A Journey With Blogging
In this workshop I intend to...


discuss the purpose of blogging and digital learning

outline the progress I have made as a blogger with my junior
class

show how ICT could be embedded into a programme

list tools and resources that I use regularly that you may like to
explore in your own time
This workshop is not...



a step by step guide to blogging

How to set up a blog, step by step instructions by Rachel Boyd
“Create your own classroom blog” download as PDF

http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com/bloggingnotes
The parrot of purpose metaphor

A powerful metaphor of Andy Hargreaves (1997), is
found in the ‘Parrot of Purpose’ sitting on our
shoulders questioning our actions.

Sherry Crisp, National Facilitator ICT PD in 2008
Wallwisher
Online sticky notes
Digital Learning


An optimum combination of:
Real time real life learning experiences that employ quality digital
tools
Participation in gaming / virtual learning environments
Collaboration in social networking / Collective Intelligence sites

(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
IT is not ‘added’ to learning. It must be deeply
embedded in learning.

(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
If you employ digital learning processes, they must
advance student learning. Otherwise, why bother?
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
So what is the purpose of the blog in my class?


    Developing explicit understanding of what makes a good
    learner

    Awareness of learning goals

    Reflective learners

    Feedback and collaboration - between teacher and child,
    child and child, parents and child, wider audience - other
    learners, other teachers
Pedagogy elements within the
    Key Competencies??
Thinking. Higher order thinking, deep knowledge, deep
understanding

Using language, symbols and texts. Narrative, digital / visual
literacies

Managing Self. Student direction; self-regulation

Relating to others. Inclusivity; substantive communication; group
identity; social support

Participating and contributing. Active citizenship; problem-based
curriculum.
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
Essential Questions for the Key
            Competencies
Thinking: Is there evidence of intellectual depth in every learning
experience?
Using language, symbols and texts: Are students making meaning and
application of quality language, symbols and texts?
Managing Self: Is student attitude and behaviour self-regulatory?
Relating to others: Is the learning characterised by an atmosphere of
mutual respect and support amongst everyone present?
Participating and contributing: Is there a focus on identifying and solving
real-world problems?

(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
Blogging Specifics - my first steps



http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com
Picture and text - describing current learning

  digital camera, photo taken with class, by
  teacher or child - teach simple safety
  rules, point and click, learn new skills as
  need arises, explore composition, but
  most importantly just use the tool

  upload with the class, model the process,
  talk them through it, allow children to
  take part

  draft sentences with class

  email parents to let them know about
  new posts
Photos and Cyber Safety

Keep to photos of work or learning
objects rather than children as much as
possible

If posting pictures of children, show
groups rather than individuals

Need permission from parents to show
photos of children - school policy and
procedures

(see http://www.netsafe.org.nz/keeping_safe.php?
sectionID=education&titleID=Policies%20and%20Use
%20Agreements&pageID=81&menuID=81) or see Rachel
Boyd’s wiki


FIRST NAMES ONLY
Revisiting learning


Real time, real life learning
experience over time (May &
November)

Learning object, digitised
through camera

Created with the class
Wordle
A simple presentation idea for brainstorms and lists
Voice Thread

a versatile digital storytelling
tool

developing oral language
and oral reading

revisiting ideas

giving feedback

catering for special needs
Voice Thread examples
http://voicethread.com/share/694860/ http://voicethread.com/share/1227602/ http://voicethread.com/#q.b1083558 http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2009/11/properties-of-plastic-
                                                                                 and-glass.html
Kid Pix

avoiding google images,
respecting copyright and
modeling good practice

publishing writing - export
jpeg

slide shows

save as a template
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/04/term-2-begins.html
Writer’s Blog

A reason to write

An audience

Reflecting on learning

Learning to comment
constructively

Awareness of writing goals
http://kaipara2writers.blogspot.com/2010/06/frost.html
Maths and Kid Pix

open ended tool with many
uses

not a pre-packaged learning
experience, as worksheets
and even computer based
games and website activities
often are
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/05/maths-and-kid-pix.html
The Side Bar



Add the relevant websites
you find to the sidebar

Change them often
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com
Collaboration



Date and Weather chart -
from the side bar

Talking Buddies
Photopeach & Animoto

displaying art work

a record of special events
Digital Camera



Quick publishing - from the
whiteboard, the floor,
children’s books, children’s
pictures, chalk on the
playground
Kidspiration



Use it, model it, model
learning how to use it with
your class
Student Voice




I asked the children to tell me what they like about our blog...
Twitter: Overcoming Geography
        Why I have a twitter account

