During the seminar, I was introduced to and explored a
range of Web. 2 technologies, which I really enjoyed engaging with. Before the
session, I was unaware of the potential of using Web. 2 technologies within the
classroom context and would definitely introduce the use into my future
teaching. FutureLab (2010) (Online) suggests that Web. 2
technologies can support and provide tips for teachers, as well as creating
exciting learning opportunities for children.
During the seminar I explored
Storybird (Online) and thought it was a really good site to encourage story
writing. I would recommend using it, as it is free to use and could help to
generate story writing as the animations are a good stimulus to enhance
creativity. Halsey (2007)
claims that Web. 2 technologies can foster an enthusiasm for learning, as
providing a real audience, creates a real purpose for writing.
During the seminar, I also explored
Tagxedo (Online) and JigZone (Online) which I could use in my future practise
as a lesson starter or to introduce a new topic. I could also use Tagxedo
(Online) as an end of topic assessment, as the children could use it to recap
the main ideas and links from the topic.
This module has introduced me to
Web. 2 technologies and how I can use them in the classroom to enhance learning
opportunities. Writing for my own blog has demonstrated the power that having
an audience can have in order to create a meaningful purpose to write. Turnbull
(2010) highlights how blogs have had a positive effect on one school as the use
has not only created a purpose for writing, it has also developed their
literacy and IT skills, as
well as creating an enthusiasm for writing. This module has highlighted how
digital literacies and Web. 2 technologies can have a positive impact on both
teaching and learning within the classroom, therefore I would be keen to use
them in my future teaching.
References:
FutureLab (2010) Digital Literacy Across the Curriculum:
(Sections 3.1 – 3.4 Digital Literacy in Practice) [Online] http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/handbooks/digital_literacy.pdf.
(Accessed: 05/02/14).
Halsey, S. (2007) ‘Embracing emergent technologies and envisioning
new ways of using them for literacy learning in the primary classroom’ English Teaching; Practice and
Critique 6 (2) pp 99-107.
Turnbull, G. (2010) ‘The seven-year-old bloggers’ BBC News [Online] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3804773.stm (Accessed: 07/02/14).
I agree with your comment regarding the use of our own blog to communicate and share ideas, in order to establish purposeful and meaningful approaches to writing. I feel that the blog has enabled me to communicate my own experiences and understandings, as well as to acquire the valuable perspectives of others which has contributed and shaped my own way of thinking in regards to the teaching of new literacies within the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea about using Tagxedo as an assessment tool at the end of a topic as I had only thought of using it to introduce a topic to children.
ReplyDelete