tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9442692359756711272024-03-14T08:16:56.503+11:00Mind's Wonderings: Education and TechnologyI have decided that it is not hard to be enthusiastic about the developments in technology and the applications these have on education and teaching. Each new development sends my mind wandering - how can I use this to teach my kids?, will it enhance their learning?, would my students be disadvantaged if I didn't keep up? So, this resulted in the development of this blog - my mind's wonderings and thoughts on education and technology.Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-12030575378739930682013-06-21T10:16:00.001+10:002013-06-21T10:16:39.601+10:00Using ICTs in the Primary Geography Classroom - Adelaide Today, I will be showing you a range of tools that will be useful when teaching Geography in the Primary classroom. In particular, these Web 2.0 tools will allow for collaboration, investigation and representation of geographical information. <br />
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This presentation today will only look at some of these tools. I have presented these as my 'Top 11" using a program called Jux (an online web based content presentation tool). The presentation is embedded below but you can also access it by clicking on this link - <a href="https://geographynerd.jux.com/#146653" target="_blank">My top 11 web2.0 tools in the classroom.</a> All links throughout the presentation are underlined.<br />
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<a href="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653" style="display: block; height: 100%; max-height: 600px; min-height: 300px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"></a><iframe src="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653?sans_gallery=true" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 100%; max-height: 600px; min-height: 300px; width: 100%;"></iframe><br />
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<strong>Some Specific Primary Sites</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.kidrex.org/" target="_blank">KidRex - Kid Safe Search Engine</a><br />
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<a href="http://imgur.com/a/Ktydb" target="_blank">Breakfasts Around the World </a> or <a href="http://imgur.com/a/mN8Zs" target="_blank">What the World Eats</a> or <a href="http://www.gabrielegalimberti.com/projects/toys-2/" target="_blank">Toy Stories</a><br />
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<a href="http://geoguessr.com/" target="_blank">GeoGuessr</a> and <a href="http://geosettr.com/" target="_blank">GeoSettr</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.videonot.es/" target="_blank">Video Notes</a><br />
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<strong>Using GeoSpatial Technologies in the Primary Classroom</strong><br />
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<a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/multimedia/interactive/maps-tools-gis-action/?ar_a=4" target="_blank">GIS in Action</a><br />
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<a href="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/?pli=1" target="_blank">Google Maps Engine Lite</a> <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MZG5dGo7naA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/" target="_blank">Contour Education</a><br />
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<strong>Useful Resources</strong><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Geography-Teachers-Association-of-Queensland/190157574364576" target="_blank">Geography Teachers Association of QLD Facebook Page</a><br />
@geographynerd<br />
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Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-77133268396134183782013-01-07T07:01:00.002+11:002013-01-07T07:05:40.419+11:00AGTA 2013 - Teaching Geography in the 21st Century: A Web 2.0 ApproachMarch 2013 will (hopefully) see the release of the Australian Geography Curriculum. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to enhance some of the excellent geography already happening in classrooms around Australia to include 21st century skills. Geography is one key learning area that can do this so well, and with the tools now available, make it real and engaging for the students.<br />
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The Australian Curriculum was developed from the <a href="http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/mceecdya/melbourne_declaration,25979.html" target="_blank">Melbourne Declaration</a> and therefore looks at seven general capabilities that all students need. These general capabilities include:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Literacy</li>
<li>Numeracy</li>
<li>Information and communication technology capability</li>
<li>Critical and creative thinking</li>
<li>Personal and social capability</li>
<li>Ethical behaviour</li>
<li>Intercultural understanding</li>
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<i>For more detail go to the <a href="http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/" target="_blank">ACARA website</a></i></div>
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Web 2.0 is not represented in the ICT capability strand alone. When teaching a Geography class using Web 2.0, you are probably using most, if not all of these capabilities. Therefore, the challenge we have now is to delve through the long list of tools to work out what we could and should use, and why. So much has been written about 21st century learning, and there are so many tools out there, that it can become overwhelming. However, don't let this deter you!</div>
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The presentation today will only look at some of these tools. I have presented these as my 'Top 11" using a program called <a href="https://jux.com/" target="_blank">Jux </a>(an online web based content presentation tool). The presentation is embedded below but you can also access it by clicking on this link - <a href="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653" target="_blank">My top 11 web2.0 tools in the classroom.</a> All links throughout the presentation are underlined.<br />
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<a href="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653" style="display: block; height: 100%; max-height: 600px; min-height: 300px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"></a><iframe src="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653?sans_gallery=true" style="border: none; height: 100%; max-height: 600px; min-height: 300px; width: 100%;"></iframe></div>
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Other resources on Web2.0 tools can also be found on my blog so have a read of previous posts. Hopefully there will be some tools in here that will be useful for you!</div>
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Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-39509472730712985042013-01-07T06:40:00.002+11:002013-06-21T06:45:18.273+10:00Infographics: A 21st Century Skill?<br />
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Geography students in the 21st century will develop characteristics and skills that are different to those skills I learnt in the Geography classroom. Technology will definitely play a role in this. Even in a 1:1 classroom, students may still use an atlas to locate a country, draw a cross section or interpret a population pyramid. However, due to increased access to technological tools, other skills need to be developed or enabled.</div>
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Andrew Churches, author of <a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/" target="_blank">Educational Origami </a>(a 21st century learning wikispace), provides an overview of the 21st century learner. In particular, he writes about Digital Blooms, looking specifically at the higher order thinking skills needed to utilize technology tools to enhance learning and vice versa. The importance of having the skills to be a discerning user of technology has never been greater. The diagram below provides an overview of these thinking skills.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy4DaE5q32Q/UOnPU6h1lVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/-1_A7YK1MbU/s1600/Bloom's_Digital_Taxonomy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy4DaE5q32Q/UOnPU6h1lVI/AAAAAAAAAP8/-1_A7YK1MbU/s400/Bloom's_Digital_Taxonomy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom%27s+Digital+Taxonomy" target="_blank">Source: Churches, A. 2010, Educational Origami, Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy</a></div>
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Like any other teacher, when planning a lesson, learning activity or assessment task for my students, I always consider the higher order thinking skills involved. By referring to ‘Digital Blooms’, I always aim to ensure that the tasks adequately enable students to show their ability to ‘evaluate’ or ‘create’. Web 2.0 tools are now readily available for students in the classroom, and create wonderful opportunities for students to show their higher order thinking skills. I have written articles before on the use of Web 2.0 tools in the Geography classroom. However, I did find it a little more difficult to pinpoint how these tools enable students to develop the higher order thinking skills outlined in Digital Blooms. Upon reflection, the use and creation of infographics is definitely an online tool that Geography students can utilize in a 21st century classroom.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLwq8AX74r4/UOnSxR8bMRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/dgbqS_Jhg2Y/s1600/Infographic-of-infographics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLwq8AX74r4/UOnSxR8bMRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/dgbqS_Jhg2Y/s400/Infographic-of-infographics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Infographics are visual explanations of data, information or knowledge that use the elements of design to display content (Roy, S 2011). The most successful infographics express a more complex message using images and various levels of data such as statistics. Geography teachers are drawn to these data visualisations as they often provide a clear overview of a theme or topic that we teach in class. </div>
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As I searched the internet for information and advice on the use of Infographics, I came across the following blog post by Hongkiat Lim, the Chief Editor of Hongkiat.com, a technology website. The author has listed what he considers to be the 50 most informative and well-designed infographics. What interested me the most was that of this top fifty, twenty one of these infographics could be part of a geography lesson. Two of the most striking on this list were <a href="http://www.princeton.%20edu/~ina/infographics/weapons.html" target="_blank">Choose Your Weapon: The Global Arms Trade</a> and <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/~ina/infographics/water.%20html" target="_blank">Glass Half Empty: The Coming</a> <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/~ina/infographics/water.%20html" target="_blank">Water Wars</a>. This strengthened my belief that using and creating infographics are higher order thinking skills in Geography. </div>
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Daniel Adams, a blogger for <a href="http://www.instantshift.com/2011/03/25/what-areinfographics-%20and-why-are-they-important/" target="_blank">InstantShift </a> provided further detail on the role of infographics. He included the following points as the aim of a</div>
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successful infographic:</div>
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• to communicate a message</div>
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• to present a lot of data or information in a way that is compact and easy to comprehend</div>
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• to analyse data in order to discover cause-and-effect relationships;</div>
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and</div>
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• to look for links between statistics and the theme of the infographic.</div>
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These all relate strongly to the ‘Analysis’ and ‘Decision-Making’ criteria in the Senior Geography syllabus. This was all the evidence I needed to start using these tools in the classroom.</div>
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So, how can you use infographics in the Geography classroom? Firstly,on their own, infographics are a great source of up-to-date content for a Geography teacher. Good sites for infographics include <a href="http://www.easel.ly/" target="_blank">Easyly</a>, <a href="http://infogr.am/">Infogram</a> and <a href="http://submitinfographics.com/c/%20education-inforgraphics/geography-infographics">Submitinfographics.com</a>. Geography resources such as National Geographic and the Australian Bureau of Statistics now use this data visualization tool when representing their data. One example designed by the ABS looks at <a href="http://visual.ly/australia-defined-snapshot-population-growth-and-change">Australia’s Changing Population</a>. </div>
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An infographic will also save a teacher time when developing resources or assessment tasks. In particular, the infographic could provide a new way for teachers to present the data and stimulus for a Response to Stimulus Essay task in Senior Geography. This form or presenting visual data could also be useful in the creation of extra stimulus for practicals and as data in field reports. Next time you are searching for content for a topic, consider putting the word ‘infographic’ in as part of your search to see what is available.</div>
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Secondly, the Web 2.0 nature of infographic tools allow anyone, students or teachers, to create and share their own infographics. Setting a class activity or assessment task that involves the creation of an infographic definitely involves many of the higher order thinking skills outlined in digital blooms. Students need to research and find the data they would like to present on a theme. Following this, they will need to consider the images, colour and design of the infographic to portray their message. A wonderful resource I discovered that outlines the criteria for a successful infographic is found on the <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/infographic-design/?ar_a=1" target="_blank">National Geographic website – Dwindling Food Variety: What makes this graphic so good? </a>The site includes a clear overview of both the skill in selecting the types of data, as well as the elements of design including colour, font and layout. If you are interested in creating your own infographics, go to Easy.ly. This allows the user to create an infographic, but you can also follow other creators and receive updates on themes, of which Geography is one. Also, once completed, the user can embed the infographic on a website or blog, as well as create jpeg of their creation.</div>
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There is no question that infographics and data visualization play an important role in the Geography classroom. They always have. However, the ability for students to quickly and effectively create their own infographics will only enhance their skills in a 21st century classroom.</div>
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Create one yourself, make it an assessment task in your junior Geography classroom, or use it as a revision tool. As usual, Web2.0 tools are there for you to use.<br />
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<a href="http://list.ly/list/3G6-infographics-charting-and-mapping-tools-apps" target="_blank">46 Useful Infographic Tools</a></div>
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<b>Sources</b></div>
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Adams, D. (2011) <a href="http://www.instantshift.com/2011/03/25/what-are-infographics-andwhy-%20are-they-important/" target="_blank">What are infographics and why are they important?</a>, Accessed 25/9/12.</div>
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Churches, A. (2010) <a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.%20com/Bloom%E2%80%99s+Digital+Taxonomy" target="_blank">Educational Origami</a></div>
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Lim, H. (2011) <a href="http://www.%20hongkiat.com/blog/50-informative-and-well-designed-infographics/" target="_blank">50 Informative and Well-Designed Infographics</a></div>
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National Geographic Education, (2011) <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/%20education/multimedia/infographic-design/?ar_a=4&ar_r=999" target="_blank">Dwindling Food Variety: What</a> <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.com/%20education/multimedia/infographic-design/?ar_a=4&ar_r=999" target="_blank">Makes this Graphic so Good?</a></div>
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Roy, S. (2011) <a href="http://spyrestudios.com/the-anatomy-of-an-infographic-5-stepsto-%20create-a-powerful-visual/" target="_blank">The Anatomy of an Infographic:5 steps to create a powerful visual</a></div>
Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-9285938889831836962012-08-26T06:34:00.001+10:002012-08-26T06:34:10.655+10:00GTAV 2012 - Geography in the 21st Century using Web2.0<b>What is a 21st century learner?</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">According to <a href="http://www.schoolbriefing.com/511/21st-century-skills-the-role-of-technology-in-education-today/">Ian Jukes</a>, 21st century learners need to be fluent in:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 100%;">The use of technology = technological fluency</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 100%;">Collecting, processing, manipulating and validating information = information fluency</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 100%;">Using, selecting, viewing and manipulating media = media fluency</span></li>
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Taken directly from the <a href="http://www.fluency21.com/">21st century Fluency Project</a><br />
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<b><i>Even if you have a 21st century classroom, flexible and adaptable; even if you are a 21st century teacher; an adaptor, communicator, leader and a learner, a visionary and a model, a collaborator and a risk taker; even if your curriculum reflects the new paradigm and you have the facilities and resources that could enable 21st century learning - you will only be a 21st century teacher if how we teach changes as well. Our pedagogy must change. </i></b></div>
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<i>Educational Origami (NZ teacher and amazing blogger)</i></div>
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<b>My Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools in the Geography Classroom</b> <br />
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<b>Resources from this Presentation</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/12geo-climate-change">Year 12 Climate Change ScoopIt, </a>or <a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/people-and-development">People and Development ScoopIt</a><br />
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<a href="http://animoto.com/">Animoto</a><br />
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<b>Examples of Spatial Technologies</b><br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/">Google World Wonders Project</a><br />
A great new project by Google. It uses Google Earth and Street View to allow users to explore wonders of the world. <br />
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I have included this video as it shows you how someone has created a whole keynote presentation on a geographical issue using Google Earth. I look at this and consider the work that our students could do in delivering something similar to this. <br />
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Wrong Climate for Damming Rivers</h3>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A8JtoednlbY" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Great Resources to Get Started</span></b></h4>
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<a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/">Contour Education</a> has a great links page but also a YouTube channel - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/contoureducation">Google Maps for Educators</a> - with a variety of videos that will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create and edit your own Google map.</div>
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<b>Web 2.0 Resources and other things....</b></div>
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<a href="http://edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/">Edudemic - 100 Best Web 2.0 tools chosen by you</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDEducation">Ted Ed</a></div>
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<a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/Bloom%27s+quicksheets.pdf">Digital Blooms Taxonomy Quicksheets from Educational Origami's wikispace</a></div>
<br />Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-86703265987742564852012-06-22T10:13:00.002+10:002012-08-26T06:20:24.873+10:00Easy Spatial Technologies in the Geography ClassroomBelow are some examples of great spatial technology sites that can be used in the Geography classroom. They use the basic skills and tools of a GIS program, but are available free and online. There is now no reason to blame cost of a program as a blocker to using spatial technologies in the classroom. Most data is frequently updated as well, which makes life even easier.<br />
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<a href="http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/">MapZone </a><br />
A site created by UK to provide an overview and some great activities on GIS. Great as an introduction to GIS, as well as how spatial information can be used to make decisions. <br />
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<a href="http://www.carbonmap.org/#intro">The Carbon Map</a><br />
This is an interesting site as it uses the idea of the cartogram to look at the impact of climate change. What is even more interesting is that the site has a voice over to explain the maps as they appear. A good one to look at in the classroom. You could possibly look at using a program such as Jing so that your students could make their own explanations. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/topographic-mapping/mapconnect.html">GeoScience Australia Map Connect</a><br />
An online GIS tool that provides 250K topographic map layers for Australia. You can zoom in and add, take of and create your own information. <br />
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<a href="http://migrationsmap.net/#/USA/arrivals">MigrationsMap </a><br />
A simple map, with a mixture of data visualisation, showing arrivals and departures for any country in the world. Data is based on the<a href="http://www.migrationdrc.org/research/typesofmigration/global_migrant_origin_database.html"> Global Migrant Origin Database</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mappinglife.org/">Map of Life</a><br />
This is a new site that is currently only in demo release. <span class="c0">It allows you to map and produce list of species anywhere for ~ 25,000 species (including </span><span class="c0 c10">all </span><span class="c0">described birds, mammals and amphibians). As it is only in demo release, they are still ironing out bugs, but a great site to use and play with. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.ala.org.au/">Atlas of Living Australia </a><br />
A site that provides information and huge amounts of data on Australia's plant and animal species. Go to the <a href="http://spatial.ala.org.au/">'Mapping and Analysis'</a> section for a Google Maps based online tool. <br />
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<a href="http://www.protectedplanet.net/">Protected Planet</a><br />
Another example of spatial technologies and Web2.0 collaboration on the same site. It is quite simple as it provides detail on protected areas. It includes images and inforamtion, mostly added by professionals and people who live in these areas. <br />
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<a href="http://scribblemaps.com/">Scribble Maps</a><br />
Allows you to simply 'scribble' on your own map. <br />
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<a href="http://www.spatialgenie.edu.au/spatialgenie/">Spatial Genie </a>- This site has been created by ESA. It provides a wonderful variety of GIS and spatial resources for the classroom. You will need to register to log in. Have a look as there will be links to the Australian Curriculum. <br />
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<b>Creating and Using Google Maps in the Classroom</b></h3>
<a href="http://exploration.nationalgeographic.com/mongolia/">Map Explorer</a><br />
