Module Five - Creating and Communicating Online

Wow there was so much involved in this module! 3 great tools that have great potential for children and teachers alike.

Starting with bubbl.us! I have made a mind map of my ideas from web 2 and I have found that it is a good summary of what we've done so far. For me in Year 2 I think that this could be a little tricky for my students to attempt, however, for upper primary, they'd be able summarise their units of work, or even use as a tool to go back to throughout a unit so that they can see their knowledge grow. Mind maps are very common ways for teachers to present information so to have an electronic way would be great.

Now to glogster! I have seen this in action in upper primary and the children really love to use this web tool. I had never personally used it until now but can see the potential for all students and teacher. Personally I think I could use this to assist the school to promote our school open day as well as invitations for masses and as a presentation for children.  I would like to see the children use this as a means of presentation, as an assessment and a creative way to present their work. After looking at the ‘Decisions, Decisions’ glog I feel more confident in my ability to use this in my classroom. I think this is more of a whole class approach and could be uploaded to our class page so that parents can access what the children have been doing at school. I think this is a great tool!

I had a quick look at Prezi too. It seems really engaging and definitely a more interesting way of presenting and sitting through information. I think it might be the ‘PowerPoint of the future! I can see how students can just go onto all of these sites and create presentations for themselves without too much direction. Children are so autonomous these days and all of these are very self explanatory! Impressive web tools where else can things go, I am beginning to wonder??

Module 4 - Digital Sotry Telling

Having a look at these videos and exploring the websites provided like ‘Storynory,’ my mind is in a spin. The potential of a Podcast and Vodcast seems endless. I am an infants teacher, and having the opportunity for my students to be able to listen to modeled reading would be fantastic. Since looking through this site, I have downloaded the story of ‘St. Patrick’ and put it onto my class ipod’s. Next week I am going to use this as a pure shared reading task, during guided reading rotations, so that the children can listen to the story and learn about this saint. The next step for me is to be able to get the students to use digital tools such a USB recording microphones for them to be able to record there own voices. They could record there counting, responses to questions, develop reading questions for there peers and upload them onto our grade MyClasses page. This ensures that all content is safe for the children to use and to upload onto.

During most KLA’s I am using Youtube videos as a means to keep my class engaged in the task at hand. Multiplication table raps, Japanese videos on “how to make Sushi’ are ones that I have used recently. The children enjoy watching these and are always interested in when we log onto the site.

Module Three

Google Docs

After watching the YouTube clips on Google Docs it has opened my eyes to the potential for this Web tool. Since exploring it I have received 3 documents via Google Docs from my colleagues and feel that as a staff it could a be a great way for us to share and modify documents without it getting lost via email and everyone modifying multiple copies. It makes one central access point that is easy for all to use and modify.

At the moment my class is completing a project based on our current HSIE topic. Via Google Docs, I have sent my top group a task for them to complete. They have not yet completed it, however, I will check back when they have to let you know how they go.

I am really impressed with this tool and think I could use it in multiple ways for my students and as a staff. Sharing programs, rosters, PowerPoint’s will make life a lot easier, especially of we're on holidays or unable to access thee schools network.