Final Course Reflection

I have really enjoyed participating in the Web 2.0 course again. Since completing it previously in 2010, there have been some changes and I have learnt some new skills. Pleasingly, I have been lucky enough to do the course with some very dedicated and knowledgeable colleagues. Many thanks to all of them for this journey an enjoyable one.
I have reviewed the iLE@RN model and I agree totally with the principles that underline the thinking behind it. Computers definitely aren't the focus. It is all about engaging learners by developing an environment where students want to learn. Allowing students to have control over their own learning by modelling and teaching them how to be reflective, responsible learners is imperative.
On a personal level, I am responsible for my own learning and developing the learning communities that will continue to foster my growth. I joined up to Yammer and I've invited some of my colleagues to do the same. Hopefully, this will establish a personal learning community where we can share our knowledge and expertise. Our ICT coordinator, Nancy, has also shared with us the Samr model and new Bloom's. We are working towards being able to incorporate technology in the HOTS (higher order thinking skills) more effectively at a school based level.
In considering the where to from here?...I believe I learn best as part of a professional learning community and I am pleased with the online and school based communities I am already actively involved with. In terms of the skills I have acquired, I feel I have a good grasp of the cloud share tools out there. I'd like to skill myself further with Google sites and you tube as I am still a novice. Similarily, I will endeavour to become a more competent contributor of 21st Century learning in the classroom by being a more creative user of technology, incorporating some of the tools I have been exposed to during the Web 2 course.
As a Catholic school educator, I encourage appropriate use of ICT in the classroom which supports Catholic beliefs and values. It is my role to teach and model to children the importance of making appropriate judgments about the use of online media and content.

Module 10 - Learning Communities

Wikis are a website that allow a coordination of ideas and is more effective than the old method of emailing. Currently, I have been using Google sites which is a free and easy way to create a website. I created a grade website which shares information with my students. I have also created a professional website where I am tracking my portfolio as a teacher.
I really like being able to share and collaborate using technology and would like to try out some education wikis with my students as I believe it is important for them to engage with 21st century technology as part of their learning.
I joined the classroom 2.0 community and my membership is pending approval. I hope that this will assist me to improve my use of technology in the classroom.

Module 9 - Social and Professional Networks

I really enjoyed playing around with Scootle. I found a great learning path about National Parks. I was, however, unable to add students and provide them with their unique PIN which would allow them to view the content and activities. This is something I will endeavour to do because I think it could be an awesome way of being able to flip the classroom. I also really like the links to the Australian Curriculum. I think this aspect will be a fantastic tool when programming in the future.
I already have a well established digital footprint. I have a facebook account with high privacy settings. I use this form of social media more for my personal use. Although, the content I put on it is nothing I would be concerned about sharing. On the other hand, my twitter account has been set with a clear professional purpose, as is Linkedin. I follow other educators and educational blogs via twitter and feel this is a great way to grow professionally and to continue as a life long learner.
I was very surprised when I googled my name. I found a comment about Telstra that I had made on their online blog. Thankfully, my complaint was made in an appropriate manner or this could be embarrassing.
In regards to Second Life, I think this would be a valuable educational tool for many of my students. I have a growing number of students who are extremely interested in Mindcraft and other such online gaming programs. I need to learn more about it and try it out personally before I introduce it to my students.
As an educator, I cannot ignore the importance of understanding social networks and how these can be both positive and negative experiences.

Module 8 - Managing Your Flow of Information on the Internet

I downloaded the feedly app and I really like the idea of being able to keep the content of sites in one place where you can read it and share with others. I accessed the feedly app on my mobile too and all the education sites I had added were there. I love that I can easily access professional readings and then tweet these simply. Have spent a lot of time playing round with this app and I'm loving it!
In terms, of using this in the classroom I thought maybe the children could find content based on the topics we are covering in class. I put in National Parks as an example and I was pretty disappointed with the material that came up. It was related to American National Parks and the content wasn't appropriate for primary aged children. This would be more suitable for high school children.

Module 7 - Building Online Communities

This module was about building on-line communities and bookmarking resources so they can be remembered and shared. I signed up for a Delicious account and added the +Add to Delicious button on my bookmarks bar. I found it really easy to add links with the click of this button.
I don't know how much I will use Delicious because I have already got my bookmarks organised in folders and I am able to access these on any device when I sign into Chrome. This allows me to access my bookmarks on any device with Chrome, including my mobile phone. Although, I will give it more of a go and see.
I also signed up with Symbaloo and I have bookmarked this. I would like to use this web-based bookmarking tool that I will endeavour to use more in the future.
I read some colleagues blogs and found these very interested. I commented on a couple and hope that someone will comment on mine too.

