Thursday, July 22, 2010

A concept map captured from desk top, no easy feat..
A concept map in progress - stay tuned........ As you all can see, I am having "humongous" issues with screen capture - any suggestions?




This map has been inspired and virtually copied from Amy Kennedy's blog page, as it said exactly what I wanted to say and looked like a piece of artwork, like the rest of her site!
This tool is a great idea, if you are already a competent user, which I'm not and I think would be frustrating to use as it's intended function is to brain storm. This tool isn't aimed at complete immigrants like myself. Not as easy to place or size if you're in a hurry!
Note to self - time for play before time for judgement..
Thank you for your help Kylie Neylan , sometimes being told directions in another way, works wonders!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Rachel. Sometimes if a screen capture doesn't suit what you are trying to show you could save your image on your computer desktop and then upload it into your blog. Otherwise many tools on the internet give you the option to 'embed code'. You can coy and paste this code at the top of your blog entry and when you publish it your image will appear!! You can find this option in bubbl.us on the bottom right under 'menu'. I know... there's lot's to take in and I have probably confused you more... I'm just lucky my husband is an ICT person and sits on computers all day long!

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  2. Hi, I also agreed with Amy, in the thinking that this tool is not very effective- (if the purpose is to get the ideas flowing, because it is fiddly and time consuming), but perhaps there are some other beneficial reasons for this online concept mapping tool. What do you think ? Please See my post for some alternative ideas for this tool and any other ideas for organizing information to suit different purposes. Have you any suggestions ?, Thanks

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  3. Some of the responses, I have received for why online mapping would be used instead of paper and pen, have included:
    -People agree, in thinking it is best for presentations and teacher explanation.
    -Visually appealing, good for visual learners.
    -Some feel that allowing students to brainstorm online would be more effective, as students today respond well to technology.
    -One of the best ideas (Thanks Beardall ), was the idea that you could use both methods.
    This was an important reminder that technology is just a tool, and it is how you use it that is important. (either that or you try one that works better for you and the purpose, lol, which is what I ended up doing !)
    I no longer feel that I have to choose technology over other methods,or limited to the idea that technology is a replacement.
    I can now see many opportunities for incorporating technology in with other, perhaps more traditional methods !
    An important website :
    http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic68d.htm
    This site expresses how technology can be applied to suit all learning styles, even kinesthetic !, particularly when using it with other tools, rather than instead of.

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  4. Yes Sadi, I couldn't agree with you more. As a digital immigrant, the fear of not knowing how to do something so restrictive. I think that if you use what you know and are comfortable using that method, then introduce the tool together with the digital method which will ensure students abilities are being catered for , including your own. As a concept mapping tool I would need to be very proficient at setting one up to take advantage of the spontaneity that is implicitly part of brainstorming. This I feel is just a symptom of being a novice with ICT and with more practice - other learning options will become more obvious to use together with digital learning tools. Pen and paper are still my best friends, but I am starting to get more acquainted with digital mapping tools as I progress through this journey and with more practice I can endeavour to merge good ideas with ICT’s. As students use all prior knowledge to scaffold known information with new, creative ideas are encouraged from the student, the tool is a means of expression which includes many skills and content based learning. Your research shows how well digital tools work in the classroom by the acknowledgement of students’ learning styles.

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