Post Web 2.0

Well, somewhere down the track, post Web 2.0, I find myself still meandering down this path of technology, no longer out of a sense of obligation, however, but out of a curious addiction I have developed to all things new.

I just want to say - in case anyone should bother reading this blog - that I was originally averse to any form of technology, mostly out of a sense of fear of the unknown. I feel that I, personally, have poor spatial skills and it takes me forever to navigate my way around a site etc. while to others, I have perceived, it comes naturally. Nevertheless, I persisted and found that eventually it became easier to just plunge headfirst into 'unchartered territories' (for me that is!) and just bumble around till I worked out what to do or how to do it. It's become a kind of game for me rather than something I dread. And yes, I know all this experimenting takes time but any form of real learning does, and eventually, there is that feeling of satisfaction at having conquered the impossible.

And for fear I would forget everything I learned and just relegate it to the 'back burner' I immediately employed one of the tools I picked up - the glog. I had my Year 10 English students create their own glog based on the themes, etc. of one of the poems studied in class. They were also to write a short response in which they explained their choice of tools, which might have included symbols, music, you-tube, etc. I have to say I was stunned at the standard of work submitted - and quite relieved to find that this was not just a case of 'novelty' but a 'real' learning tool. What is more, I was able to give positive feedback via the glog text box available for comments.

Two days ago my school embarked on a staff e-learning day. We got a glimpse into what the class of tomorrow would look like, with technology streaking ahead at breakneck speed. I was also lucky enough to have tech whiz Simon Crook teach me a few neat tricks. Our fearless e-learning master Phil Hogg has created a staff 'ning' that we have all been visiting excitedly for a few days now, both socially and for the purposes of thrashing about ideas in the world of e-learning.

Simon taught my colleague and I how to create our own ning for our year 8 Italian students. We have had fun setting this up, uploading photos and videos of students involved in special language days and activities, creating vokis, etc. I am looking forward to having our students eventually come to the site to practise their Italian, send their homework here perhaps, and just basically enjoy seeing and hearing themselves perform 'live'. I had already created a wetpaint wiki for some of my students but am finding a ning much more accessible and fun.