Finito!

I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by - and now the end is here.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and it was with great anticipation that I awaited the weekly emails to find out more about this week's task.  I found tackling the course week by week was a great way to keep up my momentum.  Like everyone else, my work is my time vampire! But I have relished the opportunity each week to do something for myself, to learn something new.  Granted it has benefits to my work as well but the truth is, for some time now I have been feeling quite stagnate not really going anywhere, just doing more of a the same every day.  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and work hard to make their learning experience a memorable one, but personally it just felt like I was in a rut.  It has been amazing to me how one little weekly email can get a spring back in my step and my kids have also loved finding out about all the new things that I am discovering as well.

I have already been back to our librarian to find out if you offered any other courses or what else I might be able to sign up for to keep this momentum going.  I would be every interested to hear if anyone knows of any courses out there that are as informal but as informative.

In conclusion, I found this great image that I think might go some way to capturing what I think this course aims to do - help create teachers who are connected!

I also believe these two short YouTube videos also highlights why, as teachers we need to look to embrace technology and explore and identify what new and exciting tools might be out there to add to, renew and refresh our Teacher Toolboxes to better cater to the needs of today's learners.

One final thought! 

To all of you who share my vocation - best wishes on your journey! And in the words of Albert:

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to

awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

Task #23 - Downloadable Media

Quite frankly, it is hard to imagine a world without downloadable media isn't it?

 

Pondering this I recall a time about 12 years ago when I was planning an art class for my students centred around the work of Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Starry Night'. 

I managed to find an old calendar of his paintings to show my students.  Seeking to further inspire their work, I wanted to play them Don McLean's 'Vincent.  Several visited to a number of different music stores later, I finally found his 'Greatest Hits' album and $15 later I had my inspirational music.  When I think back to this lesson I cannot help but think how far we have actually come.  Now, by entering a few brief words, I can find thousands of web sites, videos, photos, interactive activities. You name it, it is out there!

So what is the point I am trying to make?  Well it is now 12 years later and the world is clearly a very different place. I have every and any resource I could possible imagine at my fingers tips.  There is really no excuse in this day and age for teachers not to access the enormous range of resources out there to enhance their teaching and, in turn, the learning experiences of the children in their care. 

OMG! 
I have just realised the poignancy of my reflection...the children I am teaching today were not born 12 years ago!

Be it images or sound files to enhance an art lesson, the web is full of downloadable media just waiting to be discovered.  Audio books and Magazines; Newspapers; Radio Programs; TV Shows; Movies; Videos; eBooks and Journals; Podcasts; Games- there really is no limit to what you can find, if you take the time to look.

• Interactive website
• An interactive book
• Interactive whiteboard activity
• Powerpoint presentations
• Website to create displayboard size images
• Original Van Gogh Letters
• Van Gogh Quiz
• Van Gogh Podcast
• Free audio reading of Van Gogh's letters
• BBC Video 'The Power of Art' - Van Gogh
• The paintings of Van Gogh set to Don McLean's song 'Starry Starry Night'
• Interactive photo mosaic of 'Starry Starry Night'
• Van Gogh quotes
• Make your own Van Gogh mini book download
• Interactive Exhibition
• Stuck in a Van Gogh painting
• Newspaper article:  Don McLean - why I had to write 'Vincent'
• Don McLean singing 'Vincent'

Of course downloadable media also raises the issue of copyright, and as teachers this is something we need to be mindful of in access and using materials with our classes.  I have alluded to this topic in previous blog entries and confess it is something I am still trying to get my head around.  I have, however, found a couple of resources that might be useful for anyone who also find this aspect of downloadable media a bit of a mind field.  I highly recommended you check out the video 'A Fair-y Use Tale' created by a Professor Eric Faden of Bucknell University as seen on the Stanford University Law School Website.  It really is very clever.  The Australian Copyright website is also worth checking out.  I found their 'An Introduction to Copyright in Australia' quite informative.

Task #22 - Audio books

It amazes me just how in tune the weekly 'How to Web 2.0' emails seem to be with my life!  It is actually becoming quite freaky!!  Only yesterday I was in our library inquiring about an audio version of a book that I was looking to read to my students, thinking that it would be nice for them to, on occasion listen to someone other than me!  As to goes, the library had all the audio books in the series except the one that I was looking for.  Then the clanger...we are apparently getting OverDrive in the College at the beginning of next month!  What the!?!?  I had no idea what they were talking about but now, thanks to this course, I don't need to look foolish in my ignorance any longer.

