RSS Feed on Google Reader is going to revitalise my interest in surfing the net. How good is it that I can now choose my sites of interest and the information will be sent to me to look through at my leisure. They will be catalogued for future interest and I will be alerted to new information as it arrives. I don't have to keep a record of sites or information, I have enough rubbish on my desk, instead RSS Feed notes my interest and just keeps the info coming.
Sites which I might want to watch can be added as new Subscriptions, and from there I can track all new information as it arrives, keep what I want and delete the rubbish.
I have a new hobby this holiday.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Web 2 Course Reflection
Web 2 Course Reflection:
As a dedicated lifelong educator I recognise the importance of maintaining a learning environment for my students where personal advancement in conjunction with technological advancement is of the utmost importance.
The iLE@rn Model typifies the need for students to engage in the learning process. Students should no longer be directed by a “chalk and talk” learning process, and need to instigate their own learning. When students are a part of the act of education, their ability to learn grows exponentially; if they choose to allow it. By acting as a “Community of Learners” we can draw on the knowledge and experience of others to excel in the chosen activity.
I like the point which shows us to be “Knowledge creators and Managers”. Unfortunately, I feel that many of use fail to look to the greater needs of the students. Possibly due in part to time constraints, but also at times a little laziness. We have a duty to make the process more interesting, engaging and successful. This is true, but for all of us who look to teaching as a Career, we owe it to ourselves to enjoy and learn from these experiences also. As such we must constantly look to personal improvement. If we are to stay in this worthy profession, then we need to advance not just the students but also ourselves. To me, being a “Global Citizen with Catholic Values and Ethics” means that we must work collaboratively and teach with the aim of creating better human kind.
Blooms digital taxonomy lays out the old style Taxonomy in a more modern plan, and it is good to see how technology fits in with the old style teaching approach. As with all teaching, I think it simply means we need to teach with a ‘sprinkling’ of a bit of everything; old style teaching combined with modern technologies. I know I won’t be using all the things I have learned in the Web 2 course, each to their own, but if we all adapt our teaching methods and philosophies just a little, the boys will benefit from an array of new skills and abilities.
I believe that the end of the Web 2 course is not a reality. Opportunities should now be made, and in the future, for those who have completed the course to come together to share their Web 2 skills which they have practised in the classroom. It is one thing to identify the options available out there in the cyber world, but we as educators should now have the opportunity to share the applications we have come up with in the classroom with others in the course. Just like the iLE@RN Model suggests, we are now a “Community of Learners” and should begin this process by sharing our new found skills and applications with our teaching comrades. The Blogs have given us the opportunity to hear what others have done, but I would like to see practical applications.
One thing I know is that time is short and of the essence. We have put so much time into completing this Web 2 course that we should not throw it away. If we do not use these newfound skills immediately, they will be lost in cyberspace!
I have made a personal reflection on Jay Meyer’s Course Reflection on the Meyerball site. Wed 23.6.10.
As a dedicated lifelong educator I recognise the importance of maintaining a learning environment for my students where personal advancement in conjunction with technological advancement is of the utmost importance.
The iLE@rn Model typifies the need for students to engage in the learning process. Students should no longer be directed by a “chalk and talk” learning process, and need to instigate their own learning. When students are a part of the act of education, their ability to learn grows exponentially; if they choose to allow it. By acting as a “Community of Learners” we can draw on the knowledge and experience of others to excel in the chosen activity.
I like the point which shows us to be “Knowledge creators and Managers”. Unfortunately, I feel that many of use fail to look to the greater needs of the students. Possibly due in part to time constraints, but also at times a little laziness. We have a duty to make the process more interesting, engaging and successful. This is true, but for all of us who look to teaching as a Career, we owe it to ourselves to enjoy and learn from these experiences also. As such we must constantly look to personal improvement. If we are to stay in this worthy profession, then we need to advance not just the students but also ourselves. To me, being a “Global Citizen with Catholic Values and Ethics” means that we must work collaboratively and teach with the aim of creating better human kind.
Blooms digital taxonomy lays out the old style Taxonomy in a more modern plan, and it is good to see how technology fits in with the old style teaching approach. As with all teaching, I think it simply means we need to teach with a ‘sprinkling’ of a bit of everything; old style teaching combined with modern technologies. I know I won’t be using all the things I have learned in the Web 2 course, each to their own, but if we all adapt our teaching methods and philosophies just a little, the boys will benefit from an array of new skills and abilities.
