Constructivism+Statment+and+ICT+Integration

ICT is an extremely useful tool in the classroom as our society continues to become more technologically advanced. Computers and technology play a major part in students' lives today, therefore we believe it is imperative that ICT is integrated into the classroom accordingly. Our project is designed for a year four audience. We believe the design of our project is very significant to students of this age group, using resources relevant to them. Our ICT project incorporates a number of ICT processes which we believe will stimulate students during their study of water pollution. Our project is centered around a Wiki which students must participate in, completing a variety of interesting activities. The project runs over four days, during which students are set a different task to complete each day and also attend an excursion to AQWA.
 * Constructivism Statement and ICT Integratio ****n**

The ICTs we have incorporated in our project include: - the Interactive Whiteboard, which is used on a number of occasions to show movie clips, photos and instructions. - a clip from "Finding Nemo" has been included as this is a movie students in year four are likely to recognise and enjoy, the movie clip is used as an introductory activity to get students motivated. - Mimio, an interactive ICT tool. A picture of different marine animals is show on the Interactive Whiteboard, students must recognise, circle and name the different marine animals. - a worksheet on Word, students must complete this by matching the correct picture to the word and providing an accurate description of the type of pollution using the link provided. We chose this ICT tool as a worksheet on the computer is a lot more exciting to students than an ordinary worksheet. - digital cameras which students use on their excursion to AQWA. Students take lots of photos with the cameras which are then brought back to class and used in their presentations. - the website "Marine Parks" is also used in our project, this is an exciting interactive website where students can research different marine destinations around Perth and the pollution there. - Comic Life or PowerPoint, students use these to create their final presentation on water pollution which they present to the class. By creating their own way to present their information students are involved in their own learning. This also allows students who excel in the creative arts to prove themselves.

Our ICT project is centered around a social constructivist classroom which means students are actively involved in their own learning. I think it is fairly obvious that students are required to create their own learning during our ICT project. Students are required to access websites and make their own notes on points they believe to be of importance. Students must also take their own pictures with digital cameras as well as find their own online. The creation of a PowerPoint allows students to express what they have learned in their own way. The Reflection page allows students to reflect on their own learning experience and and investigate ways of improving. Overall, we believe our project is definitely centered on a social constructivist approach as it encourages problem solving, creativity and a process which students must move through at their own pace, this allows for different ability levels and learning styles.