Module 10

I can see the value of Nings in the classroom as the children can make their own profiles. This could be our next challenge after we have developed our 3/4 blog. Google sites look amazing and I think they would be useful for the children to develop as possible portfolios of their school year. I would have liked to have seen more examples but the sites weren't available. I can see this as a definite challenge in the future.

Module 9

I found Scootle fascinating and have now registered as well as following it on Twitter. After reading 10 ways you can use Scootle I'm keen to start using it in the classroom as a collaborative tool as well as a source of ideas for my personal use and to share with my team. Following it on Twitter has also lead me to some other great sites such as Curric Lessons. I've also joined Facebook and am finding it a great time consumer but enjoyable. I'm using Twitter and realizing it is a great finding out tool. My iPad is rarely out of my hands.

Module 8

Exploring Feedly was fun and when I typed in education I was presented with a great variety of resources. I also enjoyed Digg as it was such a quick way to catch up on current events and follow areas of interest.

Module 7

I think the idea of social bookmarking is great as you can access your favourite sites wherever you are. This is especially useful at school when we are always moving from one computer to another.
I can see how this would be useful for the children as well while working collaboratively to research during inquiry. It would also help us to view and assess their learning paths.

Module 6

Loved the visuals and the music on this video I found on Picasaweb so thought I might use it as an introduction to a science lesson on plants we are doing this term.

Module 5

I have used bubbl.us in the classroom before and find it a really useful strategy for teaching children to organize their thinking. I also loved the glogs and found them visually exciting, allowing for originality and creativity.I have some very artistic children this year who would love to make their own. I think these would also help engage reluctant writers. I’ve registered on Gloster and am currently experimenting with it. Here’s a summary of what I have learnt so far during our course.

Module 4

I found this module really interesting and again got lost in time exploring these areas on the net.
I already use YouTube in the classroom as you can always find something to add to your lessons to engage the children. We were recently writing persuasive texts on whether animals
should be kept in captivity or not and used YouTube clips of people experiencing encounters with dolphins in the wild and in captivity. The clips sparked off great discussion and terrific debating
amongst  the children. YouTube, podcasts and videos give us the opportunity to bring the world into our classrooms and make learning real.
I found the Animoto site very easy to use but a fairly slow process however it was great to see the finished product.
I found some very useful clips and sites on School Tube and Teacher Tube and will definitely be using Storynory during our C.A.F.E. reading. I also loved the art lessons on Schools World TV.

Module 3

I watched the videos on using Google docs and found them very useful and easy to follow. I can see a great advantage in using the docs in our planning as there are 6 members in our 3/4 team and communication is really important as we work very closely in an open plan school. Being in a job share this is going to be a great asset as my partner and I will be able to work on the same documents even though we're in different places at different times. I've up loaded all our term 2 planners so know I can assess them at home without having to email them to myself or save them on a USB stick
Also no more printing, wasting paper and wasting time.

Module 2

I really enjoyed this module and spent hours reading other peoples blogs before I made mine. I found Anna Gripton's blog interesting and totally agreed with her article about creativity being neglected in the classroom as we no longer have time for it in our busy schedules.
I found making the blog really easy as the format I used was simple and easy to follow. I think this is adequate for recording my own thoughts for this course however I will use Global 2 when I set up a class blog which I can't wait to do now that I have seen how useful they can be in allowing students to express themselves and interact with the school community.
My challenge will be to find out more about the Global.2 blogger and create a resourceful blog that I know my children will thoroughly enjoy and love working on.

Module 1

The first module of the Web 2.0 course has certainly opened my eyes to the potential of the internet. I wasn't aware of the enormity of it and really enjoyed watching the videos and visiting the recommended sites. My family are wondering what has happened to me as I have become permanently attached to the ipad.
While at first feeling a bit daunted at the task ahead of me  I am now excited by the prospect of becoming more familiar with the resources that are available to myself and my students and gaining the insight to use my new understandings in the classroom.
I signed into igoogle and designed my page which I am using in the classroom each morning so the children have something new to read at the beginning of the day. I also started a  Twitter account and joined the Contemporary Learning ning.
My challenge will be to organize and use the resources I have found in my teaching and pass on these new skills to my students.

Welcome to my first blog page that I will be using to share my thoughts about the Web 2.0 course I have just begun with my colleagues at St Mark's. I am delighted that it has actually worked as my experience with social networking is very limited however that is all about to change (I hope) as I embark on my journey through the ever changing internet.