Finito!!!

I can't believe I'm there!!! It has been a struggle sometimes to find the time to keep up with the activities and I did think at one stage I wasn't going to make it. However, I managed to persevere and have found it extremely interesting and rewarding. being technologically challenged in many ways, this course has given me a good foundation on which to explore further. Some tools I found useful and can definitely see myself using if not in the classroom then at least in my own life. other tools I probably won't bother with, but it is good to know more about them. I have really enjoyed the challenge and would like to go back and really become more competent at using some of the useful things I have learnt. Thank you for the opportunity!

Activity 22# Audio Books / Activity 23# Downloadable Media

Audio books are a great asset for a variety of reasons. I used them quite extensively two years ago when I had a blind student in my Year 3 class. I was able to supply him with a copy of the book that his group was studying so that he was able to participate in the same activities as his sighted peers. I have also used them as part of serial reading to the class which the students enjoy as a change from listening to my voice all the time. They are useful as part of a Listening Post activity for a small group of children with a specific focus. This year, I have an intellectually disabled student who loves nothing more than to sit in his special chair with his headphones on and listen to Dr. Suess!!
I can see the value of e books with regard to their convenience. Also the huge variety of free material available opens up the world to people who otherwise might not have access to such material. However, I still love to curl up in a chair with a good book and turn the pages to enter into another world! Guess I'm showing my age! They have enormous potential for use in the classroom. However, this is dependent on having the resources to fund such a venture! It will be quite a while before my school will be able to afford the technology.

Activity #21 You Tube & Teacher Tube

We have been using both these sites in the classroom for some time. There are so many good clips available on both sites which can be used effectively in the classroom. We have interactive whiteboards in all our classrooms and the teachers have access to You tube. (the children don't). We are able to show them short presentations on a huge variety of topics linked to every area of the curriculum.
I also like the fact that I can look up anything and find a "How to..." demonstration. I have found that especially helpful!!

Activity # 20 Podcasts

There are so many podcasts to explore and such diversity!! I have been listening to Podcasts through iTunes and quite enjoyed it. I liked exploring some the 15 podcasts which make you smarter - some interesting ones in this lot. I found Grammar Girl quite informative! I really enjoyed the Amazing Presentation - It really was amazing!

Activity #19 Rollyo

This activity didn't really gel with me. I experienced some difficulties and ending up getting a bit frustrated. It did seem to be similar to other things I have encountered in this course. I can see its value from the point of view of students conducting their research in a variety of areas and it is handy to have all the resources in one place. I might persevere with this and explore it a bit further when I have more time.

Activity #18 Wikis

I have used wikis before and found them quite useful. Last year I set up a wiki page for my Yr 2/3 class for them to use during our Science unit on chemical change. It was very handy to follow the children's experiments, reflections etc. as well as giving them an opportunity to read what their peers had written and make a comment. They (as well as myself) enjoyed the experience. We are currently using one for our unit on "Endangered Animals" called "Dying to Survive."

Activity #17 Delicious

I have had a great time exploring this site! I can see its usefulness in the classroom for sorting through the myriad of web sites available and getting some sort of order out of the confusion. I used it to sort through sites I need for my current integrated unit under different tags including interactive, fact sheets etc. I can see myself using this tool quite a lot. I am going to then use what I have found to post on to our class "Myclasses" page for the children to have easy access.

Activity #15RSS & Activity #16 Subscribe

Spent quite a bit of time exploring different sites to determine which ones I want to subscribe to. I can see how this could save lots of time especially when I am looking for approrpriate sites to use with my students. It's great to be able to find them all in one place and have immediate access. I will certainly use this more often.

Activity #13 & Activity #14 Social networks

I found both My Space and Facebook interesting sites to explore. I had never actually got on to either before although I had heard a great deal about them. I set up my facebook page but I must admit I'm not comfortable using it. I think it has to do with my age. I would much rather ring a friend or talk to them face to face. Also, I worry about the privacy part of this. I know you can screen who you allow access to, but in today's high tech world, someone always seems able to circumvent this in some way. We had a cyber safety talk at school for our primary school children, staff and parents which was most illuminating. One thing I learnt from this is you need to keep checking who you allow access to your page on a regular basis, as it reverts to the default public view every so often and you may not be aware of this - as many people aren't. I also joined up to Twitter! I liked the idea of getting breaking news as it happens. As a result of doing this course I have lots of new accounts. I hope I can keep track of them all!!!

