WEEK 3 REFLECTIONS

MY OH MY!! Well this week for me has been a lot easier than last week’s work.  The more hands on is better than reflecting. So this week we were talking about the different tools here’s what I thought about them.

WIKI

Ok so my thought on the wiki is I really don’t like them. For me when we were doing the hat activity in class I lost interest because everyone was over righting every ones work, because we were all attempting to go on at the one time. So If I was to use this technique in class I would be afraid that my students to would lose interest in the activity. There might be good things about a wiki but so far I’m not a fan. I do like how you could do small group work activities and work together getting every body’s inputs. Wiki is more a sharing site. You share your ideas and answers. It allows everyone to have their own say

BLOGING

Oh dear has this been a stressful subject. Blogging is going to be a very useful tool as a teacher. Students can upload work assignments and have not only the teacher but also other students give constructive criticism. The only problem for me so far with blogging is just getting use to it. But put that aside and you have a great learning tool. Students can use their imagination and connect with so many other people. Just keeping an eye on who your students are communicating with would be my main concern and keep an eye on what is being uploaded. It is a journal style tool so students have the ability to have their say and make their own opinions up. They have the chance to get ideas and become inspired by other students work. As they learn something new they post how they feel about it and what their opinion is. I know I would use this in my more mature class rooms, so students can reflect on what has been happening in class. It will also give a clear idea on what stage a student is at. As a teacher you can see if what your teaching is actually getting through to the kids.  Its also a great way for a student to get feedback from their class mates and also give feed back.

CREATING A WEBSITE

Making a website is so far my favourite tool; I can see myself as a teacher using this function. The imagination and creativity that students will be able to express is exciting the information that can be learned will be so useful and never ending. Using a web site in school activities is such an engaging activity. A major point that students will need to understand is the copy right plagiarism and referencing. Making sure also you as a teacher monitor what is being uploaded. Creating a web site is so easy and can be so creative. You have the opportunity to upload pictures videos and web links. You can use a website as a learning tool in any grade level sharing information on line so the students can access it or even showing links to education games.

For all these tools listed above they have something in common you need Internet access. Most schools have Internet access and even most students have phones. You just need to look at what resources you have and what you can use. Not all schools have enough computers for every student to access.