Course Reflection

Overall I learnt some new tools and tricks with the use of e-learning. E-learning is not necessarily about being electronic but it’s about engaging the students in a learning environment. As teachers we may not necessarily address as many factors as we could by using computer networking type tools, but it will also see the down turn of one on one communication that in the past has been an essential factor.

So what can we do to make sure that e-learning successful?

I would first say, is make it relevant for students. Students need to see that they are achieving and learning information that they can then use later in life. Secondly we need to make goals achievable and reachable for students, at an individual level, as we all have varied skills and abilities. We need to make sure that e-learning addresses as many variable skills as possible, yet considering the simplistic forms of activities yet challenging.

Bloom’s taxonomy is one such resource that is used frequently to produce relevant learning activities. What I noticed is that the planning does not change and the thought processes rarely differ in this day and age, but the tools have changed dramatically. In an era of innovation, keeping up with the pack is difficult and time consuming. Sometimes technology is best untouched, as it can cause more problems then it will fix. This way teacher’s are able to use a familiar format of educational tools to deliver the same outcomes.



The Web 2.0 course was a bit of an eye opener in terms of using current technologies into old methodologies of teaching. What was intriguing was the fact the we try and push technology so far, yet even it has its own restrictions in the end. It could possibly be just human nature when something new comes out, that we want more, an opportunity to make changes and to suite ones own needs. The use of my Blog was a great way to reflect on my own activities, but wonder what will happen with it when it becomes obsolete, irrelevant or just useless as a tool. Does it stay in cyber space, does it dissolve what will come of the information? In terms of using Flickr, Glogster, Google docs and some others not sure how useful they will be as e-learning tools.


Reference: http://www.kidzworld.com/img/upload/poll/5038/f1166573649031.jpg
http://www.surfersvillage.com/gal/pictures/KellySlater13.jpg
http://www.marathonaviation.com/images/checkered%20flag.jpg

Retrieved: 26th May 2010

Module 10

What role do you see for using Web 2.0 tools in your own life as a learner and a member of online communities?

Web 2.0 has brought forward interactive tools that allows the user to edit, change or use tools within a cyber net space. Wiki’s are just a collaborative website that can be edited by the user that I never knew before this module. A Wiki may be useful we’re a number of users from different points on the globe require to use and share information and to allow input by a number of users. This differs from a Blog, as a Blog is an individuals comments based on own experiences and does not provide any real interactive elements other then gadgets.

Web 2.0 opens the world to communication and information sharing. Having social networks (Facebook) and educational networks (Ning) provides relationship building, specific information sharing and a two way communication stream through the net. Ning is definitely a network that could be highly utilised as it would allow me to interact with others in a similar position in education. What I need find fascinating was that the Web 2.0 was a major topic within Ning with comments and helps were available through a variety of people.

Commented on Linda Stark Blog: “They differ slightly but offer connections and collaboration with people and communities… learn from each other, interact with each other.” Students would get definitely get a higher value of education by using web 2.0 tools, as they learn better through interaction, explanations and developing ideas and thoughts with peers.


Reference images: http://ridingabuttertub.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/find_x_lol.jpg

Retrieved: 19th May 2010

Module 9

Scootle is an online learning site that provides resources and resource sharing amongst a group of people, in this case Education. Resources include multimedia, assessments, images, audio etc that are automatically categorised into each department. This is potentially a very good resource for those starting out as teachers like myself, or generating new ideas for units of work. How far you use the information is up to the individual.



Social networking sites are different in the fact they are used for people that have common interests or feel the need to communicate to others through cyber space. Currently there are various types of social networks including Facebook, Bebo and Twitter to name a few, and allow various types of interactions between friends, family or strangers depending on the function of the site. What I am afraid of is the use of information that is provided on such sites, that is free and open to be used by the owner. Not only can individuals see your information, but it can be sold off to various companies and/or people to be used for such things as market research. Even with privacy settings, logins and passwords, there are ways round these and unfortunately can be used with devastating effects.

Social networks within school environment are a big no no in my book. It creates clusters of groups and/or bullying may occur that are hard to administer. Keeping these sites free from anti social behaviour and code wording would be far beyond any ones job and could turn into negative thing. On the other, online learning can be interactive and resourceful for both student and teacher creating more information that can be accumulated. This would benefit all and therefore be a positive affect on the learning environment.