I believe that the end of the Web 2 course is not a reality. Opportunities should now be made, and in the future, for those who have completed the course to come together to share their Web 2 skills which they have practised in the classroom. It is one thing to identify the options available out there in the cyber world, but we as educators should now have the opportunity to share the applications we have come up with in the classroom with others in the course. Just like the iLE@RN Model suggests, we are now a “Community of Learners” and should begin this process by sharing our new found skills and applications with our teaching comrades. The Blogs have given us the opportunity to hear what others have done, but I would like to see practical applications.
One thing I know is that time is short and of the essence. We have put so much time into completing this Web 2 course that we should not throw it away. If we do not use these newfound skills immediately, they will be lost in cyberspace!
I have made a personal reflection on Jay Meyer’s Course Reflection on the Meyerball site. Wed 23.6.10.
Module 10
Wiki:
A group of students using digital space could use the “Wiki” to come up with an amazing answer to the problems of the universe. In the classroom getting students to coordinate a group response to any question is always a challenge; noisy and occasionally argumentative. This form of collaboration is great for the classroom provided it is used responsibly. I can see applications in the classroom. This student centred learning practice could be of immense use to my senior classes. Imagine setting some essays over the school holidays that students could use to prepare for the Trial HSC, where others can correct, add more detail, better examples, and make comments on.
Not only that, the set up enables links to be constructed to new pages so that the process can be expanded upon and take whole new directions.
I cannot wait to have a crack at this with my classes. In fact, wouldn’t it be great if every student was allocated a section of the HSC course to create revision notes on, and then all students could then review and enhance the notes from their own experiences. What a summary that would be! They could add essays on their chosen topics, pictures and personal reflections.
I hope I can find the time to set something like this up. Of course that is always the challenge.
Nings:
Isn’t this really just another facebook. I cannot see the applications for this personally. As I said on my feedback to Jay Meyer’s Blog on technology, there is something in the Web 2 course for everyone. But, you just have to find the ones that are relevant to you.
A group of students using digital space could use the “Wiki” to come up with an amazing answer to the problems of the universe. In the classroom getting students to coordinate a group response to any question is always a challenge; noisy and occasionally argumentative. This form of collaboration is great for the classroom provided it is used responsibly. I can see applications in the classroom. This student centred learning practice could be of immense use to my senior classes. Imagine setting some essays over the school holidays that students could use to prepare for the Trial HSC, where others can correct, add more detail, better examples, and make comments on.
Not only that, the set up enables links to be constructed to new pages so that the process can be expanded upon and take whole new directions.
I cannot wait to have a crack at this with my classes. In fact, wouldn’t it be great if every student was allocated a section of the HSC course to create revision notes on, and then all students could then review and enhance the notes from their own experiences. What a summary that would be! They could add essays on their chosen topics, pictures and personal reflections.
I hope I can find the time to set something like this up. Of course that is always the challenge.
Nings:
Isn’t this really just another facebook. I cannot see the applications for this personally. As I said on my feedback to Jay Meyer’s Blog on technology, there is something in the Web 2 course for everyone. But, you just have to find the ones that are relevant to you.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Module 9
Scootle:
I have been a long time user of Scootle, almost since its inception. The great thing about Scootle as an educational tool is that it is constantly being updated and we receive notification of new additions to educational resources all the time.
We have incorporated one of the Scootle resouces on 'Asthma' into Year 8 PDHPE. This programme is an interactive site which initiaties student centred learning. It is designed to capture the students interest in a cartoon like framework. It defines the condition, elaborates on the causes and tests the students knowledge as the resource progresses. We have used the programme for two years and the boys enjoy using the site. It caters well to the age level of the intended students. It is another excellent medium to allow the student the opportunity to explore learning at their own pace.
However, I have found that the majority of the resources have been a little simple for the secondary students, but you just have to look through this vast array of online resources and pick those that are appropriate.
When looking for online and easy to access resources I regularly look to Scootle.
Twitter:
I have to be perfectly honest and say that although I understand the concept and use of Twitter, I cannot see any value in its use. Considering the access that we have to computers and more particularly mobile phones, and the ability of many mobiles to have virtually unlimited texts, why in the world would you need another medium to catch up with friends. What a waste of time!