A new site created by National Geographic that allows anybody in the world to find evidence of archaeological sites using satellite imagery on Google Earth. I love this site as it is a mixture between Web2.0, crowdsourcing, and spatial technologies. <br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/">Google World Wonders Project</a><br />
A great new project by Google. It uses Google Earth and Street View to allow users to explore wonders of the world. <br />
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I have included this video as it shows you how someone has created a whole keynote presentation on a geographical issue using Google Earth. I look at this and consider the work that our students could do in delivering something similar to this. <br />
<h3>
Wrong Climate for Damming Rivers</h3>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A8JtoednlbY" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Great Resources to Get Started</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/">Contour Education</a> has a great links page but also a YouTube channel - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/contoureducation">Google Maps for Educators</a> - with a variety of videos that will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create and edit your own google map.<br />
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<b>Google Maps for Educators: An Overview</b></h3>
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Google Maps for Educators: Creating a Map
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Follow me on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/geographynerd">@geographynerd</a> - or like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geography-Teachers-Association-of-Queensland/190157574364576">GTAQ Facebook page</a> for updates on great links for Geography teachers. <br />
<br />Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-40389172011622092532012-05-18T07:42:00.001+10:002012-05-18T07:53:17.120+10:00Using Web2.0 tools in the Geography ClassroomToday I am going to show you some great Web2.0 tools that can be used in the Geography classroom (and some stories to go with them). What is important from today's presentation is that these are just tools, they are there to enhance your teaching, not take over. So, when you are planning a lesson or a unit of work, consider why you are using it, and it if will make the lesson effective...<br />
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<b>My Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools in the Geography Classroom </b><br />
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<b>Resources from this Presentation</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/12geo-climate-change">Year 12 Climate Change ScoopIt</a><br />
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<a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=215522372819218728902.0004bfe6f9de5fcac74b0&msa=0&ll=-35.316386,149.153481&spn=0.046714,0.104628">Google Maps - AGTA 109 Meeting</a></div>
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<b>Web 2.0 Resources and other things....</b></div>
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<a href="http://edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/">Edudemic - 100 Best Web 2.0 tools chosen by you</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDEducation">Ted Ed</a></div>
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<a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/Bloom%27s+quicksheets.pdf">Digital Blooms Taxonomy Quicksheets from Educational Origami's wikispace.</a></div>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-34302575722078332542012-03-24T05:30:00.006+11:002012-03-24T08:06:46.035+11:00Effective Digital Pedagogy in a 1:1 Classroom<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; line-height: normal; "><b><i>Even if you have a 21st century classroom, flexible and adaptable; even if you are a 21st century teacher; an adaptor, communicator, leader and a learner, a visionary and a model, a collaborator and a risk taker; even if your curriculum reflects the new paradigm and you have the facilities and resources that could enable 21st century learning - you will only be a 21st century teacher if how we teach changes as well. Our pedagogy must change. </i></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; line-height: normal; "><i>Educational Origami (NZ teacher and amazing blogger)</i></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><iframe width="500" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c0xa98cy-Rw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">According to <a href="http://www.schoolbriefing.com/511/21st-century-skills-the-role-of-technology-in-education-today/">Ian Jukes</a>, 21st century learners need to be fluent in:</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><ul><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">The use of technology = technological fluency</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Collecting, processing, manipulating and validating information = information fluency</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Using, selecting, viewing and manipulating media = media fluency</span></li></ul></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; ">Taken directly from the <a href="http://www.fluency21.com/">21st century Fluency Project</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom</b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><div style="position:relative"><a style="display: block; width: 100%; height: 100%; min-height: 300px; max-height: 600px; position: absolute;" href="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653"></a><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100%; min-height: 300px; max-height: 600px; border: none;" src="https://geographynerd.jux.com/146653?sans_gallery=true"></iframe></div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>Web 2.0 Resources and other things....</b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/">Edudemic - 100 Best Web 2.0 tools chosen by you</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDEducation">Ted Ed</a></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/Bloom%27s+quicksheets.pdf">Digital Blooms Taxonomy Quicksheets from Educational Origami's wikispace.</a></div>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-74460724529400507632011-11-16T15:04:00.012+11:002011-11-16T16:32:07.737+11:00A 30 Minute Overview - Web 2.0 in the ClassroomWeb 2.0 are tools that allow you to collaborate, share and create online. For educators, not only does it provide for interesting, engaging and collaborative projects in the classroom, it will also save you time in your teaching.<br /><br />Today I will show you just a small portion of tools that you can use. There are many out there, and once you start looking, some will become invaluable. However, it is important to consider the following before you embark on your Web 2.0 journey.<br /><br /><strong>1. What is the purpose of the activity/lesson/assessment? </strong><br /><strong>2. Will it create an effective learning experiences for the students? </strong><br /><strong>3. How do you know that this has worked? </strong><br /><br /><strong>What Do You Know About Web 2.0?</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MjMzMTgwNTA4/web.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300"></script><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="FONT-SIZE: 0.75em">Replace <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/audience-response-system">audience response hardware</a> with <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/polls/MjMzMTgwNTA4/chart_widget.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300"></script><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="FONT-SIZE: 0.75em">Create your own <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">sms poll</a> at <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><strong>Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom</strong><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a></strong><br /><br />This is a tool that allows you to create 'polls' for your classes. You can send through a link to the students or embed it into your blog, wiki or OneNote. Think creatively as to how you can use this tool - a discussion creator, a quiz for revision, a tool for formative assessment at the beginnin and end of a unit...<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a></strong><br /><br />This is a toy for generating 'word clouds' from text. Many people in this room have already used Wordle before in the classroom. However, its simple application can work beyond a brainstorming tool. Consider the use of Wordle in the drafting process of extended written pieces, so that students can establish if they have addressed the main themes or concepts in their writing. It is also a great tool to show learning from the beginning to the end of a unit of work.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://edu.glogster.com/">Glogster</a></strong><br /><br />A Web 2.0 tool that allows students to create 'online' posters. Each student will need to sign in, however the education version is free. This is a great tool for single lesson activities, to create chapter summaries or as a smaller assessment task. An example of an interesting <a href="http://tehescmarts.edu.glogster.com/the-moon-meehan/">Glogster - The Moon.</a><br /><br /><strong>Web 2.0 Tools That Save You Time</strong><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Many of you already use YouTube to find videos and documentaries for your classroom. You can also subscribe to various channels and the most recent videos will be sent to your page. Use <a href="http://www.blogger.com/tube%20chop">TubeChop</a> to cut longer videos to the sections you want, and <a href="http://www.dragontape.com/#/home">DragOnTape</a> to create a mixed tape of YouTube videos.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a></strong><br /><br />Twitter is not only a place to tell the world about your life. It is a great search engine and tool for professional development. Sign up and 'follow' various news groups and recognised tweeters and information will be sent to you.<br /><br /><strong>RSS Feeds</strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div>The R<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqZQiMT4-6o/TsNIlQFmJgI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ms4Nr8oVQvg/s1600/12065637851779660844SRD_RSS_Logo_svg_hi.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 115px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675459760227755522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqZQiMT4-6o/TsNIlQFmJgI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ms4Nr8oVQvg/s200/12065637851779660844SRD_RSS_Logo_svg_hi.bmp" /></a>SS Feed is a symbol that appears on most websites, news sources and blogs. You can sign up to a RSS Reader (such as <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page">Google Reader</a>) and it will send any articles from these sources to your Reader. In your reader, you can categorise according to topics. This may also be useful for senior students to sign up to.<br /><br /><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Other Resources<br /></strong><br /><a href="http://edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/">The 100 Best Web2.0 Tools For the Classroom 2011 </div></a></div>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-77474163511805443462011-10-21T06:31:00.007+11:002011-10-21T08:45:54.895+11:00TGTA - Using Web 2.0 in the Geography ClassroomToday I have 90 minutes to show you some great tools that will enhance your teaching of Geography. These are all internet based and free. Some are focused on making your life easier in when searching for resources, the others are for use in the classroom.<br /><br />Firstly, some inspiration...<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r9LelXa3U_I" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0pt 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">View more </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> from </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Twitter</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> can be used as both a search tool and also a tool in the classroom. An educational and more secure version of Twitter in the classroom is called <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/home">Edmodo.</a><br /><br />Twitter can also be used as a teaching tool in the classroom. Some examples on how to do this are found in the following slideshare presentation - <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jonesy2008/tweeting-geography">Tweeting Geography. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google Maps</span></span><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/"><br />Google Maps</a> is a great tool in the Geography classroom. Below is a video that will explain how to create a 'Google Map' in the classroom.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TftFnot5uXw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="455"></iframe><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/ADbeCHQLUpk"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Useful Videos on Google Maps</span><br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/ADbeCHQLUpk">Google Maps Introduction</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Google#p/u/19/PvIYjsRwt5A">Get the Weather with Google Maps</a><br /><br />I have used Google Maps with students in class for both class activities and assessment tasks. Here are two examples below:<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=200969434941822816156.00048416a66d568f5c7d2&msa=0&ll=-38.309875,144.719296&spn=0.045662,0.104628"><br />Year 11 Geography Field Trip - Mornington Peninsula</a><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=206529587152084122879.0004af227e4a83820cb01&msa=0&ll=3.162456,90.878906&spn=102.052651,214.277344"><br />Year 9 Geography - Natural Disasters</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Resources</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/geo.html">Google For Educators</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/google-latlong.blogspot.com/">Google Lat Long Blog</a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gapminder</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder </a>is one of the best tools available to analyse demographic data and population statistics. This workshop will show you what Gapminder can do and provide you with some ideas on how to use this great website in your Geography classroom.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Hans Rosling stated that <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">'</span></span><strong><em class="custom_highlight">There is no such thing as a western world or a developing world’</em></strong>. He followed on to say that:<br /><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Geography teachers and pupils are familiar with the concepts of 'less' and 'more' developed countries (LEDCs and MEDCs), of 'developed' and 'developing' countries and a global 'North-South Divide'.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">For many years these concepts have helped students learn about inequality, however in recent decades there has been significant global convergence between these 'developed' and 'developing worlds', so much so that these concepts and terms no longer fit. In fact, they are wrong and if we use them we risk leaving students with a flawed view of the world that ignores recent economic and social change that has affected billions of people.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">There is a need for geography teachers to challenge our assumptions, to change mindset and use a different vocabulary to describe the world. Young people need modern understanding of their diverse and changing world that is drawn from the reliable data that actually exists; they need this to understand the real change that is happening in their places and lives, and in the lives of others.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Geography has a powerful role to play in allowing students to build a current and knowledge-based world view, and to develop their understanding of meaningful data that is distinct from political discourse and personal opinion.</p>To read the rest of this article go to the following link - <a href="http://www.geography.org.uk/resources/gapminderandworldmapper">Geographical Association - Gapminder and World Mapper. </a><br /><br />Gapminder was founded in February 2005 with the aim of providing facts and statistics to debunk myths people had about the difference between developed and developing countries. Hans Rosling, one of the founding members spoke for the first time at a TED conference in 2006.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fTznEIZRkLg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />There are also links to a number of teaching resources. These include a lesson overview of <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/downloads/200-years/">200 Years that changed the World</a>, a great powerpoint presentation explaining <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/downloads/life-expectancy-ppt/">Life Expectancy</a> and various other resources.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have used Gapminder with my classes in a number of ways. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Introducing Analysis of Statistics</span><br />When introducing scattergraphs, I use it to explain how a scattergraph is created and why we use it to look for relationships. I then also look for anomolies in the data.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Explaining Relationships Between Data</span><br />If you are in a 1:1 environment, ask the students to create a 'Hans' video of a set of data that they have chosen. They can use various programs to record a voice-over whilst playing the data, including <a href="http://blog.jingproject.com/">Jing</a>, or Adobe Screen Capture. Once you have captured this video, you could upload it to a website and create a collaborative Google Map of Levels of Development.<br /><br />This really is one of the best Geography resources I have used. It is incredibly engaging for the students and they love to discuss, watch and ask questions of the data.....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Gapminder Resources</span><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/for-teachers/"><br />Gapminder for Teachers</a><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><a href="http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/gapminder-an-amazing-website-for-all-curricula-promoting-inquiry-and-divergent-thinking-a-21st-century-gem/">Gapminder and 21st Century Teaching</a><br /><br /><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/nycischool.org/gapminder/about-gapminder-at-the-ischool">An Entire School Course Designed on Gapminder</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.similarsitesearch.com/alternative/gapminder.org">50 Sites Like Gapminder</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.oecd.org/document/1/0,3746,en_2649_33715_40680833_1_1_1_1,00.html">The OECD Factbook in Gapminder Graphs</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/news/">The Gapminder Blog</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some Other Web 2.0 Tools</span><br /><a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/my/polls"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poll Everywhere</span></a><br />This tool allows you to create polls and post them on blogs, wikis or in learning spaces. The results can also be texted in via mobile phone. Great for quizzes, pre-tests on topics and when looking for opinions in the classroom.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br />A poll for today:<br /><br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTMwNDgyMzY2Mg/web.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300" type="text/javascript"></script><div style="font-size: 0.75em">Create your own <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">sms poll</a> at <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /></div><br /><br />And the results...<br /><br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/polls/LTMwNDgyMzY2Mg/chart_widget.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300" type="text/javascript"></script><div style="font-size: 0.75em">Build <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">television sms voting</a> polls at <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glogster.com/"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glogster</span></a><br /><br />This is a Web2.0 tool that enables the user to create an online, interactive poster. So, next time you have a class activity to create a poster, consider this online alternative.<br /><br /><a href="http://kmakatche.glogster.com/Web-20/">Web2.0 Glogster</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wordle</span><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> is a tool to brainstorm or create an image of the main concepts in a text. Just for fun, I have created a wordle of the newly released rationale of the Australian Geography Curriculum.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Is this Geography?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4276037/Australian_Geography_Curriculum_Rational" title="Wordle: Australian Geography Curriculum Rational"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/4276037/Australian_Geography_Curriculum_Rational" alt="Wordle: Australian Geography Curriculum Rational" style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geography-Teachers-Association-of-Queensland/190157574364576?sk=wall">GTAQ Facebook Page</a> - Another interesting resource that you may find resources on (for those on Facebook).<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-34643030872247272602011-09-27T20:00:00.015+10:002011-09-29T08:52:53.968+10:00Integration of 1:1 Technology in the Classroom<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Web 2.0 technology and social media are now a large part of our everyday lives. The challenge as educators is to use these tools effectively in the classroom, so that they enhance current digital pedagogy. In the next 75 minutes we will look at</div><div style="text-align: center;">various tools that can be used effectively in the classroom to enable students to think, create and collaborate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div><span><span><b>Something to think about before we begin....</b><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /></span></span><span><span>His previous talk - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY&feature=channel">Do School's Kill Creativity?</a> can be viewed by clicking on the link. </span></span></div><div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><b>And something else...</b></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><i>Even if you have a 21st Century classroom, flexible and adaptable; even if you are a 21st Century teacher; An adaptor, a communicator, a leader and a learner, a visionary and a model, a collaborator and risk taker; even if your curriculum reflects the new paradigm and you have the facilities and resources that could enable 21st century learning - you will only be a 21st century teacher if how we teach changes as well. Our pedagogy must also change. </i></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><b><i>Collaboration is not a 21st century skill it is a 21st century essential. </i></b></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div>This has been taken directly from Educational Origami - a great blogger regarding the research behind a 21st century pedagogy. <a href="http://edorigami.edublogs.org/2008/08/16/21st-century-pedagogy/">Educational Origami - 21st Century Pedagogy</a>. Also, when considering why and how to use Web 2.0, think about the application of <a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom's+Digital+Taxonomy">Digital Blooms Taxonomy. </a></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>So, considering this, why would you, or do you, use Web 2.0 in the classroom. To begin with, lets do a poll. </span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTE0MTkyNzE0MTE/web.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300" type="text/javascript"></script><div style="font-size: 0.75em">Make your own <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">poll voting question</a> with <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /><br /><script language="javascript" src="http://www.polleverywhere.com/polls/LTE0MTkyNzE0MTE/chart_widget.js?height=250&results_count_format=percent&width=300" type="text/javascript"></script><div style="font-size: 0.75em">Build <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">television sms voting</a> polls at <a href="http://www.polleverywhere.com/">Poll Everywhere</a><br /></div><br /></div><br /></span></span></div><br /></div><div><span><span><span><br /><b>What is Web 2.0 Technology?