Engaging our students with Web2.0 tools

Teacher delivers content and skills based on government standards Content and skills delivered by the teacher and reflected back by the students Students act as mirrors, reflecting content and skills back to the teacher and assessors School 1.0

Content and skills delivered by the teacher and reflected back by the students. Students act as amplifiers - mining, processing, mixing and remixing content and sharing School 2.0 Content and skills are mined by students who build from the information and raw materials and then share within the class and outside. Teacher models learning and sharing and monitors student work channeling and crafting learning experiences.

Web2.0Web1.0 Read web Search Copy and paste Read write web Personalise - RSS Collaborate Network Publish

“For the first time in history, students are no longer limited by their teachers’ ability and knowledge.” Mark Anderson

Web page of personally generated diaries, photos, poetry, works of fiction, essays, project updates, news, video files, audio files Chronologically arranged information Readers can post comments Links can be made to other web sites Posts are like instant messages to the web What is a blog?

Pros Innovative, cutting edge Fun Fast Easy Archived HOTS Diverse perspectives Collaboration Writing for an Audience Peer review

Cons Opinion May be anonymous No password protection Minimum control Rarely room for large media files Licensing agreements Protocol needs to be established

Class Blogs Publish & archive student work Literacy support Themed discussions Information exchange Showcase

School Blogs School/Class news Events/activities Homework Announcements Parent contact

Sandaig Primary Sandaig Primary - UK Mr Sheehy’s English Class Mr Sheehy’s English Class - Central High School, USA Room 9 Room 9 Nelson Central School

The Diary of Anne FrankThe Diary of Anne Frank BBI Cheyennes’ Science FairCheyennes’ Science Fair BBI Room 2Room 2 Bucklands Beach Primary

Why Blog Improved writing ability Purpose for writing Gives the writer a voice Fosters creativity Connected to a community of people and ideas Engages and empowers Authentic context

Blogs can Provide a centralised place for regular writing practice Allow the teacher and students to comment and provide feedback Create a greater sense of community within a class Give a voice to students who may not feel comfortable speaking in class, or who are overshadowed by more vocal students

What is a Wiki? A website in which content can be created and edited by a community of users

Wikis Build Community Frequent updates help to maintain dialogue with students Wikis allow for feedback Have potential for building/strengthening community of researchers

Easily create simple websites Project development with peer review Group authoring Track a group project Data Collection Presentations An ongoing database of sharable lesson plans Take collaborative notes Ways to use Wikis in the Classroom

Room 9 Room 9 Nelson Central School Room 2Room 2 Bucklands Beach Primary Anne Davis Anne Davis - Westwood School Mr Sheehy’s Class Mr Sheehy’s Class - Central High School USA

Why use a wiki in the classroom Wikis offer the flexibility to address questions when needed Content is easy to edit/update New/updated content is available immediately Improves editing skills Writing for a purpose and audience Collaborative construction of text Practice of reading and writing skills Higher order thinking skills Is engaging and empowering for students

Supporting Web2.0 Image Hosting Social Bookmarking Aggregators User Generated Media Search

Digital Age Literacy: Basic, Scientific and Technological Literacy Visual and Information Literacy Cultural Literacy and Global Awareness Inventive Thinking: Adaptability and Managing Complexity Curiosity, Creativity and Risk Taking Higher Order Thinking and Sound Reasoning Effective Communication: Effective Communication: Teaming, Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills Personal and Social Responsibility Interactive Communication High Productivity: Prioritising, Planning and Managing Results Effective Use of Real World Tools High Quality, Meaningful Results 21st Century Skills

It’s not too scary… it can engage empower be fun release tension stimulate artistic expression spark technical interest push boundaries be inspiring provide for student choice and alternatives cater to mulitple intelligences be a relief to some students And you can be a hero

We are the last generation of teachers who will have a choice whether or not to use or not use the new technologies in the classroom. Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach 2007