Online Learning

To explore...

How can blogs be usedin the classroom?
Source of information and communication
Used to archive and publish student work
Can be used to post class times, assignments, homework, announcements and upcoming school events
Can give students links to internet sites related to current classroom topics to enhance learning
Can be used as a tool for class discussions
As a form of journal writing
Teachers can use blogs to post thoughts and reflections about students’ work that the student and parents can read

Positive aspects and benefits of blogging for the classroom
Students can learn their strengths and weaknesses based on comments left by others
Students are motivated by a world wide audience
Gives students an opportunity to share their views with others outside of their immediate environment
Very user friendly and easy to use
Enjoyable for students

Positive aspects and benefits of blogging for the classroom
Non-threatening and safe way for students to express ideas and opinions
Can be a personal and engaging sphere for students to create meaningful writing
Provides a link between home and school as parents can see what students are doing in the classroom
Homework can be made more interesting for students when completed online
When all work completed by students in a day is completed as part of the blog this may allow parents to much insight into the daily routines of the class

Considerations for using
blogging for the classroom
There are no boundaries as to what can be written. Teachers need to establish boundaries with students
Risk of students just making trivial comments. Challenge is for the teacher to encourage deep, reflective writing which will is centred around reading, reflecting, criticising, questioning and reacting to the world around them.
Can be pointless if teacher does not provide necessary direction and scaffolding

VoiceThread
Implications for Teaching

What is VoiceThread?
It is a collaborative multimedia slideshow (Nelson, 2005-2009)
It acts as a group audio blog where users can record text and audio comments about digital material (PB Works, 2009).
It is interactive and engaging as it requires students to connect with learning in a dynamic online context (BP Works, 2009).

UsingVoiceThread
Implications for Teaching

Ways VoiceThread can be used in the classroom
Discussion forum where student work is posted on a thread (e.g. writing) and people are invited to comment.
Students can comment on work of other students.
Can be used to publish poetry in both written and spoken form
Language practice and learning reflections

Ways VoiceThread can be used in the classroom
Presentations, debates and storytelling
Publishing class artworks where people can comment on them
Evaluation at the end of a unit. Students can provide verbal feedback on their learning experiences
Involving parents in sharing students’ learning experiences
Can be used as a reflective tool e.g. digital portfolio with commentary

Positives and NegativesAspects of VoiceThread

Images Accessed From
http://www.dailyblogtips.com/wp-content/uploads/blogs.jpg
http://www.erikfolgate.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/blogging-771047.jpg
http://paulhami.edublogs.org/files/2007/10/voicethread-pro.jpg
http://blog.ning.com/blog/blog_logo.jpg