</b></span></span></span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span><span><span><span><div style="width: 425px; " id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="font-weight: bold; display: block; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0pt; "><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" width="425" height="355" style="font-weight: bold; "><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><span style="font-weight: normal; ">View more </span><a style="font-weight: normal; " href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a><span style="font-weight: normal; "> from </span><a style="font-weight: normal; " href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a><span style="font-weight: normal; ">.</span><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Web2.0 or social media provides educators with the opportunity to engage students in their own learning. Here are some examples of how. </span></b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Another excellent tool to create and present is using Prezi. Check out <a href="http://prezi.com/fvibwxjskqte/copy-of-web-20-in-the-classroom/">Web2.0 in the Classroom</a> as an excellent example. </span></b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b>1. Creating Online Resources</b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b>Blogs</b></div></div></span></span></span></div><div><span><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/"><span><b>Bec's Classes 2010</b></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><br /></span><span>Creating an blog is not difficult. The video below shows a step by step instruction on how to create a blog using <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/">Global Teacher</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span><br />And this shows you how to embed a Youtube video (or any video) into your blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>New blogging sites are popping up every day. Another you can use with the advantage of not having an email to sign up with is <a href="http://www.21classes.com/">21 Classes</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /></span><span><br /><a href="http://unit4geo.wikispaces.com/">Unit 4 Geography Wiki</a><br /><br />The following video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up your first wiki. This video uses <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">wikispaces</a> however there are other options</span></span>, such as <a href="http://pbworks.com/">pbwiki.</a></div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Adding to Your Blog or Wiki<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a> allows you to upload powerpoint or keynote presentations and then embed them into a wiki or blog.</span><span><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://prezi.com/">Presi</a> - A site that allows you to create interesting presentation, either on or offline. These can be uploaded and then embedded in y</span></span>our blog or wiki. </div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />Videos<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.dragontape.com/">Drag on Tape</a> <span><span> - </span></span>This is a site that allows you to create mixtapes of your favourite Youtube videos. A demo is outlined below.<br /><br /><b><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13732976" width="400" frameborder="0" height="265"></iframe></b><p style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://vimeo.com/13732976">Dragontape Demo Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/dragontape">Dragontape</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">Xtranormal</a> - This is a great site that allows students to make their own digital animations by typing in text.<br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Collaborating with Images</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.fotobabble.com/">Fotobabble</a> - This site provides the user with the tools to create a photo slideshow and add voiceover. This can then be embedded in wikis, blogs and other online collaborative sites.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.shwup.com/">Shwup</a> - Allows students to collaborate and share photos and vidoes online in a secure environment. Educators could use this tool for students to categorise their own images for future tasks.<br /><br /><a href="http://jaycut.com/">Jaycut </a>- An online tool that allows students to create their own movies using images, video footage and sound. It is very similar to iMovie but you don't need the software...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />Nings<br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/"><br /></a></span><span><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/" style="font-weight: bold; ">Bec's Race Class</a><br />This is a great tool, similar to facebook, that allows students to collaborate online. The best way to use a ning is to ensure that you have a purpose and understand what you want out of the technology.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><b><a href="http://www.glogster.com/">Glogster</a></b></span></span></div><div><span><span>Glogser provides an online poster creator, which enables video and audio to be added to the poster. There is a gallery of graphics available, but users can upload their own images and media. Users can record video and audio directly at the site. </span></span><a href="http://kmakatche.glogster.com/Web-20/">An example of a Glog - Web2.0</a> or a student example - <a href="http://charumisra.glogster.com/glog1/">Development</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/80NISdsoouE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />2. Tools to Collaborate in the Classroom<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter </a>- providing information in 140 characters. Groups can establish their own Twitter channel and provide update information on what is happening around the world. Using the hashtag - # - as a search tool is also a great way to look at what is popular or 'trending'. An example is the <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23chilevolcano">Chile Volcano</a>. Often links to images, twitpics, are linked to a tweet. </div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><a href="http://www.wallwisher.com/">WallWisher</a> - This is a great site that allows you to post and brainstorm information. It is very handy when watching videos or discussing a topic. I used it specifically to diamond rank factors associated with issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">EdModo</a> - Like Twitter, but can be used in the classroom. Something to consider trialling as you watch a video or discussion in class.</span><span><br /><br /></span><span>Another example uses the same idea as Twitter - <a href="http://todaysmeet.com/">TodaysMeet</a> </span><span><br /></span><span><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>- A brainstorming tool that allows students and teachers to create and determine the importance of words associated with a concept. </span><span>For example, below is a wordle created from the following blog post - 21st century Pedagogy. </span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npOaGvMsFMU/ToHCwYzE3jI/AAAAAAAAAJc/K_6n1bWaSeA/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-09-27%2Bat%2B9.57.08%2BPM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657016743500242482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px; " /></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span> </span></span></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Other Resources<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.educationeye.org.uk/">Education Eye</a> - A search engine that maps educational innovation and categorises news sites by research and practice. A great teacher resource to remain up-to-date.<br /><a href="http://www.weareteachers.com/"><br />We are Teachers</a> - A collaborative site where teachers share innovative ideas and teaching practice.</span><span><br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.go2web20.net/#tag:e-learning">Go2Web2.0</a> - A site that provides links to Web 2.0 tools for education. </span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mashpedia.com/">Mashpedia</a>, <a href="http://www.boolify.org/">Boolify</a> and <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/">Wolfram/Alpha</a> - Great search engines. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.classroom20.com/">Classroom 2.0</a> - Ideas on using Web 2.0 in the classroom. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/web20-in-the-classroom">Web2.0 in the classroom</a> - Another great resource on using Web 2.0 in the classroom. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://creativecommons.org/">Creative Commons</a> - Accessing non-copyright images for your classroom - a great resource. </div><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-28200863060598045732011-08-10T20:22:00.000+10:002011-08-10T20:23:36.061+10:00An Interesting Infographic - How Students Spend their Time<a href="http://www.onlineeducation.net/students-love-tech"><img src="http://images.onlineeducation.net.s3.amazonaws.com/students-love-tech.jpg" alt="Students Love Technology" width="400" border="0" /></a>
<br />Via: <a href="http://www.onlineeducation.net/">OnlineEducation.net</a>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-30368462908068553302011-07-30T01:16:00.003+10:002011-07-30T02:00:50.634+10:002011 GTAQ Conference - Using Gapminder to Analyse Statistics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm-Vx6KjkwA/TjLVd3DWqvI/AAAAAAAAAIg/CswLzX7d1Vg/s1600/gapminder.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm-Vx6KjkwA/TjLVd3DWqvI/AAAAAAAAAIg/CswLzX7d1Vg/s320/gapminder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634800792764852978" border="0" /></a><br />Gapminder is one of the best tools available to analyse demographic data and population statistics. This workshop will show you what Gapminder can do and provide you with some ideas on how to use this great website in your Geography classroom.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />To begin with, what is the answer to this question:</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Which country has the highest fertility rate? <p><strong>A. Saudi Arabia<br />B. Israel<br />C. Bangladesh</strong></p>Hans Rosling stated that <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">'</span></span><strong><em class="custom_highlight">There is no such thing as a western world or a developing world’</em></strong>. He followed on to say that:<br /><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Geography teachers and pupils are familiar with the concepts of 'less' and 'more' developed countries (LEDCs and MEDCs), of 'developed' and 'developing' countries and a global 'North-South Divide'.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">For many years these concepts have helped students learn about inequality, however in recent decades there has been significant global convergence between these 'developed' and 'developing worlds', so much so that these concepts and terms no longer fit. In fact, they are wrong and if we use them we risk leaving students with a flawed view of the world that ignores recent economic and social change that has affected billions of people.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">There is a need for geography teachers to challenge our assumptions, to change mindset and use a different vocabulary to describe the world. Young people need modern understanding of their diverse and changing world that is drawn from the reliable data that actually exists; they need this to understand the real change that is happening in their places and lives, and in the lives of others.</p><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Geography has a powerful role to play in allowing students to build a current and knowledge-based world view, and to develop their understanding of meaningful data that is distinct from political discourse and personal opinion.</p>To read the rest of this article go to the following link - <a href="http://www.geography.org.uk/resources/gapminderandworldmapper">Geographical Association - Gapminder and World Mapper. </a><br /><br />Gapminder was founded in February 2005 with the aim of providing facts and statistics to debunk myths people had about the difference between developed and developing countries. Hans Rosling, one of the founding members spoke for the first time at a TED conference in 2006. His video is below:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hVimVzgtD6w" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />Before we look at Gapminder World, lets play a card game to look at our own perceptions of development.<br /><br />Following this, <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/world/">Gapminder World</a> was launched. The site also includes a number of great 10-15 minute videos that you can use to show your classes on various topics. Below is one of my favourites.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fTznEIZRkLg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />There are also links to a number of teaching resources. These include a lesson overview of <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/downloads/200-years/">200 Years that changed the World</a>, a great powerpoint presentation explaining <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/downloads/life-expectancy-ppt/">Life Expectancy</a> and various other resources.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have used Gapminder with my classes in a number of ways. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Introducing Analysis of Statistics</span><br />When introducing scattergraphs, I use it to explain how a scattergraph is created and why we use it to look for relationships. I then also look for anomolies in the data.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Explaining Relationships Between Data</span><br />If you are in a 1:1 environment, ask the students to create a 'Hans' video of a set of data that they have chosen. They can use various programs to record a voice-over whilst playing the data, including <a href="http://blog.jingproject.com/">Jing</a>, or Adobe Screen Capture. Once you have captured this video, you could upload it to a website and create a collaborative Google Map of Levels of Development.<br /><br />Here is an example taken from a Year 6 student in New York.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18434125?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/18434125">China vs US - Total Fertility Rate</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2651472">Liz</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>You could also create your own videos - such as those of <a href="http://youtu.be/PABXjBE1k78">Mr Barton in the UK. </a><br /><br />This really is one of the best Geography resources I have used. It is incredibly engaging for the students and they love to discuss, watch and ask questions of the data.....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Gapminder Resources</span><br /><a href="http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/gapminder-an-amazing-website-for-all-curricula-promoting-inquiry-and-divergent-thinking-a-21st-century-gem/"><br />Gapminder and 21st Century Teaching</a><br /><br /><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/nycischool.org/gapminder/about-gapminder-at-the-ischool">An Entire School Course Designed on Gapminder</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.similarsitesearch.com/alternative/gapminder.org">50 Sites Like Gapminder</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.oecd.org/document/1/0,3746,en_2649_33715_40680833_1_1_1_1,00.html">The OECD Factbook in Gapminder Graphs</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/news/">The Gapminder Blog</a>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-30979138819321639112011-06-15T21:00:00.006+10:002011-06-17T08:58:33.293+10:00Web 2.0 Resources and Global Education<div style="text-align: left;">Web 2.0 technology and social media are now a large part of our everyday lives. The challenge as educators is to use these tools effectively in the classroom, so that they enhance current digital pedagogy. In particular, global education could utilise these tools to promote global active citizenship, create collaborative online spaces and also provide another way of developing resources across the country. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span></span><b>How Does Web 2.0 fit into the Global Education Framework? </b>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span></span>Twenty-first century Australians are members of a global community, connected to the whole world by ties of culture, economics and politics, enhanced communication and travel and a shared environment.</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>
<br /></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Enabling young people to participate in shaping a</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8">better shared future for the world is at the heart of global education. It emphasises the unity and interdependence of human society, developing a sense of self and appreciation of cultural diversity, affirmation of social justice and human rights, building peace and actions for a sustainable future in different times and places.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div></i><meta charset="utf-8"><a href="http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/engineName/filemanager/pid/122/GPS_ForWeb_150dpi.pdf?actionreq=actionFileDownload&fid=24877" style="font-weight: bold; ">Taken from Global Perspectives: A Framework for Global Education in Australian Schools</a>
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<br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><b>Something to think about before we begin....</b>
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<br />His previous talk - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY&feature=channel">Do School's Kill Creativity?</a> can be viewed by clicking on the link. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
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<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
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<br /><b>What does Web 2.0 Mean for the Classroom?</b>
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<br /><b><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RfTVrHVJpvY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></b>
<br />Go to ericedvid2's Youtube channel for many more videos on Web 2.0 in the classroom.</span></span></span><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span><span><span>Today's workshop will provide an overview of some of the many tools that are available online (and mostly for free) that can be used to in Global Education Projects. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span>
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<br /><b>What is Web 2.0 Technology?</b>
<br /><div style="width: 425px; " id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="font-weight: bold; display: block; margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0pt; "><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" width="425" height="355" style="font-weight: bold; "><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><span style="font-weight: normal; ">View more </span><a style="font-weight: normal; " href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a><span style="font-weight: normal; "> from </span><a style="font-weight: normal; " href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a><span style="font-weight: normal; ">.</span><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Web2.0 or social media provides educators with the opportunity to engage students in their own learning. Here are some examples of how. </span></b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b>1. Creating Online Resources</b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b></b><b>Facebook</b></div><div style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0pt; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0pt; "><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/www.gtav.asn.au">GTAV Facebook Page </a></b></div></div></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><b>Blogs</b></span></span><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/" style="font-weight: bold; "><span>
<br />Bec's Classes 2010</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
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<br /></span><span>Creating an blog is not difficult. The video below shows a step by step instruction on how to create a blog using <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/">Global Teacher</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
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<br />And this shows you how to embed a Youtube video (or any video) into your blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
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<br /></span><span>New blogging sites are popping up every day. Another you can use with the advantage of not having an email to sign up with is <a href="http://www.21classes.com/">21 Classes</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span>
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<br /><a href="http://glcresources.wikispaces.com/" style="font-weight: bold; ">Global Education Project - Mock Wiki</a>
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<br />The following video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up your first wiki. This video uses <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">wikispaces</a> however there are other options</span></span></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div><span><span>, such as <a href="http://pbworks.com/">pbwiki.</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
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<br />Adding to Your Blog or Wiki
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<br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a> allows you to upload powerpoint or keynote presentations and then embed them into a wiki or blog.</span><span>
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<br /></span><span><a href="http://prezi.com/">Presi</a> - A site that allows you to create interesting presentation, either on or offline. These can be uploaded and then embedded in y</span></span>our blog or wiki. </div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
<br />Videos
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<br /></span><a href="http://www.dragontape.com/">Drag on Tape</a> <span><span> - </span></span>This is a site that allows you to create mixtapes of your favourite Youtube videos. A demo is outlined below.
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<br /><b><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13732976" width="400" frameborder="0" height="265"></iframe></b><p style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://vimeo.com/13732976">Dragontape Demo Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/dragontape">Dragontape</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">Xtranormal</a> - This is a great site that allows students to make their own digital animations by typing in text.
<br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Collaborating with Images</span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.fotobabble.com/">Fotobabble</a> - This site provides the user with the tools to create a photo slideshow and add voiceover. This can then be embedded in wikis, blogs and other online collaborative sites.
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<br /><a href="http://www.shwup.com/">Shwup</a> - Allows students to collaborate and share photos and vidoes online in a secure environment. Educators could use this tool for students to categorise their own images for future tasks.
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<br /><a href="http://jaycut.com/">Jaycut </a>- An online tool that allows students to create their own movies using images, video footage and sound. It is very similar to iMovie but you don't need the software...
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<br />Nings
<br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">
<br /></a></span><span><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/" style="font-weight: bold; ">Bec's Race Class</a>
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<br />This is a great tool, similar to facebook, that allows students to collaborate online. The best way to use a ning is to ensure that you have a purpose and understand what you want out of the technology.
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<br />2. Tools to Collaborate in the Classroom
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<br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter </a>- providing information in 140 characters. Groups can establish their own Twitter channel and provide update information on what is happening around the world. Using the hashtag - # - as a search tool is also a great way to look at what is popular or 'trending'. An example is the <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23chilevolcano">Chile Volcano</a>. Often links to images, twitpics, are linked to a tweet. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span><span><a href="http://www.wallwisher.com/">WallWisher</a> - This is a great site that allows you to post and brainstorm information. It is very handy when watching videos or discussing a topic. I used it specifically to diamond rank factors associated with issues.
