Inspire: e-learning

This Web 2.0 course has solidified my understandings and introduced me to some great new tools for the classroom. Web 2.0 has taken hold for educators and is having a significant impact on learning for the 21st century. Overall it can be said that the creation of collaborative learning spaces is huge. What is essential, and something this course most definitely provides, is the necessary and appropriate teacher preparation for the pedagogical impact of using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. It is imperative that teachers feel comfortable and ready to adopt the educational benefits of Web 2.0 E-learning with the iLE@RN pedagogical model can combine to provide the necessary student learning, teacher designed curriculum and creative lesson planning. You cannot just launch students into this style of learning. Skills need to be addressed that incorporate communication, collaboration, questioning, reflection, critical thinking etc so that learning is at its optimum. I am a big supporter ...

For all the changes that have taken place in education over the years, the focus still remains on the people.  The recent changes in technology have provided a major catalyst for a whole new approach to the education system. However, it is still just a tool and it will only ever be as effective as the people who make up the learning community and the lifelong learning opportunities it provides. What is a wiki? A wiki is a great example of Web 2.0 technology. It enables anyone to create content online using tools. The most famous wiki is Wikipedia - an online encyclopedia created by users from around the world. Some example of how wikis can be used in classrooms include: create online text for your class students publish researched information or presentations using a wiki create digital portfolios for students create collaboration opportunities between classes expanding your teaching beyond the classroom walls Teachers can also use wiki's for PD, connecting with other ...

Social Networking - it's everywhere and almost unavoidable. In the teaching profession, is there a way to utilise social networking in the classroom? Or would we be inviting them into a world beyond their maturity (depending on age groups) where they would leave lasting marks on their digital footprint?  From a teaching perspective the question becomes, which of these social and professional networking tools could enhance the learning in my classroom, and how? Scootle is a website that provides teachers with access to digital curriculum resources and is managed by the ESA (Education Servies Australia). Scootle is a tool that provides teachers with easy ways to find, organise and use digital resources in the classroom. For example, presentations can be done and shared, even collaborative projects. I could see that Scootle could be used to introduce a topic in the classroom, with students learning ideas and styles of presenting. Web 2.0 features and allow you to connect, share and...

RSS is an acronym that stands for 'Rich Site Summary' or alternately, 'Really Simply Syndication'. RSS feeds are a great way to subscribe to a websites content. With so much accessible information right out our fingertips in today's technological age, it can often become confusing and overwhelming to even find a starting point. RSS feeds can help by providing regular information direct to you. It's a great way to keep track of your favourite websites and be notified of updates. It's obviously an efficient use of time in the hectic world we live in with the search time taken out. It is also a much better solution that an email list subscription as you don't have to give out email and eliminate, therefore, potential spammers. It would be great for students to establish RSS feeds that would relate to an assignment topic or area of current research. It would allow for access to the most up to date content automatically. RSS feeds can give you access to n...