WordNik

                                

Wordnik is an online tool and is a fully functioning dictionary providing an explanation and context for a word. With the influence of modern technology, students tend to avoid using books! – they seem to be referred to as ‘old fashion’ and ‘time consuming’, however, Wordnik offers all the resources that your ‘usual dictionary’ can, but online, making it easier and quicker to access.

Wordnik provides both the dictionary definition as well as providing an example, to ensure better understanding for its user.

Here's an example!

I typed 'exciting' into Wordnik's search bar, and here are my results:

The benefits of using WordNik are that it provides various definitions for users; helping them to understand the meaning of a word, as well as the context of which it can be used. With this tool being online, as long as the internet is accessable, it allows 24 hour access, without passwords or hesitation.
Easy-Peesy!

This is a prime example of a good online resource, and can easily be interprated into lessons of all subjects across the curriculum. An example being story writing in literacy lessons, where pupils can use this technology to understand words they want to use, or look up synonyms and word equivalents. A benefit to this, is that the pupils will gain a better and stronger understanding of the

vocabulary that they are using, improving knowledge and spelling subconciously.

 

"Wordnik is a place for all the words, and everything known about them.
Our goal is to show you as much information as possible, as fast as we can find it, for every word in English, and to give you a place where you can make your own opinions about words known."

- http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/captivated-words-youll-love-wordnik.htm

 

Internet Safety

                        

 

         Students need to understand 

how to use the internet in a safe,

efficient way as well as how to

 protect their privacy.

 

 

 

I think it is important to deal with the issue of Internet safety, especially as the internet has so many users, of all ages! - the problem with using online technologies, is that the damage carlessness can create, for example, the misuse of personal information may lead to such things like having your identity stolen. Misuse may influence an individuals employment status, matters may lead to an individual being sexually exploited and some may even fall victim to cyber-bullying. Therefore i think its important that all these types of issues are brought to attention in the classrooms, so that it improves a childs' awareness on the matter, helping prevent future issues!

"This would never happen to me"

Unfortunately this has happened to hundreds, potentially thousands, of young people in the UK. This has happened to boys and girls. This may have happened to someone you know. If it has, you probably wouldn’t know about it.

Abusers try all sorts of tricks to make you think it’s safe to share an image or video with them.

 They often pretend to be a girl or boy your age

They send sexy pictures or webcam video of other people to get you to flirt

 You might not be able to tell they’re an abuser until after they’ve got a video or picture of you

Once they have an embarrassing video or picture abusers try to convince young people that they are more powerful than them. They’re not. They lie to try to scare people into doing what they want.

- http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/Webcam%20fact%20sheet%202.pdf

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_gDsHSjZAE&feature=player_embedded

How can this be prevented!?

Teachers can help to protect students from the dangers that are online, they can help by relaying the message of digital safety to students that use the latest technology, both inside and outside of the classroom. Such tips include:

 

Safety Tips For Kids

I won't give out my name, age, address, school, phone number, picture about myself or anyone else without my parent's permission. This includes chat rooms, instant messages, email, surfing the net and even entering contests or registering for clubs online. I won't send my picture to anyone online without my parent's permission. I won't meet with someone in person that I met on the Internet unless my parent has agreed and will go with me. I realize that people aren't always who they say they are and that an adult can pretend to be a kid online. If I receive or see something online that seems bad or weird, I won't respond and will log off and tell my parents right away. I will not open or accept e-mails, enclosures, links, URL's or other things online from people I don't know. I won't give out my password to anyone except my parents… not even my friends. I will follow my family's rules for online safety at home, at school, at the library or at a friend or relative's house. - http://www.protectkids.com/youthsafety/safteytipskids.htm



Swansea Museum - Educational Context

Me and my friend Jodie visited Swansea Museum to see what it had to offer for the local primary schools. 

 

Swansea Museum is based in the city centre and offers a fantastic learning experience for all children offering fascinating facts about archaeology, the first and second World War, Egyptology, the animal world, Wales as a country and a culture and also Swansea’s very own history.

 

Primary Schools from all over Swansea are invited to attend day long visits at the museum, the day entails of a talk from the historian hosting the day, which consists of some background history of the museum and what the museum has to offer. The children also engage in a variety of different tasks. One for example is role plays where they get to dress up and put on a show for their fellow pupils.

During their visit’s, the children are given several tasks to complete. They are given the job to find certain artefacts on a map they are given, poster work either in groups or individually and written work.

Whilst walking through the galleries there were small tables and chairs present to allow children to express what they learnt through drawings, playing and other arts and crafts.

After reflecting on our visit at the museum, we came to the conclusion the museum is a  fantastic place to encourage learning outside the  traditional classroom.

Our reasons for our reflection are based apon;

The museum staff set incentives such as work being displayed on the walls with your photo.  As the majority of children want this opportunity, they ensure they learn the work they are trying to present in written form or posters. Children are able to interact with each gallery they enter as booklets (in English and Welsh) are available at the entrance to each gallery.The children are able to engage in a variety of tasks. They don’t spend the day being spoken to, they take an active roll in their learning by participating in role plays,  group work as well as individual work. By providing a variety of different learning techniques,  children who are kinaesthetic learners, visual, audio etc are all able to learn something from their visit.

 

 

 

Why is Play Important for development?

"Play isn't a luxury, it's a fundamental part of a child's psychological and physical development.”

(The Children's Society) 

 



'Play' in the classroom

Its believed that allowing children to 'play' and interact with one another allows the personal development of social and phyical elements within their life.

 

Social Development of a child

Play will increase a childs social awareness and emotional maturity bringing success in life; not just school. They will develop the ability to interact positively with both peers and adults.

 
 Play enables children to socially develop the following:

• Instigate verbal and non-verbal communicating skills
• Respond and understand emotions of others
• Experience the opinions of others, and deal with conflict and deligation
• Experiment with role reversal

Play can also contribute to a childs emotional development, allowing them to express and cope with feelings; allowing them to understand and respond to the feelings of others. Children can also learn to cope with their feelings through role play, this allows them to act out feelings like being angry, happy, or worried in a situation that they can control, allowing them to think out loud expressing both pleasant and unpleasant feelings.  

How can play physically develop a child?!

Play helps to develop a childs' body awareness and fine and gross motor development whilst they energetically move around.

Fine motor skills can be improved through writing, creative play activities, forming shapes and scribbles. Whereas gross motor skills can be developed through physical activities like skipping, hopping and generally running around. As the child practices these skills though play, the stronger these skills will become.

Using their bodies during play also enables them to feel phyically confident, secure, and self-assured  (Isenberg & Quisenberry, 2002).

Additionally, Active play will increase or maintain the energy a child has already sustained, and also improved joint flexibility, and muscular strength.

The benefits play -
Allowing children to make up their own games, characters, situations and dialogues without adult intervention are massive!

'This is because imagination is an integral part of your child's education and helps determine children’s success in all areas of life.
Imaginative and independent play helps children:

• Learn to solve problems;
• Practice coping with difficult or new or strange circumstances;
• Express themselves;
• Develop relationship skills;
• Learn real life skills.'
  
  - http://www.education.com/reference/article/importance-play--social-emotional/