Weebly

This is a great tool that I have always thought about but didn't know how to get it. I would defiantly use this in the classroom especially in the younger years. When doing a research project I would make up a web page with all the information I wanted the students to access, then give them the address. This way I know students are finding the information I want them to find and its all in one place.

Students could even make an online recipe journal where they each add a page to the website, up load photos and add different techniques. I am very excited about this tool, the possibilities are endless.

Its easy to use and the set out is simple. I have set my web page up around week 3 and plan to put all my notes and research into sections of the web page.

My web page

Wiki

My wiki

After playing around with wiki and creating one of my own, I can see how this online tool could be used in the classroom. It would be great for group work, students could communicate about their topic in the one place and post all of their finding. Findings could then be edited moved around, categorised and added to.

I also like the idea about peer editing. Part of an assessment might be to get the students to put their work into a wiki and get other people to comment on their work, editing is also a great skill for students to learn and practise.

One down side I can see with using this tool is that things can easily be removed from a page, this could cause conflict between students. However if monitored closely by the classroom teacher this problem could be eliminated.

The difference Between Wikis and Blogs

Wiki

• Collaborative
• Can be edited by anyone that has access
• Grows fast
• Can have more than one opinion as more than one author
• Subject is constantly being changed and updated

Blogs

• Individual
• One author/one opinion
• One post at a time
• Become old

I found this Clip funny and informative

Harvard Style. (2010). Everything Wiki. Retrieved July, 20, 2010 from:

http://wiki.wetpaint.com/page/wiki+vs+blog

The Big Six

I've decided to use the Bix 6 framework as I like how the Big 6 framework is set out in steps and it's easy to understand. I also like that the focus is on working smarter rather than faster.

This framework could be used in the classroom for research or any other task that requires finding out information. Students can spend hours 'researching' on the internet, however the big 6 helps students work smater rather than faster and focuses onthe process of researching as well as the content.

After some discussion in the Tutorial on Thursday the following features were noted about the Big 6 framework :

• Can be used by individuals or groups
• structured
• focused
• easy to understand
• intrinsic and intuative
• can be transfered into life skills
• futures approach
• decision making
• probelm solving

3rd August 2010

After researching The Big Six framework some more I found that Mike Eisendberg and Bob Berkowits highly recommend this model for problem based learning. They belive that ICT's maximise student learning and have identified ITC's that can be used in each of the six stages of the framework.

There is now a big push to use technology in meaningful ways to organise, communicate, research and problem solve rather than be taught as an isolated subject such as computer class.

concept map

This is my concept map about week one. At first I didn't really like the idea of mind mapping as I didnt really think I had learnt much in week one. I was very surprised as I went through my notes to what I had infact learnt and remembered. I found it really usefull for pulling out key words and important phrases.

Concept mapping could be used in the classroom at the beginning and end of a unit. I would firstly get the students to map out what they already knew about a topic. At the end of the unit I would again ask them to map out what they now know. I would then ask them to compare what they knew, with what they now know, to show to them what they have learnt from studying that particular topic.

Functionality of a blog

After reading Educationa Blogging by Stephen Downes it has opened my eyes to how I could utilising this tool in my own classroom in the future. I especially think the virtual extension of the classroom set up by principal Mario Asselin is a great idea.

Benifits of blogging:

• common intrests shared
• announcements displayed
• if students are away they can see what they have missed out on
• exchange points of view
• everyone in equity
• students can reflect on findings
• everyone else can see it so people will tend to take more care in what they are writing eg punctuation and making sure they have the right facts.
• it gets students writing

I think making blogs part of learning, as this course E-Learning has done, makes students engage in their learning more as they have to continually prove they are engagin with the required course content. Its also reassuring to look at other peoples bloggs to make sure you are on the right track.

This online tool would suite those students that are constructivist as social learning has a large influence on them.

3rd August 2010

After reading Kates blog on the functionality of a blog I like how she explained that allowing students to blog in the classroom will also be teaching them important computer skills. This made me think about a point that was mentioned in our English assignment on visual literacy, about how students knew how to use a programme but didn't understand how elements such as colour and pictures worked together to create meaning. The use of blogs and allowing students to personalise their own blogs with back grounds, inserting pictures etc could be a great way to explain and show how these elements could work together.

Introduction

Hi my name is Justine Watson and I am currently studying Learning Management at CQUniversity. I am currently enrolled in a course called e-learning, which requires the research of different internet tools that can be utilised in the classroom to maximise student engagement.



My blog will consist of reflections into these tools and their effectivness within a classroom context.



I am looking forward to this challenge as I have felt in the past, that some lessons I have taught were not as engaging for the learners as they could have been, had I have known about some of the many tools out on the wid web.