Final Reflection

I see the light at the end of the tunnel......the final reflection. It's been a journey of enlightenment and one that I've really enjoyed. The ability to work online at my own pace and in my own time has allowed me to manage family, school commitments and professional development. Module 6 was my favourite, packed with goodies such as Glogster and Bubbl.us. After learning how to use Glogster I set up a virtual classroom with stage 3 students to design posters for our visiting author during Book Week celebrations. Stage 3 students have been studying the genre of "mystery" in literature this term so we used Bubbl.us to create mind maps. These web tools have been embedded into the Library cooperative teaching/learning program.
Years ago we talked about information highways and libraries without walls.......now we have information at our fingertips - Internet, iphones and library collections accessible from any computer seven days a week. The challenge for teachers is to give students the tools to make sense of the large amounts of information available, to make decisions about their learning, to question and think about ways of solving problems. Digital reading devices have changed the way authors work and publish. In some cases Blogs are replacing author "meet and greet" sessions in bookshops. The web is used for information, downloading, communication and collaboration. We use mobile phones, (SMS) messaging, Face Book, Twitter and email as a way of keeping in touch and socialising. Exploring 3D virtual communities such as Second Life is my work in progress and I hope to learn more about avatars and Vokis. Students could create their own speaking characters and embed them into a Book Week/Library blog or wiki.
This may be the completion of the online course but for me it's just the beginning.....thanks Helen, Diane and the team for designing the course and monitoring the modules.

Module 10

With the end of year looming I'm looking towards 2010 and thinking about Book Week celebrations and the Stories on Screen competition........and how I can share ideas and review books. I can see the value in setting up a private wiki for research and book reviews. After reading comments on the discussion page about WetPaint I think I'll try Wikispaces. Bloom's Digital Taxonomy Map will be a useful tool to provide students with the skills required to learn in a digital world. It's really important to develop creative pathways for learners.

Module 9

I've been using Facebook for a while but don't have as many friends as my daughter. Guess it's an age thing....digital immigrant v digital native. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch but I just can't get into Twitter. Bit too much like a diary. I found the "Online Communities in the Classroom" video on teachers.tv website interesting and discovered the world of Voki and avatars. I use Scootle to search for digital curriculum resources to enhance units of work. Second Life is amazing.

Basenjis

Module 8

Google Reader allows you to keep up to date with news and favourite blogs. You can browse feeds and share with other web users. News feeds and blogs are readily available in one place. I don't know if I'd use this with the students but I finally understand what RSS is all about. Glogster Education - virtual classroom is still my favourite web tool.

Module 7

Wish there was a "Delicious" for credit/loyalty cards and passwords. Once you get the hang of tagging and bundling it's amazing the sites and resources you can retrieve. The beauty of this site is that you can access it on any computer and share links with other users.

Module 6

I've been creating mind maps using PowerPoint....inserting shapes, adding text and group/ungrouping the objects. Not any more. Bubbl.us is fantastic.....very "user friendly". Have set up student accounts and passwords for years 5 & 6 students to create Book Week Posters using Glogster Education. Year 6 students could create poster to include in the end of year Digital Diaries.