to demonstrate with are within the Adobe Creative Cloud. The Adobe Creative Cloud is an online facility that is used in the university, by using this it means we have the latest versions of the design programmes and have access to a large number of online resources which the students can access. It is imperative to me that I am trained in these applications and my professional development is an essential part of my training. I use Adobe Design to develop my Scheme of Work in as the discipline I am in uses a template for this. I also use this in designing my assignment briefs. This programme helps me to achieve a professional design and standard that I want my students to adhere to when they create work. It is important in the field of Graphic Design to have well laid documents that display the best use of colour and design.
It is important that all the students have access to the internet when working on the computers. They can do their research on this and also follow design blogs so they are up to date with what is happening in the design world.
Using technology within the classroom definitely improves the learning experience and Jarvis (2015) backs this up. I have also used an online application called Survey Monkey for my assessment method at the end of the module. This method of assessment is easy for the student to use and it is also anonymous.
References
Bergmann, J. & Sams, A., 2014. Gateway to Student Engagement. 1st ed. USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
Jarvis, M., 2015. Brilliant Ideas for using ICT in the classroom. 1st ed. Abingdon: Routledge.
