How a web 2 app could be used in education...

I went on http://taggalaxy.de/, a web 2 app. I was amazed by the graphics and design of Taggalaxy. It is so vibrant and ultra-modern. The website is based on tags, there is a box to type in any word, and there are suggested tags. Once you have clicked search, you are sent to a galaxy where your word you searched will appear, along with other associated words. Eventually once you have narrowed down your search, there is a planet made up of all the pictures linked to your word.

           I think this website would be a brilliant idea to use in the classroom. Probably best suited to younger children, it would help them connect words with photos. It is fun to look at, and to create your own search. The visuals would mean it would never get boring and at the same time children are learning. Seeing photos from all around the world helps them to see the bigger picture and get an insight to different cultures and society. What is most interesting about the website, it that you are in control. You choose your search, the images you want to see, move the globe and narrow your search. Children can learn a bit about geography, improve their spellings, ICT skills and broaden their knowledge of the world.

Review of "Creative Education Blog"

One of the blogs I have on my blog list is http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/10/autism-in-school-5-of-the-most-common-misunderstandings-explained/ The blog is educational, focusing on "Providing teaching advice, ideas and opinions". One post I was particularly interested in was based on autism, and five myths about it. It was written to raise achievement for pupils with autism in schools. The blog is really inspiring, and I can see it would be very helpful to teachers. It has posts on how to engage pupils after school holidays, how to gain control of your class, how to put together interesting lesson plans and many more motivating posts. There is also an option to follow the blog on twitter, and sign up to a free guide on their teaching guidance.

            I think having this blog on my blog list is relevant as I am studying Ed studies, and want to be a primary school teacher. A blog like this may be useful to some teachers, especially new teachers who don't have much experience yet. I hope to use this blog in the future and keep reading its posts! 

Pro's and Con's of a Wiki- Wikipedia

Wikipedia is an easy to use, straightforward, simple wiki. It was founded in 2001 and it attracts 470 million visitors a month. It is a free, on-line encyclopaedia which is expanding every day. It is a website I use frequently to gain an overview of a topic I’m researching.

      The website has both strengths and weaknesses. The positive aspects of the website is that it is continually being updated, making it modern and relevant. It is simple to understand and brings together a mix of different people's views from all different sources. Wikipedia say they monitor what is published on the website, so that what is written is correct, making it more trustworthy.

      However, using a wiki as a dependable source can have its weaknesses. It is not very reliable, as anyone can update the wiki, and say whatever they want. It could be biased as someone may try to put over their own point of view. Therefore, there is a lack of accuracy in what is presented. It also has its limitations as a trustworthy source.

     In conclusion, Wikipedia is a website I will still use, even if it does have its faults. However, I will use it with caution next time and use it as a starting point for my research. 

http://www.wikipedia.org/

TED Talk

For Learning Knowledge and Education, we looked at an inspirational talk on TED, which focused on the changes that is needed in the education system by Ken Robinson. I have found my own inspiring talk from TED by J K Rowling at Harvard University. She talks about the benefits of failure, and what she wished she knew when she was graduating. She takes a humorous view on what she had studied at university, her parent’s views, being brought up in poverty and how she failed in early life. She says if she had never failed she wouldn't be where she is today. "Some failure is enviable", J K Rowling says that everyone will encounter failure at some point in life and it gave her more of an experience about life than her degree. She goes onto talk about the importance of imagination; she says it is the foundation for invention in life.

        J K Rowling also talks about those who close off to imagination, who are ignorant to what does not affect them which goes on in the world, or emphasise with others. "We touch other people's lives simply by living". She urges the students to use their advantages to speak up and transform our world.

        The speech is very inspiring, and gives an insight to J K Rowling's hardship she uncounted when trying to make it as a successful author.

 

Using Collaboration Tools- making a WIKI

I put together a "wiki", an on-line information page on the topic of "what was education like 30 years ago?” A Wiki is an on-line collaborative tool which allows anyone to create an information site on whatever topic of their choice. Wikis can include texts, graphics, videos, pictures, just like a blog. A popular example of a Wiki is "Wikipedia", this website is a collection of people's information they know about a topic, all posted on one page. It is an encyclopaedia which is free to use. The only disadvantage of using a website similar to this is that anyone can publish their ideas; they may be incorrect, biased and not reliable sources of information. 

        To create my page, I first had to research the topic. I asked my parents and lecturer about their experience of school 30 years ago. I also Google searched the topic to find pictures of what the technology was like in the classrooms. I found pictures of huge computers and over-head projectors. With this information I created my Wiki, and attached it to the other pages members of my group had made. It was straight forward and easy to create and looked simple but effective.  

        The good thing about using a Wiki is that it can be updated all the time. Whatever information you write, it can be changed and improved over time. They are also very flexible can be made as vibrant and interesting as possible and you can design the layout. 

Using Microsoft Word To Reference

Microsoft Word is really useful in helping to reference. In assignments, you have to reference citations from various sources, such as books, journal articles and websites, to support your work. The Harvard Referencing guide shows you how to reference correctly in your work, what you need to include and in what order. For example, author, date, location of publication, publisher. 
          I found that using Microsoft Word, there is a feature which allows you to type in your reference, and it inserts it into your work using the Harvard Referencing format (Word 2010). You don’t have to use the Harvard Referencing guide; there are other options too, such as APA sixth addition. It also stores your references you have used and there is an option to put together a reference list or bibliography. This is helpful, as if you want to use a reference which you have used before, you can look it up in the history and use it again. 

Animation- evaluation of Kerpoof

Kerpoof is a vibrant, easy to use website which has many interactive features based on making art work, movies, and features which allows children to chat to friends. The website is easy to navigate around; the homepage has many icons to click on. Each feature has a suitable age range; therefore the website is aimed at children. The age range varies from three to eight. Not only does it make learning fun, it has games to play and the chance to become a member at an extra cost.

          The website also has features for teachers, lesson plans and teacher guides. There is a how to play icon and a video for the teacher section explaining what the website is about. There is a page "about us" explaining what the website is based on and its aims. The website is free, but some aspects are not, and a monthly membership fee is required. There is the option to make your own movies, drawings, cards and pictures. The overall feel for the website is high quality and straight forward. My ten year old brother loves this website, and goes on it in his school ICT lessons, so he helped me put together an animation!

http://www.kerpoof.com/#