Learning @ Schools 2012

Where to start???

I am really excited to start the year so inspired and motivated with lots of ideas to really get the most use of the current technologies I have, and also to explore mobile learning devices such as ipods and tablets to better engage students and also make learning mobile and accessible to more students.

I knew about you tube and used it occasionally within my program, but I went to You too can You Tube and really got buzzing with all the different ways I could use it across the curriculum. 

Here are some ways I will be using You Tube this term:

Swimming Tutorials
How to write a limerick
How to blend with paint/picasso

I am also really keen to experiment with Google Docs with the children.  One great example was a collective story where the children each had a page to write within this doc.  Each child must wait until the previous page has been written to be able to add to it correctly.  It could be set as a home learning task for the week and then to be shared the week after in writing time.

Here is the google powerpoint from the breakout I went to about one schools journey with google docs
magpie ict journey

Follow this art blog!

This blog is fantastic!  Lots of creative art ideas for all levels.
enjoy
http://paintedpaperintheartroom.blogspot.com/

Glogster webinars

If you are interested in learning more about Glogster Edu, sign up for the webinars happening this January.  They cover how Glogster can be utilised in your classroom programmes.  You will need to sign up first, but it is free to sign up.

Are we meeting our students needs? Food for thought...

Via: Voxy Blog

Maori singing resource

Found this on youtube. Youtube clip of Maori songs  Skip the end as she's sending a message to her past teacher.

Songs on this are:
AEIOU
Rakau (E papa)
Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, wai wai

Or if you just want Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku
body youtube clip

New children to Vardon Idea

An idea that came from the conference was a first day at school book/power point.  The idea is that a senior child follows the new child for the day taking photos of where their bag goes, where their class is, who is their teacher, who they played with, where they are allowed to play etc  The senior child then creates a power point that gets printed and binded into a book that can go home with that child.

This was done only for new entrant children.  I think that this would be a great idea for any new child regardless of which syndicate they are joining.  We could have templates of the power point for each syndicate as it will vary between syndicates.

The power point could also be emailed to the family so they can share it with other family members.  Or it could be done in google docs power point. It could also be uploaded onto their class or personal blog, or the information could be used for the information about me part of their blog.

I think this will be a great idea.  Great practice for our children in photography and power point skills, as well as design and layout and as well as relationship building.

Using paint to teach symmetry

using paint to teach symmetryI used google docs presentation to create this presentation and it looks really boring.  I prefer normal powerpoint as it has all the bells and whistles.  Anyway here it is so have a go at making your own butterfly.  Use this link if you are having trouble viewing the powerpoint "using paint to teach symmetry"