Final Course Reflection

I spent some time reading over my colleague's blogs, Rebecca Pederson and Damian Bernard, and I realised how much we have all learnt since we began this course earlier this year.
I am currently feeling very empowered by the knowledge and skills I have acquired. I have mentioned many of the things I have learnt in my previous blog entry but what I need to add is what I just learnt after learning about the iLE@RN model. More than ever before I understand the need for teachers to engage their students by creating contemporary learning environments. I am responsible for being a leader, negotiator, creator, possessor of knowledge, assessor and strategiest who embraces and sustains change. I need to know how I learn best, what skills I need and I contribute to the 21st learning community. These are ongoing questions that will be in the forefront of my mind as I continue my role as a 21st Century educator. Coming to know and understand this more clearly will help me to become a more engaging teacher who is able to foster inmproved learning outcomes for my students. Modelling to my students that I am a life long learner is one of the most valuable gifts I think I can give to my students as I hope they to nurture a love of and for learning.
Most interesting I have learnt that the focus of elearning is not on computers!
Last of all I think the Bloom's Digital Taxonomy will be a useful tool when programming student learning. Being able to see what digital skills are more demanding and being able to ensure that opportunities for these skills are developed is important. Having this taxonomy as a guide is a kind of checklist that I can use to ensure I am covering all domains.

Module 10

I think there is a strong need for education providers to use Wikis and Nings in their classrooms. Our students are living products of the 21st Century digital world. Without using social networking as an educational tool teachers will fail to effectively engage their students. However, this is not as simple as it may seem. Introducing such tools requires structure and careful monitoring. I know when I have set up classroom blogs for my students they often treat this like a facebook account where they can socially interact with their friends rather than a valuable learning tool. Thankfully, the blog I used needed the administrator to approve students comments etc. Students need to be shown how to use these kinds of websites within an educational context.
I know that I already use some of the tools I have been shown in Web 2.0 and I will continue to use these. However, I have inorporated many new skills that I have added to my existing knowledge. I am blogging and reading friend's blogs. I've added my blog to my facebook account along with photos added through flickr. I now follow my friend's blog on google reader. The list just goes on and on. I know I will continue to expand these skills as the fear of the unknown as subsided.
As my confidence, knowledge and skills with digital technology and online interaction increases I know that I am better able and willing to encourage and allow my students the opportunity to learn in a more meaningful and relevant way. I think I am becoming a more engaging teaching and I am keen to continue this journey along with my students.

Module 9

I had a look at the Scootle page and read the user guide but fond no possible way of becoming an actual user myself. What Scootle has to offer looks and sounds very interesting but how do you access it???
I am a user of social networking already and have been for quite some time. I enjoy using facebook to keep in touch with my friends, especially those who live far away. With life being very hectic it is great to be able to keep up with what everyone is up to by just clicking the fb app on my iphone. The iphone also encourages social networking with apps that link you with friends, such as 'Hanging with Friends'. This is a great word game that can be played with friends who could be in a different suburb or even State! You can also chat with your opponent.
I found the idea of Linked in very interesting. I see this as a great tool for professionals.

Module 8

I am totally bewildered by the idea of RSS feeds. Never would have the foresight to think such a thing imaginable. I can have the blogs, news etc that I want delivered to me. I was really thrilled to be able to add my friend's blog site to to my new Google Reader account. He and his new wife recently moved to Denmark to live for a while due to work commitments and they started up a travel blog. Now I can have their new blog posts delivered to me. Brilliant!
How could this be used in the classroom? Students could subscribe to websites related to their research topics and have up to date information delivered to them. Perhaps even the blog sites of thier peers. I'll introduce this to the class as part of their research topic and see where it may lead.

Module 7

I set up a Delicious account and bookmarked my blog so I will have easy access to it anywhere I go. The great thing about using Delicious is that you can access your bookmarks on any computer and you can share them with others. I can't count how many times I have gone to bookmarks only to remember I may have saved it on the school laptop or vice versa or on my hubbies laptop. Very annoying! Delicious is a solution to that problem.
I didn't add another Delcious user but I will add my grade partners next week when I find out their usernames. I read Rebecca Pederson's blog and commented on her posts. She is one of my gradies and I want to add her to my Delicious account and be added to hers as I know she will have some great bookmarks to share.

