Module 10 - Learning Communities, Constructing Knowledge Together in Wikis

Well i've finally reached the end of WEb 2.0 and what a huge learning curve it has been. I've discovered so many features out there on the world wide web that have been hiding right in front of me for so long. I have so much more confidence and a massive bank of resources and ideas for my teaching practice and surviving life in the modern world in general now.
I've really enjoyed this course and although at times it has been time consuming it has more than made up for that in terms of the rewards given back in new knowledge and skills.
I feel I still need to do some more research on the use of Wiki's and blogging although I feel I may have stumbled along these in the past and not known what they were called or how to engage with them.
It's been fantastic watching the learning of my collegues and those on line through their ongoing blogging. It adds a human dimension to this big infinite technological space.

I like the digital Bloom's Taxonomy as a way of leading us to ensuring our students are engaging in a variety of IT skills necessary for them in this modern world. With so many resources available and free to students, no child is dissadvantaged and so many options are open up to both the students and us as educators.

Module 9 - Networks on the web, professional and social

So Module 9 is nothing new for me but it's always good to go back and revise what you've already done before.
It was useful looking through the scootle user guide and i'll have to do some more research on setting up good learning paths that are easy for Kinder students to follow. This may be difficult as present there were not a great deal of easy-to-follow-no-teacher-assistance-needed activities for little people, mostly aimed at middle to upper primary students.
Facebook needed absolutely no research what so ever as i'm a self confessed addict - not interested in twitter as it seems to be a massive time user and I've not got time in abundance.

Module 8 - Managing your flow of information on the Internet

This module looked at Google reader and RSS feeds - a format for delivering regularly changing web content ie news sites, chat sites, blogs, etc.

I found this very useful as a time saving resource for myself in terms not needing to hunt down information but having it sent to me at regular updates.

This could be useful in the classroom for older students to get information on current affairs or topic specific information for research and course information.

It's great that I now know what the RSS icon means as I've seen regularly on webpages but I realise that subscribing to too many pages could lead to an information overload and not so much of a time saver after all.

Module 7 - Building online communities

This module involved the introduction and set up of delicious a social bookmarking sight. I am already familiar with this site having had used it for the past six months, a tip passed on to me at a numeracy network meeting.

I find this site extremely useful as it means that sights I have bookmarked are available from any computer not just the one I bookmarked it on. Working in a school were there are numerous computers I frequently have access to and use, this is very helpful and a great time saving device.

It's fantastic to be able to share bookmarks with colleagues so that all the time and effort we put into behind the scenes preparation can be easily benefited by many others.

It was great to have a sneak at other Web 2.0 participants blogs and see how others are enjoying the experience. I posted several encouraging remarks to my peers which I hope are pleasantly received.

Module 6 - Creating and Communicating online

In this module we were introduced to the website bubbl.us which showed us a mind mapping tool which was extremely user friendly and a useful tool for classroom use. I especially like the fact that, like google docs, the document can be a collaborative activity shared among participants, a useful feature for the modern day classroom.

I experimented with this tool using

my current class theme as seen to

the right. I realise how useful it can

be in the primary and higher grades -

too many words for little Kinders.

Glogster - What a fun and creative outlet for learning. The possibilities for student use is endless and a perfect arena for those artistic students and the ones who just don't conform to traditional classroom learning. What a fantastic alternative to the poster project and good ol' fashioned book report. Endless possibilities for the classroom and the home school connection to foster an enthusiasm for learning.

GlogsterEDU would be a useful tool for whole class use too.

Module 5 - Digital Storytelling

Over the last two weeks I have delved into the world of pod/vod casts and digital storytelling.

Podcasting I am very familiar with and will soon have the resources to be able to do this adequately in my own Kinder classroom. Vodcasting still requires a little research and a whole lot of time to find what is relevant to my and my classes needs.

The digital storytelling I am most impressed with, especially my own creative geniusness!! Below is a little video I put together to show my class about our recent visit to the local farm.

I enjoyed looking through the resources available on Teacherstube, Teacher's TV and of course you tube. The resources are almost limitless and it takes time and a discerning eye to find the material that is most relevant.

I enjoyed this module and found it extremely relevant and useful.

Module 4 - Flickr

Originally uploaded by jo2104

The topic for this module was Flickr. At first I was skeptical that it could live up to it's expectations but after some exploration I'm extremely in danger in turning into the local paparazzi just to get some more photos to upload. The tutorial was extremely helpful as was having access to Atomic learning to be able to fine tune certain aspects. I love the fact you can add a map of where you have taken photos and this is a tool I will use in the future even if just for searching for some inspiration in my own photographic adventures. The fun things to make and do will keep me entertained for hours once I take lots more photos and add them on. I've always wanted to create one of those photo coffee table books and now the means are at hand. On the copyright issue side of things I can see the need for caution. I myself was extremely cautious about which photos I've taken would be alright to upload. I feel that it may be polite/necessary to seek permission from the subjects in the photos before putting them on the web for all to see. I can see where there is a great need for education before encouraging students to freely use this resource. Here is a sample of the photo set I created in Flickr. It shows the process of building our frog friendly (hopefully) pond.

Module 3 - Google docs

Module 3 was about the use of google docs. These were very simple to use as they were set up similar to Microsoft office. The benefit of using google docs is that it is very easy to share with others as well as allowing others to edit your document without physically needing to be with that person. I see that as a huge advantage for education in the modern world and something I could use in the near future as I get deeper into furthering my own education with my TESOL course.

Module 2 - Blogs

I've finally discovered what BLOG means - web logs! Amazing. Blogs are great if you have the time and I can see that they could be an extremely useful tool in teaching students with the use and integration of ICT skills. It was useful to see the many examples of peoples' different blogs and blogging styles and I look forward to advancing my own blogging skills in the near future.

Module 1 - iGoogle

Hi I'm Joanne. Today we gathered in our group for Web2.0. We all happily completed module 1 with loads of fun and discussion about what we have decided to add to our igoogle home page. There was much disappointment when it was discovered that bejewelled was not able to be played at work - the competition will need to be continued at home (non working hours).
Vicki gave us all a great suggestion to add font of the day as we can save these to our computers quite easily for future use. We all set up gmail accounts, created gadgets, joined the wetpaint wiki page and wrote our first blog. Well done team!!.