Wordle

Wordle is a visual representation for text data used to portray keywords, tags on websites, or to visualize free text.  Wordle is a tool for creating a cloud or branch of images that use the size of the text to represent the most common words! Wordle is fast, simple and easy to play with which is why it is a suitable tool for education.  You can also tweak the layout, colours and font until you are satisfied with your final image. With relevance to education wordle is an appropriate tool to use as it is quick and easy and can be used for a variety of things. If pupils want to study for tests, wordle provides a programme that allows students to type in any key word for the subjects they are studying and any other words that are associated with the subject.  Therefore Wordle can be an effective way to create spider diagrams and mind maps. Wordle can be used as a simple revision guide which saves pupils time as they don’t have to 'look through pages and pages of work' as all the information will be in one place. Recently, whilst being at university I have used a method of Wordle called “Taxgedo” which allowed me to type in a key word and in seconds appeared a branch of words which had a connection with the initial key word. I believe this will be an effective way for me to study in the future.

Voki

VOKI    
                       

Voki is a web programme that allows you to create a talking Avatar and is considered an effective, educational learning tool within the classroom. Voki is essentially an animation providing information to students.  Voki characters can be customized to resemble historical figures, cartoons, animals, and even a clone of yourself which will make the information more valuable! I believe Voki is a very exciting, modern way of teaching pupils.  Voki can be used by teachers or educators to introduce courses or topics in a simple manner. It can also be used to aid and instruct those who are more audio and visual learners as it involves looking at the avatar and listening to the information it provides.  I think that Voki is a very supportive method of learning which helps shy students develops their confidence. Through using Voki students can practice oral and listening skills which do not require interaction with the teacher. Voki can also help foreign language students to feel more comfortable talking within the classroom and also it can help pupils proofread their papers.

Using Voki?

You can give your Voki a voice by recording with a microphone or uploading an audio file. Voki characters can be emailed, shared on social media, and embedded on websites ! Voki is particularly easy to use which will appeal to students because no student likes a “complicated” task.

Here are two videos which suggest why Voki is beneficial and how it is seen as useful in the classroom:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ao9KQltMkP0

http://youtu.be/pZwQTm_5s6Q

Glogster

Glogster is a form of social networking that allows users to create interactive posters for free!  A Glog is an interactive multimedia image, that resembles a poster. However, readers can interact with the content. Glogster allows texts, images, photos and audios to be imbedded on the poster which makes it more attractive to learners.  Glogster EDU allows teachers and pupils to use glogs as instructional aids and share their Glogs in private virtual classroom. Glogster is a simple application which is easily accessible to staff and students and is a smart tool to use in classrooms.

The benefits of using glogster for teachers is that its  creative, collaborative and innovative digital programme  makes teaching and learning more fun. It is a private and safe platform that is monitored directly by teachers. Glogster is a valuable teaching tool that integrates diverse core subjects including math, science, history, art, photography, music and much,  much more!

For learners glogster is a  fun, imaginative, and powerful learning experience that fosters independent and creative self expression, positive teacher-student relationships, and teamwork on class projects. It is a vibrant, multi-sensory learning experience that integrates student knowledge and skills with traditionally text-oriented subjects, and inspires intellectual curiosity.

I found this link very useful in helping me learn how to use Glogster as an educational tool http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/glogster/

Pros and cons of a web2 page

Facebook is an online social networking service. Facebook was founded in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with his college room-mates at Harvard University.

• Registering on the site is an easy process.
• It transcends all physical boundaries, and lets you connect with long-lost friends and distant family.
• You can share your thoughts, post photographs and events on a daily basis.
• The site offers you the freedom to choose who you'd like to share your 'updates' with.
• You can stay updated with all the current affairs of the world.
• You can be well informed about what goes on in the lives of the people who are close to you.
• You can interact with people with similar thoughts and ideas across the globe. You can even choose to be a part of groups with people who have a common cause or merely just a similar interest.
• The site provides you with a virtual time-line of your life through your Facebook updates over the years.
• The site gives you an opportunity to express yourself, and  'to be heard.'
• Facebook serves as a platform to message and even video chat with your friends.
• The many online games that are a part of the website, let you unwind and even promote social interaction with their many multi-player functions.
• You can watch and share your favourite videos and photographs.
• You can 'promote' your product or even your updates if you choose to do so with other users.
• You can even organise events, it is an easy process
• Facebook and its features are all free

