Bloggers this will be my last Post and Blog for I.C.T I hope you have enjoyed my posts I know I have. Although at times I have pulled my hair out, seeing the final result and views, I am pretty impressed. So thank you for viewing my blog and for following me......!!!

So

Part 2- Modelling

Simulation/Programming - Scratch

Playful Learning – Dance to Advance

So the last session of blogging before we have our I.C.T presentations and can you believe it I am poorly. 

So blogging today will be based on brilliant lecture slides, research and class members who talked through what they did during the session and how they found it. (Thanks Group B!!)

Simulation and adventure games

• Similar to modelling programs, they also allow children the chance to explore possibilities and try out different solutions within a test environment; these include the virtual reality type scenarios that are becoming more available.
• If we consider such people as aircraft designers use the 
‘outside world’ modelling software, architects, accountants, 
mathematicians and astronomers also use such applications to 
explore and make accurate predictions in complex or dangerous 
situations use models.
• Children should use simulations to make and explore predictions and to identify patterns and relationships. (EDP4123)

Dance to advance

• Its a program that schools use, there are over 150 ready-to-use activities to get you started with RM Dance to Advance & Dance Mat and RM Easiteach Dance Mat, covering areas such as: Math, English Language Arts, Science, Geography, History and Foreign Languages. 
• Advance is the modern user-friendly dance mat in the field of learning fun activity software for educational purposes. It is the best way to challenge and test knowledge of students because its features amazing visual, kinesthetic and auditory stimuli.
• RM Dance to Advance is very innovative and beneficial for students because by using it, students will have fun making their way to greater understanding and maintaining their concepts. 
• Customized dance mat activities can be created and edited on any topic or subject using text, pictures or sound. In addition, you also have the option to choose from the range of numerous included ready-made activities. 

M- Learning

Phones, computers and media devices now fit in our pockets and 
can connect us to a variety of information sources and enable 
communication nearly everywhere we go. There is considerable 
interest in exploiting the almost universal appeal and abundance of 
these technologies for their educational use.

Computer programming and Games Based Learning

PART 1- Modelling

KS1- Modelling 

• Pupils should be taught to try things out.
• Explore what happens in real and imaginary situations for example games, also by using different kinds of games, images and simulations to trail activities. This can include different colour's on an image, using an adventure game or simulation. 
• It a chance to explore  No right or wrong answer, children are able to go along the route they want and gives them the freedom and the independence, they enjoy.
• There are many modelling programs available in this day an age.
• Children get a chance to engage, trail/error, a risk element, motivation, explore and 'what if....' questions.

- My Modelling Toolkit, Tizzy's Tools, My world, 2Simulate and 2D0-It-Yourself.

My Modelling Toolkit: The activities include: design a bedroom; explore a scene; road safety; dress baby; find teddy; create a scene; make a creature; design a cake. The activities can be used to illustrate how I.C.T can be applied across the curriculum and are linked to the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies.

Tizzy's First Tools: is a fully integrated set of seven I.C.T tools all for 4 - 7 year old's. The hugely popular character Tizzy, the magic clown, guides and supports children as they express, develop and present their ideas

2Simulate: http://www.2simple.com/2simulate/

2Do-It-Yourslef: Creates your own interactive Flash resources, activities, games, puzzles, quizzes. With this software teachers and primary school children can create cross-curricular, personalised resources.

Modelling also is key during programming as it is a way to show and identity progression, allows trail and error to occur. for example 'Logo.' Logo shows you show you have learnt, to build on procedures, so to give a command and then repeating it.
This program helps children develop on their skills and knowledge:

1. Angles
2. Direction
3. Shapes
4. Spacial awareness
5. Programming
6. Independence

Lastly in this session we exploded the programming program called Scratch.

Check out What scratch lets you do...!!

Unfortunately I did do my own scratch animation, with an alien and funny fish image.....  the two were underwater. My command allowed the two images to make a 300 degree turn and at the same time a sound would play. However for some reason my work did not save. (YES YES I am certain you are thinking, ooooh the DOG ate my Homework story, aaay.' I know it's been said before but its true!! Anyway the session was great fun and being able to explore and create different programs was highly enjoyable. I mean I am 25 I found it fun and funnily enough learnt a thing or two with the commands. What to do and what NOT to do, so what a brilliant opportunity and lesson for children.