Module 6

Bubbl.us has proved to be a fun tool in the classroom which I've used prior to doing this blog. I have used it with a class who enjoyed what it could do, but at the same time many students across classes have made the comment 'we can do exactly the same thing with paper and pen'.
It is handy for being able to save it and reuse it when needed. It can also be added to easily which makes it more beneficial.

I have nothing to say in a mindmap to comment on bubbl.us so I have added a different mindmap I have done. One problem is that it moves everytime I open a mindmap and I have to readjust it.
Glogster is an online media site - basically creating pamphlets with video clips, links and so on. I have heard varying reviews of this tool. Some love it, some hate it. Those who aren't too keen on it think it restricts their creativity - many students feel this way. It could be good as an alternative to other types of tasks such as pamphlets and word documents. I can take it or leave it. At the moment most of my students are so overloaded with IT tools that I think I would wait a while before introducing it. I think junior students (Yrs 7 - 9) would benefit more and enjoy it more than seniors.

Module 5

I love this stuff!

I love my iTunes and my iPod, and have been using it for years. The best way to learn about it is to play around with it. I actually learnt lots about this tool by talking to some of my students. They enhanced my use of a tool I already found useful. I have used my iTunes to create CDs for Retreats and the like. It is easier to create CDs if you have downloaded CDs you already own as there are limitations on how many times you can copy songs that you have bought from iTunes, eventhough you have paid for them. This can be a little frustrating. Also changing computers because they break or something else means you lose your rights to iTunes - you are only allocated a certain amount. But I love it! Just make sure you buy the gift vouchers and not pay by credit card.

Youtube is also terrific, but after it became more difficult to use it hasn't proved to be so handy. Not being able to save it to Keep Vid is a little annoying, but maybe there are ways around that now that I don't know of yet. Its a good tool to show classes, either to introduce them to something or to give them an experience of something. I showed a Jewish shabbat service to Year 11 the other day. All they could do was giggle - boys! I tried to get them to see it as an 'experience'. It can be like anything else though - students can get bored with it.

Vodcast and podcasts are definitely a new way of doing things. They get people involved, but like everything some people enjoy them more than others. Not all people are creative and gifted. It is another way of doing tasks, but we have to be sure that content and knowledge do not suffer at the expense of IT skills. The best students will always be able to do the right thing.

Podcasts can be handy in the same way iTunes and Youtube are - a resource that can be used from radio stations and the like. They can also be created by us. The dual purpose is exciting.

I have seen some vodcasts created by our Yr 9 students this year and their skills are excellent (the majority of them anyway)! Sometimes, some think that because it is an online medium they do have the same restrictions with use of language and so on.

All of us will learn over time and the use of these skills will become more valuable and more worthwhile. We will hopefully see the educational benefits.

I commented on Miriam Gascoigne's blog; see below.

Miriam

Module 4

One of my pet hates about the internet is lack of privacy. I hate Facebook, even though I have got an account at present. (I really have to get rid of it!) I really dislike when other people place photos of me for others to see. They deny my right to privacy and often do not have any respect for me because perhaps they don't care who sees what about them!

While I understand that I can restrict who sees what I put up, I cannot control what other people put up.

I love photos like the next person and I like looking at photos myself, but I don't always want people to see me at the Christmas Party!!. Show me real photos or email them to me, but please don't show the world (especially students who can use them against me!)!! Perhaps I'm just paranoid because I don't look good in photos, ha!

Module 3

Google.docs seems to be a pretty effective tool for use on the Web. It limits the need to meet at times and also to remember your USB. I think it could be used effectively for holiday work - the boys and faculty will love me! - for creating a class document and for developing policy within the faculty. However, using wikis on the school intranet is just as effective for this and has been working so far, so I don;t see the need for using this tool at present.

I have also been sent a google.docs document that provided me with some frustration, such as how to save it and work on it when I wasn't part of the group. I also couldn't seem to print it unless the person who created it did it for me and they never did!

I might have a go later!

Module 2

Well, I need to get stuck in to this course clearly!

I have very little to say, especially in this module considering I made my blog for the first module. This seems to be a bit back to front!

Once guided through it was really simple to create a blog.

I have wanted to create an independant blog, but I can't separate it from my blog for this (or my email address) so that is something I have to work out.

But for now, I have done this component.......

Blogging in the classroom could be a useful tool in saving paper and the like, but like so many other intiatives I try a portion of the class have computer issues and cannot do what is asked of them. I have enjoyed using Wikis at present and they seem fairly similar. Obviously, I could be completely wrong??!

Anyway, on to Module 3....seriously, what more can I say here?!