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<br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">EdModo</a> - Like Twitter, but can be used in the classroom. Something to consider trialling as you watch a video or discussion in class.</span><span>
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<br /></span><span>Another example uses the same idea as Twitter - <a href="http://todaysmeet.com/">TodaysMeet</a> </span><span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>- A brainstorming tool that allows students and teachers to create and determine the importance of words associated with a concept. </span><span>For example, below is the section 'What is Global Education' taken from </span><span><a href="http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/engineName/filemanager/pid/122/GPS_ForWeb_150dpi.pdf?actionreq=actionFileDownload&fid=24877">Global Perspectives: A Framework for Global Education in Australian Schools</a>.</span></span></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvEl5a-RL7c/TfoT60xFvzI/AAAAAAAAAHg/ygLX0-gNnMU/s400/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-06-17%2Bat%2B12.29.19%2BAM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 241px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618825386415996722" /><div><span><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left; ">
<br /></div></span></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Excellent Links to Provide the Content and Activities on Blogs and Wikis</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">
<br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0"></a>
<br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> </span></span></div><div><span><span>One of my favourite sites as a Geography teacher. The best tool to compare data on most gobal topics - more than just population and development.
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<br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object>
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<br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&">
<br /></a>Mapping - Google Earth, Google Maps and Others
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<br />Google Maps and Google Earth are amazing tools for Geography teachers. Both mapping tools are updated frequently. There is not enough time today to show you everything that Google Earth and Maps can do.... but below are some examples of how to use Google Maps and Earth in the classroom.
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<br /><b><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=215522372819218728902.00049d78521f107b73152&t=h&ll=-28.098798,153.329213&spn=0.324933,0.200103&output=embed" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no"></iframe></b>
<br /><small style="font-weight: bold; ">View <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=215522372819218728902.00049d78521f107b73152&t=h&ll=-28.098798,153.329213&spn=0.324933,0.200103&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Numinbah Catchment Field Trip</a> in a larger map</small>
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<br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TftFnot5uXw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
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<br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&">CIA Factbook in Google Earth</a></span><span>
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<br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show@World</a>
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<br /></span><span><a href="http://www.howbigreally.com/">BBC Dimensions - How Big Is It Really? </a>
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<br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a> - A site that allows the user to create, write on, sketch around and make notes on a map. This map can be saved as an image and saved as a link for the future. </span>
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<br /><a href="http://simpleguidetool.com/">Simple Guide Tool</a> - A site that incorporates Google Street View, Google Maps and live video chat. A user can speak to someone else online and provide a 'guided tour' of the location. Wonderful for fieldwork, and particularly for schools that speak to other schools overseas.
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<br /><a href="http://www.mappyfriends.com/">MappyFriends - How Big is Your World</a> - A site that allows you to provide reviews and information on places you have visited.
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<br /><a href="http://www.tripline.net/">TripLine</a> - Allows the user to make shareable, animated maps with photos, music and stories.
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<br />Other Resources
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<br /></span><span><a href="http://www.educationeye.org.uk/">Education Eye</a> - A search engine that maps educational innovation and categorises news sites by research and practice. A great teacher resource to remain up-to-date.
<br /><a href="http://www.weareteachers.com/">
<br />We are Teachers</a> - A collaborative site where teachers share innovative ideas and teaching practice.</span><span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/08/16/geography-20-a-juicy-way-to-mash-up-learning/">Geography 2.0: A Juicy Way to Mash Up Learning</a>
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<br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/worldgeographyatroom203/web-2-0">Web 2.0 Tools from Mr Smith's World Geography at Room203</a>
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<br /><div style="font-weight: bold; width: 425px; " id="__ss_655005"> </div><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Interesting!</span>
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<br /><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/pictures/110223-tropical-island-biodiversity-infinite-photo-moorea-biocode">National Geographic Tropical Island Infinite Photo</a><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script></span><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script></div><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script></div><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script></div><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script></div><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-2155423352348365692011-04-26T20:19:00.004+10:002011-04-26T23:19:15.918+10:00Geography 2.0: The Future of Geography in the Classroom - QSA Conference 2011<span>Web 2.0 technology and social media are now a large part of our everyday lives. The challenge as educators is to use these tools effectively in the classroom, so that they enhance current teaching practice.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span><span>This is particularly the case in Geography. The development of Web 2.0, if anything, has promoted the importance of Geography as a way of organising information. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-style: italic;">"There has been an increased awareness by numerous Web 2.0 technologists of the importance of geography and location as a means to index and access information over the Internet. As a result, over the last few years, geographic information could be argued to have firmly entered the mainstream information economy."</span><a href="http://ideascale.com/userimages/sub-1/898000/panel_upload_12279/WebMapping2.0TheNeogeographyoftheGeoWeb.pdf"> Geography Compass 2008</a></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />So, what does this mean for Geography in the classroom?<br /><br />In the words of Ken Robinson....<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /></span></span><span><span><br />His previous talk - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY&feature=channel">Do School's Kill Creativity?</a> can be viewed by clicking on the link. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><span><span>Today's workshop will provide a very very quick overview of some of the many tools that are available online (and mostly for free) to use in the classroom. </span></span><span><span>Before we start, we should consider the impact that Web2.0 technology and social media have had on the way we live. </span></span><span><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />What is Web 2.0 Technology?<br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0pt 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">View more </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> from </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Web2.0 or social media will allow you to innovate in your teaching practice. Here are some examples of how. </span><br /></div></div><br />1. Providing an Online Resource for your Class<br /><br />Blogs<br /></span></span><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/"><span><br />Bec's Classes 2010</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>Creating an blog is not difficult. The video below shows a step by step instruction on how to create a blog using <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/">Global Teacher</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /></span><span><br />And this shows you how to embed a Youtube video (or any video) into your blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>New blogging sites are popping up every day. Another you can use with the advantage of not having an email to sign up with is <a href="http://www.21classes.com/">21 Classes</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /></span><span><br /><a href="https://unit4geo.wikispaces.com/">Unit Four Geography Climate Change Wiki</a><br /><br />The following video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up your first wiki. This video uses <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">wikispaces</a> however there are other options, such as <a href="http://pbworks.com/">pbwiki.</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Adding to Your Blog or Wiki<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a> allows you to upload powerpoint or keynote presentations and then embed them into a wiki or blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://prezi.com/">Presi</a> - A site that allows you to create interesting presentation, either on or offline. These can be uploaded and then embedded in your blog or wiki. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Videos<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.dragontape.com/">Drag on Tape</a> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span></span>This is a site that allows you to create mixtapes of your favourite Youtube videos. A demo is outlined below...<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13732976" width="400" frameborder="0" height="265"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13732976">Dragontape Demo Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/dragontape">Dragontape</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">Xtranormal</a> - This is a great site that allows students to make their own digital animations by typing in text.<br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collaborating with Images</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.fotobabble.com/">Fotobabble</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shwup.com/">Shwup</a> - Allows students to collaborate and share photos and vidoes online in a secure environment. The answer to the problems associated with different students taking photos on a fieldtrip.<br /><br /><a href="http://jaycut.com/">Jaycut </a>- An online tool that allows students to create their own movies using images, video footage and sound. It is very similar to iMovie but you don't need the software...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Nings<br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/"><br /></a></span><span><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">Bec's Race Class</a><br /><br />This is a great tool, similar to facebook, that allows students to collaborate online. The best way to use a ning is to ensure that you have a purpose and understand what you want out of the technology.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. Tools to Collaborate in the Classroom<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.wallwisher.com/">WallWisher</a><br /><br />This is a great site that allows you to post and brainstorm information. It is very handy when watching videos or discussing a topic. I used it specifically to diamond rank factors associated with issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">EdModo</a> - Like Twitter, but can be used in the classroom. Something to consider trialling as you watch a video or discussion in class.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>Another example uses the same idea as Twitter - <a href="http://todaysmeet.com/">TodaysMeet</a> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>- A brainstorming tool that allows students to create and determine the importance of words associated with a concept. </span><span>For example, an article from the <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19861-cancun-analysis-dawn-breaks-on-lowcarbon-world.html?full=true">New Scientist on the Cancun Climate Change talks</a> can be converted to something like this for discussion.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/TShu_8SlHvI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFAKDFLd6Mk/s1600/Wordle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 458px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/TShu_8SlHvI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFAKDFLd6Mk/s320/Wordle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559815784783748850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Excellent Links to Provide the Content and Activities on Blogs and Wikis</span><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/course/view.php?id=1365">Geography Animated</a> - is a geography teacher's internet site with all things Geography. In particular, the site has links to animations on everything that you can think of. Here is just one example on the <a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/file.php/1365/Fluvial%20systems/Ox-bow%20Lakes.swf">formation of meanders and ox-bow lakes. </a><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0"></a><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> - One of my favourite sites for the year. The best tool to compare data on most gobal topics - more than just population and development.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&"><br /></a>Mapping - Google Earth, Google Maps and Others<br /></span><span><br />Google Maps and Google Earth are amazing tools for Geography teachers. Both mapping tools are updated frequently. There is not enough time today to show you everything that Google Earth and Maps can do.... but below are some examples of how to use Google Maps and Earth in the classroom.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=215522372819218728902.00049d78521f107b73152&t=h&ll=-28.098798,153.329213&spn=0.324933,0.200103&output=embed" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=215522372819218728902.00049d78521f107b73152&t=h&ll=-28.098798,153.329213&spn=0.324933,0.200103&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Numinbah Catchment Field Trip</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1LdjvZbYIR8?rel=0&hd=1" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="385"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&">CIA Factbook in Google Earth</a></span><span><br /><br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show@World</a><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.howbigreally.com/">BBC Dimensions - How Big Is It Really? </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://simpleguidetool.com/">Simple Guide Tool</a> - A site that incorporates Google Street View, Google Maps and live video chat. A user can speak to someone else online and provide a 'guided tour' of the location. Wonderful for fieldwork, and particularly for schools that speak to other schools overseas.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mappyfriends.com/">MappyFriends - How Big is Your World</a> - A site that allows you to provide reviews and information on places you have visited.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripline.net/">TripLine</a> - Allows the user to make shareable, animated maps with photos, music and stories.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.educationeye.org.uk/">Education Eye</a> - A search engine that maps educational innovation and categorises news sites by research and practice. A great teacher resource to remain up-to-date.<br /><a href="http://www.weareteachers.com/"><br />We are Teachers</a> - A collaborative site where teachers share innovative ideas and teaching practice.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/08/16/geography-20-a-juicy-way-to-mash-up-learning/">Geography 2.0: A Juicy Way to Mash Up Learning</a><br /><br /><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/worldgeographyatroom203/web-2-0">Web 2.0 Tools from Mr Smith's World Geography at Room203</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/">Contour Education</a> - This is a great resource for spatial technologies and any new Web 2.0 tools associated with maps.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_655005"> </div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interesting!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/pictures/110223-tropical-island-biodiversity-infinite-photo-moorea-biocode">National Geographic Tropical Island Infinite Photo</a>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-73179849050788208752011-01-08T20:00:00.006+11:002011-01-09T01:09:23.489+11:00AGTA Conference - Using Web 2.0 Technology in the Geography Classroom<span>Web 2.0 technology and social media are now a large part of our everyday lives. The challenge as educators is to use these tools effectively in the classroom, so that they enhance current teaching practice.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />In the words of Ken Robinson....<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r9LelXa3U_I?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /></span></span><span><span><br />His previous talk - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY&feature=channel">Do School's Kill Creativity?</a> can be viewed by clicking on the link. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><span><span>Today's workshop will provide a very very quick overview of some of the many tools that are available online (and mostly for free) to use in the classroom. </span></span><span><span>Before we start, we should consider the impact that Web2.0 technology and social media have had on the way we live. </span></span><span><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4gt62uAasE?fs=1&hl=en_GB&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />What is Web 2.0 Technology?<br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0pt 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">View more </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> from </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Web2.0 or social media will allow you to innovate in your teaching practice. Here are some examples of how. </span><br /></div></div><br />1. Providing an Online Resource for your Class<br /><br />Blogs<br /></span></span><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/"><span><br />Bec's Classes 2010</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>Creating an blog is not difficult. The video below shows a step by step instruction on how to create a blog using <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/">Global Teacher</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /></span><span><br />And this shows you how to embed a Youtube video (or any video) into your blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>New blogging sites are popping up every day. Another you can use with the advantage of not having an email to sign up with is <a href="http://www.21classes.com/">21 Classes</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /></span><span><br /><a href="https://unit4geo.wikispaces.com/">Unit Four Geography Climate Change Wiki</a><br /><br />The following video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up your first wiki. This video uses <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">wikispaces</a> however there are other options, such as <a href="http://pbworks.com/">pbwiki.</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Adding to Your Blog or Wiki<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slideshare</span><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a> allows you to upload powerpoint or keynote presentations and then embed them into a wiki or blog.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Videos<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.dragontape.com/">Drag on Tape</a> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span></span>This is a site that allows you to create mixtapes of your favourite Youtube videos. A demo is outlined below...<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13732976" frameborder="0" height="265" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13732976">Dragontape Demo Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/dragontape">Dragontape</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">Xtranormal</a> - This is a great site that allows students to make their own digital animations by typing in text.<br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collaborating with Images</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shwup.com/">Shwup</a> - Allows students to collaborate and share photos and vidoes online in a secure environment. The answer to the problems associated with different students taking photos on a fieldtrip.<br /><br /><a href="http://jaycut.com/">Jaycut </a>- An online tool that allows students to create their own movies using images, video footage and sound. It is very similar to iMovie but you don't need the software...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Nings<br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/"><br /></a></span><span><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">Bec's Race Class</a><br /><br />This is a great tool, similar to facebook, that allows students to collaborate online. The best way to use a ning is to ensure that you have a purpose and understand what you want out of the technology.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. Tools to Collaborate in the Classroom<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.wallwisher.com/">WallWisher</a><br /><br />This is a great site that allows you to post and brainstorm information. It is very handy when watching videos or discussing a topic. I used it specifically to diamond rank factors associated with issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">EdModo</a> - Like Twitter, but can be used in the classroom. Something to consider trialling as you watch a video or discussion in class.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>Another example uses the same idea as Twitter - TodaysMeet.<br /><a href="http://todaysmeet.com/">TodaysMeet</a> - Here is an example I put together for the <a href="http://todaysmeet.com/AGTA2011">AGTA conference</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>- A brainstorming tool that allows students to create and determine the importance of words associated with a concept. </span><span>For example, an article from the <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19861-cancun-analysis-dawn-breaks-on-lowcarbon-world.html?full=true">New Scientist on the Cancun Climate Change talks</a> can be converted to something like this for discussion.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/TShu_8SlHvI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFAKDFLd6Mk/s1600/Wordle.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 458px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/TShu_8SlHvI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yFAKDFLd6Mk/s320/Wordle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559815784783748850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Excellent Links to Provide the Content and Activities on Blogs and Wikis</span><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/course/view.php?id=1365">Geography Animated</a> - is a geography teacher's internet site with all things Geography. In particular, the site has links to animations on everything that you can think of. Here is just one example on the <a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/file.php/1365/Fluvial%20systems/Ox-bow%20Lakes.swf">formation of meanders and ox-bow lakes. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.howbigreally.com/">BBC Dimensions - How Big Is It Really? </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> - One of my favourite sites for the year. The best tool to compare data on most gobal topics - more than just population and development.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;" height="326" width="446"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&"><br />CIA Factbook in Google Earth</a><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.niceone.org/lab/refugees/">Population and Migration - Flight and Expulsion </a><br /><br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show@World</a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.educationeye.org.uk/">Education Eye</a> - A search engine that maps educational innovation and categorises news sites by research and practice. A great teacher resource to remain up-to-date.