To be honest, I think it is a terrific concept.  More and more I am finding that many children do not seem to value reading as part of their daily lives, preferring the stimulation of television, gaming or computers to a good book.  Life is indeed becoming increasingly busy and there just doesn't seem to be time any more to just sit back and relax, escaping into the pages of a great story.  Is it that we are busier or a we just getting lazier?  After all using our minds to create the imagined world of the novel takes more effort than the passive input of video as a story telling medium doesn't it?

The use of audio books can be a great way to bring back those reluctant readers.  A happy medium between the book and the video?  Still there is something about the turning of pages isn't there that seems to suck you in.  I remember a book from my childhood that I really loved, primarily because it captured the anticipation that comes from not knowing what lies over the page.

Personally I encourage my students to use an audio book and read or follow along with the book at the same time.  This multi-modal approach has ensure some of my more challenged readers are able to access novels in which the content is of greater appeal and it is most certainly a happy day when they then want to reread the book, find another in the series to read or something else written by the same author.

Funny isn't it, listening posts were always a hit with kids, even when I was young, and as recently as last year I dug out an old set and used it with my guided reading groups.  Low and behold, they were mad for it!  I guess somethings never change and this is just the latest mod-con way of doing it!  Bring it on!!



Found this link to a school embracing the new 'modern listening post'

PS:  In keeping with this week's book theme.  I have only recently found out more about the 'Kindle' reading gadget that appears to be popping up all over the place.  It's implications, and of course that of the iPad,  seems to be marking the beginning of the end of the printed book.  Couple this with the number of bookshop closures in recent months I cannot help but shed a little tear - there is something about the touch and feel of a new, and even a much loved book.  Here's hoping that technology doesn't become the soul holder of our history!

Interesting article about the decline in Amazon printed book sales subtitled - 'Trees happy bookworms sad".
http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/portable-media/amazon-com-now-sells-more-kindle-ebooks-than-printed-books-957410

Also found this interesting link of free ebooks where you can download to iTunes or as mp3 files
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/

Task #21 - YouTube and TeacherTube

I have long been a search fan of YouTube, and to a lesser degree TeacherTube, for videos to use with my Year 6 class.  We are fortunate in the the College were I work has enabled access to both of these resources for staff but they still remain blocked for general student use, for what I am sure we can all agree are some valid reasons.  The debate as to whether or not students should be given access to this site within in school hours is a one largely beyond my control but with the development of sites such as keepvid.com it really isn't that much of drama to download the video and place it in a wiki or the like so that students can access video footage you would like them to see.  I guess though that raises the next issue of copyright and the Internet doesn't it...what a minefield that is.

With sites such as YouTube it is amazing how the ideology of Web 2.0 has really taken off.  It certain is medium through which anyone, anywhere can find their 15 minutes of fame!  The notion that anyone can upload and share with such a massive audience is really quite hard to comprehend.

Currently I am conducting a cyber awareness and safety unit with my class that does actually incorporate the content of one of the video Dione has listed for viewing in this week's break down - Think before you post.  I guess one concern I have about sites such as YouTube is that amount of uploading that occurs without due consideration of the potential future implications of that content.  The same goes for general social networking sites and the photos and videos that are uploaded there as well.  Awareness is the key and there are some great sites out there for kids both young and old, but I have found just even bringing up issues such as these with my students to be eye opening for both them and myself.  I am constantly amazed with just how much my kids are doing online and they are only eleven!  Everyone I speak with says when they think back to being eleven that they are amazed how today's eleven year olds are some more informed and mature than they were.  In my experience, however, the truth is that they are still eleven and are deep down still as trusting as we were when we were eleven.  I have placed the following video that I did find on YouTube and do use with my kids as part of our cyber awareness unit and I can tell you they are just as surprised at how quickly and easily the events unfold as I am sure anyone who views it will as well.