• Although a lot has been done to improve the site's security, it still has a lot of loopholes.
• Privacy is a major concern for most Facebook users, and you need to take care to see who you share your social feeds with.
• You can be bombarded with updates about things that don't really interest you or are of your concern; these could be updates about your acquaintances or even about the pages that people in your friends list may randomly like which is a major disruption
•  Often there seems to be very little that separates your personal life from your social life.
• There is always the possibility of identity theft on the site.
• There are loads of fake and bogus accounts on the site, with people looking to steal your personal information.
• The games and the site itself can be very addictive.
•  In spite of the many security settings in place, your images can still be misused.
• There have also been several instances of online stalkers.
• The frequent updates can be irritating
• On the rise are a number of commercial adverts on the website, which can be quite annoying, and hampers the overall user experience.

Pros and cons of a web2 page

Twitter is an online social networking service that enables users to send and read ‘tweets’ which are limited to 140 characters.

·  Twitter allows you to follow your favourite celebrities and get the latest news on their everyday lives
· Twitter provides verification of true and false celebrities so you know you are following the real “Celebrity"
· Twitter provides an advertisement for businesses and prompts your company across the world which will increase commercialisation 
· Twitter provides security which only allows your followers to view your page and pictures
· Twitter can be used at home or on the go! Via Ipad, IPod, Tablet, Laptop or computer
· Twitter provides the opportunity to communicate with celebrities by replying to tweets
· Via using your blog you can imbed your twitter profile and increase your followers
·  Twitter is a very simple application to use for social reasons
· Small/Local events can have a higher impact as it gains more awareness and support online through the use of twitter
· Discussions about the 'event' on Social Networks is possible through groups, chats, #hashtags, search and more
· The general population is able to get up-to-date information about the event, quite often faster than they can through National/International Media
·  Tools to help filter, aggregate, and share social media messages in time with delayed/different time-zone broadcasting is under way

 

·   Twitter only allows 140 characters per tweet/post which limits you

·   Twitter is sometimes valued too highly, a very high percentage of teenagers use twitter non-stop preventing their concentration and causing a decline in educational motivation

·    Twitter is highly built around ‘ads’ which is a great frustration and a total annoyance

·    Some reports of bullying have been discovered through the use of this social network

·   With regards to celebrities they are often penalised and written about in the media if they have commented on something over twitter which often causes speculation

·   Time-Zone lag time allows viewing of the event in different time zones to be ruined by fans announcing details online

·     Rumours can develop and spread quicker as well

·   Social Media participation and reactions to re-screenings, coverage, and delayed broadcasting of events is significantly lowered due to the amount of spoilers

·   Events can escalate quickly with many fans jumping on the bandwagon, for better or worse

     

Say it in seven

This is a rough version of my 'say it in seven' video. Here, are 8 pictures I took all on the same day and things I found interesting and pretty. My final version will be based on Christmas. Christmas is my favourite time of the year because I love the build up to the big day, I thoroughly enjoy buying gifts for family and friends, I love spending time with all the family together and reminiscing over the year, I adore my mothers cooking- especially Christmas dinner because my mother goes all out! I love the pretty light and decorations and the greetings off others. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Reflective Learning

Reflective learning can develop critical thinking, self awareness and analytical skills within an individual. It is very important to both staff and student. However, for students it may help them understand how theories can be applied into practice. It can help demonstrate to individuals what worked or didn't work, what may need to be done differently or how individuals may need to develop their behaviour and practice.
Reflective learning may be captured and assessed through work in various forms, including: a
reflective portfolio, log, essay, journal or diary. These provide a structure to capture thoughts and recollections, forming a record that can be reviewed to gain further insight or guidance or record new learning, providing evidence of personal development.
A learning log for example is a simple but effective way of getting to grips with the idea of reflection. I could set ten minutes aside each week to write a learning log (every Friday afternoon). A log is similar to a diary or portfolio, but it has set headings that encourage us to record key
events/experiences since the last log, our reactions to them, and then reflect on them to draw out conclusions about what happened and determine any different actions you should take.

Here are four things to record in a simple learning log:

1. The experience/situation/event
2. Your initial reactions to it
3. What you did
4. What you learned from the experience/situation/event