The Web 2.0 Course has been worthwhile and beneficial to me, not only to be used for teaching, but also how to enjoy the online resources I have available to me out of work!
In the first module, I continued to be more familiar with what Google has to offer, apart from being a search engine. In another course I did, I learnt more about Google drive and google docs, so it was important for me to revise what I had learnt. Having learnt more about this, my team plans with Google drive, I can access it easily so it makes being a part-time teacher so much better. I have various emails with Google now, (school level one, school email one, private one) so remembering passwords can be tricky, but I'm getting there! (Which is why I ended up setting up 2 blogs!)
The concept of setting up a blog was new for me, something which I had never done before. Previously I would never have thought I'd have any use for that, but through the course I have seen that it can be very valuable in purposes such as these. I definitely saw how useful it could be in the classroom, to make the place more of an online community. The twitter information was interesting, and I have been enjoying Twitter a lot more lately, often following my own interests as well as for the classroom.
As mentioned, I have been using Google Docs on a regular basis, which has been extremely beneficial to all. My team have been posting agendas, minutes of meetings, planners so I can access them easily. As I only work 2 days at my school, these documents would usually be emailed to me, which would clog up on a regular occurence, (which is why the school now has gmail for all staff!). It would be good for our team to draw upon the google docs more often to create tests or data if it was easier, this will be on the future agenda!
It was interesting to find out a bit more about Podcasts, although I was familiar with them. Im already quite familiar with YouTube, and am continuing to find it useful in the classroom. It will often help me locate a song which the children would like to find, songwords, or just general amusing videos! I use ITunes regularly with what I need at home, with songs, movies, apps etc.
The module about bubbl.us and prezi was very new learning for me. I remember being shown bubbl.us a year ago, but never actually used it for any of my own teaching. The brainstorming concept is very valuable in the way in which we teach, so to create it online with the children would be effective. The Prezi concept was great, and I used it in my teaching as I learnt it in the course.
These are the things which I gained most from in the course, and it has been an invaluable tool as I continue to move into the the age of 'ETeaching!'
I am excited about the things Web 2.0 has shown us. They are so practical and will definitely enhance our teaching. There is so much out there.
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