What are web 2.0 tools? Prior to this project that would be
the question I would have asked.
Web 2.0 tools are interactive platforms on the internet and
are testament to how users can get involved and become web producers in the
fast changing world of technology. Web
2.0 tools provide a space for sharing and collaboration, opportunities to interact
and communicate with a specific audience and are current with the modern area
of technology in and outside the classroom.
Blogging
I decided the first assignment I would do with my 3rd
form class would be to have each student set up a blog, via BlogSpot. The
purpose for this activity was to:
·
Provide an avenue for students to vigorously
exchange information
·
Give exposure to web tools and the opportunities
they can provide for their studies.
·
Create a healthy space for students to share and
collaborate
·
Allow the
teacher to get a chance to connect with the students and to create an informal
communicative setting allowing the students to be more relaxed
Some challenges envisioned are:
·
Students not au fait with the blogging process
·
Students negative to the new challenging process
·
Students
Lazy and nonchalant towards research and application.
·
No access to internet at Students homes.
Virtual Field
When planning to teach on the topic of coral reefs to a 2nd form geography class, at the Jennings Secondary School. I knew I had to keep the students fully engaged as there are 11 boys and 9girls.
I decided to use the virtual field trip to the Bahamas corals as this would give exposure to viewing and enlightenment of the wonders of coral reefs in the Caribbean. The idea of the virtual field trip eliminated the risk factors of taking the large group on the underwater excursion, and they could still learn the purpose and discover the underwater beauty.
I prepared all the necessary tools for the virtual field trip, the projector, and laptop and reserved the IT lab to ensure the proper lighting would be adequate for the adventure. I preempted that I might have distractions as this class tends to get rowdy, but I planned to enforce the rules. I prepared a handout with the significant details of the project and included the website to assess the virtual field trip in case the students nodded off and missed vital information.
I began by asking the class a few questions: Who can swim? Who is asthmatic? Who is cluster phobic? I grouped them according to their responses and then proceeded to distribute the paper orange mock life vests I prepared. The group leaders were identified. “Teacher what are we doing today.” The enthusiastic students queried in unison. “Students turn around and close your eyes” I instructed. Then voila the virtual scenario was on.
Voice Thread
Six, 4th form Art students of the Jennings Secondary School shared personal poems, showcasing their attributes against a backdrop of their self-portraits. As the teacher involved, I decided to collaborate with 4th form students of another school the Ottos Secondary School, and I was able to do so through networking with my friend and old classmate Ms. Archibald, who happened to be the art teacher of the institution. We decided to use the web tool Voice Thread to give the students a chance to first, share their work orally, and then to explore the talent and techniques the two groups used, ensuring that this was in a safe environment. The use of the VoiceThread brought the art project and a writing project to an authentic audience. It gave the students a chance to experience critiques other than those of their classmates and their instructors. A scanner, microphone, and laptop were the tools used to complete the task. We first created our poems in class, and then we scanned the portraits into VoiceThread, and then, the students read their poems against their portrait backdrops. The easiest part of this project was creating the self-portraits. The hardest part was getting all of the voices entered into the VoiceThread process. We needed a quiet room as our microphone was sensitive to the slightest of noise, and we had to place a caution sign “ Quiet, Recording in Process.” The students were required to make comments on each other’s poems and at least two of the pairing class of the Ottos School. The stipulation in the rubric stated that each student had to provide support and positive feedback to each other, and this turned out to be an exciting exchange.
Reference
BREEF's Virtual
Coral Reef Field Trip: Life on the Bahamian Coral Reef. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 27, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N-2XqICOwU
Web 2.0 Tools. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2015, from http://web2014.discoveryeducation.com/web20tools.cfm
No comments:
Post a Comment