http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/
I am saving this website here so I can add it to Feedly later. Seem to have an issue with this computer and the icloud! I think this highlights just how much websites are able to change at a faster pace than hardware. (able to access Feedly only through Google Chrome).
I started this course at Easter this year (April) - and within four months many websites no longer exist or have changed since the training video. This highlights how quickly things change and why it sometimes feels overwhelming to try to keep up with the changes. Let alone be creative and be the teacher of these to younger minds.
The great thing about this course is I have been able to work at my own pace - introducing a few ideas and activities into the classroom and gaining student and parent response. I have been thrilled with parent response to our class blog. Many working mums have commented on how thankful they are to feel they are being kept in the loop of what is occuring in the classroom. Like all working mums, they are time poor and can view the blog in their own time, even during nightshift.
I think this epitomises the whole benefit of Web 2.0. No matter who or where you are, you can link in and feel part of the school community. It also delineates financial status.
Our class loved creating our religion story of good and bad behaviour through animoto.com. What a great tool that is - and we are keen to do it again for Father's Day. I am looking forward to discovering littlebirdtales.com to find out how "easy" it is, so we can start creating. I think that is the great benefit of Web 2.0 sites is it is allowing access to all people, not through high costs that make it inaccessible. Also my students are so thrilled to see and share our creations they are active participants. Not one of them shies away from attempting to read aloud the information on our blog when it is displayed on the whiteboard.
Feedly will be a way of staying up to date on many favourite websites - and I am looking forward to being able to access Classroom 2.0 as I think that will be a great way to learn about new ways of working that are working for others. But, just as each student and each class have different interests and learning needs, keeping in touch with changing technologies and websites will be continual. Which is where Feedly and Classroom 2.0 will be great tools to keep me informed and up to date.
This learning course is only the beginning, but has been hugely beneficial.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Module 10
I am not sure the real difference between creating a Wiki and a Glogster. Both are URL's that multiple people can access remotely and alter - thereby communicating in real time. Maybe it is just another option.
I really like the idea of NING - and Classroom 2.0 looks like a great website for all teachers to network, to gain and share new information from and with others. I am going to look into Little bird tales website as it appears I can create multiple accounts - one for each student - that links back to my main account. This is really beneficial because it means the students can create using their login, not mine. I can have many students creating at the same time. I am guessing I can then link the created story to our class blog. Keen to get that happening.
The Google site looks great for a whole school approach to communication. Sharing calendar and other information across the whole school community keeps all people informed. Can see it saving time and being hugely beneficial.
Can still see a place for our class blog and see the Google site as too much for just our small class. I was wondering what the difference was, but the Google site appears more complex, and sometimes if you don't have enough information a web page can look too sparse.
I really like the idea of NING - and Classroom 2.0 looks like a great website for all teachers to network, to gain and share new information from and with others. I am going to look into Little bird tales website as it appears I can create multiple accounts - one for each student - that links back to my main account. This is really beneficial because it means the students can create using their login, not mine. I can have many students creating at the same time. I am guessing I can then link the created story to our class blog. Keen to get that happening.
The Google site looks great for a whole school approach to communication. Sharing calendar and other information across the whole school community keeps all people informed. Can see it saving time and being hugely beneficial.
Can still see a place for our class blog and see the Google site as too much for just our small class. I was wondering what the difference was, but the Google site appears more complex, and sometimes if you don't have enough information a web page can look too sparse.
Module 8
Hooked on Feedly! What a great way to keep up to date without having to continually view favourite websites in the hope there may be something new.
Great teacher tool to keep up to date with any new information from favourite websites for lesson ideas and information.
I can see that if you were over-eager and selected a lot of websites you would be inundated with information overload and probably find viewing Feedly a chore. Think it is better to be selective - start of slow and take advantage of the benefits. Also, not all my favourite websites have RSS - so I cannot seem to add them to Feedly - guessing they need to have this to be added.
Will continue to investigate - but for now - impressed. I like the layout of this website - easy to navigate around and easy to add to, and categorise.
Great teacher tool to keep up to date with any new information from favourite websites for lesson ideas and information.
I can see that if you were over-eager and selected a lot of websites you would be inundated with information overload and probably find viewing Feedly a chore. Think it is better to be selective - start of slow and take advantage of the benefits. Also, not all my favourite websites have RSS - so I cannot seem to add them to Feedly - guessing they need to have this to be added.
