Conclusion

I have really enjoyed this course. I have used lots of different tools, discovered quite a number new tools and practised using them. I can see many of them will be useful in my working life and some of them useful in my working day.

I like the similarity of web2 tools that make them quite easy to navigate your way around.

Thanks for a great time!

#22 & 23 Ebooks & Audio books

Great resource to have in the class, students could download and listen to them on their laptops/ipods and then silent read them. Also great for an online class, still not quite the same using a 'real' book, but I would get used to this.

# 21 Youtube - teacher tube

This was fun! I enjoyed embedding it and I find it has just the biggest array of videos which we often use in our PD sessions, they get the message across in a much easier way than a PowerPoint or a lecture.

I love this video....

# 20 Podcasts

I have always thought that itunes had a lot more to offer than simply listening to music on my ipod. I had heard of podcasts and thought this was such a great idea, I could think of how education institutes could use them to deliver lectures, classes, instructions and then we can all 'learn on the run'. It makes it possible to be able use our time more wisely.

# 18 Wikis

It was some time ago that I first met wikis, possibly my first foray into web 2 tools. I have certainly come a long way since then. I used one as a tool for a collaborative class activity we did. It was a great idea in theory, the capabilities of the wiki are fabulous. The kids can set up pages as they like and they can edit each others work and run a discussion behind the scenes.

# 17 Delicious

I find this rather a useful site. I have bookmarked, tagged and shared my way round Delicious. I like the way that I can access my bookmarks from anywhere, they are just safely stored there waiting for me.

# 15 & 16 RSS feeds

Well I even know what it means now! It was surprisingly easy to install google reader and get it busy tracking my favourite sites. I was so impressed with how simple it all was. Now I just have to find the time to read it all....

#13 MySpace & #14 Facebook

I had a look round MySpace. I have previously spent a bit of time in Bebo and am a regular facebook user so it was interesing to spend time looking at another social networking site. I can't imagine that I would use more than one of these such sites other than wanting to keep in touch with friends and family. They do take time to maintain and keep up to date with.

# 12 Flickr

I have found flickr to be quite useful. It sparked quite a discussion about the copyright issues and how to use the creative commons area of flickr. I found that it was not really well devloped yet but I expect that in some years it will prove to be an amazing resource.

# 11 Library Thing

Well this is really interesting, I am not a great reader anymore, sadly, but when I am looking for a book I dont want to begin anything that I probably won't like. I can see what like minded people are reading.

I will probably get more use out of this in the holidays.

# 10 Image Generators

This is wonderful! It took me a lot of time because I kept playing! I haven't even experimented with anything other than text yet! Great to know that there is something like this that is also very quick and easy to use.

# 9 Virtually Online

Now this blew me away, at first I had aboslutely no idea what it was or what it was for. I still have to say that I am not sure of it's purpose but can see that there is enormous potential. One of my concerns would be for younger viewers, would they be able to understand the difference between fantasy and reality? For someone growing up in this age, where does a child learn the difference?

Maybe I am worrying unnecessarily, maybe it's perfectly understandable when second life is second nature!

I can imagine that for the world of advertising this has unbelievable potential.

# 8 igoogle

Hmmm not sure that I can see a real purpose, yes there are lots of dinky bits you can add and use, somewhat like on the front pages of my new iphone.

I see from others' comments that I am possibly the only one that feels like it's a little overdone. But then I have ahd a play and then discarded it so as not to be quite so distracted.

Maybe I am a 'google grinch'

#7 Google Books

I am hooked!! This is so cool, you can have a very good look at any book, you can read some complete books if they are out of copyright and... you can use them and reference them for your study. Wait til I tell my daughter!

Will this ulitmately bring about the death of libraries? Will they have to adapt to the times and provide new and different services.

Google Maps

I really enjoy using Google maps. I jump on my computer and use it rather than look for a map, not so easy on the road though! Last night though while my husband and daughter were picking up a rental car in the dark I was able to direct them using my google maps from my armchair!!
We also used the maps to map out our walking journeys,from home, to our hotels in Rome, Florence and Venice on the self booked part of a trip we did. It was great, we were able to print out the instructions and be fully independent when we arrived.

Yay Google maps!

My Very First Blog

I am writing in my very first blog! How exciting! I am really looking forward to using more web 2 tools and also finding ways in which to use them with my students and in my job in general.

I am a teacher at the Correspondence School in Wellington. I run an online class of year 7 - 10 students. We are endeavouring to deliver an integrated programme. The programme is basically in its first year and is being quite well received by the students.