I have been a long time user of Scootle, almost since its inception. The great thing about Scootle as an educational tool is that it is constantly being updated and we receive notification of new additions to educational resources all the time.
We have incorporated one of the Scootle resouces on 'Asthma' into Year 8 PDHPE. This programme is an interactive site which initiaties student centred learning. It is designed to capture the students interest in a cartoon like framework. It defines the condition, elaborates on the causes and tests the students knowledge as the resource progresses. We have used the programme for two years and the boys enjoy using the site. It caters well to the age level of the intended students. It is another excellent medium to allow the student the opportunity to explore learning at their own pace.
However, I have found that the majority of the resources have been a little simple for the secondary students, but you just have to look through this vast array of online resources and pick those that are appropriate.
When looking for online and easy to access resources I regularly look to Scootle.
Twitter:
I have to be perfectly honest and say that although I understand the concept and use of Twitter, I cannot see any value in its use. Considering the access that we have to computers and more particularly mobile phones, and the ability of many mobiles to have virtually unlimited texts, why in the world would you need another medium to catch up with friends. What a waste of time!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Module #7
I like the thought of using the del.icio.us site to track and record worthwhile sites on the net.
I can see the opportunity to find internet sites worthy of student access and to bookmark them in a central file for later use. We plough through so much when we surf the net and it is difficult to keep a track on what we see as useful.
Students writing assignments and reports can use del.icio.us to track all of their sources. By using the notes section you can write a brief summary and what you are going to use it for, keep writing the report and then pull it all together once completed.
There are so many sites you see that you want to look at when you have time. With this program we can simply bookmark the site as we browse and go back to it in our 'free time'.
I can see the opportunity to find internet sites worthy of student access and to bookmark them in a central file for later use. We plough through so much when we surf the net and it is difficult to keep a track on what we see as useful.
Students writing assignments and reports can use del.icio.us to track all of their sources. By using the notes section you can write a brief summary and what you are going to use it for, keep writing the report and then pull it all together once completed.
There are so many sites you see that you want to look at when you have time. With this program we can simply bookmark the site as we browse and go back to it in our 'free time'.
Module #6
Brainstorming with bubbl.us is a great way to coordinate your thoughts and the thoughts of others and create a document which mindmaps ideas. I have already used it with my senior class before I completed this module, and it enables students to collect their thoughts as a mind map. I can see applications online, I call them explosion diagrams, where people can collectively add to the creation additional information on a given topic. You do this by inviting 'Friends' to take part in the process. Normally done on the whiteboard, this can be done from Friends in their own home as a way to study concepts expansively. A fun way to interact and study with your friends from your own home computer.
In addition to this, the 'Glogster' programme creates an interactive online poster into our blogs or classroom websites. This would be great to make learning a more interesting process.
In addition to this, the 'Glogster' programme creates an interactive online poster into our blogs or classroom websites. This would be great to make learning a more interesting process.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Module 5
Podcast and vodcasts are a very engaging way to disseminate information. The ease of access to these sites enables the user to obtain information readily, both historic and up to date.
Vodcasts are a great way for young students to record information, which can then be assessed, and creatively modified. It is an interesting way to engage students, and then easily store the audio and visual files for later access.
Vodcasts are a great way for young students to record information, which can then be assessed, and creatively modified. It is an interesting way to engage students, and then easily store the audio and visual files for later access.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Module 4
Had some fun with this one. I have uploaded a number of family photos for my friends and family to have a look at. What a valuable and easy way to keep friends updated on life in the Newbury household. A great way to share photes, files and videos with my extended family spread all over Australia. I will be enjoying my newest communication mode.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Module 3
What a great way to work collaboratively over a common task. I can do this from my own home at any time of the day. I can see the applications for this in the classroom, and see opportunities to work as a class in a lab and construct useful essays, summaries etc. A great application which will be very useful in my senior classes.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Module 2 yee hah
I am excited that I have created something new on a computer. I look forward to having time to go back and update my page on a regular basis. I am heavily involved in Coaching the College 1st XV Rugby team and pre-season matches have begun. Boys will enjoy the opportunity to follow up matches and get feedback of same. The boys will see comments on game performances, upcoming events, opponents etc, and this has made the communication possible.
Module 1
This programme has enabled me to explore the internet and broaden my understanding of computer use. Such use will increase my competency and confidence in the use of technology. I see the use of this programme as a useful tool to communicate with other blogs and share information relevant to my KLA interests and expertise.
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