In our ICT workshop this week we have
been looking at
the second generation of
the World Wide Web, which was introduced in 2004, and is known as Web 2.0.
We briefly discussed some web-based activities
such as: cloud-based file storage and sharing, social networking, video and
audio content distribution, instant messaging and web telephony, Wikipedia and
wiki-based media, online retailing, blogging and other associated hardware
advances that have been made possible by the Web 2.0 technology. During this
discussion we considered the vital role that these technologies now have in the
modern world. This discussion highlighted the need for children to be familiar
and confident with the current and advanced platforms such as Web 2.0. A Becta
report stated that it was the teacher’s role to develop their pupil’s technical
skills and awareness of technologies. It highlighted that many of the learners in
KS3 and KS4 lacked the technical skills and awareness of web 2.0 technologies. Please
click on the following link to read this report:
Today’s session and follow up
research have highlighted that a large majority of schools in the UK have
embedded web 2.0 technologies into their curriculum so that children can
actively engage with it in all subjects. As
teachers play an important role in promoting the use of the internet as a fantastic
tool and resource it is important that they also highlight its disadvantages to
children. In my opinion and in the opinion of others it is quite clear that
social networking can have an alienating effect on people, prompting the
question, ‘Are young people losing the ability to form ‘real’ friendships?’ Please click on the following link to
read the guardian report ‘How the internet is altering your mind’: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/aug/20/internet-altering-your-mind
Overall, I believe that giving children a head start in the use of current technology is priceless as the Internet is increasingly becoming the tool that will support children in achieving life goals. In this session I have learnt how Web 2.0 technologies can be selected and applied to promote effective learning and pupil engagement. I will provide opportunities for children to become confident with Web 2.0 technologies and I will ensure that I am equally confident and up to date with current technologies. Please click on the following link to learn more about Web 2.0 and its implications for Education:
Overall, I believe that giving children a head start in the use of current technology is priceless as the Internet is increasingly becoming the tool that will support children in achieving life goals. In this session I have learnt how Web 2.0 technologies can be selected and applied to promote effective learning and pupil engagement. I will provide opportunities for children to become confident with Web 2.0 technologies and I will ensure that I am equally confident and up to date with current technologies. Please click on the following link to learn more about Web 2.0 and its implications for Education:
In the second part of our ICT
workshop this week we have been looking at Blogs. A Blog is an online personal website that
enables people to express themselves. Some blogs are dedicated to a particular
topic. A blog is often written like a diary, with comments and reflections on
what has happened to the author on a regular basis. The author may support their
comments with photos, links and other digital graphics. These comments invite
others to offer their opinions.
It was interesting having never
experienced using blogs, to see the different ways that people use them. I was surprised
to learn that blogs are increasingly being used in schools across the country to
encourage children to develop better communication and writing skills. Please click on the following link to
read the BBC report ‘Children who use
technology are 'better writers'’:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8392653.stm
I have learnt that children’s engagement, enthusiasm, excitement and confidence in their learning could be promoted when publishing their work as blogs as it enables them to show their work to family members, staff, friends and others and it encourages them to think about school in a new and interesting way.
During our ICT workshop we watched a video of a school that actively promotes the use of blogging in all subjects during the school day. The children would write reports of their lessons and would complete many literacy tasks as blogs which the staff believed had boosted their literacy levels.
As a result of today’s workshop I will now familiarise myself more with the process of blogging which will enable me to promote its effective use within the classroom. I will also use blogs to inform students of class requirements; post hand-outs, notices, homework, act as a question and answer board therefore promoting classroom management. I will use blogs to provide a space where students can work to further develop reading and writing skills (when doing homework or class work) where I can offer instructional tips and students can practice and benefit from peer review. Also, older students will be encouraged to help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. I will use blogs to allow students to participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas and suggestions. I will create a class blog to give students the opportunity to discuss and reflect on topics outside the classroom. This will give each child the opportunity to share their thoughts, opinions, to be reactive to one another as well as being reflective and self-assess. Blogs record children’s personal development, therefore I can use them to analyse progress in skill development supporting my record keeping. I believe that when parents are actively involved in their child’s education it supports their ability to develop further. I will promote the use of blogs to create a link between home and school. Blogs can be used for teaching and learning in a variety of ways and it is up to the teacher to develop them in a beneficial way.
There are mixed reviews on the use of blogs in school with the key issues being the safety of the children whilst they are on the internet. Schools can promote the safe use of blogs by ensuring that:
I have learnt that children’s engagement, enthusiasm, excitement and confidence in their learning could be promoted when publishing their work as blogs as it enables them to show their work to family members, staff, friends and others and it encourages them to think about school in a new and interesting way.
During our ICT workshop we watched a video of a school that actively promotes the use of blogging in all subjects during the school day. The children would write reports of their lessons and would complete many literacy tasks as blogs which the staff believed had boosted their literacy levels.
As a result of today’s workshop I will now familiarise myself more with the process of blogging which will enable me to promote its effective use within the classroom. I will also use blogs to inform students of class requirements; post hand-outs, notices, homework, act as a question and answer board therefore promoting classroom management. I will use blogs to provide a space where students can work to further develop reading and writing skills (when doing homework or class work) where I can offer instructional tips and students can practice and benefit from peer review. Also, older students will be encouraged to help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. I will use blogs to allow students to participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas and suggestions. I will create a class blog to give students the opportunity to discuss and reflect on topics outside the classroom. This will give each child the opportunity to share their thoughts, opinions, to be reactive to one another as well as being reflective and self-assess. Blogs record children’s personal development, therefore I can use them to analyse progress in skill development supporting my record keeping. I believe that when parents are actively involved in their child’s education it supports their ability to develop further. I will promote the use of blogs to create a link between home and school. Blogs can be used for teaching and learning in a variety of ways and it is up to the teacher to develop them in a beneficial way.
There are mixed reviews on the use of blogs in school with the key issues being the safety of the children whilst they are on the internet. Schools can promote the safe use of blogs by ensuring that:
·
a member of staff reads and checks comments and decides
if they are appropriate
· children know that they can only use their first names on
blogs
·
no personal data is recorded on blogs
·
photos or videos of children are only used with parental
permission and never used along with names (so that children cannot be
identified through images)
· blogging rules are designed to keep the children safe and
to ensure that the site is a fun place to be. Please click on the following
link to learn more about the tools and knowledge needed for blogs in order to
create better learning:
I
hope that you have found my blog helpful and below are some useful links that
show examples of school and other blogging sites.
Enjoy
the rest of your week!
-
This is a blogging site where all children can submit their work:
