Reflection

I'm finished and just in time, with about 3 days until the course closes. What a journey! I can't believe how much I have learnt. There is so much that I will revisit after this class. I am excited that my Web2.0 journey has begun and I look forward to continuing my education in this field and sharing my knowlegde with others. Most of all, I am looking forward to playing with some of these applications without the pressure of writing on my Blog about it!


I have not only learnt about a range of Web2.0 applications and their various uses in the education context. I have also learnt how to use these to improve my own learning. I feel confident in going back over these topics and gaining a deeper understanding of how they work and also in applying them to my own classrom pedagogy.


I think it should be compulsory for all CEO Sydney teachers to complete this course. It can be time consuming, and I am sure the same old people would complain about the increased workload, but the benefits would be that it will create teachers that are using Web2.0 in the classroom with confidence and this can only have a positive outcome for Catholic Education in Sydney. Without professional development, the ilearning model does not effectively get into the classroom and the benefits of Web2.0 to improve learning will be missed.


It is my belief that Web2.0 creates a learning environment that caters for all learning styles. I feel that it makes learning more meaningful and interesting. It creates opportunities for children to particiapte in Higher Order Thinking and allows for communication, collaboration and reflection.


The ilearning model states that learning needs to be engaging. Children learn most effectively when they want to learn. Web2.0 creates learning opportunities where children want to learn, where they are sharing their knowledge and where they are engaged and challenged. Through the use of Web2.0 teachers can meet the ilearning intiative of creating reflective and responsible learners and students are able to lead and negotiate learning experiences.


After revisiting some of my past Blogs I was able to assess how I feel Blooms fits into some of the Web2.0 applications that we have examined throughout this course


igoogle -remembering

blogging-understanding, applying, evaluating and creating

googledocs-remembering, understanding and evaluating

flickr-remembering, understanding , applying

digital storytelling- all

gloster-all

bubble.us-remembering and evaluating

social bookmarking-remembering and understanding

social networking-all

second life-all


This all depends on how you utilise the application. If not used to its full potential it may only meet a few of the Higher Order Thinking skills. I found the Blooms Digital taxonomy to be a fabulous resource and one that I will now be referring to at all times through my planning process. In addition to this, I will be sharing it with the staff and the Gifted and Talented committee members to assists them.

I have commented on a few blogs while completing this course, here are some links to two of my comments.

http://janesweb2.blogspot.com/ Week 7

http://stjavino.blogspot.com/ Week 7


I have had a great time studying Web2.0. This is an excellent model of FREE professional development and I thank all who have contributed to making this possible.