Week #3 Google Documents

I've had a bit of a play with the Google documents.  I can see this being really useful when working on a document with a colleague or my sister when I'm helping her with an assignment.  I would only use it for a draft or when only working on the text though because I find the formatting options quite limited - particularly when creating gear to use with children.  I admit I can get a bit confused when I have worked on a document emailed to me, then the other person works on it, and then I do etc etc - and if I'm not careful, I can end up with many copies of the same thing - each slightly different.  I think I could also use Google documents for when I am working on something at school and at home.  Instead of having to save it to a USB, I could just access it here. 


I particularly like the collaborative side of things and the idea of being able to work on something together, despite not being together.  I can really see this being useful.  Now I just have to convert a few of my colleagues.

Week #2 RSS Feeds and Aggregators

I set up an igoogle page and have made it look pretty - better than just opening up to a google search which is what I had before.  I have added just the basic tools like calendar, time, weather, unit converter, maps etc as well as setting up the reader on that page.  I think in theory this is a good way of keeping up with information but also see time once again being an issue.  I think it is great that it goes into one place, rather than having to search for info, but I still need time to read and check out the feeds.  Another way that I am kept up to date with some sites that don't offer RSS feeds is through emails - generally e-newsletters or tips of the week.  I also find this a useful way of keeping up with changes.  In my workplace, I think on a professional level that this could be really useful in staying up to date, getting the latest information, but don't think I'll use it with the kids as yet.  One thing that I think they really should set up for feeds is the Australian Curriculum website - at the moment you can only receive email updates.

At a conference recently, I heard Joyce Valenza talk about how she has used them with the students for their individual projects -  following news feeds, current affairs - I think anyway. Anyone who has seen Joyce will understand - amazing woman with an amazing amount of energy and knowledge - so much information in such a short amount of time!!! 

I was going to start looking at Week 3's tasks but am all "tooled" out!  S

Week #1 Wikis and Blogging

I have had a bit of a play with making my blog and will work on it over the next few weeks. For me, I don't think I would do a blog unless it was for something like this, when travelling or something where I feel the need to record my thoughts, experiences etc. I have never been much of a diary keeper - don't have anything interesting to say. I do find blogs from authors etc interesting though. The difference between a blog and a wiki is that a blog is written by one - I think of it as an online diary - where a wiki is a collaboration of thoughts and ideas.

I would like to play around with blogs and wikis next year with the Year 7s in particular as a way of recording their learning. Traditionally they have created a CD and while that is ok, I think that blogs and wikis could really make this more interesting for the kids as well as a way of enabling more collaboration with families. I really like the idea of kids doing a personal project of their choice as a wiki and receiving feedback and suggestions, ideas from their teacher, family and friends. I'd also like to investigate a wiki as a way of organising my library resources etc. I know this has already been done by some of the other teacher librarians and they look great. Unfortunately it has come down to time for me - it is on my list of things to do, but gets shuffled down as something more urgent comes up. My aim is to get something going by the end of the year. S

I've finally started!

Hi to Felicity and other course members. I am finally feeling more human and think I am nearing the end of my bout of pneumonia - Yippee!  I am also a little bit more under control with my work - particularly with Book Week just around the corner!  I have finally set up a blog and have begun to play with the settings.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I started to add some of the extra bits like the calendar, but took it off again when I noticed the ads.  (Call me old fashioned!)  Well this is my first post and all going well, I'll get back tomorrow and check out the rest of week 1's tasks and hopefully get onto a few other weeks as well.