E-learning week 2

► Explore discussion boards : I have very little experience using discussion boards with students although I have used them in my own studies. I think in the middle years students are able to discuss topics with their peers and the teachers in the classroom. I think the extra reflection needed with the written word is a good reason for considering discussion boards more carefully. One application I can think of is in Philosophy lessons which require some pre and post reading and thinking about a stimulus.

► Explore blogs. I have been using blogs for a few years with my students. Initially the students visit and comment on our class blog in the first part of the year. We have a brief blurb for the week in each of the core learning areas and usually a message focusing on a key goal for the students. Individuals who display an interest in this format are given extra responsibility for choosing links and appropriate images to share with the class. In the second half of the year all students are provided with their own portal based blog which they use as a reflective journal in the subject Personal Development. It is teacher directed in terms of the topics the students write about, but some take to the idea and create their own blog categories and expand their writing.

► Explore wikis. I think the tool we are using currently 'wikispaces' has been improved over the years. I first had a go with this tool when creating a personal portfolio
http://isshoni.wikispaces.com/
. Obviously this is not a great application of a wiki because it was never intended to be a collaborative area but rather a space for sharing my endeavors with technology integration. I did find the flexibility of layout and the ability to embed files and other media very useful for this project. I have tried to use a wiki with my students in the VLE our school utilises. The updated version of Sharepoint we are using now does appear to be more user friendly and I am keen to have another go with students in term 4.


Reflections: Guiding questions

• Are there any related mobile apps which you have used or may use in the future? What are the advantages and disadvantages compared to web-based tools?

I feel a bit slow on the uptake of mobile apps. I use my phone to check email and news sites, but can't get used to the idea of using it to produce anything - I don't even respond to emails with the phone. I do have an ipad as well but this is used by the family predominantly as a browsing/consumption tool. There are a few apps I have downloaded with an idea to integrating work e.g. OneNote but as the students do not have ipads, I do not have plans to expand on this for now.