Living and Learning in the Digital World 101 - A Introduction

E-Portfolio

 Hello, my name is Hanan Hafza. I am currently studying Primary Education at Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia. This is my E-Portfolio for the unit Living and Learning in the Digital World 101. In the form of a blog I will be showcasing 5 work samples accompanied by summaries/reflections which I believe to show my learning experience throughout the course of the unit. 

Microsoft Excel- Work Sample #1

Work Sample #1

Microsoft Excel 

Summary

The technology presented by the work sample is Microsoft Excel. Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application developed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and more. It has been a very widely applied spreadsheet for these platforms, and has since become the industry standard for spreadsheets (Wikipedia, 2013). Excel forms part of Microsoft Office and can be purchased and downloaded by itself at the Microsoft store, or purchased as a whole Microsoft Office series which include other Microsoft office applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power point and Microsoft Outlook. 

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool and a great Excel consists if a spreadsheet, from there a vase range of tools are at the users fingertips for multiple purposes like presenting or organizing information and data in the form of statistics or graphs. Microsoft Excel might be a bit confusing at the start to use, but once you get the hang of things the possibilities are endless.

Reflection 

Microsoft Excel is a technology that is used to enhance learning (TEL) and is beneficial as a use in the classroom for both teachers and students. 
As a teacher using the spreadsheet, they can use it for multiple purposes such as organizing and presenting information, and keeping a record of student data. As shown in the diagram above, the teacher can generate the averages between tests and grades of students. Using Excel to do this proved to be a much faster and efficient way as manually. Not only does it present statistics within seconds, it also allows color-coding to highlight and bring attention particular areas (i.e. the boxes colored red indicate which students have failed tests, and the boxes highlighted green indicate the students who have achieved As in tests). This is a fast and efficient way to make clear which students are falling behind and need further encouragement/motivation, and which students are doing very well and should be commended on their excellent results to represent acknowledgement for achievements.  Microsoft also allows you to make multiple types of graphs, for example in the graph above clearly represents who is the highest achiever of the class, students achieving above average results, students achieving below average results, and students whom are failing. 

Students can use the software for multiple purposes themselves for similar reasons as creating tables/graphs and calculating information, all which aid to the development of their technological skills. There aren’t many disadvantages to using Microsoft excel, perhaps that it is not free, but the small cost is surely worth it. 
Microsoft Excel is flexible and easy to use; the program can be used for countless tasks, all which aid to the enhancement of learning through the use of technology in the classroom for both teachers and students alike.

Windows Movie Maker- Work Sample #2

Work Sample #2

Windows Movie Maker

Summary

The technology presented by the work sample below is Windows Movie Maker. Windows Movie Maker is a feature of Windows Vista that enables you to create home movies and slide shows on your computer, complete with professional-looking titles, transitions, effects, music, and even narration. (Windows, 2013) The movies or presentations you create can then be published and shared. The software is free and can be downloaded onto a computer/laptop on the following link http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=34.

Windows Movie Maker is divided into three main areas: the panes, the storyboard/timeline, and the preview monitor. From there, the user is able to access multiple tools for editing and adding special effects such as audio and transition effects. Below is a diagram demonstrating the main areas of the program. 

  

(Getting started with Windows Movie Maker, 2013)

Windows Movie Maker is easy to use, there is an introduction on the website http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-vista/getting-started-with-windows-movie-maker that will help new users in learning the different tools and multiple links for further assistance.

Work Sample: 

Reflection 

Windows Movie Maker is an excellent TEL resource to be used in education, it allows students and teachers to be Digital content creators, individuals who develop and create new digital content (Howell,2012).  Windows Movie Maker can be used for many purposes in the classroom, both educational and entertainment wise.  Teachers and students have the opportunity to use the program to make instructional videos, presentations, short movies/videos and slide shows. They do this by simply uploading their choice of images, videos, short ‘snippets’ or animations onto the storyboard/timeline. From there, they arrange accordingly, edit and design their piece, as well as add in audio like sound effects and music to construct their creative piece. If they make a mistake or change their minds, they can easily edit or remove content. 

Windows Movie Maker is a fun, entertaining and highly stimulating way to get students involved in their own learning through enhancing their own enjoyment while doing so.

Incorporating the use of Windows Movie Maker improves students and teachers ICT and TEL skills as well as enhances their E-Maturity- the level of skill, confidence and knowledge people have when using new technologies for learning. The student can carry these skills with them for the rest of their lives.

If a teacher comes across any problems with the program, he/she must simply go onto the windows website, where there is in depth help as well as other users question and answers that they may relate to. If a student has any issues they can seek assistance from peers or the teacher to assist them resolve any issues. 

Howell suggests that students should be given the freedom to create new things and to be engaged in creative, experimental and purposeful activities (2012). Windows Movie Maker allows the student to do just that.