Course Reflection
I have been on a wonderful journey through this Web 2.0 course. Once I started I couldn't stop. I got more enthusiastic with each module and each new online tool that I learnt about. For me technology is my hobby. I love the potential that it has in education and in my personal life. I have created and used many blogs, wikis etc for my students. Therefore I am confident when it comes to online technologies. However, through completion of this course I have rekindled my love for online technologies and I know I will be using some of the new websites that I have learnt about in my classroom.

Please click here to see the comment that I made on a colleges blog.

ile@rn and blooms
Through the use of the ile@rn model in programing we are equipping students to enter the world of online technologies with the skills that they needs to use these tools effectively. For example- Knowing how to handle negative online situations instead of sheltering the students and pretending that they dont exist.
At our school we use blooms in our differentiated programs. I find that it keeps me motivated to come up with new and fresh ideas. I think the digital blooms would have the same impact on my technology program if I was to start using it. Through using blooms you know that you are catering for different learning styles and needs as well as challenging students to think in different ways.

Below some online stuff that I have developed in the past if you would like to check them out.....

• My brother recently opened a new business and I built his company website

Click here- SHEV Constructions

• My students have a myclasses page that they can play games, download files, listen to music, watch videos etc. If you are interested in exploring the Kindy Myclass please email me and I will send you the link and the user name/password. louise_tate@hotmail.com

• For homework each week the students need to go online and look at the photos that have been taken at school during the week. They have to talk about these with their parents.

Click here- Mrs Tates School Photos

Module 10- Wiki's

I have made many wikis in my time, but I always find them very touchy. The formatting goes weird, or something always seems to turn bad. I had a try again. And it was a little better, but for me I find it much easier to use Myclasses. I have created one for my kindy class and the students and parents love it. The parents like the username and password security and the children find it easy to navigate.

How can Web 2.0 assist in improving learning outcomes for all students?
In my opinion technology and Web 2.0 in the modern classroom is essential. Watch videos below




We are currently teaching generation Z, digital native. The dot.com generation.

Click in link- Generation Z

If web 2.0 is used in the classroom learning outcomes will be improved through

• Motivation (technology interests and motivates gen z)
• Fun
• Connect with the whole world
  
• Hands on experience
  
• Exploration
• Visuals (videos, images, vlogs, podcasts all assist the visual learner)

What do parents thinks?

Module 9- Social Networking

I found this video that helped me understand the meaning of social networking in plain English.



Scootle- Is a great way to share educational ideas and resources with other teachers. In education we spend most of our time trying to come up with new and exciting lesson ideas (that someone else has done 5 times before) Why recreate the wheel when we can share our ideas.

Second life- I had trouble creating an account on second life. I will have to try again later. However I do understand what the concept is. It sounds fun. Its like creating your own video game. I can imagine the children would love, love, love doing this. I really like the video on the Web 2.0 myclasses page explaining how to put an educational spin on Second life.

Facebook- I love facebook. In Australia I have my Mum, sister and brother. The rest of my extended family lives overseas. I have been using facebook for many years. It is a great way to keep in contact with my extended family. Share photos, videos. Invite people to parties, Send messages, instant chat with people, even run a farm..lol
Me being a photo person I really love the 'tag this photo option' If your friends put photos of you on facebook you can tag yourself in the photo and that photo then goes into your facebook profile. You can tag friends as well. Lots of fun! Teachers... be careful to set photos and comments etc on private if you don't want students or parents to find you on facebook and read them!

Twitter- I got really into twitter for a while, but then got a little bit bored because not many of my friends were on it and I didn't really know what to write. How many people really want to know that I am watching TV or having chicken for dinner? Facebook can also do exactly what twitter does using 'status updates'. For me facebook works better because all my family and friends are on it. If I updated my status on twitter.... maybe....5 people might see it. I do see the value of it as a form of social networking and keeping in touch with friends. (If you are friends with lots of people on twitter)

Click on this link- 25 ways to use twitter in the classroom

Module 8- RSS feeds
I have only ever used RSS feeds in the past for cooking websites to keep up to date with recipes that I might like/ use.

How could I use RSS feeds in education?

• Add an RSS feed to class wiki so that students can join and keep up to date with the changes that have been made on the wiki.
• Organising and streamlining the abundance of content on the web.
• Keeping students up to date by making announcements that all students will be alerted to via RSS feeds.
  
• Allowing for an approach to reading the combines both scanning (picking out interesting and relevant materials) and synthesizing (making connections between the relevant and interesting materials).
• Keeping up to date with the latest local and international news.
• Developing reading skills important for both our students and ourselves as we all become more inundated with information.
  
• Gives students the opportunity to evaluate and weed out content on the web.

Module 7- Delicious

I started a Delicious account a couple of years ago. I got really into it for a while and then I stopped using it. When it came to module 7 I had forgotten my user name and passwords for Delicious so I had to recover them. That is how long it has been since I used delicious.

I completely understand the benefits of using delicious, all your bookmarks wherever you are in the world. Whatever computer you are on. Perfect. What more could you want.
For me "the control freak" once I had a couple of bookmarks I found it a little hard to keep track of them all. I used the tags, but I found it a little out of control.
A tip is not to have too many tags and to be very specific about the tags you are using in order to find the website you are looking for 4 years down the track.

My school has a Delicious account. I am now on their network.
I really like the social aspect of Delicious, sharing bookmarks... etc. I had never used this aspect of Delicious until completing this module.
I also really like how you can add a Delicious icon to your browser, so its just a matter of clicking on the icon when you come across a website that you like.
After completing this module I can definitely say that I will be using delicious again from now on.

Module 6- Bubbl.us and Glogster

Mind mapping, how fun! Bubbl.us could be used for everything. Think of how many times we brainstorm in the classroom. Bubbl.us just makes it more interactive, fun and pretty! I think this might be my favourite online tool so far. Possibly because it is the first online tool that I didnt know about until now, and Im excited..haha.

Glogster... ok, I know I said bubbl.us is my favourite so far. I lie. Glogster is now my new favourite. I think I might be in trouble....lol. The more I am progressing through the Web 2.0 course the more excited I am to move out of the infants classroom and into the primary classroom. Imagine what you could achieve. I have always been a fan of technology and the internet. After playing around with Glogster I just remembered my passion for all things online and dream of the amazing things I could do in a year 4,5,6 class.

Module 5- Digital Storytelling/ Podcasting



This video sums up my feeling about podcasting. I love it. I think it is an amazing way of sharing information with people.
In my class we have MP4 players and a listening post. I use them all the time. the main ways I use MP4's in my class is...

• listening to stories
• the children record themselves reading there books, listen back to their recording and critique themselves
• recording there news for other children to hear
  
• listening to music during developmental play