                PLN & PLE
A few people to follow (to get you started)

 tinado (That’s me)                         Nunavut_Teacher

 dragonsinger57 (Jo Fothergill)             timbuckteeth (Steve Wheeler)

 sumich (Luke Sumich - keynote speaker at   suzievesper
 cluster conference 2009)
                                            sharpjacqui
 dorothyjburt (Point England)
                                            tombarrett
 TweetSmarter (handy hints for using
 twitter)                                   twincoastcluster (just started - updates for our schools)

 teachernz (Michael Fawcett)                camlockie

 ahrenfelt (Johannes Ahrenfelt) Great       lindayollis
 professional development blog
 Eat.Sleep.Teach.                           TeachAKid
...and a few more


   Keamac                                   I started by making twitter my
                                            home page so that whenever I
   mimioguy (for mimio resources)
                                            opened the browser, I could
   MrsBee12 (Clare Buist)                   take a quick look, (a bit like
                                            checking the fridge).
   lagatabonita (Susan Lindsay)
                                            Now I use Seesmic, an
   fionagrant
                                            application that can be
This is not a comprehensive list, and is    downloaded from the internet.
not in any particular order, but could be
a good start.
Next challenges for me


e-portfolios - building the habits of reflection into the learning
process and documenting it

google docs

developing a PLN that includes local teachers & building on the
developments made possible by the Twin Coast Cluster ICT PD
A Learning Progression

L1. Low competence, High commitment (The
Enthusiast)
L2. Low / Some competence, Low commitment (The
Disillusioned Learner)
L3. Moderate competence, Variable commitment (The
Capable but Cautious)
L4. High competence, High commitment (High
Achiever)
Self Leadership And The One Minute Manager (Ken Blanchard)
Ideas into practice
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

A. Clarify the 3 ideas / concepts / strategies that
most resonated with you so far today
B. Choose one, and use this process:
1. What do you need to achieve?
2. What’s happening right now?
3. What could you put into action?
4. What will you put into action?
5. What will be the process for implementation?
6. How will you keep this going??
                                                Adapted from ‘The Leadership Coaching Guide’