<br /><a href="http://www.weareteachers.com/"><br />We are Teachers</a> - A collaborative site where teachers share innovative ideas and teaching practice.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-31325616550682761762010-11-28T19:25:00.005+11:002010-11-28T22:10:24.299+11:00A Textbook Free VCE Geography - Some TipsTeaching VCE without a textbook is possible. Unit 3 and 4 was a little more difficult and I did rely on the students purchasing the 'Supplement' to help them get through. However, with the availability of online resources it is not impossible to supplement what you are already doing with excellent links to the internet.<br /><br />So, what does a textbook give you. A textbook gives you:<br /><ul><li>Content</li><li>Questions that generally range from knowledge and understanding to analysis and evaluation</li><li>Diagrams to explain processes</li><li>Images and maps<br /></li><li>Extra information on specific topics</li></ul><br />Technology will now allow us to teach in this way, as long as you know where to look and how to set up your information so that the students can access it. This workshop will focus on these two areas, with information on Web 2.0 technology, as well as excellent links to sites that will enhance the teaching of geography in the classroom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Providing an Online Resource for your class</span><br /><br />Web2.0 technology has provided the ability for teachers to create their own links to specific information. This can be done through the creation of blogs or wikis.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="margin: 12px 0pt 4px; display: block;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994&userName=becnic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a>.</div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs</span><br /><br /><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes 2010</a><br /><br />Creating an blog is not difficult. The video below shows a step by step instruction on how to create a blog using <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/">Global Teacher</a>.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aLpMEiwFYE4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />And this shows you how to embed a Youtube video (or any video) into your blog.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /><br /><a href="https://unit4geo.wikispaces.com/">Unit Four Geography Climate Change Wiki</a><br /><br />The following video provides a step-by-step guide on setting up your first wiki. This video uses <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">wikispaces</a> however there are other options, such as <a href="http://pbworks.com/">pbwiki.</a><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MNUsfMn-EFk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slideshare</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a> allows you to upload powerpoint or keynote presentations and then embed them into a wiki or blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wallwisher.com/">WallWisher</a><br /><br />This is a great site that allows you to post and brainstorm information. It is very handy when watching videos or discussing a topic. I used it specifically to diamond rank factors associated with issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">EdModo</a> - Like Twitter, but can be used in the classroom. Something to consider trialling as you watch a video or discussion in class.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellent Links to Provide the Content</span><br /><br /><a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/course/view.php?id=1365">Geography Animated</a> - is a geography teacher's internet site with all things Geography. In particular, the site has links to animations on everything that you can think of. Here is just one example on the <a href="http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/file.php/1365/Fluvial%20systems/Ox-bow%20Lakes.swf">formation of meanders and ox-bow lakes. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.howbigreally.com/">BBC Dimensions - How Big Is It Really? </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> - One of my favourite sites for the year. The best tool to compare data on most gobal topics - more than just population and development.<br /><br /><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HansRosling_2010S-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HansRosling-2010S.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=912&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=hans_rosling_on_global_population_growth;year=2010;theme=bold_predictions_stern_warnings;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=TED%40Cannes;" height="326" width="446"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kmlfactbook.org/#&db=ciafb&table=2002&col=2008&"><br />CIA Factbook in Google Earth</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.niceone.org/lab/refugees/">Population and Migration - Flight and Expulsion </a><br /><br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show@World</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.anra.gov.au/">Australian Natural Resource Atas</a><br /><br />The image below can be found by selecting the following link: Infographic - <a href="http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/infographic-tallest-mountain-to-deepest-ocean-trench-0249/">Tallest Mountain Deepest Trench.<br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/infographic-tallest-mountain-to-deepest-ocean-trench-0249/" mce_href="/infographic-tallest-mountain-to-deepest-ocean-trench-0249/"> <img src="http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/images/stories/oap-landsea-oceans-100608-moderate.jpg" mce_src="/images/stories/oap-landsea-oceans-100608-moderate.jpg" alt="Our Amazing Planet explores Earth from its peaks to it mysterious depths." border="1" width="400" /></a><br />Source <a href="http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/" mce_href="/mce_href">OurAmazingPlanet.com, Exploring the wonder and beauty of planet Earth through exclusive news, features and images.</a>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-67176458580133041382010-08-28T20:47:00.003+10:002010-08-29T11:47:18.401+10:00Using Technology in the Humanities Classroom<span>In today's schooling environment, using ICT in the classroom is not necessarily a difficult task. It is not a question of using technology in your lessons, but how effective is the technology you are using? It is useful? Is it integral or an add on? Is it enhancing student learning? You will also need to consider why you need to use technology in the first place. Is it because the curriculum dictates it, or is it an important part of the development of student learning.<br /><br />The following you tube provides an overview on some of the reasons for the inclusion and effective use of technology in the classroom.... It really does get you thinking...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Vision of Students Today</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dGCJ46vyR9o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dGCJ46vyR9o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The You-Tube above was put together by Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Digital Ethnography, Kansas State University. Go to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mwesch">mwesch's Channel</a> to access other great videos on the implications of the use of technology in education.<br /><br />Another great video that provides a similar message is that from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRb7_ffl2D0">Sugata Mitra: Can Kids Teach Themselves</a>. He presented at the <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED conference</a> in 2008. Another video that provides insight into the power of technology in education.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRb7_ffl2D0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRb7_ffl2D0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Each subject you will teach will have specific technology tools that will be so useful. However, the delivery of your lesson, and the capabilities that technology provides that enable students to collaborate and develop projects is the key. This is why I am a fan of Web 2.0 technology in the classroom. When developing my units of work, and how I will use technology, I consider the following questions:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on what is learnt? </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on how students learn? </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on where students learn? </span></span></span></li></ul><span>I have also found that setting tasks for students that involve the creation and presentation of work using technology has enhanced their learning. You do need to consider the time given to the students to create these tasks, and the outcomes you would like to come from the task. Creating a video, podcast, audio file, music file, comic life, website or a simple powerpoint presentation in one lesson is possible and often consolidates student learning. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />What is Web 2.0?<br /><br /></span><span>The following You Tube provides an overview of how Web 2.0 has changed the internet.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1790994"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">becnic</a></div></div></span><span><br />The presentation above was something that I created. You can then embed this in your blog using a program called <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a>. Become a member and then upload your powerpoints. This then allows you to clearly display the content on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>There are new Web 2.0 Tools and Applications popping up everyday. It does become quite daunting trying to keep up with what could be useful to use in applying Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. One site, <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/">GO2Web2.0</a> provides a link to all types of tools and applications. You can search these via category or purpose. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Google Maps and Google Earth<br /><br /></span><span>Google Maps and Google Earth allow teachers to link important places and locations with information. I have used Google Maps as an assessment task for Geography students (<a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?utm_campaign=en_AU&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en_AU-ha-apac-au-bk-gm&utm_term=google%20maps">Steph's Google Map of the Coastal Field Trip</a>). However, history, politics and economics teachers will also find this Web 2.0 tool very useful. Below are some sites which promote the use of Google Maps and Google Earth in the humanities. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/turingstape/2009/05/14/google-earth-for-humanities/">Turing's Tape: Google Earth for Humanities</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/middleclassgirl/using-google-maps-for-your-history-class">Google Maps for your History Class</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6020514">Bringing History Alive - Google Earth</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />ICT Tools to Use in Your Lessons<br /><br />Wordle</span><span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1pm6d5gQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/CDHbRE8WN8o/s1600-h/becs-and-nates-wordle-300x196.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 196px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1pm6d5gQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/CDHbRE8WN8o/s320/becs-and-nates-wordle-300x196.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381073247028216066" border="0" /></a><span><br /><br />A wordle is a toy that allows you to create word clouds from the text that you provide. They are a great brainstorming tool and allow students to gather their ideas on a topic. Instructions on how to create a wordle</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>can be found by clicking on <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/02/words-on-a-cloud/">here.</a> An example of a lesson where I used a wordle can be found <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/02/16/absolute-power-and-authority-your-ideas/">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Newsmap<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://newsmap.jp/#/b,e,m,n,s,t,w/au/view/">Newsmap</a> is a great site that provides a spatial overview of the national or world news. It can be used to look at what the major news events are, but also allows for an anlysis of which news events have not featured, and begin to get the students to think about why. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1rX4gdCZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/RIs17bCH9kA/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1rX4gdCZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/RIs17bCH9kA/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381075187827280274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Searching the Internet<br /><br /></span><span>We all know that Google and now Bing are not the only options for searching for information on the internet. Our task as teachers of 21st century students is to develop 'information literacy'. This can be defined as '<span style="font-style: italic;">the capacity to identify an issue and then to identify, locate and evaluate relevant information in order to engage with it or to solve a problem arising</span>'.<br /><br />Some really good examples include <a href="http://taggalaxy.de/">Tag Galaxy</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/arc/">Arc</a>, <a href="http://www.kartoo.com/">Kartoo</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/">Flickr</a>, <a href="http://www.neoformix.com/Projects/NewsSpectrum/NewsSpectrum.html">News Spectrum</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/bigspy/">Bigspy</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/stack/">Stack</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/swarm/">Swarm</a>, <a href="http://www.visualthesaurus.com/">Think Map Visual Thesaurus</a>, <a href="http://fserb.com.br/newscloud/">Google News Cloud</a> and <a href="http://www.searchme.com/">Searchme Visual Search</a>. These are all great sites so take the time to check them out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">YouTube and Online Videos</span><br /></span><br />The popularity of you tube and other video sharing sites has made our life as teachers so much easier. There are issues with these videos, such as who has put them together, the advertisements and the content. However, it means that there are a number of ways that you can display information to your students (think multiple intelligences!) The list below are some sites that I have used to search for videos for my students.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/iview/">ABC iView</a></li><li><a href="http://video.google.com/">Google Video</a><br /></li><li><span><a href="http://www.teachers.tv/subjects/secondary/geography">Geography Teachers TV</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.gatm.org.uk/">Geography at the Movies</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://teachertube.com/">Teacher Tube</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://geovideos.fliggo.com/">GeoTube</a><br /></span></li></ul><span>The other issue is finding a video and only taking out the useful sections to embed on your blog. The following application - <a href="http://www.tubechop.com/">TubeChop</a> - allows you to chop a funny or interesting section of a You Tube movie and embed it on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><br />You can also create your own videos using a great program called <a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">Xtranormal</a>, which uses the text you input and turns it into a movie. This is a great tool to use to present content or create discussion among students. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Games as an Education Tool<br /><br /></span><span>There are so many games, animations and online tools to enhance your lessons in humanities. Simply searching your subject and topic studied will provide a number of links. Once you have found a game, you then need to determine if it will be useful and how you will get your students thinking. Sometimes just playing the game is enough. However, you will need to consider the pre and post game activities in some cases. Some examples of games I have played include: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.darfurisdying.com/">Darfur is Dying</a> - </span><span>A game designed to display the desperate and complex situation in Sudan. </span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/launch_gms_viking_quest.shtml">BBC History - Viking Quest</a> - </span>Viking Quest takes you back to AD 793. Can you build a ship, cross the seas, loot a monastery and return home to claim your prize? Your chief has set the challenge, it's up to you to respond.</li><li><a href="http://www.maniacworld.com/Urban_Planning.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Urban Planning Game</span></a> - A very very simple game in which students need to design a city. Based on Sim City but the graphics are not as good. Great to get the students thinking about urban planning issues in Geography. </li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><br /></span></span><span>I have found blogging to be one of the best Web 2.0 tools available to me in the classroom. As a beginner, this was the easiest way to embed and link files, as well as provide instant access for my students. A blog also allows students to comment. There are a number of options available if you are interested in creating a blog for you class. Possible sites that I know teachers use are <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/create-a-blog/">Global Teacher</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Blog?</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>The following is a link to my class blog - <a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes 2010</a> or <a href="http://ratw2010.edublogs.org/">RATW</a>. This is my main teaching tool and I usually put together a new post for each lesson.<br /><br />Video Tutorials for Edublogs are found <a href="http://edublogs.org/videos/">here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Embedding a Video in Your Blog<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>The ability to embed movies into a blog is one of the main reasons that blogging is so useful. In my experience You Tube does have the best videos available. I suggest that you subscribe to You Tube, so that you can save favourite videos, as well as upload your own videos to embed on your blog. One issue is that many schools do block access to You Tube. One option is to see if teachers only have access to You Tube so that you can show the video files on your blog.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Teacher Blogs</span><br /><br /><a href="http://jessmc.edublogs.org/">Jess McCulloch - Notes to Self</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/">Mr Robbo - The P.E Geek</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nings</span><br /><a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning</a> - An online social network that could work like a blog in your classroom. I have used a Ning in my Yr 10 Humanities class to enable students to provide an in-depth look at a leader. This ning was called '<a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">Bec's Race Class - Leaders</a>'<br /><br />Some examples to have a look at in the education context include:<br /><a href="http://education.ning.com/">Ning in Education - Using Ning for Educational Social Networks</a><br /><a href="http://globaleducation.ning.com/">The Global Education Collaborative</a><br /><a href="http://ks3geography.ning.com/profile/GeoDave">David Rayner's Page Key Stage 3 Geography Ning</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"></object><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 143px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364221966852461362" border="0" /></a>I have to admit that I am still not an expert on the use of the wiki. It is a wonderful collaboration tool for students when they are working on a project. It is also particularly useful as we do not have a textbook, and over time it allows both the students and myself to create the content and knowledge needed for senior subjects. The settings on a wiki can also be changed so that they are more private than a blog. This allows the only selected students from selected classes to add to them. Wikis are also great tools to use for professional learning teams. Some wiki platforms that you could use are <a href="http://pbworks.com/academic.wiki">PB Wiki</a> or <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/k-12">Wikispaces</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Wiki? </span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />The following powerpoint provides an overview on how to create your wiki.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1608436"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote/getting-started-on-wikispaces" title="Getting Started on Wikispaces">Getting Started on Wikispaces</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote">Jess Mcculloch</a>.</div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources</span><br /><br />The following resources may be useful when putting together your blogs or wikis, or discovering new Web 2.0 technologies for the classroom.<br /><a href="http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html"><br />Web2.0 for the Classroom Teacher</a><br /><a href="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/edtools.html">Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - Web 2.0 Tools</a><br /><a href="http://www.alline.org/">Directory of Educational Resources on the Web</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Technologies to Consider</span><br /><br />Podcasts are gradually becoming replaced by videos or vodcasts. However, there are still opportunities for you to subscribe to podcasts or vodcasts via an RSS feed. It is best to link to a Feed such as Google Reader so that you can subscribe to various podcasts and vodcasts. A lesson showing students how to subscribe to RSS Feeds can be found here - <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/04/getting-your-news-online/">Getting Your News Online by Jess McCulloch.</a><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />Podcasts can also be recorded by you and uploaded to your blog. This can be done using programs such as Garageband and recorded on your computer. You can also use other applications that link recordings from your mobile phone directly to your blog. One example of this is a application called <a href="http://www.utterli.com/home">Utterli</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mobile Phones and QR Codes</span><br /><br />Mobile phones are great tools to use in the classroom. They can make videos, they can take images, they often have GPS locaters, they are calculators and they can record voice. The bluetooth and messaging applications of mobile phones can also be used. I have not used phones too much in the class, other than for basic image, voice and video recording. However, many teachers do. <a href="http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/">Mr Robbo - The PE Geek </a>is an excellent example. A video that he has posted to You Tube from one of his lessons is below.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DcTsvn_cC68&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DcTsvn_cC68&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-37133260752649168932010-08-14T22:40:00.002+10:002010-08-14T22:45:36.185+10:00Using Web 2.0 Technology in the Geography ClassroomToday's workshop at GTAV will look specifically at Web 2.0 technology and how this could be used in your Geography classroom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overview of the Workshop</span><br /><br /><ul><li>What is Web 2.0 Technology?</li><li>Web 2.0 Technology to Brainstorm, Create Maps and Share Images</li><li>Specific Geography Sites (Google Maps)<br /></li><li>Web 2.0 Tools to Collaborate (Blogs and Nings) </li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, what is Web 2.0 and why should I want to use it in my classroom?</span><br /><br />There needs to be a move towards the use of Web 2.0 technology in the classroom. Studies have shown that students can spend, on average, 31 hours online each week. With current trends, this is set to increase. From my own experience at <a href="http://www.cshs.vic.edu.au/">Coburg Senior High School</a>, benefits of increased student engagement, as well as well developed thinking and questioning due to collaboration online have been obvious amongst the students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">An overview of Web2.0 Technology - What Do You Know?</span><br /><br /><div style="width: 425px;" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="margin: 12px 0pt 4px; display: block;"><a title="What is Web 2.0? " href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="padding: 5px 0pt 12px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a>.</div></div><br />The you tube link below is quite long but provides a great overview of what this Web 2.0 technology actually is. It has been put together by <a href="http://ksuanth.weebly.com/wesch.html">Michael Wesch,</a> lecturer in Digital Ethnography from Kansas University. This particular video focuses on the development of you tube as a way in which people can collaborate and share ideas online.