IWB and phonics

Using The IWB to aid teaching of Phonics within the classroom.

In this lesson we discovered how the use of IT can enhance the learning of phonics.
We looked out different games that can be played using the IWB and how it would help develop phonics knowledge.  We practised using the different tools available on smart notebook to create a fun, engaging lesson using an IWB.
There are three main stages when teaching phonics, these are: grapheme phoneme correspondences.these are letter sounds taught in a specific order. The next stage is blending and then segmenting. All three stages can be taught aided by the IWB. 

There are a number of programs available that can support the blending and segmenting of words. These can give the children opportunities to practice learning individual phonemes, then blending and segmenting across the word. Having a ‘voice over’ or character that models how to do this ensures that the children learn the correct way to pronounce the phonemes as they blend and segment.

Using these programs also means the teacher no longer needs to hold up cards but is free to ‘look, listen and note’ what the children are doing – providing on going, easy to manage and effective assessment.

For today's IT task we worked in pairs to create a phonics game for wither blending or segmenting. the activity we designed is looking at the phonemes ‘aw and or’. These make the same sounds but are not found in the same words, so by using familiar words we have shown the different words using the different phonemes.
for phase 1, we were asked to decide on a suitable activity. I decided to use images to represent the sounds to aid understanding and created a smartbook presentation of pictures of different things beginning with the letter c. for example caterpillar, cat, cake and carrot. the children can press on the image and hear the /C/ sound and say what each picture was to reinforce learning. 

using the resources on the smart notebook. We decided to go for a drag and reveal presentation, this is simple and easy to do as demonstrated below:

We also looked at a range of websites that included games, songs and videos. This can aid children with learning outside of the classroom and they can access them at home. some examples of these are: 

• Phonics Play
• BBC Bitesize
• ICT games
• 
  

This dinosaur game found on ICT games can be accessed at home for children to play with and also in the classroom. you can select the phase and also the grapheme you are currently learning and the children can take turns interacting to correctly pick the egg with the correct/real grapheme on it. It is very engaging and exciting for children when they choose the right answer.

IWB within the classroom

The use of IWB has become everyday practise within schools in the Uk. In today's lesson we looked at the uses of the IWB within the classroom. It can enhance many lessons throughout the national curriculum and also add to the learning experience. There uses include  brainstorming ideas from the whole class as notes made on the screen can be turned into text, and saved to be shared later. They are an ideal tool for small group work and collaborative learning, as students can huddle around the board developing ideas, and then save the work for sharing. They are a powerful tool in the classroom adding interactivity and collaboration, allowing the integration of media content into the lecture and supporting collaborative learning.
 



We first looked at the advantages of the IWB such as:

• They encourage and develop discussion skills
• help develop IT skills
• It’s fun and interactive
• Encourages active participation
• Enables lessons to flow
• Visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning aid
• Great tool for engaging SEN pupils 

We were then asked to think about how it might impact on a lesson negatively if not considered when a lesson is planned using this equipment: 

• Can all the children see it?
• Font, is the background and too similar?
• Lighting in the classroom
• Accessibility, can you and the children easily access the IWB. 

Examples of the features available when using an interactive whiteboard:
• Add annotations
• Highlight text
• Add notes and drawings and then save them to be printed out and shared, or added to a virtual learning environment.
• Show pictures and educational videos to the whole lecture theatre. You can label parts or highlight elements of an image.
• Demonstrate the content available on a website in a teacher-directed activity

We then looked at the Smartnotebook application which is used with the smartboard (IWB). With this a teacher can create things similar to powerpoint, interactive games and tell stories. The teacher (and children ) can also write on the bard using the special pens for it to become the conventional whiteboard. This however is something I would have to practise as it can be quite tricky to make writing legible if you are a novice! 

I feel that the IWB is a great tool to have within the classroom and can be used in most lessons in some way. Creating games and hiding answers gets the children thinking and learning in a fun and exciting way and I feel this can also be extended in to them creating there own games for their classmates. I feel that the IWB is a great tool to have within the classroom and can be used in most lessons in some way. Creating games and hiding answers gets the children thinking and learning in a fun and exciting way and I feel this can also be extended in to them creating there own games for their classmates. Having said this, if relied on consistently I feel it could impact on the teacher pupil relationship which is built on one to one communication with the class. 

Bee Bots

In this lesson I learnt what a bee bot is and how it can be used within a classroom. These are simple to programme robots aimed at children.

A bee bot is an exciting and colourful robot used for teaching children sequencing, problem solving and estimation. Alongside this I feel these robots are a way in which to get children exited about using IT as it is fun, engaging and very interactive. the bee bot can be programmed to go forwards, backwards and turns.



How we can use Bee bots within the classroom:

These simple robots can be used in various ways. In the It lesson we used a map made by us then programmed the bot to follow the path. Making the map ourselves I feel was a good Idea as we could make it a more personal experience and this would make children feel accomplished once completed. other ways in which we can use bee bots can be seen here in this video clip below:

As we can see, the Beebot can be used cross curricular to introduce new ideas in other areas and also games. This can mean that children are having fun playing a game but also learning.

We then created a bee bot mask to personalise our bee bots.  This links in to Art and Design and allows children to explore their creativity. I enjoyed making the masks and feel this is a fun way to expand the use of Bee bots in to other areas of the curriculum.
Advantages of Beebots:

• Robust and small design
• Clear and bright buttons
• Memory of up to 40 steps
• No confusing degrees to program
• Sounds and flashing eyes confirm your instructions
• Fantastic cross-curricular resources also available in the form of mats. 

Bee bots within The IT curriculum can be used to teach the following:

The National Curriculum Key Stage 1 states that pupils should be taught to:

• understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions create and debug simple programs
• use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
• use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
• recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
• use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other on line technologies.

We were asked what an algorithm is? An algorithm is a set of instructions designed to solve a specific problem.  

Although I have discussed many of the advantages of using a Bee Bot I do feel there are some disadvantages such as: 

EAL may find the use of Bee bots difficult as they are unfamiliar with the language to control it. 

Children who have behavioural issues may find that the repetitive nature of the Bee bot leads them to get bored quickly or become disinterested.