Blogging as a thinking toolBlogging as a thinking tool

Building Home/School Relationships

Getting StartedGetting Started

Global student (Education Dept) – blog information and resources

Video to get started explaining themes and posts

Edublogs – host of the blogs, great for technical support / security issues

http://globalstudent.org.au

Classroom Blog Classroom Blog –– Home Home /School Relationship/School Relationship

2010 Classroom Blog

2009 Classroom Blog

Classroom BlogClassroom Blog

Online community – introduction to students and parents

Publishes student work in multiple formats (work samples, video, podcasts, weblinks, etc)

Parents see inside the classroom

Classroom and school information- planning, homework, links to websites/games/school related announcements, etc

Transition to Ultranet

•Thinkers of the World Unite – a blog dedicated to creating a thinking community of primary aged students

Thinking Community

Student FocusStudent Focus

Previous blogging had been less learning specific (interest based)

Thinking blogs emerged from the desire to focus students to something engaging and outside regular classroom experience.

Thinkers of the World UniteThinkers of the World Unite

Expand the Web 2.0 context

Invite classes locally/globally to join

Add teachers as users to add content

Thinking QuestionsThinking Questions

What is Art?Theo Jansen Video

Thinking QuestionsThinking Questions

Texts “The Three Questions”

FUSE – Dept’s digital resource

Video – Dreaming - I Think Series

Websites - Hot Philosophy

Web 2.0

•In order to create a dynamic Web 2.0 environment the blogging community has to beencouraged to read the classroom blog and leavecomments

•Students need to create web links to their friends blogs and the classroom blog

•Students need time after they have blogged to read other blogs and leave comments

Extend communityExtend community

Link to school’s webpage

Letter home to parents

Publish homework or class work that is considered mandatory classroom content

Links to related school content making it useful resource for parents

SecuritySecurity

Surnames - in blog addresses, in any published work, within student classroom work that is uploaded or photographed

Photographs – school’s internet / photo use policy

Links on student blogs – themes

SecuritySecurity

Administrator Teacher as administrator of blog, you are

able to see dashboard of student, you control publishing.

Discussion SettingsYou are able to customise security in

regards to comments Privacy settings – customise the layers of

users

AssessmentAssessment

Writing – many VELS dimensions

Thinking Processes ‘A focus on the development of thinking competencies within specific areas of

the curriculum not only serves as a core integrative function, it also has the potential to provide continuity in approaches to learning from P-10 and to emphasise the view that such knowledge, skills and behaviours are important to lifelong learning.’

-reasoning, processing and inquiry -creativity -refection, evaluation and metacognition

ICT -develop new thinking and learning skills that produce creative and innovative

insights. -express themselves in contemporary and relevant ways. -Communicate locally and globally to share knowledge. -Understandings the implications of the use of ICT and their ethical

responsibilities as users.

Email

exton.duncan.d@edumail.vic.gov.au

Powerpoint - Google Docs

About MeAbout Me

Classroom Teacher for 11 years, currently at Greythorn PS as ICT co-ordinator and grade 4 teacher

Winner CONNECT/SLAV Web 2.0 Best Use Competition 2009 Presented ‘Blogging As Thinking Tool’ ICTEV State Conference 2009 Presented VITTA Slide To Open 2009 Article “Blogging As Thinking Tool” ICTEV Magazine 2009 Authentic Student Learning ‘Global Teacher Journey’ Heather Blakey A+ Blog - Global Student Featured Blog – ‘Bright Idea’s SLAV blogging site 2009 Presenting ‘Blogging As Thinking Tool’ ACEC Conference 2010