Web 2.0 Final Reflection

The above Wordle is a compelation of all the words used in this blog over the duration of the Web 2.0 course.  Obviously from the above words you can see that I have found it 'Great'.

As a young teacher I'm keen to explore ways of engaging students and the various teaching resources out there.  This was a great means for me to get a grasp on a range of web tools and start thinking about how I can incoroprate them into my classroom, assessment tasks and teaching practice.

I often have thought about technology as a valuable teaching tool, but have struggled to put aside the time to setup valuable resources.  I have been inspired to create a range of TAS resources using videocasts for instruction machinery processes.  I'm also really keen to create some tasks using glogster and bubble.us. 

I have also come to realise that students are aware of so many websites that are useful for completing a range of tasks.  I need to engage this knowledge and get them to share it with each other and myself.  It's ok for them to teach me!

Web 2.0 has equipped me with a valuable set of teaching tools, I need to regularly refresh myself and remind myself of all these options out there and not get stuck just doing the same comfortable things all the time.

Module 10 - Wikis

The Final Module.  What a great learning curve this has been.  I have discovered so many new resources and refreshed my memory about some I already knew about.  The next step is to remember them and use them. 

Wikis are great and a good educational tool.  I have used them before for an assessment where students posted a review of a restaurant and then others commented on it.  I can see the potential for students to work together collaboratively using wikis and create a range of online resources.  I want to give this another go and get students to work together on a task using a wiki, maybe some visual research or brainstorming.

Module 9 - Networks

Scootle is  a great teaching resource with links to so many resources that can be used in the classroom.  Another great place to look for resources for various teaching topics.

Social networking is such a propular activity now, particularly for teenagers.  If a teacher can connect these social networking sites with education surely students will be interested and engage.  Just how can we effective make these links?

Second life as an interesting site which I have a lot of questions about.  I can see the real benefits of students exploring various historical, cultural and geographical sites without having to leave the classroom.  What a great resource for history and georgraphy.  I don't quiet know how I would link it to TAS subjects, possibly some architecture.  However, I wonder the security of such a site and possible interaction those external to the classroom/school?  This is something I wouldn't what to encourage and would be good if the teacher had access to enable such interaction.  Need to do some research on this.

Module 8 - Google Reader RSS

I'm still not entirely sure what RSS means/does, but I understand how Google Reader works.  It's a great program for subscribing to a range of sites and seeing the updates in one format without having to view multiple web pages.  It's a good one stop shop for updates and news that appears on all your favourite websites.  The only problem I discovered is that if a site you like doesn't have subscriptions then you still have to visit their website for updates.  Previously I would have used the gathering of this information via email updates, but this was very limited.

I can see the value of Google Reader for gathering current data from a range of website.  This may be helpful for research, keeping up with current affairs, and creating resources students could subscribe to.  I'm sure there are a great number of educational and teacher resources that could be subscribed to.

Module 7 - Bookmarking & Social Blogging

Delicious has always something I have considered with food, but this website is great and so useful for where ever you are.  I think the value of saving bookmarks and then being able to open them on other computers, such as the classroom is a great tool.  It enables you to not have to take your computer everywhere.  I'm assuming though you still need to have a central computer where you save the bookmarks originally, because otherwise you would have to download the toolbars on every computer you go on.  This would also be a great tool for students when researching for topics or assessment over multiple lessons in multiple rooms.

I still don't know about the idea of blogging and connecting with others this way.  I still like the idea of privacy of the things in my life and then sharing what I want in a more personnal, face to face situation.

Module 6 - Bubbl & Glogster

I really liked this module, very practical useful teaching tools.  The bubbl program is such a great resource for TAS faculties and I'll definately be using it with all years when brainstorming for design project ideas and research.  What a great find!  Glogster is great too and good, helpful tool for students to create posters and presentations that could then be presented to the whole class.  What a great way to gather data and put it together in a visually appealling way.  I will definately be using both these programs!

Module 5 - Podcasts & Vodcasts

I am familiar with podcasts and vodcasts in a range of situations.  I have used youtube and teachertube to find valuable resources for teaching.  Tapping into youtube is a good way to attract student attention as they often find interesting clips there.  I struggle to find the time and resources to create podcasts or vodcasts for teaching.  The options of having this kind of resource would allow teachers to connect possibly with students and ipods for educational purposes.

How many tools can a teacher learn and use and how will they get the time.  The resources so far are eye opening and good, but I don't think I could remember them all and use them all on a regular basis.

The story with voice was good and such videos could be good for student demonstration as well.