Will continue to investigate - but for now - impressed. I like the layout of this website - easy to navigate around and easy to add to, and categorise.
Module 7
There is nothing like learning the hard way. Last weekend I registered with Delicious and though I tried many times, could not seem to put the icon in the toolbar. Think Delicious and similar websites are a great idea, even if it is only to keep a record of my own favourite web addresses.
I am learning this the hard way today as yesterday my laptop stopped wanting to connect to any internet connection, so I have borrowed a laptop to "do something - anything - this weekend!" But, now I do not know the web address to access further modules for this course.
mmmm... going to have to get crafty and spend lots of time trying to find it - whereas, if I had of put it into Delicious last weekend, then I wouldn't have this situation!
Lesson learned.
I am learning this the hard way today as yesterday my laptop stopped wanting to connect to any internet connection, so I have borrowed a laptop to "do something - anything - this weekend!" But, now I do not know the web address to access further modules for this course.
mmmm... going to have to get crafty and spend lots of time trying to find it - whereas, if I had of put it into Delicious last weekend, then I wouldn't have this situation!
Lesson learned.
Friday, 12 July 2013
Module 6 - Picasa
My Picasaweb looks completely different to the tutorials. I found it a bit clunky finding the edit buttons and working out how to upload photos to albums.I am not sure why.
I still plan to use the website for both personal photos and class photos as then I can share them. This term we will use both Picasa and Animoto to create individual Father's Day clips to share with dads, posting these onto our blogspot.
Students were thrilled with the animoto we created for religion, and we amazed the parents with our creative ability. I feel like bit of a cheat! but whatever works.
I still plan to use the website for both personal photos and class photos as then I can share them. This term we will use both Picasa and Animoto to create individual Father's Day clips to share with dads, posting these onto our blogspot.
Students were thrilled with the animoto we created for religion, and we amazed the parents with our creative ability. I feel like bit of a cheat! but whatever works.
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Module 5
Wow - Prezi has really improved. I used it a couple of years ago at uni, and while I loved it and was really impressed (especially as it took me hours to create), my peers did not want to use it in the shared presentation. One commented it made her feel sick - obviously I used too many zooms!
It was also only available on computers that were not linked to the uni - ie people's private laptops. Am guessing that has since changed. The main change I noticed is the availability of templates. They didn't have templates when I created my initial three years ago, so I am thankful for this as it looks so much more professional, rather than a plain coloured background.
I wonder could each student create one for Mother's Day by the end of the week?
Here is the one I created in a few minutes.
http://prezi.com/wtxsxvnvbsou/untitled-prezi/?kw=view-wtxsxvnvbsou&rc=ref-40411009
I love the worldwide sharing of Glogster. That is fantastic - being able to see and hear children from all other the world. I think I will sign the class up for this. I started to create a very informative page about Blackall - home of the Black Stump and Jackie Howe. My class will love the opportunity of uploading video of their weekend activities, and we can incorporate a photo walk of the town as part of our history curriculum to share with the world.
It was also only available on computers that were not linked to the uni - ie people's private laptops. Am guessing that has since changed. The main change I noticed is the availability of templates. They didn't have templates when I created my initial three years ago, so I am thankful for this as it looks so much more professional, rather than a plain coloured background.
I wonder could each student create one for Mother's Day by the end of the week?
Here is the one I created in a few minutes.
http://prezi.com/wtxsxvnvbsou/untitled-prezi/?kw=view-wtxsxvnvbsou&rc=ref-40411009
I love the worldwide sharing of Glogster. That is fantastic - being able to see and hear children from all other the world. I think I will sign the class up for this. I started to create a very informative page about Blackall - home of the Black Stump and Jackie Howe. My class will love the opportunity of uploading video of their weekend activities, and we can incorporate a photo walk of the town as part of our history curriculum to share with the world.
Module 4
I really like the idea of animoto - how clever is it! The only problem is the pictures need to be downloaded from another location - ie not the computer. So I will need to do Module 5 to learn to use Flickr so I can use animoto. Sounding so tech savvy! The kids are going to have a ball with this program - what a fun way to learn.
