Final Reflection

Thanks to the designers of Web 2.0 for making me feel more comfortable  about incorporating more technoloy in the classroom.  At times I find it difficult to find relevant technology to suit topics in mathematics or science.

By completing the Web 2.0 course, I now feel more confident in approaching lessons using different forms of technolgy, although I will not be using everything that I have looked at during the course.

I enjoyed the podcasts and vodcasts and have used it during a religion lesson.  

Students are very tech savvy and will often be a step ahead of the teacher when it comes technology.

I have enjoyed the use of blogging during the Web 2.0 course.  It is something that I hope to use in my classrooms in the future.

I am sure that I will be revisiting the modules to assist me in setting up an activity in the classroom.

Module 10

I have personally moved away from wikis and moved to google sites.  At times, students weren't mature enough to collaborate on wikis, making silly comments, changing students' work or even deleting parts.  With google sites, the history can be tracked and there is evidence of students' work when looking at the 'history' of the doc.

I have set up google sites for each of my classes.  Homework is there, classwork is there (if lost) and is accessible to all students from any computer, except for those who do not have internet access at home.  I can keep an eye on their work as they are completing it, especially if the work is to be completed in pairs or groups.  No one likes being in a group, where there is someone who doesn't participate, but still is awarded a mark!  Google sites are now used in staff meetings, class discussions, assignments and homework.  

Module 9

I have been using scootle for a number of years and love it!  A wide variety of resources can be found to share with your students or you can even develop further ideas from the resources found.  Students are generally engaged and enthusiastic when completing activities on scootle.  It assists students who are visual learners.

My maths scootle folder

Social networking has had many impacts on how we now teach.

Using a social networking site such as Edmodo can have many advntages in the classroom, such as students who are not confident to answer a question in the lassroom can do so confidently using edmodo.  Students can collaborate, ask and answer questions and give opinions on the site.

One huge impact social networking has had on education is the fact that teachers have became 'screen guardians'.  We have all been tempted to check our own social networking sites while in a boring staff meeting or inservice.  Can we really blame students checking their own social networking sites if our lesson is boring??  It is almost imossible to keep an eye on every screen in the classroom to ensur that each student is on task.

Since joining Twitter in Module 2 I have become a firm believer in its' use.  I love the instant posts, following interesting people, people with the same interests as myself.  I have not yet posted anything on Twitter, but hope to do so in the future.  I also hope to experiment with using Twitter in the classroom soon.

LinkedIn is a great way to stay connected with other professionals in your field.  I have found that LinkedIn is continually sending me suggested contacts, even though I have not set up a full account.

The view of many people

Module 8

I had no idea of RSS, but working through the module helped me to think of ways in which I could incorporate it into the classroom or for my own personal use.

In teaching it is important to keep up to date with current research.  RSS makes this so easy, placing all the information in front of you.

I enjoyed feedly.  I didn't know that it was available and I like how it allows you to categories research articles and blogs, for future use.  Makes life so much easier.  It is a great tool for students to use to record their research and their blogs.  

My current feedly subscriptions showing personal and professional connections.  

Module 7

Wow!  What a fantastic tool to use socially or professionally.  Such a great use of bookmarking, where you no longer have to scroll through your history or search for relevant material that you know that you book marked, but can't remember what you called it.

I can see the advantages of using Diigo as a faculty.  The sharing of resources is often a problem in schools.  Some teachers love to share, while others like to keep their resources to themselves.  All articles and relevant information can be shared amongst the staff members.  This woud also be an advantage to new teachers and prac teachers, who often come into schools without any resources.  Why have everyone search for and create new resources when it can be shared.

Diigo has definitely got a new user!!

Diigo bookmark

My comment to another Web 2.0 student

Module 6

I enjoyed 'playing around' with Picasa.  I have decided to use it with my Year 7 Science class this semester, where they will take photos of themselves over the weeks while trying to solve a practical problem.  They will use the photos to create a collage to track their achievements over time.  This will allow students of different abilities to be creative and reflective while learning how to use Picasa.

I have also found a new place to 'store' my photos safely.  After hearing many stories of people having lost many photos to USBs, PCs and external drive malfunctioning, I can keep my photos safe.

Not only can they be kep safe, but I also have the option of sharing these phots with who I like.  I have also had a go at editing one of my favourite photos from Vanuatu.  (Photos below)

Original photo

Edited photo