Final Reflection

Wow, I can't believe that I've just about finished the web 2 course. I'm really pleased I did the course- it's opened me to more web tools that I've started using with my special needs students (I'm a special needs teacher.)
Seeing the students (and me!) working with bubbl.us, glogster, wordle, scootle, flickr, youTube, blogs and wikkis was proof that web 2 tools do assist in learning outcomes for students. These tools add another source of learning based on the elearn notion. They make learning exciting, engaging, evolving and encourage enthusiasm as addressed in  eLearning. 
I think the ilearn skills of questioning, critical thinking, creative thinking, etc. are embedded in  Bloom's Digital Technology model The Bloom's/ilearn revised model is helpful in programming in the respect that it caters for all learning styles and so challenges and engages all children. I'd probably put mindmapping in the Analysing skill, flickr in the Creating skill and secondlife (I love that!) in the Understanding skill. They'd overlap I'm sure.
Certainly the world is a small place when using web 2 tools. Anything, Anytime, Anywhere! No longer do teachers and students have to rely on paper and pen to communicate knowledge and ideas. Put it on a web page and all can see. Parents, communities, friends all over the world can see at a glance what you want them to see. A great means for students to take ownership of their learning!
I'll sign off for the last time. Thanks to my fellow web2ers at St. Luke's who met each week and supported each other.

Module 10

I'm in the process of setting up a wikki for my students. I love the way it works for the children- the notion that each student can contribute to the familiar topic by sharing ideas that are available for all to view instantly. Who would have envisaged this when I went to primary school?  Because the topic is the focus of a wikki, students can work collaboratively and produce amazing ideas and information on the topic. I'm beginning my wikki by assigning each child a part of the task which they will contribute to the group wikki.
A ning seems more of a community based web tool. It's a great support network for groups of people to share ideas, information and resources. I have now joined  the St. Luke's school community that are part of the iLearn ning. It's interesting exploring this site.
Web 2 can assist in improving learning outcomes for all students by providing a variety of web based tools that engage, excite, motivate and stimulate all types of learners. The manner in which these tools are presented allows all  learners to  access the curriculum and beyond by providing visual, audio and interactive learning experiences- experiences that can be life long.

Module 9

I've been a fan of scootle for a few years and regularly use it with my students. The learning paths are a fantastic digital curriculum  resource and can be shared with others It's also fairly easy to navigate, so not too time consuming when looking up a particular topic. The activities cater for individual learning styles- audio, visual, etc.- especially beneficial for my special needs students.
I can't believe Second Life!!!??? It's amazing! I don't need to keep saving for my overseas trip, I can visit the places I've been dying to see online! But it really does seem to be a great web based tool to give students  insight into certain areas of learning. To be able to create a 3D virtual environment where students can experiment with colour and text and manipulate their surroundings is a stimulating means of learning. I can see it being used with high school students more than our primary children. However, I intend to have a further play with it and try to visit Antarctica with my year 6 students.
I had some help when looking at the social networking sites. My experience with Facebook is limited, but through my daughters' Facebook page I can access photos and news of family overseas- the world is a small place! I got an insight into Linkedin through a friend who runs her own business. She relies on this site for her  professional networking. Twitter comments are very entertaining (and short). They certainly add more interest to a TV program when comments from the viewers are on display on the bottom of the screen.

Module 8

I found it beneficial to set up an RSS feed on my google reader. It's a great way to access favourite websites and save time navigating the internet. I wouldn't use it with my students, I would use it as a personal resource. It's a useful tool for subscribing to various educational sites and continuously having access to them at a glance.

Module 7

I had heard of "delicious" before, however I had never used this site. I found it to be a great bookmark tool. Once logged in you can import favourite sites  from anywhere. It's an efficient way of collecting resources and grouping them by tags. I would use this as a class resource  by creating a class log in and giving the students  these resources at their fingertips. My only criticism of delicious is that it isn't as colourful as the previous web tools we've seen in previous modules.
I commented on a friend's blog- not as difficult as I thought. It was satisfying to get instant feedback, as a group of us do the web 2 course together on Thursday afternoons.

Module 6

I can see the advantages of using the search engine, flickr, in the classroom. It would definitely be a prompt for visual literacy and Art lessons. The ability to store images and photos within given headings makes a great resource for teachers. It would prove valuable as these could be shared from class to class, school to school, etc. The fact that flickr photos are legal is a bonus!
Before allowing the students to upload their own photos, I think it would be necessary to do some background teaching on the suitability of the image they choose and  the fact that once uploaded, the image could be seen by many. The tagging aspect concerns me. Flickr used by students would have to be closely supervised.

Module 5

Some useful web 2 tools found in this module. Bubble.us is a great mind mapping and brainstorming tool for use in the classroom. I will definitely use this with my students. Firstly as a means of displaying the group's brainstorming ideas in a central location for all to view.Then students could work in pairs and individually to present research information under sub headings.

I found  glogster a very beneficial means of electronically displaying information collected on a topic. The beauty of glogster is that it allows for choice in the way information is  presented, students can be as creative as they wish. A variety of information is presented in a succent display.  I am in the process of developing a page on "Antarctica" to use with my year 6 students. Their gathered  research and information can then be available for all to see on the class wikki.  Glogster could also be used as an introduction to a topic for students.