Final reflection:
Wow, Web 2.0! Somehow or other I survived to tell the tale! Actually as I am not “tech savvy” I made it with the assistance of several patient people who I'd like to publicly thank!! Matt and Mel and my many fellow travellers along this path, thankyou!!
However having said all that, I've learnt soooo much, it is an opportunity I would encourage others to complete.
Now that its done and the self imposed pressure is off, I am looking forward to investigate tools at my own pace, leisure, interest and requirements of my students.
Many tools challenged me but I could see many were immediately accessable, useful to my role and really helpful to assist in student's learning. I have begun to incorporate these into my resources. Others that will take more practise I hope to develop and include in my repertoire in the future. Some, I see are being used very successfully in the classroom. I have today, posted a 'PS' on the google docs module.
There were many advantages to learning in this manner. The flexibility, allowing it to fit around my life, the U tube explanations were invaluable, the availability of reading other's blogs and learning from them. The “on line community” is a valuable avenue for sharing ideas when there is little or no time in a busy school environment. I liked the way the modules were set up along with access to the theory behind children's learning ie Bloom's Taxonomy.
Above all I found I was surprised at how exhilarated I became by the successes and the free tools available to assist teachers and students.
It is astonishing, the changes in the learning environment we are witnessing. We are being given the opportunity to challege students in a unique way, which also assists us to keep them engaged in their world when they are used to so much stimulation.
How lucky are these students, to have a myriad of opportunities to display their learning, and become independent learners. To the less gifted child, a new world is being opened, where he/she can engage at their own level, and to some degree, pace. They too can be introduced to tools to accommodate their learning style, to be involved and fully engaged in parallel tasks highlighting their abilities. The possible autonomy now available to students with regard to their own learning is incredible.
To all those involved in the designing and implementation of Web 2.0 thankyou!!
To all those involved in the designing and implementation of Web 2.0 thankyou!!