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TPAO-lZ4_hU&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TPAO-lZ4_hU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Machine is Using Us - An Explanation of Web 2.0 Technology</span><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLlGopyXT_g&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLlGopyXT_g&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Finding Web 2.0 tools to use in education can be quite daunting, simply because there are so many. The following site - <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/">Go2Web20</a> (use the <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/#tag:e-learning">e-learning tag</a>) is one example of a site that provides access to various programs and tools that you can use to collaborate online.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tools to Brainstorm</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> - One of my favourite tools to brainstorm or show knowledge of a concept. Students can change the colour and style, as well as categorise the importance of words according to a concept.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tools to Look at and Share Images or Video</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Images</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a><br /><a href="http://sites.asiasociety.org/riversofice/">Rivers of Ice - Images of the Vanishing Glaciers</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Videos<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/">You Tube</a><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a><br /><a href="http://www.teachers.tv/subjects/secondary/geography">Geography Teachers TV</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tools to Create Maps</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a> - A great tool to create your own maps and then save them....<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/"><br />Google Maps</a><br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />The following sites provide access to ideas, tools and resources on how to use Google Maps and Google Earth in the classroom.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/geo.html">Google For Educators</a> - The official Google Educators site with information on Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Sky and Google Sketchup<br /><br /><a href="http://freegeographytools.com/">Free Geography Tools</a> - This site is a little more high tech and complicated - for advanced users.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Web 2.0 Sites for Geography</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/apps/boobook/mapservlet?app=rea">Australian Renewable Energy Atlas</a> - A GIS interactive map with differing layers and particularly renewable energy sources and locations in Australia.<br /><br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show/World</a> - A mapping site showing the quantity and consumption of resource. Great animations!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.electrocity.co.nz/">Electrocity</a> - A great game comparing the positives and negatives of renewable energy vs fossil fuels.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/globalfootprint/index.asp">Footprint Calculator </a>- The best footprint calculator I have found.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> - A great site for social sustainability. So much information is available in terms of development indicators and explanations of these. A great geography source in general.<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/p_sketchup.html"><br />Google Sketchup</a> - This is a program that allows students to design their own buildings and then locate these on Google Maps or Google Earth. A great tool to use if you are considering a task that involves designing a 'Sustainable' building.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsfH_cyXa1o&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsfH_cyXa1o&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collaborating Online</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs</span><br /><br />A blog allows you to have your own internet site of information, links, videos and images. You can embed videos from you tube or other online movies sources, or you can make your own. A great description of how a blog works is below.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />I use blogs everyday in the classroom. They allow me to provide an overview of the work covered, videos, links to great resources and the tasks to be completed. They are easy to make and maintain, however you do need to consider that all information is available to the public. My class blogs are below:<br /><br /><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes 2010</a><br /><a href="http://ratw2010.edublogs.org/">Race Around the World 2010</a><br /><br />One of the better blogging platforms for education is <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Resources</span><br /><a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/"><br />Global Teacher</a> - This site provides access to teacher and student blogs across Australia. Great for ideas on how to present your blog, or how to use it in the classroom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /><br />The world's most famous wiki is Wikipedia. Wiki's allow users to collaborate and create pages by uploading, adding and editing information. In terms of education, wikis provide the ability for a teacher to allow students to create the content and discuss ideas. Teachers can control the levels of privacy and the levels in which students can add or change information.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Wiki Platforms include <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/k-12">Wikispaces</a> and <a href="http://pbworks.com/content/edu+overview?utm_campaign=nav-tracking&utm_source=Home%20navigation">PBWiki</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Resources</span><br /><a href="http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/"><br />Wikis in Education</a><br /><a href="http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/">Educational Wikis</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nings</span><br /><br />A ning is very similar to social networking sites like facebook, but allow you to control access from the public, and how each student contributes. I have used a Ning in the classroom, and the students found it to be very effective in discussing or commenting on information, movies or pictures.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cJvC7IVIYzM&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cJvC7IVIYzM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">Bec's Race Class - Leaders</a><br /><br />To create a Ning, go to <a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning.com</a> and follow the prompts...<br /><br />A ning for geography teachers - <a href="http://australiangeographyteachers.ning.com/">Australian Geography Teachers</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some Other Resources</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.schoology.com/">Schoology</a> - Similar to facebook but something you can use with all of your classes. Watch the introductory video to get an idea.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twiducate.com/">Twiducate</a> - Twitter, but in a more controlled environment for education.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/">SurveyMonkey </a>- Survey Monkey is a great tool to create online surveys with your classes. If you want to have more than ten questions, you will have to pay but the survey links, as well as data collection is well worth the costs. Great for Geography data collection.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Finish.....</span><br /><br />You can always find something great on youtube. It is a great way to start a Geography class on, even if it is just for a laugh.....<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AAa0gd7ClM&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AAa0gd7ClM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-25857003757345849182010-07-29T21:11:00.008+10:002010-07-31T09:25:52.592+10:00Teaching Sustainability with Web 2.0 Technology<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span>Today's workshop will look specifically at Web 2.0 technology and how this could be used effectively to teach sustainability.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Overview of the Workshop</span><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>What is Web 2.0 Technology?</li><li>Web 2.0 Technology to Brainstorm, Create Maps and Share Images</li><li>Specific Sustainability Sites (Sketchup)</li><li>Web 2.0 Tools to Collaborate (Blogs and Nings) </li></ul><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">So, what is Web 2.0 and why should I want to use it in my classroom?</span><br /><br />There needs to be a move towards the use of Web 2.0 technology in the classroom. Studies have shown that students can spend, on average, 31 hours online each week. With current trends, this is set to increase. From my own experience at <a href="http://www.cshs.vic.edu.au/">Coburg Senior High School</a>, benefits of increased student engagement, as well as well developed thinking and questioning due to collaboration online have been obvious amongst the students.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">An overview of Web2.0 Technology - What Do You Know?</span><br /><br /><div style="WIDTH: 425px" id="__ss_1790994"><strong style="MARGIN: 12px 0pt 4px; DISPLAY: block"><a title="What is Web 2.0? " href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994">What is Web 2.0? </a></strong><object id="__sse1790994" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed name="__sse1790994" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; PADDING-LEFT: 0pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0pt; PADDING-TOP: 5px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a>.</div></div><br />The you tube link below is quite long but provides a great overview of what this Web 2.0 technology actually is. It has been put together by <a href="http://ksuanth.weebly.com/wesch.html">Michael Wesch,</a> lecturer in Digital Ethnography from Kansas University. This particular video focuses on the development of you tube as a way in which people can collaborate and share ideas online.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TPAO-lZ4_hU&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TPAO-lZ4_hU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Machine is Using Us - An Explanation of Web 2.0 Technology</span><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLlGopyXT_g&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NLlGopyXT_g&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Finding Web 2.0 tools to use in education can be quite daunting, simply because there are so many. The following site - <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/">Go2Web20</a> (use the <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/#tag:e-learning">e-learning tag</a>) is one example of a site that provides access to various programs and tools that you can use to collaborate online.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tools to Brainstorm</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> - One of my favourite tools to brainstorm or show knowledge of a concept. Students can change the colour and style, as well as categorise the importance of words according to a concept.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tools to Look at and Share Images or Video</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Images</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a><br /><a href="http://sites.asiasociety.org/riversofice/">Rivers of Ice - Images of the Vanishing Glaciers</a><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Videos<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/"><span style="font-size:+0;">You Tube</span></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span><a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span style="font-size:+0;">Vimeo</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.teachers.tv/subjects/secondary/geography">Geography Teachers TV</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Tools to Create Maps</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0">Scribble Maps</a> - A great tool to create your own maps and then save them....<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/"><br />Google Maps</a><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />The following sites provide access to ideas, tools and resources on how to use Google Maps and Google Earth in the classroom.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/geo.html">Google For Educators</a> - The official Google Educators site with information on Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Sky and Google Sketchup<br /><br /><a href="http://freegeographytools.com/">Free Geography Tools</a> - This site is a little more high tech and complicated - for advanced users.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Web 2.0 Sites for Sustainability</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/apps/boobook/mapservlet?app=rea">Australian Renewable Energy Atlas</a> - A GIS interactive map with differing layers and particularly renewable energy sources and locations in Australia.<br /><br /><a href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Show/World</a> - A mapping site showing the quantity and consumption of resource. Great animations!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.electrocity.co.nz/">Electrocity</a> - A great game comparing the positives and negatives of renewable energy vs fossil fuels.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/globalfootprint/index.asp">Footprint Calculator </a>- The best footprint calculator I have found.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">Gapminder</a> - A great site for social sustainability. So much information is available in terms of development indicators and explanations of these. A great geography source in general.<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/p_sketchup.html"><br />Google Sketchup</a> - This is a program that allows students to design their own buildings and then locate these on Google Maps or Google Earth. A great tool to use if you are considering a task that involves designing a 'Sustainable' building.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsfH_cyXa1o&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gsfH_cyXa1o&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Collaborating Online</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Blogs</span><br /><br />A blog allows you to have your own internet site of information, links, videos and images. You can embed videos from you tube or other online movies sources, or you can make your own. A great description of how a blog works is below.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />I use blogs everyday in the classroom. They allow me to provide an overview of the work covered, videos, links to great resources and the tasks to be completed. They are easy to make and maintain, however you do need to consider that all information is available to the public. My class blogs are below:<br /><br /><a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes 2010</a><br /><a href="http://ratw2010.edublogs.org/">Race Around the World 2010</a><br /><br />One of the better blogging platforms for education is <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a>.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Other Resources</span><br /><a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/"><br />Global Teacher</a> - This site provides access to teacher and student blogs across Australia. Great for ideas on how to present your blog, or how to use it in the classroom.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Wikis</span><br /><br />The world's most famous wiki is Wikipedia. Wiki's allow users to collaborate and create pages by uploading, adding and editing information. In terms of education, wikis provide the ability for a teacher to allow students to create the content and discuss ideas. Teachers can control the levels of privacy and the levels in which students can add or change information.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Wiki Platforms include <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/k-12">Wikispaces</a> and <a href="http://pbworks.com/content/edu+overview?utm_campaign=nav-tracking&utm_source=Home%20navigation">PBWiki</a>.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Other Resources</span><br /><a href="http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/"><br />Wikis in Education</a><br /><a href="http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/">Educational Wikis</a><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Nings</span><br /><br />A ning is very similar to social networking sites like facebook, but allow you to control access from the public, and how each student contributes. I have used a Ning in the classroom, and the students found it to be very effective in discussing or commenting on information, movies or pictures.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cJvC7IVIYzM&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cJvC7IVIYzM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://becrace.ning.com/">Bec's Race Class - Leaders</a><br /><br />To create a Ning, go to <a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning.com</a> and follow the prompts...<br /><br />A ning for geography teachers - <a href="http://australiangeographyteachers.ning.com/">Australian Geography Teachers</a><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Some Other Resources</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.schoology.com/">Schoology</a> - Similar to facebook but something you can use with all of your classes. Watch the introductory video to get an idea.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twiducate.com/">Twiducate</a> - Twitter, but in a more controlled environment for education.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/">SurveyMonkey </a>- Survey Monkey is a great tool to create online surveys with your classes. If you want to have more than ten questions, you will have to pay but the survey links, as well as data collection is well worth the costs. Great for Geography data collection.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To Finish.....</span><br /><br />You can always find something great on youtube. A great way to start a Geography class on Sustainability, even if it is just for a laugh.....<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AAa0gd7ClM&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AAa0gd7ClM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-38025297583322658732010-05-05T07:26:00.002+10:002010-05-05T07:52:22.290+10:00GTAV Presentation - Spatial Technologies from ScratchToday we are going to be looking at a number of online spatial technology applications, as well as how to use Google Maps in the classroom. Below are the links that you will need throughout the workshop:<br /><a href="http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/giszone.html"><br />MapZone - Ordnance Survey</a><br /><br /><a href="http://gis.wwfus.org/wildfinder/">WWF Wildfinder</a><br /><a href="http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml"><br />GeoScience Australia - Sentinel Hotspots</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.anra.gov.au/">Australian Natural Resource Atlas</a><br /><br />For more links and information, go to the <a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/links.php">Contour Education website</a> links page.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google Maps</span><br /><br />The handout provided at the workshop will provide an overview on how to use Google Maps in the classroom. Below is one example of how it can be used - <a href="http://bec2010.edublogs.org/2010/04/11/coastal-folio-assignments-some-important-tips/">Bec's Classes</a>.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&source=embed&msa=0&msid=109187636217267617640.0004677a62cbc083a4cdc&ll=-38.021674,144.654232&spn=0.554848,0.627603&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&source=embed&msa=0&msid=109187636217267617640.0004677a62cbc083a4cdc&ll=-38.021674,144.654232&spn=0.554848,0.627603" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Coastal Field Trip</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br /><br />The following is a youtube providing step by step instructions.<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-92153777625614617022009-11-29T10:39:00.010+11:002009-11-29T13:12:18.830+11:00VCE Geography Conference - Unit 1 Fieldwork - CoastsThis was the first time I had taught VCE Geography (in comparison to Senior Geography in QLD). Therefore it was very much a case of trial and error! However, luckily for me I found that the fieldwork I put together on coasts, plus the tasks associated with it worked really well. This session will provide an overview of the coastal fieldwork, but also how I incorporated Google Maps as an assessment task for my students.<br /><br />Unit 1 VCE Geography includes the following outcomes:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">Outcome One </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">On the completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the geographic characteristics of at least two natural environments, and explain how they are developed by natural processes, including extreme natural events.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;">Outcome Two </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">On the completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and explain the the changes in natural environments due to natural processes and human activity.</span><br /><br />When planning the unit of work, I decided that it we would definitely look at coasts as an example of a natural environment. This is where the important fieldwork component would exist. From this, we would then look at two other environments of student choice. They chose <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/05/12/mountains-the-high-points/">Mountains</a> and <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/05/06/rainforests-why-should-we-care/">Rainforests</a>.<br /><br />I then used the key knowledge and skills within the outcomes to put together my coastal unit and fieldwork assessment task. The key knowledge and skills associated with the fieldtrip included:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Key Knowledge</span><br /><ul><li>Geographic characteristics of natural environments (O1)</li><li>Natural processes and factors that create natural environments (O1)</li><li>Types of changes to natural environments produced by natural processes and by human activity</li><li>Nature, rate and scale of interactions between natural environments and human activity (O2)</li><li>The impact of change on natural environments and on human activity (o2) </li><li>The importance of the interactions between natural processes and human activity in influencing changes to natural environments, including the management of change (O2)</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Key Skills</span><br /><ul><li>Conduct fieldwork at a local site and collect data (O1&2)</li><li>Collect, sort, process and represent spatial data related to formation of natural environments using a range of geographic techniques and media, that may include fieldwork data (O1&2)</li><li>Describe and analyse data about changes to natural processes produced by the interaction between natural processes and human activity (O2) </li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Field Trip Preparation</span><br />The following blog post provides an overview of the work we did on coastal processes before going on a field trip - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/03/18/understanding-coasts/">Understanding Coasts</a>. We also practiced field sketches and observations in the field around the school. A great tip is to use Google Earth or Google Maps to show the students where they would be going on the field trip, and specific characteristics to look out for at each location. The satellite imagery on these sites is great for this (including Street View)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/03/20/coastal-field-trip-northshore-coast/">Coastal Field Trip - Northshore Coast</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SxHO9g4UVOI/AAAAAAAAAF8/3OQA3FAitgE/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 168px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SxHO9g4UVOI/AAAAAAAAAF8/3OQA3FAitgE/s200/IMG_5611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409332183642166498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">During the Fieldtrip</span><br /><br />Students completed a number of tasks as outlined in the fieldtrip booklet. They also knew to take photos and videos as they would need these when we returned to school.<br /><br /><div style="width: 477px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_2604746"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/coastal-fieldwork-booklet" title="Coastal Fieldwork Booklet">Coastal Fieldwork Booklet</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="510" width="477"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=fieldtripbooklet-091128194759-phpapp02&stripped_title=coastal-fieldwork-booklet"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=fieldtripbooklet-091128194759-phpapp02&stripped_title=coastal-fieldwork-booklet" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="510" width="477"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a>.