Module 6 - Exploring Photos and Videos on the Web

I have been using Picasa, Flickr and more recently Google+ Photos. I love the fact that I can access photos on any device I own. When using pictures in the classroom, I take photos using my Smartphone and save these in Google Drive. I am then able to share photos of excursions, students work samples or activities. Just recently, Year 4 went on an excursion to the Royal National Park and we were able to write about what our experiences and add these pictures. I find it easy and fuss. 

I believe it is really important to add as much visual content as possible to our teaching and learning. I would really like to use Youtube more with students as a form of visual media. I know many of the students are already self confessed Youtubers and I would like to be able to tap into their interest. It is a matter of working around age restrictions. 

Module 5: Creating and Communicating Online

Another interesting and useful module. I enjoyed creating a mind map about how Web 2.0 tools enhance learning and I embedded it below. I liked how you could colour code different subgroups. 
I found Bubbl.us similar to Mindmeister which I have previously used with my students. I liked that students could share a Mindmeister map with their friends and they could collaborate together on the same map. I will incorporate bubbl.us into a future lesson and show my students how to use it. We will compare it to Mindmeister and see what we think. 

Module 4 - Digital Storytelling

Wow! What an interesting and beneficial module. I can really see how podcasting and vodcasting will be useful in the classroom. I signed up with Soundcloud and made a podcast. I had my Year 4 students sign up to Soundcloud and during their guided reading session they recorded themselves and made a podcast. They enjoyed recording themselves and they were able to use this recording a source of feedback.

I also attempted to embed my podcast into this blog. I am looking forward to creating podcasts for the students and embedding these onto our Year 4 gradesite.

I created a youtube account and I am now currently following some educational communities like TED talks and Jim Sill. I signed up to animoto and created a unique video about my trip to Dubbo. I added a song from my files (Welcome to the Jungle) and uploaded it to youtube. I could see how the children could create a recount about an excursion or event that takes place at school. I am setting myself the challenge of creating a video on teaching a mathematical concept. I will use my smartphone and attempt to upload it to youtube. I'd like to embed the vodcast onto the Year 4 gradesite for the students to view. I have also signed up to TeacherTube and have searched different maths concepts etc. This will be something I will be using in the future. 

Module 3 - Creating and Collaborating

My school is already using Google docs quite effectively. All our teachers are programming and evaluating using Google Docs. Students are actively encouraged to create and collaborate using Google docs. This is a wonderful way for students to work together on the same document at the same time. 

More recently, I have used mindmeister with the students to create mind maps. The children were able to work in small groups to collaborate on the same mind map. A very engaging tool for students.

In Year 3 during one of my intervention times, Joan had her students use spreadsheet to tally data. The students were then able to export this data to create different types of graphs. They were thrilled with this discovery.

Students regularly use presentation for many aspects of their inquiry based learning such as genius hour. They have enjoyed animating their slides, attaching images, etc. as they work in groups.
I have set up a Google Form reflection for the students to complete after an activity but I haven't shared it with them. I plan to use this as part of my assessment and feedback in the classroom. 

At our most recent staff development day, held with two other schools, we were able to create a joint presentation, across schools prior to the day, without having to be in the presence of one another.

Google docs are amazing and they have totally changed the way we are able to create and collaborate.    

Module 2 - Exploring Blogs

Although I have created and used blogs with my previous classes it has been a while since I have actively blogged. Just prior to commencing the Web 2.0 course I created my own eportfolio blog after attending an elearning course with George Couros. I played around with this blog and was able to create pages with tabs. Very exciting!!!
I previously created a blog for my Year 6 class and we used this blog to reflect on our learning. I will be creating a blog for the Year 4 class I currently teach. I endeavour to use a blog to document our learning in a meaningful way.
I had a look at Wordpress and I was impressed with the layout. I created a blog but am yet to fill it in with anything interesting. Over the next week I will have a look at Tumblr and edublog too and see what they have to offer.
I already have a twitter account but I only recently joined. I recommend tweetdeck for your pc and hootsuite for your mobile as excellent ways for viewing and using twitter.  

Module 1 - All About Me

Hi Everyone. My name is Pauline Martin. I am the intervention teacher for Year 3 and Year 4 at Regina Coeli Primary School. On Wednesday, I teach Year 4 for Nancy, who facilitates ICT in our school.
I completed the Web 2.0 course back in 2011 but things have changed and progressed so much since then. I thought it would be valuable to do it again to keep myself update and relevant. 
I already have an understanding of what the course is all about and I have existing accounts that I am using such as facebook, twitter, flickr, instagram and google plus etc. I am really looking forward to learning more and implementing some of the great eLearning tools in the classroom.