Reflective Blog Post 2- Visuals and Pictures in the classroom

 

Using visuals such as photos, picture and diagrams; are a useful tool to engage students into having deeper thought patterns about current unit topics. Students can engage with each other and learn from peers by sharing visuals and pictures that represent items from the unit. The purpose  of this is to see others opinions and collaborate. For example, in a Health and Physical Education (HPE) unit students can draw a ‘plate’. The plate will show their average dinner meal: the portion of protein, carbohydrates, fats and vegetables. By sharing these with the teacher or fellow students, they may learn about the different eating habits and the socioeconomic factors that cause this. Teachers can use the SAMR model to propose the use of visuals and images in the classroom.

As a substitution, students may draw or create a concept map using an online tool such as ‘wise mapping’ (free for all users). As augmentation, students may have to create digital posters or PowerPoints as part of their presentations rather than paper based. As modification, students may create a weekly video presentation outlining the key topic learn in HPE. Finally, students can redefine their use of technology by uploading visual and pictures to social media and comparing engagement to see which is the most ‘effective’ post.

To delve further into the theory of online concept maps such as the use of ‘wise mapping’, I created my own concept map for a theory unit of food and nutrition.

                                            Authors image: Wisemapping (online) 2022.

                                         

Wise mapping is a relatively easy website to use and even includes a link to a video tutorial when first entering. From the screenshot above, you can see that I created a central topic and then a sub-topic off this (by pressing “ENTER”).

                                                 Authors image: Wisemapping (online) 2022.

     This next screenshot, shows a micro topic that was created off the sub-topic. I was also able to change the colours of titles by using the pen and paint icons up the top of the screen.

                                                          Authors image: Wisemapping (online) 2022.

                                         

The final screenshot, shows a completed concept map. In the micro topic ‘protein’ off ‘Macronutrients’, I added a link to a you tube video that outlines the essentials of protein. I also added some emoticons to sub-topic heading.

Wise mapping is free for anyone and can be shared to select users or on social media, this allows for increased cyber-safety for students. Wise mapping is able to be collaborative between students and teachers.

I would use Wise mapping in the classroom at the start of the term to see what students already know about the up and coming topic, as well as, to provide them with a course/unit plan. By using this site, students can be creative and customise it to their liking. It could also be shared with the classroom teacher or with small groups of peers. The site is safe for students to use, as it is up to them and/or the teachers as to who their concept map is shared with.

References

Terada, Youki. “A Powerful Model for Understanding Good Tech Integration.” Edutopia, 4 May 2020, www.edutopia.org/article/powerful-model-understanding-good-tech-integration.

WiseMapping. “WiseMapping.” WiseMapping, 2022, www.wisemapping.com/.