Web 2.0 Tools definitely have a place in my life. Many hands make light work- this is the case when you have access to everyone else's ideas and materials. The web makes this possible. Wikis and Nings are two tools that enable me to access more information and more people to bounce ideas off.
As a teacher I think it's important to expose children to the resources that are available to them. As a learner I know I need to remind myself to access the knowledge that is out there more often. As a member of an online community, I would like to think I can positively contribute to others' learning.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Module 9
Scootle is a great site. I used it quiet a bit, particularly for setting homework in mathematics, after a visit from Scott H in 2009. There are some fun activities for the kids and it was easy for the children to log on with the given code.
I haven't really used it much since Mathletics has been around (we just subscribed to it earlier this year) but will have to remember to log in more often when searching for resources. I recommend you try it out.
Social networking sites stimulated some good discussion with colleagues in the staffroom. I personally think there are some dangers associated with them. Besides the 'creep' factor, there is also the addiction and loss of reality. I would not feel comfortable introducing my students to a site such as Second Life- even for an educational purpose such as exploring different countries/eras. I have read too many stories of people spending too much of their real life in their virtual life which I think is way too unhealthy.
As for Twitter, what's the point? Not needed. Not wanted. Get a life!
I haven't really used it much since Mathletics has been around (we just subscribed to it earlier this year) but will have to remember to log in more often when searching for resources. I recommend you try it out.
Social networking sites stimulated some good discussion with colleagues in the staffroom. I personally think there are some dangers associated with them. Besides the 'creep' factor, there is also the addiction and loss of reality. I would not feel comfortable introducing my students to a site such as Second Life- even for an educational purpose such as exploring different countries/eras. I have read too many stories of people spending too much of their real life in their virtual life which I think is way too unhealthy.
As for Twitter, what's the point? Not needed. Not wanted. Get a life!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Module 8
I watched all the videos in Module 8 and could see how easy the process of setting up a Reader would be. However, sorry but I just don't want one. There are no websites that I currently regularly check out apart from my hotmail and (reluctantly) my facebook. The example of a recipe website was pretty poor. Can anyone suggest what kind of sites I would need/want to regularly receive updates from? Feel free to persuade me :)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Module 7
Very cool! I really like Delicious. It is something that would have previously made life much easier for me in several ways.
Firstly, I have updated computers several times over the last 6 or 7 years. Each time, I have had to go into my favourites and copy and paste all of the URLs into a word document and re-bookmark them on the new computer (I had always suspected there was an easier way but never bothered to investigate- thankyou web 2.0). Also, I use several different computers at school so Delicious makes it easy to view your pages wherever you are.
Secondly, Delicious is so much better than Google for searching educational resources as you can eliminate so much cr*p. The results are much more relevant.
I will be setting up Delicious on my home computer as well.
I enjoyed looking through other people's blogs. It's always good to read similar postings to reassure myself that I'm doing the right thing. It's also good to look at different perspectives people have on different applications. So, Thanks!
Firstly, I have updated computers several times over the last 6 or 7 years. Each time, I have had to go into my favourites and copy and paste all of the URLs into a word document and re-bookmark them on the new computer (I had always suspected there was an easier way but never bothered to investigate- thankyou web 2.0). Also, I use several different computers at school so Delicious makes it easy to view your pages wherever you are.
Secondly, Delicious is so much better than Google for searching educational resources as you can eliminate so much cr*p. The results are much more relevant.
I will be setting up Delicious on my home computer as well.
I enjoyed looking through other people's blogs. It's always good to read similar postings to reassure myself that I'm doing the right thing. It's also good to look at different perspectives people have on different applications. So, Thanks!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Module 6
bubbl.us is an easy to use tool but I'm not sure I would use it regularly with any class. It definitely has some uses as far as professional loooking presentations are concerned. Perhaps it could be used in class as a tool for students to organise their thoughts. This could be in the form of planning writing or a generic organising activity such as the classifications of animals...
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Module 5
Digital storytelling is really expanding. With companies like Apple iTunes, there really is no limit to what can be broadcast for others to view.... and there is no limit to what people want to watch!
There are clips on YouTube that are only of interest to the people who posted them there. It is an avenue for people to share anything and everything. On the other hand there are clips that are extrememly popular, usually due to their entertainment value.
I have used video websites such as YouTube every now and then in class. I downloaded some Aboriginal Dreamtime stories for my children the other day and have previously searched things as trivial as 'how to make an origami paper crane'. A different visual/aural stimulus can really mix things up and keep the students tuned in.
I have been an iTunes user for years but have never downloaded any podcasts (only songs). I have just recently updated my internet contract so should take advantage of an increased speed and download limit. I'm not sure of the educational advantage to this yet, but on a personal level I am sure I will enjoy the availability of more entertainment at my fingertips. If I am after a program that I think is appropriate for a learning experience, a podcasting service would be a great place to begin my search.
There are clips on YouTube that are only of interest to the people who posted them there. It is an avenue for people to share anything and everything. On the other hand there are clips that are extrememly popular, usually due to their entertainment value.
I have used video websites such as YouTube every now and then in class. I downloaded some Aboriginal Dreamtime stories for my children the other day and have previously searched things as trivial as 'how to make an origami paper crane'. A different visual/aural stimulus can really mix things up and keep the students tuned in.
I have been an iTunes user for years but have never downloaded any podcasts (only songs). I have just recently updated my internet contract so should take advantage of an increased speed and download limit. I'm not sure of the educational advantage to this yet, but on a personal level I am sure I will enjoy the availability of more entertainment at my fingertips. If I am after a program that I think is appropriate for a learning experience, a podcasting service would be a great place to begin my search.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Module 4
I reckon I must have about 7 different email accounts now. Yahoo being the latest. Makes you wonder how many people/companies around the world know your details...
Flickr was pretty straightforward to set up and use. The database contains a huge number of pictures which is great when looking for resources on a certain topic. I like the idea that many of the photos are not copyright. This makes for a valuable school library. I have searched on Flickr before. It can be a little tedious opening each picture and downloading it or going back to look at the next one. Does anyone know if there is a quicker way to do this?
I'm not sure if I would use Flickr for my own personal photos. I have friends travelling the world who keep their friends up to date by posting photos on Flickr- so I do see benefits. I guess another reason to use Flickr might be to have a back-up of your own photos in a secondary location. Time will tell if the program becomes more useful to me down the line.
Flickr was pretty straightforward to set up and use. The database contains a huge number of pictures which is great when looking for resources on a certain topic. I like the idea that many of the photos are not copyright. This makes for a valuable school library. I have searched on Flickr before. It can be a little tedious opening each picture and downloading it or going back to look at the next one. Does anyone know if there is a quicker way to do this?
I'm not sure if I would use Flickr for my own personal photos. I have friends travelling the world who keep their friends up to date by posting photos on Flickr- so I do see benefits. I guess another reason to use Flickr might be to have a back-up of your own photos in a secondary location. Time will tell if the program becomes more useful to me down the line.
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