Module 3

Google docs in plain English gave a great overview of this new way of collaborating.  The basic idea behind google docs makes lots of sense. Why have multiple copies of the same document?  Google docs allows people to collaborate and share ideas online, making changes to the one document.   I have used google docs before as a survey (a bit like survey monkey).  Google docs allowed me to create the questions and possible answers then analysed the data and presented it as a spreadsheet.  This could be applied in the classroom to survey a class of students or other teachers. 

I uploaded a powerpoint presentation that I already created which explains how to access the LaSalle Learning Support Department’s links on delicious.  Check it out at https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0ARgVC40BUNMhZGQyZjV3YmhfMGM3czM0aGhz&hl=en&authkey=CJzy2tEJ   It was really easy to make changes, and it means that I can now access it at home and at work.  I can also email the link to others so they can use it.    Google docs has some real advantages for use in the classroom because:

·         Its free

·         It is accessible 24/7 on any computer

·         Teachers can see who participated in the collaboration of the document

·         Can set the privacy level

·         Students can access the document at the same time        

I can see myself getting students to use google docs for group assignment.  I will also use google docs when working with students on their assignments as they don’t need to worry about remembering to bring a usb.  As it is extremely user friendly google docs has endless possibilities in the classroom. 

Until next time happy blogging!

Cheers

Maria

Module 2

Blogs are a whole new way of communicating with people.   People have the option whether they want to follow a particular blog.  The blogger has very little control over who reads what they write.  My brother was overseas last year and he used a blog to stay in touch.  He thought it was good because if people wanted to find out how he was going they could check out his blog, but he was not clogging up their inbox with large emails. 

The youtube clip about blogs in plain English was very interesting.  It made me think about the text type of blogs.  Blogs are very different to paper based communication in that the new post goes above the previous posts.  I wonder if in the not to distant future teachers will be teaching about this text type. 

Exploring different blogs from the other web2.0 participants was extremely interesting.  Even though we are all doing the same task the variety in the presentation and content of the blogs was amazing.  This highlights one of the benefits of blogs- people can express their own personality through their blog by adding images, audio, video, colour etc.

I really enjoyed activity 2!  I could have spent hours trying to find the prettiest template and design (which could be one of the disadvantages of using blogging in the classroom).  I have had exposure to wordpress blogs, but find blogger even easier to use. 

I think the possibilities for using blogs in the classroom is almost endless. Blogs can be used to keep people upto date with what is occurring.  In an upper primary classroom blogs could be used as a type of newsletter, keeping parents in touch with what occurred that week.  The students could take it in turns to write a new post.  At the high school where I currently work the ESL students use blog as a journal.  Instead of writing their journal entry into their exercise book they post it on their blog.  Students could also review books and blog their reviews.  Teachers could have a class blog which houses their links and instructions for lessons.  I think blogs can provide a way for teachers to connect with students though a platform that interests and engages them.



Blogging lets me... shows just a few benefits of blogs



Until next time happy blogging!

Cheers

Maria

Module 1

Hi my name is Maria Lee.  I am 22 years old and work part time as a teacher’s aide at LaSalle.  I am nearly finished my Master of Teaching (Primary).  I also have my Bachelor of Inclusive Education and Disability Studies.   I am looking forward to exploring all the different web 2.0 applications.  I am interested in investigating how I can use these applications for the following settings:

·         when working with the boys at work

·         when teaching a primary class

·         when working with students with special needs

Get a Voki now!

Activity 1

The youtube clips had some thought provoking ideas and comments.  The first video noted that the way we interact has changed.  It therefore stands to reason that the way we interact with students and how we teach must also change.  The clips also reminded me of the issue of digital divide.  How equitable is the internet? Does web 2.0 promote equitability amongst students or does it disadvantage students.  These are some questions I will ponder as I explore web 2.0.  The clips also explained to me what web 2.0 means.  I have heard this term thrown around the staff room but never really understood what was meant.  I know see web 2.0 as a change in web usage.  It is the internet where users come together and create their own content.  Everything and everyone is connected.  I though the term democratisation of the web was interesting- giving power to the people!

Activity 2

It was interesting to look at Jane Harts top 25 tools. I use or know of many of these tools but look forward to exploring new tools over the next couple of weeks.  I think the names of these tools are fantastic!  Names like moodle, ning and jing.  I wonder about the history of these names.  Who thought of them? Do they have other meanings?  I also liked the easy 2.0 pieces to piece together.  I loved how they used glogster!  I have added it to my delicious site for future reference.

Activity 3

I have seen igoogle- haven’t really explored it before.  However I loved how I can personalise my homepage and add things of interest to me.  This would be great in a primary classroom, having the tools most used easily accessible on the interactive whiteboard, like a dictionary. 

Check out my sound badge (a different sort of name badge- a way of introducing yourself to others)



See http://soundbadge.net/ to create your own!

Until next time happy blogging!  

Cheers

Maria