The power of images

I came across this beautiful image using Flickr, I have always felt comfortable using technology for miscellaneous purposes, it is only now that I realise how much of an impact it can have on today's children and the endless uses it has in the classroom. This image caught my eye and it made me want to explore it further. I automatically think of using this in a classroom context, it could be the hook or the engaging tool for the beginning of a unit on Australia's wildlife. Learning styles also come into mind, caters for all but mostly visual learners. Images play an important role in everyday living, giving a visual stimulus won't only engage student's but will ultimately enhance rich learning experiences.

Powerpoint Vs Prezi

PowerPoint is a tool that can be used to present and share information in a creative and dynamic way. When presenting information using powerpoint in the classroom it is important not to rely on the slide show itself, but to use it as a teaching tool to engage student's and tune them in for 10 to 15 minutes max! This tool can be used for any topic in the classroom which brings more depth to the lesson and subject being learnt. Throughout this course I have explored multiple online tools for the purpose of using them in the classroom, I came across http://www.prezi.com/ which is a free presentation tool. I have explored prezi and it is absolutely FANTASTIC! You can create a presentation by using one background, once you have placed images, text, audio and moving images it zooms, flips, moves around like you are controlling where to look and has a 3D feel to it. Children would love to create their own presentation and understand the purpose of presentations using Prezi because it's just that more interesting and animative then PowerPoint. If I had to choose between PowerPoint and Prezi, hands down Prezi would be the tool I would give my student's the opportunity to use. Prezi has opened up new and exciting ways to conduct effective and creative presentations, GO PREZI!

Websites

This may look like a concept map, however, it is suppose to be a SWOT analysis of a website I created using weebly.com. Weebly.com is where you can create a website for free, www.kadeeclelland.weebly.com. It is different from the other web tools we have been using such as Blogs and wiki's, why? Because you can decide what content is to be posted and no one else can change it except you. I attempted to make a SWOT analysis of it's effectiveness in the classroom, I think it is much safer then a wiki because no one can access and post inappropriate material. Although, there are some weaknesses that I believe may be a factor, simply that the information is available to be viewed anywhere, anytime. I see this in all web tools, howver, they can be utilised by making sure they are safe and secure for students to operate and learn from.

Can anyone add to my SWOT analysis?

Is there a site that anyone knows where you can create an online SWOT analysis?

Concept Mapping

I have created a concept map which focuses on topic one, week one. I used an online tool called bubbl.us which helps create clean and easy-to-read concept map surrounding any topic of your choice. Online concept mapping tools are valuable for information organisation, chunking and linking for transfer to long-term memory. I believe that online concept mapping is extremely beneficial for all students and their learning styles because it gives student's the opportunity to construct knowledge for themselves by organising learning content into a clear, concise concept map. Bubbl.us was quite easy to use and navigate which I think will help with the teaching process and student's understanding of how to use it. Another great feature of Bubbl.us is that you can save your work and edit later, this is great for student's learning as they can add to their already learnt knowledge. Bubbl.us can be used for any subject or topic in the classroom and is a wonderful tool to share!

"F" is for Fodey!

I have been playing around with a few of the recommended websites and they are so much fun, I spent hours (ok, maybe 15 minutes) using this website and others that are to the left of this screen. I'm interested to view more websites as this course progresses. Does anyone have cool/awesome websites to share? Have fun 'fodeying'!

Image Courtesy of fodey.com

Blogs, Blogging and Blogger!

A Blog is basically a online journal or diary. The activity of updating a blog is called "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "Blogger". Blogs are usally updated daily where the author Blogs about interesting topics happening in the world, general information or a particular area of interest. A Blog can comprise of text, images, hyperlinks, video, audio and other files. To create a Blog is free and anyone, anywhere can have one. Personally, I have had a Blog for one day and I have already learnt a lot from other students posting ideas, websites, videos, tips and tricks of the trade! Applying this tool in a classroom conext I think is a great way to get all students involved, activly learning and communicating ideas and understadings about the topic that is being focused on. Blogs are great for anyway you wish to use them!

Image Courtesy of wordpress.com

Week One

It feels good to be back! To start off, this subject was a little confusing with words such as 'RSS' and 'Blog' being thrown around, however, I feel confident using the Internet and different types of technology and have used it in a classroom context. Looking at the course profile I feel I will learn a lot for my future career as a teacher. I'm looking forward to learning new things about blogging, virtual classrooms and using the tools that have been given on the moodle website!