In conclusion, I think YouTube, and other sites like it, are fabulous resources and finding myself dealing with increasing number of visual learners in my classroom I find the ability to vary my lesson delivery and use video to introduce, consolidate or reflect on the lesson content quite powerful.  Truly there is nothing you cannot find on YouTube...if you have the time to search.  Arrhhh, TIME!  The great pitfall of the Internet and Web 2.0 applications!!! 

PS:  If like me time seems to constantly be your challenge when online, I did find a timer that you can set to alert you to the time spent the web can Minutes Please - feel free to check it out!

PPS:  Great to see Sir Ken making the list of this week's videos to check out.  I highly recommend them to anyone who has seen him speak yet!  Another great Ted video you can find on YouTube is below and is presented by Charles Leadbeater.  He looks at the role of technology in education in some of the poorest places in the world.  Definitely worth a look!

Task #20 - Podcasts

Sir Ken Robinson

Most of you have probably heard about the TED series of talks, after all they have been around for quite a while now, well a few years ago, while on school camp, our then Head of Technology Innovation downloaded some TED series talks on to one of our School iPods, along with all the students medical detail etc, for us to take away with us.  At about 2am on the first night, unable to sleep, I checked out Sir Ken Robinson's speech on Creativity and Education.  His message really spoke to me and since that time have been quite the fan.  In tackling this week's activity on Podcast I was keen to see if I could access and more recent interviews or speeches given by Sir Ken Robinson.  I was surprised to find just how much is actually out there.  I have attached a link to the picture of Ken above which will take you to a website that contain two such podcast and would recommend that you check them out.  I would also be keen to hear your views on the topic.

PODCASTS:

What a brilliant way to hear from the best of the best without having to go to all the trouble of filling in countless forms for inservicing and then waiting to find out if the budget allows for you to go!  Granted it is not particularly interactive but I did find myself getting some marking done and a couple of other tasks while I was listening - a definite multi-taskers dream!

I also checked out The Education Podcast Network and found myself subscribing to some podcast RSS feeds (look at me using all this Web 2.0 language!!).  In particular I found the Technology Teacher podcasts informative as he is a Middle Years teacher using this medium with his students.  His very first podcast actually explains what a podcast is which was also very helpful!  He also has a lot of very cool links within his blurbs including this one Tony Vincent's website Learning in Hand  which is also definitely worth a look and is an invaluable reference if, like me, you are a bit of a novice.  The site stepping you through the whole process and it is extremely user friendly!

I also came across a UK Podcast directory for educators that looks quite good, including some global sharing projects.  Have added the link to my blog so that I can back-track the site when I have a little more time to explore. Grammar Girl and Podcast.com [Education] look interesting as well.

I think I could definitely see myself using podcasts, not simply as another teaching tool (though I think the novelty could be most beneficial) but I can also see my students using it with their wiki pages and as part of some assessment tasks...it may even be an option during our public speaking unit in the coming term.  Hum, a few things to consider but the brain is most certainly ticking over.

Truthfully I am finding so much great stuff that is out there, I wonder how I can make it all work inside the classroom but I guess that is the challenge isn't it!  Though if we are to truly educate children for the future that awaits them then we need to find ways to make this 'stuff' happen!!

Task #19 - Rollyo

Rollyo...Roll NO!  So far I am off to a bad start with this week's second task.  I had a very quickly look at the site last night after finishing my post on Wikis but in trying to access the page and register this morning have had NO LUCK!  Just a lovely pop up message reading "Didn't connect - Too many connections".  I am in two minds as to what to make of this - firstly it could be an indicator of the popularity of the site or secondly it could be a cautionary warning of the site's unreliability. Time will tell!



Twenty minutes have since past and I am still unable to access the site!  Not looking good for Rollyo!!

It is now nearly an hour since my first attempt and still no luck.  In the words of Einstein:

Still, be it curiosity or stupidity I will persist, as from what I have been able to read about the site and its functions, this is something that I could see myself using in the classroom.  So at this stage I will save this post as a draft and try again later today - fingers crossed! [12.52pm Sunday 8 May].

Well finally success!  And it is only just after 3.30!

Have just registered for Rollyo and have already been in and have "rolled my own", creating a search for an investigation that we do in Term Four on Antarctica.  I must say, I found it all very easy, once I was able to get into the site.  A few copy and pastes later and I was away!

