Well I have finally come to the end of the Web2 course... but it is definitely the beginning of the journey for me. This course has really opened my eyes to so many new and exciting web tools and I can not wait to implement them in my classroom.
The course has also reminded me that I am a life long learner and for my students to achieve their best I need to be able to provide the best opportunities for them. I need to be able to use these web tools confidently myself and create lessons that incorporate these tools to improve learning outcomes.
The Blooms Digital Taxonomy map has reinforced the idea for me that elearning is about providing engaging learning environments which allow all students to achieve success. As mentioned in the elearn video we should not use computers and technology for the sake of it, but focus on good teaching practices that enhance the learning.
I really look forward to learning more about the web tools covered in the course and sharing them with my students.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Module 10
Before starting this course I had been wondering what the difference between some of these Web tools were. What is the difference between a Blog and a Wiki? and What is the difference between a Wiki and Ning? Now I know!
From watching the videos and visiting the websites I understand that a Wiki is a tool where you can collaboratively create and edit pages. I use Wikipedia all the time and knew that it was like an encyclopedia that anyone could edit or change. In saying that I understand that all of the information on Wikipedia may not be 100 per cent accurate. I have never used a wiki in my class, but like Google Docs, I think it is a great way to have students work collaboratively together.
A Ning is not focused on the content, like a Wiki, but more on creating a community. I am a member of a few of the Southern Region Nings and didn't really understand how beneficial they really were until completing this module. It is such a great way for schools to share their hard work and to learn from each other. Nings make it so easy to have professional learning groups on the web that we can all benefit from.
How can Web 2.0 assist in improving learning outcomes for all students?
Education and learning is changing all the time, and students no longer respond to teacher talk and text books in the technological world they live in. Children are using technologies such as computers, IPads and IPods even before they come to school. As teachers we need to engage our students for them to achieve their best results and using Web 2.0 tools is the way to do it. There are so many possibilities out there for our students and we need to give them the opportunities to access these tools in a beneficial way. We need to be creative an discover new ways for our students to meet curriculum outcomes in a way that not only engages them but also extends their thinking.
From watching the videos and visiting the websites I understand that a Wiki is a tool where you can collaboratively create and edit pages. I use Wikipedia all the time and knew that it was like an encyclopedia that anyone could edit or change. In saying that I understand that all of the information on Wikipedia may not be 100 per cent accurate. I have never used a wiki in my class, but like Google Docs, I think it is a great way to have students work collaboratively together.
A Ning is not focused on the content, like a Wiki, but more on creating a community. I am a member of a few of the Southern Region Nings and didn't really understand how beneficial they really were until completing this module. It is such a great way for schools to share their hard work and to learn from each other. Nings make it so easy to have professional learning groups on the web that we can all benefit from.
How can Web 2.0 assist in improving learning outcomes for all students?
Education and learning is changing all the time, and students no longer respond to teacher talk and text books in the technological world they live in. Children are using technologies such as computers, IPads and IPods even before they come to school. As teachers we need to engage our students for them to achieve their best results and using Web 2.0 tools is the way to do it. There are so many possibilities out there for our students and we need to give them the opportunities to access these tools in a beneficial way. We need to be creative an discover new ways for our students to meet curriculum outcomes in a way that not only engages them but also extends their thinking.
Module 9
Scootle is a tool that my school has had access to for a few years now. I have previously used some different learning objects in my classroom but then, like with a lot of web tools, I forgot all about it. It was great to re familiarise my self with Scootle and begin to set up some learning paths. It is wonderful to have access to these resources that are Australian curriculum based and include a variety of digital media.
Second Life is very interesting. As I have mentioned in previous posts we meet as a group at my school to complete this course, and Second Life has definitely captured the interest of most of us and sparked many discussions about it's uses. In one of the videos it mentions that students find it hard to engage in a classroom where there is a lot of teacher talk, Second Life allows students to explore virtual worlds while being immersed in them. Definitely more exciting then reading a text book. The idea of a virtual classroom where each student would have their own avatar sounds a bit unrealistic for primary students but I think the site has many other possibilities.
I am a member of the Social Networking site Facebook, for personal use, and think it is a great way to stay in contact with friends and family. I agree that it shouldn't be used in the classroom or by our Primary students as the age requirement is 13. We have had cyber bullying problems around Facebook at our school and I think that students do need to be educated on how to use social networking sites appropriately. I have heard so much about Twitter threw the media and thought that it was more for celebrity news and gossip so never had that much interest in it before. I was surprised to discover that the CEO is on twitter and that it can be used in a professional way.
Second Life is very interesting. As I have mentioned in previous posts we meet as a group at my school to complete this course, and Second Life has definitely captured the interest of most of us and sparked many discussions about it's uses. In one of the videos it mentions that students find it hard to engage in a classroom where there is a lot of teacher talk, Second Life allows students to explore virtual worlds while being immersed in them. Definitely more exciting then reading a text book. The idea of a virtual classroom where each student would have their own avatar sounds a bit unrealistic for primary students but I think the site has many other possibilities.
I am a member of the Social Networking site Facebook, for personal use, and think it is a great way to stay in contact with friends and family. I agree that it shouldn't be used in the classroom or by our Primary students as the age requirement is 13. We have had cyber bullying problems around Facebook at our school and I think that students do need to be educated on how to use social networking sites appropriately. I have heard so much about Twitter threw the media and thought that it was more for celebrity news and gossip so never had that much interest in it before. I was surprised to discover that the CEO is on twitter and that it can be used in a professional way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)