Module 4

Animoto was great fun - I've pointed my students at this, it really lifts a slide show!

I really like the idea of podcasts.  My philosophy is to have them no more than 2-3 minutes long so they fit on a playlist like a song.  I've made them myself as summaries of work covered for revision.  I've also allocated 2 paragraph sections of a chapter to my class and had each of them make a 30 sec audio clip which we've spliced together and shared.  I really like the idea that they can be listening whilst on the bus, or anywhere just like music.

It's amazing how often I hear "if you want to learn anything, just look on Youtube".  As a resource collection for teachers it's unsurpassed.  I've been using Youtube for a little while and I just think there's so much you can do with video - screencasts to cover theory and tease apart tricky concepts, "celebrity" videos to showcase student achievements, and videos to see the world with the eyes of the scientist.  Youtube is so great for making sharing easy - no need to worry about file formats and compatability, just send or embed a link and it just plays wherever you want.  Because they're so accessible, Youtube videos can have a life beyond just your classroom and extend your reach as an educator.

Module 3

I really like Google Docs - I remember dreaming of something like this when I was doing group work for my Dip Ed!  I played around with it and shared 2 links with my homeroom class.  One was a drawing to come up with a class artwork.  As happens, everyone was soon overwriting each other's work, with little left at the end.  I'll have to rethink this approach!

The other use of Google Drive was with a form.  This was great.  A couple of questions on holiday plans generated a spreadsheet full of answers.  I could really use this in the classroom as a way of collecting results, opinions, information.

In the background I've been working away at Twitter.  I think I'm warming to it, particularly as a way of accessing a lot of new online resources.  I've downloaded Tweetdeck and set up columns to follow #scichat, #teachwithtwitter, #ceomweb2, #ceoelearn.  There seems to be interesting snippets arriving each day...lots to play with.  I haven't figured out quite how I'd use it in the classroom yet.

Module 2

OK, I've managed to create a Twitter account from home.  At the moment it's blocked at school.  After much deliberation I selected 5 people to follow, then had to find 5 more famous ones.  My account was immediately flooded with messages - I unfollowed these last famous 5!  Found the @ceosydweb2 group to follow also (is there a Melbourne version?).

I use Edmodo in the classroom and have been excited by the "Discover" function that it provides in suggesting sites and resources of interest.  I sense that Twitter may do this kind of thing at a frenetic pace so I'm both eager and aprehensive to see how I handle the flood of information!

Module 1

My first post for the Web 2.0 Online Course

After a slow start I've managed to get through Module 1.  The time commitment is a bit intimidating, but I've put the Web 2.0 course link front and centre on my browser toolbar, so I'm hoping seeing it will trigger me to jump on when I have a moment.

I am looking forward to learning more about the online environment - particularly to see what all the fuss about Twitter is about.

We created staff blogs at school a while ago, and I'm not even sure where mine is now.  I'm hoping this blog will be more active, however, looking over the huge list of teacher testimonial blogs I can see mine will be just another drop in the ocean.  I'll be keen to find out how to locate useful blogs...