I have already tried linking to my Rollyo search from my wiki and found that I had to make the search public in order for students to be able to access it, though in hindsight that seem quite logical really!  I really like the way that Rollyo presents the results of each search, very kids friendly.  I also am also a fan of the amount of text provided about each of the search results for the students to read through, a plus in helping them to hone their scanning skills. 

Something that is so simple and easy to use, Rollyo was definitely worth the wait - a resounding yes from me!

Task #18 - Wikis

The use of wikis within the classroom is something that I have dabbling in over the last few years.  In undertaking this week's task, it prompted me to thing back over the role that my class wiki page played within my everyday teaching practise.

Initially I spent a great deal of time setting up the site, focused on how the page would appear to the students and basically using as a storage area from which students where able to again access to documents, relevant educational sites, pictures etc.  Being new to the concept, I was very guarded of the design and layout and extremely reluctant to give students writer access to the site "just in case they did something", of what I am unsure but truthfully it probably came down to me worrying about them messing up my lovely new wiki design.  This is a hard thing to admit now - oh the wisdom of hindsight!

Over the next couple of years, the design of my page began to change as my understanding of how the wiki works at both a technical and educational level has evolved.  I am pleased to say it is now more about student input, collaboration, reflection and interaction with the site and less about the bells and whistle, which, let's face it, look great but slow down access to pages within the site.

I have recently introduced this year's class to our wiki page and they are currently in the process of designing their own page banners using some of the Web 2.0 image generators I discovered as part of Task #10 and they are having a ball! Not only that, they are coming in daily with new sites for me to check out and add to our links page.  I guess that what I have ultimately learnt about the value of wikis - it is less about ME and more about WE!

Time for yet another confession.  In undertaking my journey with wikis, and Web 2.0 in general, I am becoming a little frustrated with the realities of getting my students on computers in order to make the most of these experiences.  It really is getting to a stage where every student needs their own computer access both at school and at home.  The realities are, however, very different and it is this reality that I at times find quite frustrating.  14 years ago I was somewhat reluctantly teaching a Year 6 laptop class.  Pioneer as it was at that time, with all that has transpired over the last 14 years it beginning to emerge as more a necessity than a luxury, especially if we are to truly 'educate' students for the 21st Century!  It's ironic perhaps that I am once again teaching a Year 6 class this year.

One final thought - Wikipedia...great concept but very frustrating to the SOSE teacher in me who is trying to teach my student about sources.  I have many students who predominately use Wikipedia as their primary source of information and first port of call when researching.  Perhaps it is timely that this week's task also accompanies Rollyo, which I am hopeful might provide me with another medium through which to address this issue with my students.  I want my students to appreciate that there is a wealth of information out there and while Wikipedia is great and extremely convenient, with a little effort who knows what they might find to spark their interest and imagination!

Task #17 - Delicious

A year or so our librarian at school put us onto delicious when, due to a rebuilding of the network, most of use lost our 'favourites'.  Since then I have been an avid user, and find the ability to store relevant websites in a central location which I can access from anywhere extremely convenient. 

At school we also use delicious as part of inquiry approach to learning and through our College Resource Centre website students are able to access relevant websites to their unit of study.  These lists are compiled in collaboration between our Resource Centre and teaching staff are a godsend in providing students with a springboard from which to undertake their research.

The downside I have found with delicious is its repeated 'changing of hands'.  Over the Christmas break, delicious was taken over by Yahoo and when I tried to access my account was prompted to create a new Yahoo account.  With already too many accounts to keep track of, I emailed their help desk and was able to acquire a back-door entry to avoid having to sign up with Yahoo.  Then, without warning it happened again.  As recent as last long weekend, I saved a number of websites to my delicious account only to then find on Wednesday when I tried to access the site that they had been taken over by the boys from YouTube.  This time there was no back door option and I had to give permission for my bookmarks to be moved across to, what I can only assume, is their operating system, in order to access them.  Granted the transition was seamless but two changes in four months doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, so I might have to begin investigating what other sites are out there.  Marjie's, of 'Seeking and Finding' blogging fame, suggestion of 'diigo' is intriguing and could provide the solution I am looking for!