Week 3

Week three gave us insight on three new ICT tools that were available for free online to us as learning tools. 

VOKI

To the left is a Voki. You are able to access the site and create a Voki to your liking by changing the hair colour, skin colour, eye colour, clothes and even the background. Once you have create your Voki you are then able to add sound. The website gives you the option to type your text and convert it or you are able to record your own voice.

A positive for using this tool in the classroom is that it will provide an interesting break from always listening to the teacher speak. You could be creative with the Voki and design it to fit the subject you were talking about.  

FODEY


The second tool I have utilised is the newspaper clipping, which is provided on Fodey. You are able to create a Title and add appropriate information to the clipping and then generate as a JPEG and use the clip such as I have in a blog. 

The website also allows you to create animated animals and objects where you can also add in the text you would like. 

I have provided a SWOT analysis of using this tool in the classroom in my Newspaper clipping. 

WORDLE

The last tool we discussed in week three is Wordle. Personally, Wordle is my favourite tool so far. You are able to create a simple wordle by adding in all your words and it will sort them then you can change the colours or you can make an advance Wordle (as I have to the left), where you can pick which words will be the largest words. 





The positives of Wordle are:

• It is visually appealing 
• The importand words can be made the biggest. 

The negatives are: 

• It doesn't provide a lot of information
• It is harder for students to be involved in creating them

Interesting aspects are:

• It is a great tool to use around the classroom to assist with learning eg. spelling. 

WEEBLY

As part of our blog this week we were also asked to create a Weebly. I have never used (or heard of one before) so I started with a YouTube clip:

I have added my blog link into my Weebly and had a short look around and you can access it at zaraellaguley.weebly.com. 

WEEKLY READINGS 

Web 1.0 is static until changed by the webmaster and content such as text, video and images can be added. Web 1.0 are known as 'read-only' web content.

Web 2.0 is a read-write site that individuals can publish, share, network and download on. Content such as text, video, audio and interactive images can be added and a toolbar makes it easy to work in these spaces. 

By utilising these tools as a teacher, you are no longer the sole source of learning and students cannot be assumed to have the same core knowledge. The role of the teach has become that of a facilitator rather than expert and learning can now be individualised for each student. 

Blog, Wiki or Website

A website is static and content cannot be changed by students whereas blogs and wikis are owned by students. 

Using Blogs for Learning

A blog (derived from 'web log') can encourage be used to encourage students to record their learning journey, however, educators must consider ways to scaffold student thinking to reflect the learning they are required to demonstrate by using:

• Thinking tools
• Carefully constructed question sequences

Blogs can also be used for assignment construction. 

Plus	Minus	Implication
Enhance learning environment	Other students can post unkind things	Blogging can be informal
Enhance ability to self-reflect	Blogs can be complicated	Incorporates many multi media forms
A new way of submitting assessment	Time consuming	Tasks that are not well conceived become ‘just another task’

Using Wikis for Learning

A wiki is an online space where users and guests can edit, add and remove information using editing tools. 

Some key features of a wiki are:

• Wikis are open and can be edited by anyone as seen fit if permissions allow.
• The structure and text content of the site are open to editing and evolution. A wiki is not static, it is a living, ecological entity.
• Duplication can be discouraged or removed by finding and citing similar or related content.
• Collaboration - A good collaboration tool, both synchronously and asynchronously.

Plus	Minus	Implication
Students can share ideas	Time consuming	Children can use it inappropriately
A new learning tool	Not as fun as a blog

REFLECTION

This week has been a bit of a challenging week for me, learning all of these new tools, especially wikis and weeblys. I am going to use my spare time this week mastering the art of these two learning tools so I can eventually utilise them in my classroom. 

I think all of the tools discussed this week can benefit in one way or another in the classroom if used efficiently. 

References

Weebly Tutorial, TechMindBlow, viewed 19 July 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBdOgTj7x7o

Our Forest Place, How to Blog, viewed 20 July 2013, http://ourforestplace.ning.com/page/how-to-blog

To 13 Web 2.0 Tools, viewed 20 July 2013, http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/top-13-web-2-0-tools-for-classrooms/

Wiki police, viewed 20 July 2013, http://23onastick.pbworks.com/w/page/843153/FrontPage

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