Blogging as a thinking tool

1. Blogging as a thinking tool Building Home/School Relationships

2. 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 Getting Started

3. http://globalstudent.org.au

4. 2010 Classroom Blog • 2009 Classroom Blog Classroom Blog – Home /School Relationship

5. 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 Classroom Blog

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

7. 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. Student Focus

8. Expand the Web 2.0 context • Invite classes locally/globally to join • Add teachers as users to add content Thinkers of the World Unite

9. What is Art? • Theo Jansen Video Thinking Questions

10. Texts “The Three Questions” • FUSE– Dept’s digital resource • Video –Dreaming - I Think Series • Websites - Hot Philosophy Thinking Questions

11. In order to create a dynamic Web 2.0 • environment the blogging community has to be • encouraged to read the classroom blog and leave • comments • 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 Web 2.0

12. 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 Extend community

13. 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 Security

14. Administrator • Teacher as administrator of blog, you are able to see dashboard of student, you control publishing. • Discussion Settings • You are able to customise security in regards to comments • Privacy settings – customise the layers of users Security

15. 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. Assessment

16. exton.duncan.d@edumail.vic.gov.au Powerpoint - Google Docs Email

17. 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 About Me