A journey with blogging

  • 1.
  • 2.
    In this workshopI intend to... discuss the purpose of blogging and digital learning outline the progress I have made as a blogger with my junior class show how ICT could be embedded into a programme list tools and resources that I use regularly that you may like to explore in your own time
  • 3.
    This workshop isnot... a step by step guide to blogging How to set up a blog, step by step instructions by Rachel Boyd “Create your own classroom blog” download as PDF http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com/bloggingnotes
  • 4.
    The parrot ofpurpose metaphor A powerful metaphor of Andy Hargreaves (1997), is found in the ‘Parrot of Purpose’ sitting on our shoulders questioning our actions. Sherry Crisp, National Facilitator ICT PD in 2008
  • 5.
  • 6.
    Digital Learning An optimumcombination of: Real time real life learning experiences that employ quality digital tools Participation in gaming / virtual learning environments Collaboration in social networking / Collective Intelligence sites (Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
  • 7.
    IT is not‘added’ to learning. It must be deeply embedded in learning. (Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
  • 8.
    If you employdigital learning processes, they must advance student learning. Otherwise, why bother? (Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
  • 9.
    So what isthe purpose of the blog in my class? Developing explicit understanding of what makes a good learner Awareness of learning goals Reflective learners Feedback and collaboration - between teacher and child, child and child, parents and child, wider audience - other learners, other teachers
  • 10.
    Pedagogy elements withinthe Key Competencies?? Thinking. Higher order thinking, deep knowledge, deep understanding Using language, symbols and texts. Narrative, digital / visual literacies Managing Self. Student direction; self-regulation Relating to others. Inclusivity; substantive communication; group identity; social support Participating and contributing. Active citizenship; problem-based curriculum. (Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
  • 11.
    Essential Questions forthe Key Competencies Thinking: Is there evidence of intellectual depth in every learning experience? Using language, symbols and texts: Are students making meaning and application of quality language, symbols and texts? Managing Self: Is student attitude and behaviour self-regulatory? Relating to others: Is the learning characterised by an atmosphere of mutual respect and support amongst everyone present? Participating and contributing: Is there a focus on identifying and solving real-world problems? (Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
  • 12.
    Blogging Specifics -my first steps http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com
  • 13.
    Picture and text- describing current learning digital camera, photo taken with class, by teacher or child - teach simple safety rules, point and click, learn new skills as need arises, explore composition, but most importantly just use the tool upload with the class, model the process, talk them through it, allow children to take part draft sentences with class email parents to let them know about new posts
  • 14.
    Photos and CyberSafety Keep to photos of work or learning objects rather than children as much as possible If posting pictures of children, show groups rather than individuals Need permission from parents to show photos of children - school policy and procedures (see http://www.netsafe.org.nz/keeping_safe.php? sectionID=education&titleID=Policies%20and%20Use %20Agreements&pageID=81&menuID=81) or see Rachel Boyd’s wiki FIRST NAMES ONLY
  • 15.
    Revisiting learning Real time,real life learning experience over time (May & November) Learning object, digitised through camera Created with the class
  • 16.
    Wordle A simple presentationidea for brainstorms and lists
  • 17.
    Voice Thread a versatiledigital storytelling tool developing oral language and oral reading revisiting ideas giving feedback catering for special needs
  • 18.
    Voice Thread examples http://voicethread.com/share/694860/http://voicethread.com/share/1227602/ http://voicethread.com/#q.b1083558 http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2009/11/properties-of-plastic- and-glass.html
  • 19.
    Kid Pix avoiding googleimages, respecting copyright and modeling good practice publishing writing - export jpeg slide shows save as a template http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/04/term-2-begins.html
  • 20.
    Writer’s Blog A reasonto write An audience Reflecting on learning Learning to comment constructively Awareness of writing goals http://kaipara2writers.blogspot.com/2010/06/frost.html
  • 21.
    Maths and KidPix open ended tool with many uses not a pre-packaged learning experience, as worksheets and even computer based games and website activities often are http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/05/maths-and-kid-pix.html
  • 22.
    The Side Bar Addthe relevant websites you find to the sidebar Change them often http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com
  • 23.
    Collaboration Date and Weatherchart - from the side bar Talking Buddies
  • 24.
    Photopeach & Animoto displayingart work a record of special events
  • 25.
    Digital Camera Quick publishing- from the whiteboard, the floor, children’s books, children’s pictures, chalk on the playground
  • 26.
    Kidspiration Use it, modelit, model learning how to use it with your class
  • 27.
    Student Voice I askedthe children to tell me what they like about our blog...
  • 34.
    Twitter: Overcoming Geography Why I have a twitter account PLN & PLE
  • 35.
    A few peopleto follow (to get you started) tinado (That’s me) Nunavut_Teacher dragonsinger57 (Jo Fothergill) timbuckteeth (Steve Wheeler) sumich (Luke Sumich - keynote speaker at suzievesper cluster conference 2009) sharpjacqui dorothyjburt (Point England) tombarrett TweetSmarter (handy hints for using twitter) twincoastcluster (just started - updates for our schools) teachernz (Michael Fawcett) camlockie ahrenfelt (Johannes Ahrenfelt) Great lindayollis professional development blog Eat.Sleep.Teach. TeachAKid
  • 36.
    ...and a fewmore Keamac I started by making twitter my home page so that whenever I mimioguy (for mimio resources) opened the browser, I could MrsBee12 (Clare Buist) take a quick look, (a bit like checking the fridge). lagatabonita (Susan Lindsay) Now I use Seesmic, an fionagrant application that can be This is not a comprehensive list, and is downloaded from the internet. not in any particular order, but could be a good start.
  • 37.
    Next challenges forme e-portfolios - building the habits of reflection into the learning process and documenting it google docs developing a PLN that includes local teachers & building on the developments made possible by the Twin Coast Cluster ICT PD
  • 38.
    A Learning Progression L1.Low competence, High commitment (The Enthusiast) L2. Low / Some competence, Low commitment (The Disillusioned Learner) L3. Moderate competence, Variable commitment (The Capable but Cautious) L4. High competence, High commitment (High Achiever) Self Leadership And The One Minute Manager (Ken Blanchard)
  • 39.
    Ideas into practice (TonyRyan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09) A. Clarify the 3 ideas / concepts / strategies that most resonated with you so far today B. Choose one, and use this process: 1. What do you need to achieve? 2. What’s happening right now? 3. What could you put into action? 4. What will you put into action? 5. What will be the process for implementation? 6. How will you keep this going?? Adapted from ‘The Leadership Coaching Guide’

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Although there is other ICT that is important in the programme, the blog is the oil, the lubricant that keeps ICT running in the class sets the tone, communicates the theme a portal, window in and window out access to content, to sites, to other blogs and classrooms
  • #4 more about what you do once you start blogging
  • #21 Links to other writing examples - Santana’s comment Little Voices Little Scholars - a blog to enhance writing and oral reading
  • #24 Daily activity, independent of teacher, collaborative, modelled, varied
  • #25 walls of classroom & blog