Final Reflections

Phew!!!I got there! I'm glad I finally finished this course as I am now acutely aware of the vast array of web tools available. As more and more technology is available and with a new generation of students accessing instant information, it is getting harder for a teacher to engage the students. They have grown up in an environment where they have always had the internet, always had a mobile phone and could always get everything at the click of a button It is very difficult to get them to read a book, pick up a textbook and just answer questions on what they have read (as was the old way of teaching). As teachers we are constantly being challenged to diversify our taching methodology to allow for technological advancements. This course has given me a number of interactive tools to engage and challenge my students. It has reinforced my belief that they are only tools to be used and if used effectively can definitely enhance the learning and schooling experience of the students.I think this a worthwhile course for all teachers. I think the web 2 course provides immeasurable knowledge and advice for teachers with regard to social networking . At the same time, I think the educational revolution that is grounded in technology is a combined teacher/ student effort, where at times the lines are blurred as to who is the student and who is the teacher. Students are a valuable resource that are not always used to their potential. We sometimes assume that we as teachers always know everything. Content wise this may be true, but for tools such as the internet and the number or sites out there, it cannot be guaranteed. While this course has given us an insight to what is possible I believe the students will surpass our expectations when using these tools and create something that is unbelievable, as they explore the different sites and what they have to offer.Where to from here? I am continually implementing these tools into my teaching and seeing the positive results first hand. I look forward to being involved in this new style of teaching and seeing what is to come in the next few years.

Final Reflections

Final Reflection

Overall I have found this course very overwhelming but at the same time a beneficial and worthwhile experience. While at times I got frustrated at the number of emails and passwords, I am glad that I have completed it and am now more aware of the numerous tools that are available.In this day and age, one of the hardest things for a teacher is to engage the students. They have grown up in an environment where they have always had the internet, always had a mobile phone and could always get everything at the click of a button. It is very difficult to get them to read a book, pick up a textbook and just answer questions on what they have read (as was the old way of teaching). Teaching is changing at a rapid rate. I am only 2 years out of university and what I learnt and studied at university has already been surpassed. This course has given me a number of interactive tools to engage and challenge my students. It has reinforced my belief that they are only tools to be used and if used effectively can definitely enhance the learning and schooling experience of the students.I think this a worthwhile course for all teachers. Even if not everything is applicable in the classroom, as I did not find all tools useful, I think that being aware of what students are using and aware of is important, especially when it comes to social networking. At the same time, I think the educational revolution that is grounded in technology is a combined teacher/ student effort, where at times the lines are blurred as to who is the student and who is the teacher. Students are a valuable resource that are not always used to their potential. We sometimes assume that we as teachers always know everything. Content wise this may be true, but for tools such as the internet and the number or sites out there, it cannot be guaranteed. While this course has given us an insight to what is possible I believe the students will surpass our expectations when using these tools and create something that is unbelievable, as they explore the different sites and what they have to offer. As we embrace a new more consistent approach to elearning in the classroom I am excited by the possibilities.

Module 10 - Nings and Wikis

Nings and Wikis ... the new age of teaching?? Quite possibly! As mentioned earlier I have wanted to try out a Ning site. I guess my only hesitation at the moment is that we have to pay for it ourselves - If it flops it may be a waste of money - if it works it will cost me a fortune as I will want to create one for each of my classes! After toiling around with this idea I decided to create a Wiki-like site using Google Sites. I wanted to set this up as similar as a Ning as possible. I wanted this site to belong solely to my Year 9 English class so they could call it their own. It only took a short time to set up and I think has worked well for the time I have spent on it. I used the site in a computer lesson last week and it worked really well. The pupils really loved that it was only for "their" class. I had put work directions on there as well as a Pupil of the Month section. I was able to put up a class calendar amongst other things. I still have to work on getting some sort of discussion board up there but hopefully that won’t be too difficult. I found this really interesting as there are masses of resources and ideas from people all over the world. I have only spent a small amount of time going through it but have already found lots of interesting ideas, blogs etc. I will definitely use this for my own professional development of my Web2.0 skills!So we finally come to the question: How can Web 2.0 assist in improving learning outcomes for all students?.I think my entire blog covers this one question already. Web 2.0 is going to change the face of teaching as we know it - well in fact I believe it already has changed it! We have known for a long time that kids (both big and small) love using new technology. It's interactive, it’s fun, its fresh, it’s engaging, and it’s inevitable! Everyone spends so much time and effort using the technology that as teachers we cannot ignore its place in the classroom - in fact it would be the death of us if we tried. We all want to engage our pupils which will in turn allow them to learn more efficiently and effectively. How do we do this in this new techno-society? Use technology! If we use blogs, and wikis, podcasts, vidcasts, web-posters, social-networking sites; these are the things that our pupils love - and they will learn! The question really should be how can we find the time to implement technology in our classroom? My answer is simply Find the time ... and you may just surprise yourself and the students' response to your efforts will make it all worthwhile!

Module 9 - Scoot into 'Scootle'

I had come across Scootle before this module and I am very impressed with the collection of resources available. As n English teacher there is an enormous amount of resources out there (if you know where to look of course) and Scootle provides a great database for these. It is clearly divided up into topic areas and incredibly easy to find what you are looking for. The fact also that other teachers can comment and rate the resources is also valuable and cuts down on wasting time with poor resources. In terms of social networking sites there is a huge potential for its application in the classroom, however it needs to be highly structured. It is becoming evident that students spend way too much time on Facebook and MSN chat than any other more 'studious' activity. Facebook within the classroom is a highly debatable topic and one I do not wish to discuss here. I have found Scootle an effective Literacy tool in the English classroom which has the potential to tie in beautifully with the current courses being offered here at Marist College Pagewood. I have found it very beneficial to set up 'learning paths' prior to lessons and then offering students PIN numbers which takes them directly to the relevant pages and allows them to work through the modules at their own pace. I do like the idea of social networking and I have recently been introduced to Nings which is similar to the setup of Facebook but without all the personal information. I am going to trial this with my Year 9 English class and if successful look to expand (although you have to pay for it).

Module 8 - Google Reader

I have known about RSS feeds for a while now, but I didn't know about GoogleReader. While at the moment I don't have a personal use for these, I definitely see the value in them. They are a great way of people seeing the latest news etc, without spending a lot of time searching through a lot of different sites. I suppose its just like people using various sites that combine all of their social networking applications into the one site.I don't read a lot of the same websites - and the ones I do read regularly are already linked to my Facebook account - they are by friends of mine on Facebook, who regularly post when they have updated their site, which in turn shows on my NewsFeed (which really is like an RSS feed anyway). Perhaps in the future GoogleReader, and similar sites, will become more useful to me. I will store this idea away for future use.

Module 7 - Delicious

As a bit of a foodie, I was quite excited to explore the possibilities of this module. On reflection, it had nothing to do with food but 'Delicious' is an extremely beneficial web tool none the less. I have always used Favourites or links directly on my web browser, however Delcious seems to work so much better. I love the fact I can tag items in order to filter them, and I can be on any computer and simply log in to use all my favourites. Now I won't be losing all those fantastic websites I have come across!I have also enjoyed viewing other teachers' blogs. It is great to get a different viewpoint of particular tools. I have also found a number of new websites and tools as they have been recomended by some teachers. Also there are great ideas that are being used that I can now "borrow" and try it out on my students.