Commented on Nick Phillipson Blog: “I am engaging with my colleagues through my Facebook then they are aware this is on friend and social level, not a professional engagement.”. I believe that social networking is for friends and family only. It keeps the individual up to date and communicating to those either far away or too busy to be able to meet regularly. Keeping a professional distance is definitely something that is on teachers minds whether its students or colleagues, as conflict in the workplace is not a good thing!


Reference: http://www.theyoungestcandidate.com/main/Portals/0/twitter_logo.png
http://www.ict.schools.nt.gov.au/images/scootle.gif
http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/gallery/social-networking/social-networking-625x450.jpg

Retrieved: 18th May 2010

Module 8

RSS is an acronym for Rich Sit Summary. An RSS such as Google Reader, is used as a central database for individual to follow existing sites. Rather then searching through current favourite sites, the information or updates are automatically sent to the individuals area. This is known as subscribing, just like subscribing to a magazine. What this tool hopes to achieve is for the user to be easily informed, saving time and ensure privacy of use.

This could enhance learning, as it could be away that we could update students on information, or current events. Say I set homework for the week or achievable goals during examinations, rather then the student having to refer to their diaries, then assessments then double checking times etc, they could set up their own efficient system within an RSS. All they need to do is login, then use once system for all. The other aspect is that students would be able to have the most updated information and news just under one login.



Commented on Eleonora Furfaro: "The stand out for me was that it keeps track of what I have viewed so that when I search again I do not end up reading the same information twice." definitely a bonus as waste time would be kept to a minimum and make the information more usable. One feature I did not see was an archiving tool, where you could store information. Storing and referencing is one item that could be addressed with students.

Image reference: http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/buzzerbeater/magnum-pi-selleck-5.jpg
http://www.sykesautobroker.com/_images/_car-photos/66_1194281002.jpg
Retrieved: 17th May 2010

Module 7

WOW another networking tool. So “Delicious” is a tool used to save bookmarks within cyber space and allow the administrator to create a network of resources and people who can access. There are four main areas that have been highlighted as its functions: Keep, Share, discover and Organise.

This could potentially enhance learning as it could be a way that students could share valuable resources and/or websites that can be accessed from other areas. The other tool that it incorporates is a suggestion for searching as it gives hints on thinking further then just what they need to find.

Commented on Leanne Clarke’s Blog: “they have made it so hard to learn about” Simplicity is the key to enhance learning within the classroom. It seems to me that every time a new application is released it is essential that we re learn, re configure computers and re write our ways of teaching. This application is not what I would call an improvement/innovative in any way.

Image references:
dog - http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/funny-dog-pictures-dog-and-delicious-dessert-meet-again1.jpg
Pizza - http://www.mccarthysnj.com/images/PizzaSlice80409lg.jpg
Date Retrieved: 13th May 2010

Module 6

The idea behind the buble website is a good one, but it could be suggested as an application for networks. The reason being, is that as I go along it seems that I have more and more sites that I need to visit, and therefore more accounts and more passwords. From what I have learnt is that it could a tool for brainstorming and mind mapping ideas that allows the editor to allow access by users.

A ‘glog’ could be similar to a website in that it is an interactive poster or site that communicates to the user as he or she use’s it. The communication therefore is two way. As for learning, it could be useful as an activity in creating communication tools for students, whereby each student provides interactive posters for the end user to learn from.

As far as usefulness I think the brainstorming could still be done as a manual thing or just as simply on word. Creating more and more networks could therefore hinder the students as the become more website alert and less in touch with reality.

Comment on Leanne Clarke: The ways in which we could implement this application is limited to what access we have, how much training we’ve had, and can we become more cyber interactive. These applications make information readily available on the net for those granted access users. For me I could not honestly say I would use either in my current role as a teacher.

Image reference: http://russelldavies.typepad.com/planning/death_star_brainstorming.jpg
Retrieved: 13th May 2010

Module 5

This module currently revolved around current technologies in performing Podcasting and Vodcasting on the web. These tools can be used as a way of communicating ideas through the network rather then the teacher being in the physical room. The module used the term story telling as its function for Pod/Vodcasts. Continuing my studies this year and finishing my Diploma of Education last year, I was well aware of the technologies, its purpose and its effectiveness in the classroom. Apple is one company who expanded there services to include these applications on phones and portable entertainment systems.