</div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Assessment Task</span><br /><div style="width: 477px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_2604703"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/coastal-fieldwork-assessment-task" title="Coastal Fieldwork Assessment Task">Coastal Fieldwork Assessment Task</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="510" width="477"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=coastalgeographyfolioassessmenttask-091128193302-phpapp01&stripped_title=coastal-fieldwork-assessment-task"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=coastalgeographyfolioassessmenttask-091128193302-phpapp01&stripped_title=coastal-fieldwork-assessment-task" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="510" width="477"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">Rebecca Nicholas</a>.</div></div>The following link provides access to my classroom blog, that provided more detail on completing the assessment tasks - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/03/26/coastal-fieldwork-your-assessment-task/">Coastal Fieldwork - Your Assignment</a><br /><br />Task two of the four tasks required the students to create a Google Map of the field trip, that also provided an overview of the geographic characteristics and natural characteristics at each of the beaches. Diagrams of the processes (eg. Longshore Drift, Wave Refraction, Dune building) plus images needed to be included.<br /><br />Before I launched into the Google Maps task, I introduced students to the idea of spatial technologies and GIS, plus how a Google My Maps works in different contexts. This gave them some idea of why I wanted them to present their assignment in this way. You could look at a number of sites such as the <a href="http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml">CSIRO Sentinal Bushfire site</a>, <a href="http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/">Mapzone</a> or <a href="http://www.reefbase.org/gis_maps/default.aspx">Reefbase</a>. I found this youtube was a funny way to present an overall view of what we were doing!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r0v-4qUod3o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r0v-4qUod3o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Rather than teaching the students step-by-step instructions, I simply posted a 'How To' You Tube like the one below, and the students used this. I also had a paper 'How To' copy uploaded to the school network. This way, students could work in their own time on completing tasks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Create a 'My Map' in Google Maps</span><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TftFnot5uXw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some Helpful Hints</span><br /><ol><li>You will need to consider the following when getting students to use Google Maps as a task:</li><li>Students need to sign up to Gmail so you will need to ensure that this is done prior to the lesson as they need to confirm their accounts. You will also need to check with the IT department to see if Gmail is blocked at school, and the possibility of this being open for your class. </li><li>Images need a url or web address to be linked to the various locations. Therefore, either you or your students will need to upload the images you take on the fieldtrip to an image hosting site, eg. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>, <a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a> etc. This can be problematic if these sites are blocked at school. The other option is to get the IT department to create a website and upload your images to this, so that these can be put into and viewed on each of the maps.<br /></li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">Example of a Student's Coastal Fieldwork Map</span><br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109187636217267617640.0004677a62cbc083a4cdc&t=h&ll=-38.021674,144.654232&spn=0.554848,0.627603&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109187636217267617640.0004677a62cbc083a4cdc&t=h&ll=-38.021674,144.654232&spn=0.554848,0.627603&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Coastal Field Trip</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br />To submit the Google Map, students can invite you as a collaborator to look at the map or they can email you a link. This will allow you to view the maps.<br /><br />Overall, this task was great as it really indicated those students who understood the coastal processes in relation to the location of each of the coastal areas we visited. It also helped them work out where we actually went following the field trip.<br /><br />This task can be a little bit tricky in terms of management of access to maps, but sitting with each student and ensuring that they send you the link to the map makes this fool proof.Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-35322707675839368442009-09-09T17:47:00.008+10:002009-09-14T13:30:35.032+10:00Presentation at Melbourne University - Using ICT in Humanities<span>In today's schooling environment, using ICT in the classroom is not necessarily a difficult task. It is not a question of using technology in your lessons, but how effective is the technology you are using? It is useful? Is it integral or an add on? Is it enhancing student learning? You will also need to consider why you need to use technology in the first place. Is it because the curriculum dictates it, or is it an important part of the development of student learning.<br /><br />The following you tube provides an overview on some of the reasons for the inclusion and effective use of technology in the classroom.... It really does get you thinking...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Vision of Students Today</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dGCJ46vyR9o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dGCJ46vyR9o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The You-Tube above was put together by Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Digital Ethnography, Kansas State University. Go to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mwesch">mwesch's Channel</a> to access other great videos on the implications of the use of technology in education.<br /><br />Another great video that provides a similar message is that from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRb7_ffl2D0">Sugata Mitra: Can Kids Teach Themselves</a>. He presented at the <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED conference</a> in 2008. Another video that provides insight into the power of technology in education.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRb7_ffl2D0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xRb7_ffl2D0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Each subject you will teach will have specific technology tools that will be so useful. However, the delivery of your lesson, and the capabilities that technology provides that enable students to collaborate and develop projects is the key. This is why I am a fan of Web 2.0 technology in the classroom. When developing my units of work, and how I will use technology, I consider the following questions:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on what is learnt? </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on how students learn? </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What impact will it have on where students learn? </span></span></span></li></ul><span>I have also found that setting tasks for students that involve the creation and presentation of work using technology has enhanced their learning. You do need to consider the time given to the students to create these tasks, and the outcomes you would like to come from the task. Creating a video, podcast, audio file, music file, comic life, website or a simple powerpoint presentation in one lesson is possible and often consolidates student learning. An example is a task I set for the students to create a stop motion movie on the colonisation of an African country in International Politics. <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/07/20/colonialism-and-imperialism/">Click here to see my blog post that outlines the task</a>. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />What is Web 2.0?<br /><br /></span><span>The following You Tube provides an overview of how Web 2.0 has changed the internet.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1790994"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">becnic</a></div></div></span><span><br />The presentation above was something that I created. You can then embed this in your blog using a program called <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a>. Become a member and then upload your powerpoints. This then allows you to clearly display the content on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>There are new Web 2.0 Tools and Applications popping up everyday. It does become quite daunting trying to keep up with what could be useful to use in applying Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. One site, <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/">GO2Web2.0</a> provides a link to all types of tools and applications. You can search these via category or purpose. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Google Maps and Google Earth<br /><br /></span><span>Google Maps and Google Earth allow teachers to link important places and locations with information. I have used Google Maps as an assessment task for Geography students (<a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?utm_campaign=en_AU&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en_AU-ha-apac-au-bk-gm&utm_term=google%20maps">Steph's Google Map of the Coastal Field Trip</a>). However, history, politics and economics teachers will also find this Web 2.0 tool very useful. Below are some sites which promote the use of Google Maps and Google Earth in the humanities. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/turingstape/2009/05/14/google-earth-for-humanities/">Turing's Tape: Google Earth for Humanities</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/middleclassgirl/using-google-maps-for-your-history-class">Google Maps for your History Class</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6020514">Bringing History Alive - Google Earth</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />ICT Tools to Use in Your Lessons<br /><br />Wordle</span><span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1pm6d5gQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/CDHbRE8WN8o/s1600-h/becs-and-nates-wordle-300x196.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 196px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1pm6d5gQI/AAAAAAAAAFs/CDHbRE8WN8o/s320/becs-and-nates-wordle-300x196.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381073247028216066" border="0" /></a><span><br /><br />A wordle is a toy that allows you to create word clouds from the text that you provide. They are a great brainstorming tool and allow students to gather their ideas on a topic. Instructions on how to create a wordle</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>can be found by clicking on <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/02/words-on-a-cloud/">here.</a> An example of a lesson where I used a wordle can be found <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/02/16/absolute-power-and-authority-your-ideas/">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Newsmap<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://newsmap.jp/#/b,e,m,n,s,t,w/au/view/">Newsmap</a> is a great site that provides a spatial overview of the national or world news. It can be used to look at what the major news events are, but also allows for an anlysis of which news events have not featured, and begin to get the students to think about why. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1rX4gdCZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/RIs17bCH9kA/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/Sq1rX4gdCZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/RIs17bCH9kA/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381075187827280274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Searching the Internet<br /><br /></span><span>We all know that Google and now Bing not the only option for searching for information on the internet. Our task as teachers of 21st century students is to develop 'information literacy'. This can be defined as '<span style="font-style: italic;">the capacity to identify an issue and then to identify, locate and evaluate relevant information in order to engage with it or to solve a problem arising</span>'.<br /><br />Some really good examples include <a href="http://taggalaxy.de/">Tag Galaxy</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/arc/">Arc</a>, <a href="http://www.kartoo.com/">Kartoo</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/">Flickr</a>, <a href="http://www.neoformix.com/Projects/NewsSpectrum/NewsSpectrum.html">News Spectrum</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/bigspy/">Bigspy</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/stack/">Stack</a>, <a href="http://labs.digg.com/swarm/">Swarm</a>, <a href="http://www.visualthesaurus.com/">Think Map Visual Thesaurus</a>, <a href="http://fserb.com.br/newscloud/">Google News Cloud</a> and <a href="http://www.searchme.com/">Searchme Visual Search</a>. These are all great sites so take the time to check them out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">YouTube and Online Videos</span><br /></span><br />The popularity of you tube and other video sharing sites has made our life as teachers so much easier. There are issues with these videos, such as who has put them together, the advertisements and the content. However, it means that there are a number of ways that you can display information to your students (think multiple intelligences!) The list below are some sites that I have used to search for videos for my students.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/iview/">ABC iView</a></li><li><a href="http://video.google.com/">Google Video</a><br /></li><li><span><a href="http://www.teachers.tv/subjects/secondary/geography">Geography Teachers TV</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.gatm.org.uk/">Geography at the Movies</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://teachertube.com/">Teacher Tube</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://geovideos.fliggo.com/">GeoTube</a><br /></span></li></ul><span>The other issue is finding a video and only taking out the useful sections to embed on your blog. The following application - <a href="http://www.tubechop.com/">TubeChop</a> - allows you to chop a funny or interesting section of a You Tube movie and embed it on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Games as an Education Tool<br /><br /></span><span>There are so many games, animations and online tools to enhance your lessons in humanities. Simply searching your subject and topic studied will provide a number of links. Once you have found a game, you then need to determine if it will be useful and how you will get your students thinking. Sometimes just playing the game is enough. However, you will need to consider the pre and post game activities in some cases. Some examples of games I have played include: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.darfurisdying.com/">Darfur is Dying</a> - </span><span>A game designed to display the desperate and complex situation in Sudan. </span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/launch_gms_viking_quest.shtml">BBC History - Viking Quest</a> - </span>Viking Quest takes you back to AD 793. Can you build a ship, cross the seas, loot a monastery and return home to claim your prize? Your chief has set the challenge, it's up to you to respond.</li><li><a href="http://www.maniacworld.com/Urban_Planning.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Urban Planning Game</span></a> - A very very simple game in which students need to design a city. Based on Sim City but the graphics are not as good. Great to get the students thinking about urban planning issues in Geography. </li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGJp5-juDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/0nEAT2CLLuo/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGJp5-juDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/0nEAT2CLLuo/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364219984205822002" border="0" /></a><span>I have found blogging to be one of the best Web 2.0 tools available to me in the classroom. As a beginner, this was the easiest way to embed and link files, as well as provide instant access for my students. A blog also allows students to comment. There are a number of options available if you are interested in creating a blog for you class. Possible sites that I know teachers use are <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/create-a-blog/">Global Teacher</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Blog?</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>The following is a link to my class blog - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes</a>. This is my main teaching tool and I usually put together a new post for each lesson.<br /><br />Video Tutorials for Edublogs are found <a href="http://edublogs.org/videos/">here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Embedding a Video in Your Blog<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>The ability to embed movies into a blog is one of the main reasons that blogging is so useful. In my experience You Tube does have the best videos available. I suggest that you subscribe to You Tube, so that you can save favourite videos, as well as upload your own videos to embed on your blog. One issue is that many schools do block access to You Tube. One option is to see if teachers only have access to You Tube so that you can show the video files on your blog.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Teacher Blogs</span><br /><br /><a href="http://jessmc.edublogs.org/">Jess McCulloch - Notes to Self</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/">Mr Robbo - The P.E Geek</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"></object><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 143px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364221966852461362" border="0" /></a>I have to admit that I am still not an expert on the use of the wiki. It is a wonderful collaboration tool for students when they are working on a project. It is also particularly useful as we do not have a textbook, and over time it allows both the students and myself to create the content and knowledge needed for senior subjects. The settings on a wiki can also be changed so that they are more private than a blog. This allows the only selected students from selected classes to add to them. Wikis are also great tools to use for professional learning teams. Some wiki platforms that you could use are <a href="http://pbworks.com/academic.wiki">PB Wiki</a> or <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/k-12">Wikispaces</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Wiki? </span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />The following powerpoint provides an overview on how to create your wiki.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1608436"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote/getting-started-on-wikispaces" title="Getting Started on Wikispaces">Getting Started on Wikispaces</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote">Jess Mcculloch</a>.</div></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Podcasts</span><br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y-MSL42NV3c&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y-MSL42NV3c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Podcasts are gradually becoming replaced by videos or vodcasts. However, there are still opportunities for you to subscribe to podcasts or vodcasts via an RSS feed. It is best to link to a Feed such as Google Reader so that you can subscribe to various podcasts and vodcasts. A lesson showing students how to subscribe to RSS Feeds can be found here - <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/04/getting-your-news-online/">Getting Your News Online by Jess McCulloch.</a><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />Podcasts can also be recorded by you and uploaded to your blog. This can be done using programs such as Garageband and recorded on your computer. You can also use other applications that link recordings from your mobile phone directly to your blog. One example of this is a application called <a href="http://www.utterli.com/home">Utterli</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources</span><br /><br />The following resources may be useful when putting together your blogs or wikis, or discovering new Web 2.0 technologies for the classroom.<br /><a href="http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html"><br />Web2.0 for the Classroom Teacher</a><br /><a href="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/edtools.html">Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - Web 2.0 Tools</a><br /><a href="http://www.alline.org/">Directory of Educational Resources on the Web</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Technologies to Consider</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nings</span><br /><a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning</a> - An online social network that could work like a blog in your classroom. Some examples to have a look at in the education context include:<br /><a href="http://education.ning.com/">Ning in Education - Using Ning for Educational Social Networks</a><br /><a href="http://globaleducation.ning.com/">The Global Education Collaborative</a><br /><a href="http://ks3geography.ning.com/profile/GeoDave">David Rayner's Page Key Stage 3 Geography Ning</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mobile Phones and QR Codes</span><br /><br />Mobile phones are great tools to use in the classroom. They can make videos, they can take images, they often have GPS locaters, they are calculators and they can record voice. The bluetooth and messaging applications of mobile phones can also be used. I have not used phones too much in the class, other than for basic image, voice and video recording. However, many teachers do. <a href="http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/">Mr Robbo - The PE Geek </a>is an excellent example. A video that he has posted to You Tube from one of his lessons is below.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DcTsvn_cC68&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DcTsvn_cC68&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-34836500932646171532009-08-22T20:37:00.002+10:002009-08-22T20:43:11.076+10:00GTAV Conference 2009 - Using Spatial Technologies without a Fuss!Spatial technologies have been the buzz word in Geography for a number of years now. We have all tried at some stage to attempt to implement some form of spatial technologies in our classroom with varying degrees of success. The main impediments to the introduction of these technologies have previously been issues with time and cost.<br /><br />However, this is no longer the case. The importance of spatial information has meant that there are a large number of free, online sites available for use to access and use. The wonderful thing about these sites is that there is minimal preparation needed, and they are generally easy to use (as long as you have the internet!).<br /><br />This presentation will provide an overview of what spatial technologies are, why you should use them and how they can be used in the Geography classroom. Specific time will be spent on various sites, including Google maps. I will also show you some maps my students have created following a coastal field trip.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, why are spatial technologies needed in the classroom?</span><br /><br />Improving spatial literacy among our students is important. <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/">The National Geographic-roper Public Affairs (NG-RPA) 2006 Literacy Study </a>found that six in ten young Americans aged 18 to 24 could not find Iraq on a map of the Middle East; one-third could not find Louisiana on a map of the United States; and most incredibly, when given a hypothetical map and told they could escape an approaching hurricane by evacuating north-west, one-third would travel in the wrong direction.<br /><br />The image below may provide humorous (but not really!) evidence of this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGmXW98OgI/AAAAAAAAAFk/cG3sBhk8kUg/s1600-h/Georgia%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGmXW98OgI/AAAAAAAAAFk/cG3sBhk8kUg/s320/Georgia%5B1%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364251551407553026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or there is always an oldie but a goody - Miss Carolina 2007.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lj3iNxZ8Dww&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lj3iNxZ8Dww&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />And her second attempt...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fQKNvPn3V-8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fQKNvPn3V-8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Before we start looking at sites, we must understand what spatial technologies are. The slideshow below was one that I have put together and uploaded to <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">slideshare</a>.