Power Points and Windows Movie Maker
This week we have investigated the use of interactive power points and Windows Movie Maker
I can imagine a number of ways to put PowerPoint to use in my classroom.
My first reaction was power points - are you kidding - they are OLD news...and OVERDONE, and BORING.......
BUUUUT...ther's a whole world of power points that I didn't know about - we saw movies made, interactive power points, animations, audio files, voice files and linking all incorporated into the humble power point - lots of food for thought...
The visual and interactive aspect of this is ideal for all learners, but particularly for visual learners. The first thing that pops to mind is for individual or group summative tasks. There are so many ways that power points can be constructed that it gives an option that will suit most learners. Some will choose highly visual, some may record audio files, rather than include a lot of text and for those extension learners - it offers a world of freedom to express and extend their learning to their own level. This supports what we know about managing diversity in the classroom - and allows each learner to work within the same context at their own level. I found this ezine on the microsft page - which has a load of free power point add ons, downloads, skins and great ideas for use in a classroom.
Power points could also be used for learners who are ill or unable to attend school - pre-prepared tutorials will give them access and allow them to continue with their learning.
Again the time, place and context for the use of this tool is the critical factor in whether or not it is successful - I am sure that I am not the only one who has suffered Power Point Paralysis!!! But I saw some different uses today that made me reconsider it's place in the classroom.

WIKI
Ease of use:
The wiki is very simple to use, very intuitive and offers opportunity for applications in the classroom. The context of content that is editable by anyone means that the use of a wiki must be carefully structured, and rules for use made explicit. I have to say that I found it a little frustrating- if I was trying to update a page at the same time as someone else - I either had to wait, or inadvertently erased someone else's work. Have a look at mine here.
Safety/Ethics:
I can see loopholes that could be used for cyber bullying right under a teacher's nose in the classroom with a wiki - with one student changing, or erasing another's work maliciously. So, although there are a lot of possible great uses, I will be approaching this one VERY carefully, until my understanding of it's capabilities is a lot more solid.
WEBSITE
Ease of use:
The site that we used to construct a website was awesome - very easy - very intuitive, and a finished product that looked extremely professional. You can have a look at my site here.
Safety/Ethics
This is quite a secure environment with the posts/pages made being read only. Students could create their own individual websites, or a class site could be created, with an interactive forum inserted to make a space for students to post their own contributions. Again, cyber bullying is a concern, so very strict guidelines must be in place for who can view these sites, and what type of information is posted.

What is a Wiki?

Main Entry:	wiki
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	a collaborative Web site set up to allow user editing and adding of content
Etymology:	1995; < Hawaiian wiki wiki quick (from dictionary.com)

....is a whole new world. Although I have been around blogs for a while, the Wiki is all new to me. I was amazed how Wendy used it as an organisational tool in the first tute - great for those visual learners amongst us! The accessibility for learners before, during and after a lesson is also a huge benefit - almost like an online recount and plan for the course. I am very interested to see what other applications are demonstrated, and that we can transfer to our own classrooms.

Blogs as a learning tool??
I have been part of a network of bloggers in the past who shared an interest in the form of a hobby. The network provided access to learning and sharing of information that would have been impossible without the medium of blogs. The immediacy of the technology, as well as the ability for a site to be very personal or very public has many benefits. In a classroom, I can envisage blogs being useful in a large number of different contexts: as a tool for expression, or as a medium through which students can be motivated to develop exploration of their own computer skills- the way that the page is "owned" by them could be used as a powerful intrinsic motivator. Group blogs could be established, and the inclusion of individuals (either students or experts who would be otherwise inaccessible) who could contribute remotely- offering up all sorts of exciting ideas. The danger lies in the misuse of blogs as technological versions of "shut up sheets" - for the sake of it, and to keep either the early finishers busy, or the students who are struggling looking busy! again it comes back to the professional judgment of "Is this the best way to teach this learner this content?" - if so BLOG away!

Concept mapping tools
of eLearning. Today we have seen some great examples of how eLearning can be used in the classroom. The real challenge is to make the decision about when to use this type of learning as opposed to concrete materials, or other activities. Maybe this can only come with experience!! I am looking forward to finding new tools, and vehicles to engage children. I have had a play on bubbl.us - a concept map builder, and have created this concept map to ask the question - What is eLearning? I will add to it as I journey through this course.. Feel free to give me any suggestions.