As we all come from our different fields, we would all understand different cultures, different school and different people would have a variety of views and skills. The major advantage of using Pod/Vod casts is that we share our lessons and information across the board without keeping information to our selves. The other advantage would be the documentation of lessons through video, whereby students could reflect at latter stages to confirm information rather then researching books or internet.

Commented on Renee Blevin: “reflect a range of tools to heighten student motivation and engage students with material in a way that makes many students feel at ease and they enjoy being part of” I agree that it may heighten the students motivation, but it also allows access to more information, or at least an explanation. It would encourage those to go back and listen to what is being said, not what is written in a book that may cause confusion.

Image: http://www.wttc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/podcasting.jpg
Retrieved: friday 7th May 2010

Module 4

The use of Flickr is a storage system used for images and video. It allows access to those with permission by the editor and owner of the login. Creative commons was a free site that allows sharing of files within the copyright rules and regulations.

Some rules that I picked up:
You can use artistic work for research or study without the permission of the owner.
The creator of the artistic work has full moral rights to the work

A major concern is the use of correct referencing by students, and where they retrieve the information. Limited amount or no referencing of material should be made aware to students that a mark of zero will always given.

Commented on Francesca Giraldi: It's funny in a sense that you know of the technology but how do we find it and what is it called. I agree going through "creative commons" as a better alternative to google images.

The image used has been collated into my first gallery of images in Flickr

Module 3

Found that Google docs’ was an easy way to produce and store documentation within the internet that could be accessed with any computer. The benefit would be that networks and hard drives could be left empty allowing systems to work at maximum performance. The negative is that it does not allow the same editing tools as normal Microsoft applications would provide.

This could potentially enhance learning, as the teacher could share documents with peers and/or students to have quick access too. When documents are produced, the owner could grant or block access depending on the relevance of material.

Comment on Nicole King Blog: Similarly, I too had heard of the application but rarely had even thought about using it. It is definitely user-friendly and can be adapted to most workplaces that use documentation. That being said I think it could be a better alternative then having shared drives in networks within the school environment.

Module 2

Creating my own blog was quite simple and easy to develop. Unfortunately I find a step by step process much easier to follow rather then watching videos of information. How far I take the blog was dependant on how far I was willing to use the tools.

Blogs could be another way in which we could document the days events. Whether through comments on what or how the class learnt all the way to events that occurred, will allow professional development and/or student development as they could refer to the daily information. Personally I think it could be a way of new teachers providing evidence for professional development, that the school and NSW institute could use as a resource.

Commented on Katherine Gudgeon blog: Katherine, I think your right when you say ”…fun and interactive medium is a real plus. Reading and writing (or rather typing) is what English is all about so blogs really help to reinforce these skills.” This would encourage students to read and comment on each others work, while learning and developing ones own literacy skills. It also encourages students to learn from each other rather then the teacher using the old form of teaching of chalk and talk… which is clearly out dated.

Module 1

The Internet has become more then just a resource and a database of information. It has grown and developed into an interactive network for users, whereby information can be used, changed and updated where necessary and engage the user. Web 2.0 brings about a new era of internet usage where by the structure of the internet is used as a social networking tool, where the user can interact with others through the computer.
Pending on the type of communication used by the individual will determine the very nature on how effective web 2.0 will be. For those who have the access to such new an innovative technology, the world can become a much smaller place and access to information becomes readily available. Does this mean traditional forms of communication skills will become irrelevant or is it just an enhancement on these traditional forms?
What I have learnt in this module, is that I have opened another door for networking across the internet. It makes me wonder whether I need another network? How many do I need? And does technology create more problems and makes life more complex? Networking will envolve sharing information, browsing for idea generation and becomes usefull in determining a level of understanding that is generally required across subjects and age groups in education.

Comment for Karl Beemster: Karl you seem like a very knowledgeable person, and I think the idea that we are able to manage our own content is a valuable asset in this day and age. How far this technology will go, will be determined by the usefulness as a resource.