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1791090"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/using-spatial-technologies-in-the-geography-classroom" title="Using Spatial Technologies in the Geography Classroom">Using Spatial Technologies in the Geography Classroom</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=usingspatialtechnologiesinthegeographyclassroom-090730084143-phpapp02&stripped_title=using-spatial-technologies-in-the-geography-classroom"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=usingspatialtechnologiesinthegeographyclassroom-090730084143-phpapp02&stripped_title=using-spatial-technologies-in-the-geography-classroom" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">becnic</a>.</div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Funny Movies about GPS</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kPKt_9cR5-8&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kPKt_9cR5-8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fdYWTpAbQY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2fdYWTpAbQY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google Maps and Streetview</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fPgV6-gnQaE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fPgV6-gnQaE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Examples of Online Spatial Technologies<br /></span><span><br />The following link will allow you to view and download a document that contains heaps of online resources that you can use in the classroom. We will look at some in more detail today. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><div style="width: 477px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1791416"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/spatial-technology-resources-for-teachers" title="Spatial Technology Resources for Teachers">Spatial Technology Resources for Teachers</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="510" width="477"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=spatialtechnologyresourcesforteachers-090730095718-phpapp01&stripped_title=spatial-technology-resources-for-teachers"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayerd.swf?doc=spatialtechnologyresourcesforteachers-090730095718-phpapp01&stripped_title=spatial-technology-resources-for-teachers" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="510" width="477"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">becnic</a>.</div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/">MapZone</a><br /></span><span>This would have to be the best online GIS site that is available free for students. The activities are clear and engaging, and introduce the students the idea of what GIS is and how it works. The following link - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/04/19/creating-our-own-digital-landscape/">Creating Our Own Digital Landscape</a> - is an example of how I used Mapzone in the classroom. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a href="http://sentinel2.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml">Sentinel Hotspots</a><br /></span><span>Sentinel is a national bushfire monitoring system that provides timely information about hotspots to emergency services managers across Australia. The mapping system allows users to identify fire locations with a potential risk to communities and properties. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a href="http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/">FluTracker</a><br /></span>This map and the data behind it were compiled by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.recombinomics.com/founder.html">Dr. Henry Niman</a>, a biomedical researcher in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using technology provided by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rhizalabs.com/">Rhiza Labs</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/maps">Google</a>. The map is compiled using data from official sources, news reports and user-contributions and updated multiple times per day. A great tool to track the outbreak of swine flu.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.crimereports.com/">US Crime Reports.com</a><br />This map provides detailed crime statistic data for cities in the US. A great tool to look at patterns and the prevalence of differing types of crime. A pity Australia hasn't put something like this together.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Google Maps</span><br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/">Google Maps</a> is developing into one of the most amazing and accessible sites for Geography teachers to utilise. Using Google Maps you are able to create your own maps using My Maps, add text and images to a point, and then email this tour to someone else.<br /><br />The following link will take you to a task I created for my Unit 1 (equivalent to Year 11) Geography class - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/03/26/coastal-fieldwork-your-assessment-task/">Bec's Classes - Coastal Fieldwork: Your Assessment Task</a>. Using images and data collected from the fieldtrip, my students created their own map. An example of a student's assessment task can be viewed by clicking here - <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&vps=1&jsv=155c&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109187636217267617640.0004677a62cbc083a4cdc">Coastal Fieldtrip Google Map by Stephanie Kosth. </a><br /><br />A new Google Map application is the <a href="http://www.scribblemaps.com/#">Scribble Map</a>. This allows the user to draw on a google map, place markers and text, create a custom widget, save the file and then send it to friends. The application of spatial brainstorming and sketching in class, saving the file and then uploading it to a blog or the intranet is real.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your Task</span><br /><br />Create a Google Maps 'My Map' of a trip around your local area. As you will not have any photos, use <a href="http://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a> and the url of these images to practice linking images to a point. The following You Tube movie provides a step-by-step overview of how to create your map. Thanks to Mick Law from <a href="http://www.contoureducation.com/">Contour Education</a> for creating this.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DF_yhDuoXQI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DF_yhDuoXQI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />As an alternative, you could create your own 'Love Map'. See below.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r0v-4qUod3o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r0v-4qUod3o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://earth.google.com/">Google Earth</a> </span><span>also provides a number of opportunities for your class, including the creation of tours. Any maps you create with Google Maps are interchangeable with Google Earth. Mick Law from Contour Education has also put together resources on how to use Google Earth in the Geography classroom. <a href="http://www.geographypages.co.uk/googleearth.htm">Google Earth Resources for Geography Teachers</a> provides a multitude of resources for Geography teachers on how to use Google Earth in the classroom. This site was established and maintained by a UK Geography teacher.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/">Mapping Worlds</a><br />This site allows you to view various interesting pieces of data (death penalty, women in parliament, cattle etc) with a slightly different perspective. You will be shown a map that changes the size of each country according to its value of that data. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a href="http://twittervision.com/maps/show_3d">Twittervision 3d</a><br /></span><span>This site is spatial technologies meets Web 2.0. It displays the real time location of tweets from around the world. Very interesting to use if you are looking at the spread of news on geographical issues.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other resources can also be found on previous blog posts of this blog. </span><br /></div>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-38811359281587614342009-08-22T20:27:00.002+10:002009-08-24T17:21:51.483+10:00GTAV Conference 2009 - Using Wikis and Blogs in Geography<div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;">Today's workshop will provide an overview of some of the technologies I have discovered and how I use them in the classroom. Following a short presentation on what Web 2.0 is, and some of the online tools available, I will show you some of my examples. Then we will set up our own blog, embed You Tube links and look at some other tools that could come in handy.</span><br /></div><br />This year I began teaching at <a href="http://www.cshs.vic.edu.au/">Coburg Senior High School</a>. The school has a unique open plan design which incorporates learning commons rather than classrooms. Student and staff learning is enhanced by an IT rich environment. We do not use textbooks and there are no whiteboards. Teachers therefore need to find ways of teaching that both enhance student learning and use the technology that is provided. So, my challenge this year was to find a way to use some of the Web 2.0 Technology so that is effective in the classroom. My experience is quite limited, and I have learnt by watching other teachers at school, trial and error and using teacher blogs from other schools.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is Web 2.0?<br /><br /></span><span>The following You Tube provides an overview of how Web 2.0 has changed the internet.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gmP4nk0EOE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1790994"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic/what-is-web-20-1790994" title="What is Web 2.0? ">What is Web 2.0? </a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=whatisweb2-0-090730082048-phpapp02&stripped_title=what-is-web-20-1790994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">documents</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/becnic">becnic</a>.</div></div><br /><br /></span><span><br />The presentation above was something that I created. You can then embed this in your blog using a program called <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">Slideshare</a>. Become a member and then upload your powerpoints. This then allows you to clearly display the content on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>There are new Web 2.0 Tools and Applications popping up everyday. It does become quite daunting trying to keep up with what could be useful to use in applying Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. One site, <a href="http://www.go2web20.net/">GO2Web2.0</a> provides a link to all types of tools and applications. You can search these via category or purpose. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Your Task<br /><br /></span><span>Following the You Tube movie and presentation, what do you understand about Web 2.0 and the applications it has in the classroom? Using a <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">wordle</a>, brainstorm your ideas.<br /><br />A wordle is a toy that allows you to create word clouds from the text that you provide. Instructions on how to create a wordle</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>can be found by clicking on <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/02/words-on-a-cloud/">here.</a><br /><br />An example of a lesson where I used a wordle can be found <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/2009/02/16/absolute-power-and-authority-your-ideas/">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGJp5-juDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/0nEAT2CLLuo/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGJp5-juDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/0nEAT2CLLuo/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364219984205822002" border="0" /></a><span>I have found blogging to be one of the best Web 2.0 tools available to me in the classroom. As a beginner, this was the easiest way to embed and link files, as well as provide instant access for my students. A blog also allows students to comment. There are a number of options available if you are interested in creating a blog for you class. Possible sites that I know teachers use are <a href="http://edublogs.org/">Edublogs</a> or <a href="http://globalteacher.org.au/create-a-blog/">Global Teacher</a>.<br /><br /></span><span>The following is a link to my class blog - <a href="http://becnicholas.edublogs.org/">Bec's Classes</a>. This is my main teaching tool and I usually put together a new post for each lesson.<br /><br />Video Tutorials for Edublogs are found <a href="http://edublogs.org/videos/">here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Embedding a Video in Your Blog<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZnehCBoYLbc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span>The ability to embed movies into a blog is one of the main reasons that blogging is so useful. In my experience You Tube does have the best videos available. I suggest that you subscribe to You Tube, so that you can save favourite videos, as well as upload your own videos to embed on your blog. One issue is that many schools do block access to You Tube. One option is to see if teachers only have access to You Tube so that you can show the video files on your blog. There are also other options available. These include:<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span><a href="http://www.teachers.tv/subjects/secondary/geography">Geography Teachers TV</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.gatm.org.uk/">Geography at the Movies</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://teachertube.com/">Teacher Tube</a></span></li><li><span><a href="http://geovideos.fliggo.com/">GeoTube</a><br /></span></li></ul><span>The other issue is finding a video and only taking out the useful sections to embed on your blog. The following application - <a href="http://www.tubechop.com/">TubeChop</a> - allows you to chop a funny or interesting section of a You Tube movie and embed it on your blog. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Your Task</span><br /><br /></span><span>Sign up and create a blog using a site of your choice. Once you have created your account, you will need to write your first post. You are to design a Geography lesson on <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Natural Hazards</span>. This is the introductory lesson, and will need to provide a number of tasks and links. The minimum requirements of this task include:<br /></span><ul><li><span>embed a movie</span></li><li><span>upload a picture</span></li><li><span>create a number of links to various sites </span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wikis</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 143px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UanbVVVAksA/SnGLdT6WkzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/-eHihVLDp8E/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364221966852461362" border="0" /></a>I have to admit that I am still not an expert on the use of the wiki. It is a wonderful collaboration tool for students when they are working on a project. It is also particularly useful as we do not have a textbook, and over time it allows both the students and myself to create the content and knowledge needed for senior subjects. The settings on a wiki can also be changed so that they are more private than a blog. This allows the only selected students from selected classes to add to them. Wikis are also great tools to use for professional learning teams. Some wiki platforms that you could use are <a href="http://pbworks.com/academic.wiki">PB Wiki</a> or <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/k-12">Wikispaces</a>.<br /><br />The following powerpoint provides an overview on how to create your wiki.<br /><br /><div style="width: 425px; text-align: left;" id="__ss_1608436"><a style="margin: 12px 0pt 3px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; display: block; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote/getting-started-on-wikispaces" title="Getting Started on Wikispaces">Getting Started on Wikispaces</a><object style="margin: 0px;" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=wikis-090619070824-phpapp01&stripped_title=getting-started-on-wikispaces" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 11px; font-family: tahoma,arial; height: 26px; padding-top: 2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/technolote">Jess Mcculloch</a>.</div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Podcasts</span><br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/y-MSL42NV3c&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/y-MSL42NV3c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Podcasts are gradually becoming replaced by videos or vodcasts. However, there are still opportunities for you to subscribe to podcasts or vodcasts via an RSS feed. It is best to link to a Feed such as Google Reader so that you can subscribe to various podcasts and vodcasts. A lesson showing students how to subscribe to RSS Feeds can be found here - <a href="http://jessmc.globalteacher.org.au/2009/02/04/getting-your-news-online/">Getting Your News Online by Jess McCulloch.</a><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0klgLsSxGsU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSPZ2Uu_X3Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br />Podcasts can also be recorded by you and uploaded to your blog. This can be done using programs such as Garageband and recorded on your computer. You can also use other applications that link recordings from your mobile phone directly to your blog. One example of this is a application called <a href="http://www.utterli.com/home">Utterli</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Resources and Tools</span><br /><br />The following resources may be useful when putting together your blogs or wikis, or discovering new Web 2.0 technologies for the classroom.<br /><a href="http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html"><br />Web2.0 for the Classroom Teacher</a><br /><a href="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/edtools.html">Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - Web 2.0 Tools</a><br /><a href="http://www.alline.org/">Directory of Educational Resources on the Web</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning</a> - An online social network that could work like a blog in your classroom. Some examples to have a look at in the education context include:<br /><a href="http://education.ning.com/">Ning in Education - Using Ning for Educational Social Networks</a><br /><a href="http://globaleducation.ning.com/">The Global Education Collaborative</a><br /><a href="http://ks3geography.ning.com/profile/GeoDave">David Rayner's Page Key Stage 3 Geography Ning</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Teacher Blogs</span><br /><br /><a href="http://jessmc.edublogs.org/">Jess McCulloch - Notes to Self</a><br /><br /><a href="http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/">Mr Robbo - The P.E Geek</a>Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944269235975671127.post-66507024770906163552009-08-01T09:09:00.010+10:002009-08-01T10:06:28.692+10:00GTAQ Conference 2009 - Keynote PresentationThe keynote at the GTAQ Conference was presented by John Byrne, Adjunct Professor in Urban Design at QUT. The title of his presentation was Matters of Human Well-Being, Crime, Urban Design, Democracy and Sustainability: Any Common Threads?<br /><br />The first point that I found really interesting was the idea of using urban design to support crime prevention and safety. The CPED - Crime Prevention through Environmental Design provided a bridge between planning and the needs of the police. It also investigates the changes in communities and their demography, and how this impacts on both crime and urban design. John made a very interesting point on the psychology of people and the difference between a caring community and a gated community. The idea that a resident should care about what is going on in the street outside their house is interesting. Would you go outside and help someone if they were in trouble? I think I would like to say yes - but the nature of a gated community has changed this.<br /><br />John also showed a page from a 1950's planning textbook that compared the difference between a model of what was considered 'bad' and what was considered 'good' at the time. It was really cool to see that what was considered 'good' practice at the time - cul-de-sacs (sic). green space scattered in areas, and dead ends have actually decreased the level of safety in our urban communities. Considering that many residential developers have used this model up until the late 90's is quite scary. The other interesting point is that our homes are no longer of the same structure - the mum, dad and three kids has totally changed, and with it the styles and types of dwellings.<br /><br />The idea of a sense of connection to the street really made me think. In the CBD, how many buildings have podium carparking (levels 1-4 of a building are car parks) destroy the connection to the street. One building was structured with 11 levels of car parking and John stated that this would not change. The other really interesting statement was the fact that certain buildings trying to be sustainable have so many apparatus on the outside that it is very difficult to see out. What is happening at the base of large buildings in connection with links to the street? How well does the layout of the neighbourhood encourage the active use of the public realm?<br /><br />The structure of an actual street I found fascinating and I have to admit that I never really thought about it. If a street has houses that do not face each other they are less likely to interact. I had considered the danger of loopy cul-de-sacs, but I had never thought about the way in which houses should face so that this would promote interaction. The actual structure of commercial areas follow this thinking. The then relating issues with traffic congestion are made by the way in which the planning grid is structure. The structure of planning grids in cities is definitely something that I want to look at.<br /><br />Brisbane does have a connection with the river. However, has planning allowed a connection to this river, particularly taking into account the meander bends. Simply having a path along the river does not allow this connectivity, as street grids cannot run to the river due to developments actually along the river. This is another aspect of urban planning that I had never considered before.<br /><br />The idea of a nuclei models that have created the 'Westfields' creating a blockage in the community and issues with safety. The comparison of the actual planning and structure of the Brisbane universities was also great. Comparing how large the CBD grid to the size of the universities and how the structure of each faces the community was also an interesting point. If universities want to relate to the community, does their strucure allow this? The urban village at Kelvin Grove does allow for this to some extent. The roads flow through the area, and the actual university buildings are scattered throughout commercial buildings and housing. It is designed about a main street. Some of the actual images John presented of buildings in Brisbane do not allow for interaction with the community. GOMA, the QLD Museum and the Council building in the CBD all indicate a huge aversion interacting with the street.<br /><br />Public transport is critical in terms of climate change, and the way that urban planning allows for community interaction is critical in improving the use of public transport. John spoke of the actual needs of the commuter - the route, the place, the trip and then the following trip. Public transport planners need to consider the needs of those commuters in terms of the entire journey, rather than just the actual trip on the train or the bus. Community planning needs to take all of this in.<br /><br />The implications that this design has on health is also important. Obesity and dimentia were mentioned. Can the cty be strucutred to make use laugh? Are buildings designed with colour? Where are kids able to interact with the CBD? What about spiritual areas? <br /><br />Overall, John has suggested that the social structure and impact of a city is influenced by design. Planners to need to go back to Maslows heiracy. Doxiadis is a planner who looks at the needs of the communities emotions when putting together planning. How well are we planning to meet people's needs? Are we dealing with the social sustainability. CUrrently we have an inventory or shopping list of what we need in a city. John stated that the essence of a city is the public realm and their needs. The question is 'Who owns this place?' Who owns a Westfield? Are the lower socio-economic groups catered for in planning in the CBD? Is there democracy in the city? Does the city allow space for rallies, promoting opinions? What are the connections with the past, the place and with nature?<br /><br />I found this keynote to be a great thinking tool for how I am going to teach urban planning this term. We have just looked at the various urban land use models (concentric zone, hoyte's sector model and multiple nuclie model). However, the actual interaction of the community in various examples will definitely be my lesson next week. What are human needs and emotions, and how are they represented in urban planning? Thinking..... thinking.....Rebecca Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11613522291654993522noreply@blogger.com2