My learning journey into Web2.0 (edited highlights)

This journey started quite a time ago.  As previously mentioned in a past life I supported schools to develop their use of ICT and so I was involved in a range of projects looking at new technologies.  Voicethread was a resource which was highlighted to me after a interesting conference in Manchester around 2006 or 2007.  The presenter, whose name I can't remember, was very enthused about the use of it and demonstrated several examples of how it was being used to support children's learning.  Following on from this conference I organised a meeting to demonstrate to primary schools the potential of it as can be seen from the meeting notes below.

Meeting notes (dated December 2007)

This site allows the use to upload images, add annotation, narrative and text to them to create a multimedia presentation.  This presentation can then be viewed by a limited or potentially unlimited audience who can add their comments.

Create – upload images.

Comment – record a narrative, add text, add annotation

Share – email the presentation to a group

Voice thread ideas (dated December 2007)

Voice thread

Use DJ names….

Post a picture – discuss thoughts about it

Describe the setting

Presentation about D and T / instruction writing / processes / procedures

Explain mathematical concepts – perimeters, how to solve a word problem

(teacher loaded up shapes and got children to workout online and explain how they calculated the perimeter)

Picture of science experiment – describe the process

School Trips – images with annotated dialogue

Unfortunately the issue of e safety came up and many schools decided it was best not to trail it just at the moment because of their concerns.

A couple of years later I was involved in small project which looked at how a VLE called Studywiz could be used as a transition aid between primary and secondary schools.

The project aims are below

The aim of the project is to:

• help raise ICT attainment for Y7 children by building on their Y6 learning
• strengthen links between Kirk Balk and the feeder Primary Schools
• develop resources which can be credited against elements of secondary ICT qualifications such as GCSE or ITQ
• exploit the potential of Studywiz as a vehicle for independent learning

Like the project before the uptake from schools was poor due to lack of understanding of these tools and a reluctance to try out the unknown.  Some of this may be explained by reflecting upon the Dimensions of change model below. This was introduced to me during my training as an ICT Mark Assessor and I still think it is very good and can be used to explained many issues relating to change management.  Considering the projects previously mentioned there was probably a lack of skills which lend to anxiety about the change; the teachers did not feel comfortable with the technology, they could see the potential (the vision) and the incentives (higher pupil engagement, better links with secondary schools), the resources were there (on the internet) and the action plans were provided for them. 

I suppose I have always been quite comfort using Web2.0 tools such as VLE, blogs or discussion boards.  Starting here at Bradford College allowed me for further develop my usage of these tools such as Padlet (or wallwisher as it was), Mentimeter and Socrative.  These have been integrated into my practice since I have started here the college.

Most recently I have started using Dropbox as online storage which has proved to be very beneficial for sharing documents and collaboration.  It also means that I can access documents on a variety of devices including my phone, work laptop, personal laptop and any device contacted to the internet (as long as I can remember my password!)

The Web2.0 tools which I have decided to focus upon are Ted Ed, the use of podcasts placed on Moodle and Socrative.  Ted Ed which I discovered through Ted Talks looks like it has the potential to try out some flipped learning and hopefully get more quality academic discussion with my students.  Podcasts have been a long standing favourite of mine and I am keen to try them out with students with particular focus around assessment criteria for assignments.  Finally Socrative I have used in many of my sessions as an initial assessment tool for capture thoughts and opinions about the session.  Like podcasts I believe it has a greater potential than I am currently exploiting.