Vokis and Mahara

I could have spent my whole day today creating Voki's. It was really engaging. I am sure that our students at school are going to love them. So then, what an effective ICT to incorporate into our lessons. As teachers, Vokis could be used to introduce content to lessons or be a hook for the students. Students could also create their own Voki's for activities in class.

For example, they may design a character online that they are working on in a play or improvised scene from Drama class. This would help with character development. In English class they may create some text or design a character from a book that shows bias. This could all be achieved by a Voki and I should trial this exercise for real in class and then give you some feedback. At least, ideas for Vokis are flowing through my brain. In reference, to Kearsley and Schneiderman's, Engagement Theory summarised by Relate, Create, Donate. Voki's can get the "students meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks." Kearsley and Schneiderman (1999, pg.1) I feel that students will feel that when they create their own Vokis they will will have ownership over the creation and share it or donate them to their peers. It should also be noted that the Vokis will need to be made in context specific to the content they are learning, however using Vokis would work alongside The Engagement Theory effectively.

Using an e-portfolio for our ICT's course is still relatively new to me at this point. I have read some other blogs on how they find Mahara and so far it has been good feedback. I believe through Mahara or e-portfolios will be effective in learning as it provides a site for you to create and portray your profressional work, goals, resume and much more. This would be a good tool for life-long learning for ourselves and our students. In schools e-portfolios could be used as a resource for submitting assignments for students. This would train the students for life long learning as in the future they could most likely be submitting their resumes or examples of their professsional work to prospective employers.

References: Kearsley,G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999)'Engagement Theory - A Framework for technology - based teaching and learning'. Retrieved from http:http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm