Blogging as a thinking tool Building Home/School Relationships

Getting Started Global student (Education Dept) – blog information and resources Global student Video to get started explaining themes and posts Video Edublogs – host of the blogs, great for technical support / security issues Edublogs

Classroom Blog – Home /School Relationship 2010 Classroom Blog 2009 Classroom Blog

Classroom Blog Online community – introduction to students and parents Publishes student work in multiple formats (work samples, video, podcasts, weblinks, etc) Parents see inside the classroom Classroom and school information- planning, homework, links to websites/games/school related announcements, etc Transition to Ultranet

Thinkers of the World Unite – a blog dedicated to creating a thinking community of primary aged studentsThinkers of the World Unite Thinking Community

Student Focus Previous blogging had been less learning specific (interest based) Thinking blogs emerged from the desire to focus students to something engaging and outside regular classroom experience.

Thinkers of the World Unite Expand the Web 2.0 context Invite classes locally/globally to join Add teachers as users to add content

Thinking Questions What is Art? Theo Jansen Video

Thinking Questions Texts “The Three Questions” FUSE – Dept’s digital resource FUSE Video – Dreaming - I Think SeriesDreaming - I Think Series Websites - Hot PhilosophyHot Philosophy

Web 2.0 In order to create a dynamic Web 2.0 environment the blogging community has to be encouraged to read the classroom blog and leave comments Students need to create web links to theirweb links friends blogs and the classroom blog Students need time after they have blogged to read other blogs and leave comments

Extend community Link to school’s webpage Letter home to parents Publish homework or class work that is considered mandatory classroom content Links to related school content making it useful resource for parents

Security Surnames - in blog addresses, in any published work, within student classroom work that is uploaded or photographed Photographs – school’s internet / photo use policy Links on student blogs – themes

Security Administrator Teacher as administrator of blog, you are able to see dashboard of student, you control publishing. Discussion Settings You are able to customise security in regards to comments Privacy settings – customise the layers of users Privacy settings

Assessment Writing – many VELS dimensions Thinking Processes ‘A focus on the development of thinking competencies within specific areas of the curriculum not only serves as a core integrative function, it also has the potential to provide continuity in approaches to learning from P-10 and to emphasise the view that such knowledge, skills and behaviours are important to lifelong learning.’ -reasoning, processing and inquiry -creativity -refection, evaluation and metacognition ICT -develop new thinking and learning skills that produce creative and innovative insights. -express themselves in contemporary and relevant ways. -Communicate locally and globally to share knowledge. -Understandings the implications of the use of ICT and their ethical responsibilities as users.

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About Me Classroom Teacher for 11 years, currently at Greythorn PS as ICT co- ordinator and grade 4 teacher Winner CONNECT/SLAV Web 2.0 Best Use Competition 2009 Presented ‘Blogging As Thinking Tool’ ICTEV State Conference 2009 Presented VITTA Slide To Open 2009 Article “Blogging As Thinking Tool” ICTEV Magazine 2009 Authentic Student Learning ‘Global Teacher Journey’ Heather Blakey A+ Blog - Global Student Featured Blog – ‘Bright Idea’s SLAV blogging site 2009 Presenting ‘Blogging As Thinking Tool’ ACEC Conference 2010