You tube is always a favourite in our classroom. I always plan ahead with You tube - and never search for things when the computer is attached to the projector. We currently have a challenge out - to find the funniest clip on You tube - it is part of their homework this week after I showed them what I thought was the funniest clip I have seen (a dog talking about wanting a pet cat). Some students disagreed that it was the best clip - so the challenge is for them to find a better clip and email me the link.
I did not do the optional Ustream - but will talk to parents about this as we will be able to communicate with other classes - ie City kids! I am sure they would be interested in learning about Central West Qld and the activities these kids do on the weekend - like mustering and pigging.
You tube is always a favourite in our classroom. I always plan ahead with You tube - and never search for things when the computer is attached to the projector. We currently have a challenge out - to find the funniest clip on You tube - it is part of their homework this week after I showed them what I thought was the funniest clip I have seen (a dog talking about wanting a pet cat). Some students disagreed that it was the best clip - so the challenge is for them to find a better clip and email me the link.
I did not do the optional Ustream - but will talk to parents about this as we will be able to communicate with other classes - ie City kids! I am sure they would be interested in learning about Central West Qld and the activities these kids do on the weekend - like mustering and pigging.
Module 3 (and an update on Module 2)
I can see great benefits about working on one document through a cloud. No more saving and sending and hoping you attach the correct file in the email and wait for reply... wow, how technology is really working effectively.
I can really see this being beneficial for businesses - along with teachers who are collaborating on a project at different locations. I was not able to create a cloud as the program needs to be updated on this computer to support it. But, will seek IT support for this to happen so I can.
..... now, most exciting news - back to Module 2. I created our class blog. Parent feedback is really positive. Kids are interested and there is some great potential as already I will have a couple of families away this month and we are going to be able to stay in touch through communicating on the blogspace. I think the kids will really see the benefit of the blogspot then. I have been able to create separate pages for different activities - like our current class reader and also a page for sharing your favourite book.
I am about to upload some pictures from our assembly on Friday - and I know a mum who filmed our play at the assembly, so am hoping she will upload that for other parents and grandparents who could not be there.
I have made all parents administrators so they can all contribute. This part has been a big learning curve as I invited them twice - once as readers and also as administrators, but some have only responded once. I am not sure if this means they can only read and not contribute.
The other difficulty, is knowing what they can and cannot see. Our class could not agree on the background colours, so we posted a request to parents to view the blog and tell us their preference, but they did not have the "design" button that I have, so that was a bit of a fizzer. I needed to ask a parent to log in and show me what the page appeared like to them. I think there needs to be that option on the page so I know what they can access and see.
I can really see this being beneficial for businesses - along with teachers who are collaborating on a project at different locations. I was not able to create a cloud as the program needs to be updated on this computer to support it. But, will seek IT support for this to happen so I can.
..... now, most exciting news - back to Module 2. I created our class blog. Parent feedback is really positive. Kids are interested and there is some great potential as already I will have a couple of families away this month and we are going to be able to stay in touch through communicating on the blogspace. I think the kids will really see the benefit of the blogspot then. I have been able to create separate pages for different activities - like our current class reader and also a page for sharing your favourite book.
I am about to upload some pictures from our assembly on Friday - and I know a mum who filmed our play at the assembly, so am hoping she will upload that for other parents and grandparents who could not be there.
I have made all parents administrators so they can all contribute. This part has been a big learning curve as I invited them twice - once as readers and also as administrators, but some have only responded once. I am not sure if this means they can only read and not contribute.
The other difficulty, is knowing what they can and cannot see. Our class could not agree on the background colours, so we posted a request to parents to view the blog and tell us their preference, but they did not have the "design" button that I have, so that was a bit of a fizzer. I needed to ask a parent to log in and show me what the page appeared like to them. I think there needs to be that option on the page so I know what they can access and see.
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Module 2 - for the classroom
......see what happens when you don't read to the bottom of the page before you post something? Unsure if you can edit a previous post....... need to find out.
OK - I think we can create a blogspot for our class and use it to summarise the book we are currently reading - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Years 1 & 2 are really enjoying the story and helping to summarise after each chapter. To date we have read up to chapter 4 and these summaries and drawings are on our classroom windows. But not all parents have the time to come up to the classroom - so perhaps duplicating this information on a blogspot will make this accessible to all parents.