Elvis and Presley Activity #12 Flickr

Elvis and Presley, a photo by cadmanof50s on Flickr.

Loved this picture of Elvis & Presley!!!
I have a cute little dog just like this.
Enjoyed playing around with this site although it took me a while to work out how to connect to my blog. However, I finally succeeded and feel quite proud of myself!

Activity 11# Library Thing

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this site as I love books. It was really good to put in my favourite authors and discover there were a few of their latest novels i was unaware of. I will be heading to my local library to see if i can borrow them soon!. i like the idea of being able to chat with like minded readers about favourite authors and sharing my thought with others. Will definitely explore this site further in the future!

Activity 10 # Image Generators

After quite an effort I finally managed to post this image! Creating the image was fun, but I found it difficult to actually post it to my blog. I think I'm technologically challenged at times!! I am going to play around with this a bit more when I have time and discover its secrets.

Activity 9# Virtual Worlds

As I have a Mac, I was not able to access Second Life etc. but I did have a look at World of Warcraft. The whole idea does worry me a bit in that I can see how it could become addictive for some people to the point that they may use it to escape reality. Once it became an obsession then the virtual world would become much more appealing than the humdrum life of everyday living. On the other hand, it could be stimulating and challenging in many ways. I think it's all about maintaining that balance. like most things in life. It isn't really my cup of tea, but I can see how it might appeal to some people.

Activity 8# iGoogle

I have just played around with iGoogle and thoroughly enjoyed myself!! What a great idea! I have set it up as my home page as it has all my favourite sites within easy reach. The waether, news, recipes, books etc. all there at the click of the mouse! it will save me lots of time in the future... I hope!

Activity 5# Google Docs.

I did not know about this site and its applications. It was very reading, but it took me awhile to get my head around it. I can see its usefulness from a collaborative point of view, but I don't know how it would work in my workplace as not many people would know how to use it. It could be interesting to experiment with it and see how it goes! I will need to go back to this site to get a better understanding of all its possibilities and try out a few things.

Activity 7# Google Books

As I am an avid book reader, I was very intrigued with this site! I especially loved perusing the magasines section and got quite lost in reading some of these. Although I did get a little frustrated in that you could only gain access to parts of some reading materials. I loved that you had such a large supply of different reading matter and access to so much material! However, I still like to actually browse through a bookstore, hold the book in my hands and flick through the pages - it literally gives me a "feel" for the book. It would take away some of the pleasure to read it on my phone or Ipad. However, that's me and i guess I'm old fashioned and behind the times in that regard. I will certainly revisit this site when I want to explore the latest listings of my favourite authors.

Activity 6# Google Maps

I've justed explored Google Maps in more depth. I have used it before but didn't realise all the functions that you could use, especially the fact that you can edit and add. That was most interesting. I wonder how old the photos are? Our lawn looks very dry, so it must have been long before we received the deluge of rain we have since had as now it is very green. I have also used Google Maps for directions as we do not have a Satnav. However, I have also discovered that sometimes their directions leave a lot to be desired as we have been directed to an area only to discover a paddock between us and our destination!! or a dead end street - the destination in clear view but no way to get there! It has been very interesting at times!! However, overall, it is a very useful tool and one I would like to explore even further when i have the time.

Activity 4 Web2.0

Being quite ignorant of what Web2.0 was all about, I found this activity quite interesting and it has taken me some time to digest all the information. I like the idea of the user interacting with the learning environment rather than just being a "sponge" and soaking up information. It opens up so many avenues of exploration and involvement not only with the information but also those involved with the collection of data and processing of the information. It is as if the world is actually at your fingertips and you are able to access information not only from the past but also the present!!

Here I am!!

Hello Everyone,
I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Trish McKenzie and I'm a teacher at St. Philip's in Blackburn North. I'm really looking forward to learning so much about using the internet and trying to keep one step ahead of my students!!! Although I think that might be quite a challenge - even though they are only Yr. 3 and 4 students.
Regards
Trish