I haven't in the past been interested in RSS feeds. I perceived it to be a little like junk mail... just getting sent a whole lot of stuff you don't really have time to read, however since browsing I have discovered how refined you can make your RSS Feeds. ABC news is one that I have subscribed to as well as Sydney Morning Herald.
It's is a way to check for updates to your favourite websites, without having to visit each site individually. The benefits are that you can unsubscribe without having to send an email and the threats associated with email spam and viruses are reduced.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Module 7 - Social Bookmarking
Social bookmarking doesn't appeal to me. In terms of its use in the classroom, I think it would be good for students when they begin research. It is a useful tool for a variety of similar web links, however i didn't find it very user friendly. I would like to spend a little more time looking into Delicious to be able to use it in my teaching.
Module 6 - Communicating Online
Bubbl Us is a great tool similar to Inspiration. I have used Inspiration in the past for students to brainstorm project ideas and use their own inspiration to come up with concept sketches. I have also used Inspiration to pretest students on a topic and organise ideas. Its a great way to find out what they already know helping to inform your teaching.
Bubbl Us allows you to export the mindmap as an image. This would be a great homework activity for students to complete and email as an image. Check out my Bubbl Us below...
Glogster is so great! I just spent so much time last week researching the best way for students to publish and share their videos and project work without using YouTube. Glogster is the answer! I can't wait to use this in the classroom. Its like a digital poster. The girls here a going to love Glogster. And so far i have not had any issues with uploading. http://noonanr.edu.glogster.com/year9textilestech/ I create this in the space of 2 minutes. I love that its private so only those who know the address can see the site. It is otherwise not published on their site.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Module 5 - Digital Storytelling
What can't you find on YouTube!
After to speaking to other teachers in the local area it was interesting to note that some schools block digital storytelling sites like YouTube. I realise that there is content on YouTube that perhaps is not suitable or distracting to students, however lets not impinge on their creativity by blocking them.
We are very lucky here at Domremy to have access to most of these types of sites including YouTube. I have used YouTube in my own teaching many times before to compliment an explanation or demonstration of a particular skill or concept.
After to speaking to other teachers in the local area it was interesting to note that some schools block digital storytelling sites like YouTube. I realise that there is content on YouTube that perhaps is not suitable or distracting to students, however lets not impinge on their creativity by blocking them.
We are very lucky here at Domremy to have access to most of these types of sites including YouTube. I have used YouTube in my own teaching many times before to compliment an explanation or demonstration of a particular skill or concept.
As a teacher of Textiles, it can be challenging attending to all students' individual project needs in a lesson. At times I have used YouTube as a way of teaching students a skills when I am busy with another student. For example, if they need to know how to chain stitch. I ask them to go to YouTube and search for a demonstration. This also encourages them to become in dependant learners in a diverse learning environment. So you can be in two places at once... kind of.
Listening to podcasts or making vodcasts is another creative way we can engage our students. Whether its encouraging them to listen to an educational podcast or make their own vodcast and upload it to SchoolTube, a wiki or blog. Our students are so familiar with the technology and savvy with its use, why not incorporate their everyday tools in the learning environment.
Module 4 - Flickr
Flickr is a creative way of uploading and sharing photos and videos. I uploaded a range of year 12 Textiles and Design MTP works and some samples of videos created by students in year 8 and 10.
This is a practical way of saving and sharing student samples for presentation. Become a shared contact and check it out... My contact name is Miss R Noonan and the email address you can search for is noonan.rachel@ymail.com
http://www.flickr.com/
The Flickr Uploader is a quick and easy tool to upload and view photos/videos without using flickr.com Download it from the Flickr tools page.
Its interesting to know that we can use copyright images, photos, music etc if it is for educational purposes, however the files must be from legitimate sites and not pirated copies (especially video and music clips). Further information is detailed on the SmartCopying website: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/scw/go/pid/1 for Australian schools. Acknowledging the author is a great way of ensure students know the source of the file/information and also covering yourself for copyright.
Year 12 Major Textiles Project 2010
This is a practical way of saving and sharing student samples for presentation. Become a shared contact and check it out... My contact name is Miss R Noonan and the email address you can search for is noonan.rachel@ymail.com
http://www.flickr.com/
The Flickr Uploader is a quick and easy tool to upload and view photos/videos without using flickr.com Download it from the Flickr tools page.
Its interesting to know that we can use copyright images, photos, music etc if it is for educational purposes, however the files must be from legitimate sites and not pirated copies (especially video and music clips). Further information is detailed on the SmartCopying website: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/scw/go/pid/1 for Australian schools. Acknowledging the author is a great way of ensure students know the source of the file/information and also covering yourself for copyright.
Year 12 Major Textiles Project 2010Module 3 - Google Docs
Time is precious...
Google Docs is a great way of sharing a single file with multiple users. The docs are easy to use and is similar to creating a simple word or excel file.
In this module I created a spreadsheet for Year 10 Food Technology students. Students can access the spreadsheet and update their requirements for the upcoming cake decorating practical in week 6. Creating a Google Doc (spreadsheet) to do this allows all students to enter their individual needs into one file.
This saves time in collating information. I would normally get students to email me individually and then collate the data into a similar spreadsheet. Fantastic opportunity to SAVE TIME... the only challenge is adding all of their individual GMail accounts/emails to view or edit the file. A quicker way of doing this would be to create a group (class email addresses) in your Gmail contacts.
Google Docs is a great way of sharing a single file with multiple users. The docs are easy to use and is similar to creating a simple word or excel file.
In this module I created a spreadsheet for Year 10 Food Technology students. Students can access the spreadsheet and update their requirements for the upcoming cake decorating practical in week 6. Creating a Google Doc (spreadsheet) to do this allows all students to enter their individual needs into one file.
This saves time in collating information. I would normally get students to email me individually and then collate the data into a similar spreadsheet. Fantastic opportunity to SAVE TIME... the only challenge is adding all of their individual GMail accounts/emails to view or edit the file. A quicker way of doing this would be to create a group (class email addresses) in your Gmail contacts.
Module 2 - Blogging
Challenge-based learning is a an emerging concept in which students are placed in real-world contexts. Blogging is one such example of this movement in which students can engage real audiences (ie their teacher and classmates). Having an audience and the notion of publishing work and comments encourages students to take more time in presenting their ideas and opinions on a topic.
Blogging is a powerful new technology that is collaborative and hands-on for all students allowing them to leverage the technology they use in their everyday lives.
Blogging is a powerful new technology that is collaborative and hands-on for all students allowing them to leverage the technology they use in their everyday lives.
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