It will also help when students are away - as often happens when families need to go to the city, and they are away from school for several weeks. Perhaps a blogspot will allow the absent student to post in daily and communicate with the class.
I wonder if other students from other schools would like to view our blogspot and post comments - especially if they have read the book or perhaps children who are ill and in hospital and not able to attend a classroom......... food for thought.
OK - I think we can create a blogspot for our class and use it to summarise the book we are currently reading - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Years 1 & 2 are really enjoying the story and helping to summarise after each chapter. To date we have read up to chapter 4 and these summaries and drawings are on our classroom windows. But not all parents have the time to come up to the classroom - so perhaps duplicating this information on a blogspot will make this accessible to all parents.
It will also help when students are away - as often happens when families need to go to the city, and they are away from school for several weeks. Perhaps a blogspot will allow the absent student to post in daily and communicate with the class.
I wonder if other students from other schools would like to view our blogspot and post comments - especially if they have read the book or perhaps children who are ill and in hospital and not able to attend a classroom......... food for thought.
Module 2
I guess that is what I find really frustrating about blogs and webpages is they don't seem to stay around. It is like there is no cost - no commitment. Also, even though many use their own name, often names are anonymous and possibly for security reasons this is acceptable. But doesn't anonyminity bring the opportunity for incorrect/exaggerated information?
It also leaves one open to criticism - and the criticiser is hidden behind a computer screen allowing comments to be shared among others and not to the creator to defend themselves. I am not sure I am still at ease with Web 2.0 of two way information. Who really cares what I think on a sunny Sunday afternoon as I sit alone in my unit in the vast wide west of Qld?
I will attempt the optional Twitter because I am curious how it links and sits within the black hole of information in the computer world, but can only recall and think the negatives of seeing people's comments when watching Q & A; or news programs reporting on politicians hitting the incorrect letters and later regretting the post.
And, adding to my own negativity is the recent social news reporting on the Boston Bombing. While technology no doubt assisted the authorities, I think they also spent much of their time attending media reports to correct incorrect information being thrown around by those exaggerating and misinforming the public.
Maybe I just need some chocolate..........
It also leaves one open to criticism - and the criticiser is hidden behind a computer screen allowing comments to be shared among others and not to the creator to defend themselves. I am not sure I am still at ease with Web 2.0 of two way information. Who really cares what I think on a sunny Sunday afternoon as I sit alone in my unit in the vast wide west of Qld?
I will attempt the optional Twitter because I am curious how it links and sits within the black hole of information in the computer world, but can only recall and think the negatives of seeing people's comments when watching Q & A; or news programs reporting on politicians hitting the incorrect letters and later regretting the post.
And, adding to my own negativity is the recent social news reporting on the Boston Bombing. While technology no doubt assisted the authorities, I think they also spent much of their time attending media reports to correct incorrect information being thrown around by those exaggerating and misinforming the public.
Maybe I just need some chocolate..........
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Modules 1 & 2
Hi everyone - especially my family who are wondering "what mum is up to this time!"
I am doing an online course so I can be a tech savvy teacher - you probably already know this stuff - but I feel I must have been living in my own little internet world of the very basics. There is so many interactive opportunities now and I am learning how to use these. Feel free to comment with tips and ideas.
Module 1 - I Set up igoogle - wondering why they will not have it available after the end of the year. And looked at the 25 tools. After reading other people's blogspots I am keen to keep moving through the modules to Module 4.
Module 2 - created this blogspot, which is very basic at present. Watch this space though, as I learn more and apply it.
I am doing an online course so I can be a tech savvy teacher - you probably already know this stuff - but I feel I must have been living in my own little internet world of the very basics. There is so many interactive opportunities now and I am learning how to use these. Feel free to comment with tips and ideas.
Module 1 - I Set up igoogle - wondering why they will not have it available after the end of the year. And looked at the 25 tools. After reading other people's blogspots I am keen to keep moving through the modules to Module 4.
Module 2 - created this blogspot, which is very basic at present. Watch this space though, as I learn more and apply it.
Easter Holidays
Easter Holidays - or should that be Easter Holy-days. It is nice being home with family - and a lot cooler in Brisbane than Blackall. Working at getting through some modules over the well earned school holidays - hopefully will be able to implement more tech savvy teaching ideas in the classroom.
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