Module 6

Bubble.us is a fun online application that allows users to organise ideas. At the school I am at, we have similar software that we purchased - 2connect. It is widely used during Technology lessons, and some teachers incoprorate it into their teaching via use of the SMARTboard, or by getting students to use it to create unit concept maps. Bubble.us could be an alternative that gives students the freedom to work on their mind maps from home, however it is a lot harder to use then 2connect and not as visually exciting.

Module 5

WOWZA!!!!

Isn't this going to open a huge can of worms!!!

I think the integrated use of YouTube and similar sites, as well as podcasts, vodcasts AND i-Tunes would be a fantastic way to teach students. Giving them the freedom to search, watch and listen at their own convenience would be a brilliant way to teach students of all levels. Giving the lower end group the freedom to work at their own pace, and giving the higher end students the freedom to do more, more and more!!!!

I would love to use pocasting/vodcasting in the classroom, only problem would be that our building structure does not suit the 21st century environment. If we had bigger rooms it would provide the opportunity for students to move into 'spaces' that could be used for reading groups or math group type activities.

Despite the enormous potential of the above teaching tools, there is the complications of 'freedom of speech'. Do students really need to know what monkeys get up to 'after hours'? Such advertisements would be abundant on YouTube sites, and therefore monitoring would be needed. With only 1 classroom teacher ever present, this would be a huge strain on the teacher....how can he/she teach, monitor AND support students with a class range of 20-30???

With a bit of tweaking needed, I think this could just be the future of teaching, whether it be by providing extension tasks, supporting lower end students or even being used to support teaching...it has a lot of potential!!!!

Module 4

1, originally uploaded by pappa bing.

And here lies a picture I took outside my holiday home in Tuscany.....yeah RIGHT....on my salary!!!!!

Module 4 was exciting, didn't know the complete world that flickr had to offer. Although it is a great site to help store, share and manipulate pictures, it is still limited in the manipulation section. Not sure how much fun the students would have with that component.

The Creative Comments page would be a great resource for children to share, compliment and critique work of other students. Knowing that their work would be subject for review, may inspire some students to let their creative flair out.

Copyright issues are of concern....IF you get caught!!! I am aware of the implications of using images that are copyright protected. As a teacher, my interest in flickr extends more to the opportunity for students themselves to take pictures incoporating their passions, interests and creativity. In this scenario, the issue of copyright would be small.

Module 3

Hi Helen - I have been told you will be the only person who will read this :(

I found Module 3 rather exciting. I am familiar with Atomic Learning and I think it is a fantastic learning tool - I dont however use it often.

I learnt a lot in this module, I never knew google docs existed. It's like having a portable USB disk, only without the disk!!!

Educationally speaking, the potential is there. Each student could complete online work and there would be no more excuses of "my computer broke" or "the dog ate my homework". I am very impressed with this application!!!

On the other side however, we would need to encourage every student to set up a new email account so that they can access this. Would be fantastic to be able to use the same application - and as easily - on MyClasses.

Module 2

Hello again,

Well after frustrating hours of searching for the "easy edit" button, I finally added myself into the grid!!!

Module 2 was fine - apart from no easy edit button!!!!!!!!!!! - the use of blogs is a great way to share ideas, thoughts and information. Through social network sites I have followed and engaged in blogs. Being able to express yourself in writing, giving yourself time and allowing yourself infinite freedom proves to be an exciting activity.

In the classroom it could be used in many different formats, whether it be via surveys, topic discussions or course evaluations. It can even be used in its simplest form - as a fun and exciting way for students to interact 'socially'. Potentially bridging gaps between students, allowing them to find common ground amongst students they may not normally engage in. Of course though it also acts as a double edged sword with potential for the opposite to occur.

Despite its exciting use in the classroom, it still would need to be monitored heavily to ensure no inappropriate comments were being made....Negative Nelly!!!!!!

Module 1

Hi everyone!!!

My name is Chris and I teach at a wonderful school in Rose Bay. This is my fourth year out from university and already I have seen big changes in our approaches to teaching in the classroom. Technology has truly taken over!!!

Module 1:

I found module 1 reasonably easy, I set up my G Mail account and found
i-google an exciting concept to begin with. Providing the opportunity to have quick access to all information ranging from the latest headlines to places to visit for cheap petrol!!!!

A similar concept for children would be wonderful...posting fun quotes, mind teasers and even jokes....this would be a wonderful way to start each day or even week - providing of course we have laptops for each child (Please Kevin???)

I would still be sceptical over the legal ramifications of offering this to children, however the educational potential is still intriguing.