Module 6

I can't believe how much time I have spent on my Saturday playing around with flickr and blogging! I love what flickr does. I already am a facebooker but I only usually add one or two photos here and there that have been taken on my mobile because it takes so long to upload anything. It took me the same amount of time to upload 18 photos as it used to take me to upload 1. Pure genius! Once I uploaded some of my wedding photos I was able to share them on fb with my firends and family. I also linked my flickr account to this blog and shared some photos here too. I did have to make these ones public which always makes me a little nervous as to who exactly has access to them.
I also set up a kidblog class account for my class. We are going to use this as a communication tool and a way for students to publish some of their work and to view and comment each others' work. I included in the setting that posts had to be viewed and approved by myself first so that I could ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all. I am now excited to see how I can include flickr to this blog for the children. My next challenge to myself has been set.

Pauline Martin2011's photostream

Pauline Martin2011's photostream on Flickr.

The best day of my life!!!

Module 5

I created a bubbl.us account and found the graphic organisers really cool. I use graphic organisers a lot in the classroom. Being able to present mind maps on the computer will definitely stimulate reluctant learners.

Often in my teaching program I have students present their learning in the form of posters. Having children make a glogster of their learning would be a great motivational tool.

Prezi is useful at the moment for Year 6 because they have been asked to use a graphic organiser to present their JASON research and Prezi is a online graphic organiser which provides an alternative to the usual Notebook sofetware.

Module 4

I have already been using itunes, PowerPoint and Movie Maker. Previously I have used Movie Maker after an excursion. Students have used the photographs taken to recount their excursion. This is a more meaningful and interesting way for the students to reflect on their learning.

I am just starting to experience using a Mac as the school as purchased three Mac trolleys. I am looking forward to using Garbage Band and imovie to make digital stories with the students. We are currently studying exposition and I would like the children to make an advertisement. Using flip cameras, itunes, garageband and imovie would be a great way to create an advert. It really allows children to be creative!

Module 3

Well as it had been a while since I completed any Web 2 modules I decided to start with revisiting the earlier modules to refresh myself. After looking back at module 2 I thought I should go and have a read of my colleague's blogs only to realise that I myself hadn't correctly added my blog details.
Previously another teacher at my school had told me a couple of weeks ago that she had tried to have a look at my blog account but was unable to do so. Thanks for the heads up Nicole. Although, I didn't think about it to much as I was pretty confident that I had done everything correctly. Unfortunately, to my dismay, she was right and I couldn't find my blog listed. So I had a little refresher and made sure I got it up and going. Hopefully all is well as I am looing forward to having my first follower.
With regard to Module 3 I am truly impressed with the capabilities of Google Docs. Once I worked through the earlier disappointment of not being able to access it, I was delighted when I could add to a story started by another teacher on Google Docs. Thanks for sharing 'Our Story' Bec. 
I can really see how this could motivate my reluctant writers. I was so impressed I decided to set up my own poem about Autumn and included some of my Web 2 buddies to add to it and edit it. Can't wait to try out Google Docs in my writing program. I know my students will love it too!

Module 3 - To be continued

After watching videos about Google Docs I was really excited to give it a go. Unfortunately Google Docs appeared to be having difficulties.
Will have to try it out throughout the week. What a shame :-(

Module 2

Today I read some reflections from the 2010 Web 2.0 cohort and I was pretty impressed. It is inspiring to read about how much they have learned and to see how their blogs look. After reading them, I'm keen and a little anxious about some of the upcoming modules that were mentioned.
I watched the Google Privacy Tips and I found this really valuable. I was ignorant to the fact that my blog could be accessed by anyone who searched on google. I realised very quickly the implications this could have for blog accounts being used in the classroom. By simply accessing the display settings and editing the permission tabs I will be able to protect the privacy of my students.
I also realised that I am using a kind of blog already in my classroom. Currently, my students have been involved in the Resilient Planet JASON project. The students have been using the online journal to post research, querries they may have, and any other information about their tasks. I am able to set them assignments and post announcements. Student's are really excited to publish their research online. A great benefit is the students can access the website at home. Therefore, no books need to be carried home. Likewise, I can access their work on the web without having to collect and mark books. Comments can be added online to their journal entry.
I have really enjoyed using this tool and look forward to setting up other blog accounts for my students in their other units of work.

Module 1

I am just starting out on my online journey. I have set up an igoogle account. I am thrilled with my gorgeous Labrador pic. I included some fun gadgets.