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Last blog I mentioned some ICT tools. This week I will go into more depth about the following:

·         Interactive Learning Objects

·         Google Maps

·         Google Docx

·         Online timelines

I was going to cover all nine of the ICT tools; however, due to internet failure and having to resort to a five year old mini modem, it was difficult to complete this week’s blog. I managed to get into the sites listed.

Interactive Learning Objects

Interactive learning objects are scattered across the internet about many different topics. Below are five sites with different topics and learning object. From simulations to dissecting a toad; there are ways to do activities and experiments that may not work successfully in a classroom. Interactive learning objects enhance students learning and understanding of difficult topics. You are welcome to go through the links below to experience the possibilities. 

http://edheads.org/activities/brain_stimulation/index.shtml

http://www.froguts.com/

http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm

http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=398

 

http://www.gapminder.org/world/#$majorMode=chart$is;shi=t;ly=2003;lb=f;il=t;fs=11;al=30;stl=t;st=t;nsl=t;se=t$wst;tts=C$ts;sp=5.59290322580644;ti=2009$zpv;v=0$inc_x;mmid=XCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj1jiMAkmq1iMg;by=ind$inc_y;mmid=YCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj2tPLxKvvnNPA;by=ind$inc_s;uniValue=8.21;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL_n5tAQ;by=ind$inc_c;uniValue=255;gid=CATID0;by=grp$map_x;scale=log;dataMin=295;dataMax=79210$map_y;scale=lin;dataMin=19;dataMax=86$map_s;sma=49;smi=2.65$cd;bd=0$inds= 

Google Maps

Google maps allow students to access and view different maps from around the world. Through google maps, maps can be created and changed for purpose of the activity. It also can be used for data collection, embedding maps into websites and has many tutorial articles to help with all aspects of google maps. This is a very powerful tool for specific curriculum, such as Geography. Here is a LINK to a map created in google maps.

 

Google Docx

Google Docx is a program of educational apps. It has many appropriate apps for different topics within the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Below is a link to three options, explaining how the tool works and the effectiveness in a classroom. 

https://www.google.com/intl/au/enterprise/apps/education/   

Online timelines

Dipity is a great ICT tool that allows timelines to be created and changed. Photos, videos, dates and time can be implemented easily and updated. As the internet was struggling at by this point, I was not able to create my own timeline. However, this would a useful ICT tool within a classroom and could be used for many different topics in the curriculum.

http://www.dipity.com/

All of the above align with the SAMR model; as seen in the table below:

	Redefinition	Modification	Augmentation	Substitution
Interactive Learning Objects			ü	ü
Google Maps	ü	ü	ü	ü
Google Docx	ü	ü	ü	ü
Online timelines	ü	ü	ü	ü

These ICT tools could be very beneficial in a classroom; depending on the age of the students and the curriculum being focussed on will determine when and how they are used. They all have different purposes and abilities (such as seen using the SAMR model).