Final Reflections

The journey is over...temporarily! Over the past few months I have slowly unravelled the mystery of the digital revolution that has caught everyone by storm, only now I am in the eye of it! I now need to step out with confidence from the calm and into the digital technology spiral that now engulfs me...bring on next year! I am looking forward to exploring new ways to incorporate what I have discovered into the classroom next year. The course has given me new insights to how learning needs to be diversified and engaging for students using their "talk"...I understand that children are quick to grasp new technologies...I just need to give them the opportunities to use it!

Module Five

It is almost the end of the year and I am just about there in finishing a unit on Visual Ventures...the children have been enthralled by investigating the history of animation and have used a variety of mediums of digital storytelling to gain a better understanding of visual literacies. Where would I be without YouTube! This form of digital storytelling has provided rich learning experiences for the kids, generating valuable discussions and providing insights to the techniques of advertisers, video-editors and photographers in ways they try to deliver their message.
We also used Adobe Premier Elements in developing profiles of students from Kindergarten to Year Six...this was long and tiresome to say the least! The general consensus is that I-Movie is a better tool!

Module 8

Finally I am familiar with something from the "fast and new way"...Google Reader!
When I set up my IGoogle account a few months back, I recognised the various features of this tool and have set up a RSS Feed there.
I now understand the concept of the news coming to me rather than me having to discern from the millions of websites or blogs what I want.
The SMH breaking news and DailyTelegraph I subscribed to today...it is the only way I can keep up with what is happening in the world!

Module 9

There is definitely value in having Scootle to access educational objects to assist with the teaching learning program.
I have finally succumbed to the social pressures of joining Facebook...all due to a cousin who wanted to make contact with a long distance relative! After experiencing a school reunion as recent as the weekend and everyone asking if I was on Facebook, at least I was able to say I was...now I just have to use it!
I can't really see the value of me working with Education in Second Life...mind you, I used an excellent resource from this to assist with developing my students' knowledge of discrimination and ostracisation.
Twitter in plain English tutorial is an excellent summary of this social networking tool...I think I like the idea of having only 140 characters to record a comment!
As for the relevance of using Facebook or Twitter in the classroom, I am yet to be convinced...I need to be more proficient myself before I even dare step in this direction.

Module 10

The digital taxonomy map from Bloom's is a great model which can assist teachers in planning higher order IT tasks.
I need to explore the concept of Wikis in more detail. I have started by joining cogdogroo wikispace...at least this is a start!

Module 7

Today I explore how delicious "Delicious" really is! The social networking tool is an excellent way to keep a track record of the websites and links that are of educational value that can be shared with your colleagues.
I am able to save other people's ideas into my own delicious account.

Module 6 - Bubbl.us and Glogster

What a session! This took forever to do!
I can see the benefits of using Bubbl.us - it is very similar to the program "Inspiration" and "Kidspiration". It is definitely a tool that is useful for students to brainstorm ideas about treated concepts.
As for Glogster, I anticipate that the students will love it! Definitely worth trying! Unfortunately when I attempted to post this poster onto my blog, it took forever and it took up enermous amounts of space.