Module 5

This module introduced me to some totally new language, such as vodcast and iTunesU. Of course, I have heard about and used iTunes and podcasts, but these extensions to my vocabulary were a bit daunting, until I realised that it was just another attempt to confuse, bewilder and perplex me (not hard to do on any day!!). After all that, I think I have my head around some of the concepts and can identify some of the uses. I hope that if I do narrate a story, I can use my “broadcast voice” and make a professional job of it. Some of the stories narrated on Storynory were a bit exaggerated and sounds gratuitous to me.
Anyway, I am the beginner, so it is easy to hold the big stick- I will eat humble pie later and let you know what else is on the menu!! I loved the Greek Myths section on this site and also the other range of stories from around the world- a really broad selection. Greek myths has been one of my favourite text types to teach in Year 3. The kids really love the whole concept of Greek mythology as it related to DS games and they also love the blood and guts too. This site was one that I have not seen before. I thought I would share part of the Greek "culcha" with you- enjoy!!




I will definitely have a go at developing digital storytelling as I think it is something the kids would really benefit from as another tool for presenting their work and displaying their creativity. I have not used movie maker at all, so this is one area I can definitely develop to use for descriptions in Monster Storms as part of Jason Project work.

Module 4 Reflection

To access Flickr, I needed to open a Yahoo account- this was really easy and I then had fun choosing photos to upload. I am concerned about who has access to these as even though I have selected not limit the audience that can view my photos. I ticked the boxes that limited the audience, but checked after I had selected them and then found that somehow, my selection was unticked!! Maybe it happens in between opening the Flickr page and the final selection of photos.
I decided to use my own photos after viewing the copyright videos. I agree that it is often the request for permission to use another person's work that is the main requirement, but with the availability of images, artworks, music etc and the enormous creativity that people bring to their work, it is a difficult to fulfil all the ethical requrements. The Creative Commons really makes "common sense"! It acknowledges the intellectual and creative ownership of material, but acknowledges that co-authorship can exist, so that some rights and uses of another person's work is permissible.
I looked at some of the images available on Flickr - there are some fantastic photos there and they will be good to access, especially to show the kids digital artworks and some of the "do's and don'ts" of digital photography. The ideas and uses for photos is amazing- I think that the coffee table book would be a great idea for persoal photos of trips, holidays etc. The calendar could be easily used by kids as a gift idea for Father's/ Mother's Day, Christmas, Easter using their work- very personal as a family gift. If you would like to check out a couple of photos, I have added the link here to a fun photo. Happy blogging and Flickr-ing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/macbeth_on_film/4919179757/

Module 3 Reflection

In module 3 I have checked out  the possible uses for Google docs and I can really see the possibilities for me as a teacher as well as the uses for kids.I have experimented with the drawing tools and with a presentation as well- both of which were really good fun. The concept of interaction using google docs seems such a  fantastic concept for me to understand, so I thought I'd better try it out. I had trouble trying to load an image from Google images as I didn't know the URL address. I spoke to Diane and she said she thought I needed to use a jpeg image- I will keep trying.
One of the suggestions that came up when looking at inserting an image was to drag it from the internet- I tried this and it WORKED!! I was very pleased with myself and now have to make sure I can do it again.. you never know these things until you try it for the second or third time. I found that 1 of the images I tried to insert was too big (it was one of my own), but I was able  to insert a 32 sec video- how does that work?? I thought I would open the presentation up as a site for suggestions for a Gold Day for Year 5, so I hope other ideas come flooding in.
I think that google docs could be used by the class as an interactive group activity, especially as differentiated tasks are a big component of the curriculum- it would speed up the collaborative process and allow students to continue to work on presentations etc at home and school. I envisage that through "docs" they would have the opportunity to finish tasks anywhere, rather than waiting for "their turn" at school. The use of different docs for KLA integration seems endless. Now I just need to put some of the great ideas that have been presented, to best use. I know that I can call on my CTK experts to help me anytime, which for me, is the best part- I can bounce around an idea without feeling silly or inadequate. This is the best part of the Web 2  for me!!

Time to find a fun image to insert!!
Thanks for sharing my ramblings! Bye for now. Macbeth

Module 2 Reflection

I now have an understanding of the purpose of blogs- it certainly opens the concept of communication on a completely different level for me personally and also within the classroom. I can envisage that as I learn to use blogging as an educational tool, it will replace some of the things I have been putting on Myclasses. It will also allow constant communication and sharing. I know that some classes upload pictures of the activities in the classroom each day for parents to view- instant ideas!! 

It certainly opens up ideas for researching and using video and YouTube links to enhance learning and sharing. Blogs create feed-back and sharing of responses  through a variety of tools- it is multi-purpose and multi-faceted. I hope that as I develop my  skills, I can share them with others (the kids will teach me heaps I'm sure!).

I love the tools the blogs allow me to use- I aim to add some light entertainment to my blogs and add some pictures and experiment with other tools as I learn and practise them.

Module 1

I have started my Web 2 modules!! I think this will be a rollercoaster journey as I try to navigate through each module and attempt to decipher some of the new jargon that it entails. One thing I have found out already is that you need to share or "lean on" someone. I have been really lucky at my school as Louise and Loretta,  the fabulous organisers, have paired all of the staff off so that we have someone to bounce off. It was wonderful to have some time doing the first module with someone sitting next to you- exclaiming "what does this mean??"

I have set up my iGoogle account and started my blog page, although after seeing some of the beautiful pages that others have done, I want to know more- how can I do that?? I guess that is part of the learning!!

I have loved looking at the use of blogs for kids, especially the art ideas, which I find really inspiring. There are some many talented people around who share their talents and inspiration with us.I hope I can at least use some of these ideas effectively with the kids. It leaves lots of room to work on facilitating learning to a new level.

I think that I can play around with ideas as I develop some of the skills that each module requires. 

Earlier this year, I went down the south coast with some friends- it was the weekend of the tsunami warning- and we took some photos from their back balcony. It is a lovely part of Australia- hope I can add it here as I attempt a new skill!
Talk soon. Macbeth