Wallwisher in the classroom

To blog or not to blog!

One of the ideas of blogging is to imprint your ideas on a new and wider audiences (and save paper), that the printed test alone can reach. I am under no illusions though, my blog is not read by many, but for me, my blog is a place to collect and share ideas even if it's only for me! I read some great blogs, and then I place a sample of my finds here on my blog. I guess that most people are now using Twitter for this sort of concept; that’s a place for those able to be more concise that me! I digress, something not allowed on Twitter! (maybe they have something there!) My initial point was to share and save paper– re-blog, however an idea that Tim Rylands shared with me this week and that is to create a PDF from a blog post.  You can make a professional looking document from your blog, or blogpost to put up on a wall display, or to have as evidence in hard copy.  They do look quite professional, however they don't allow you to have any say in the design or layout.  Check out the button on the top right of my home page Joliprint creates a nice looking page from your blogpost and could be used quite effectively in a classroom if you want to print the children’s post for a different purpose.  He also mentions other applications that provide a similar service check out his post

Some great new titles for Primary ICT

At last there are some great titles for using emerging web technologies in the primary classroom!  I have been suggestive, for a number of years, about the great opportunities for using Web 2 in the primary setting.  However, there has been some resistance, especially from LAs that manage schools web access.  My students have also been quite sceptical at times, although they do humour me to some extent.  The concerns range from internet safety, access to the relevant sites, time restraints and expertise. None of these concerns are to be scoffed at I know, but we must provide our primary school children with the skills they need to be successful learners of the 21^st century otherwise we are not fulfilling our obligations at educators.

These two new titles for 2012 give great practical examples of how to actually integrate innovative ICT tools in the classroom.  Barber & Cooper, “Using New Web Tools inthe Primary Classroom”, have written a practical guide for enhancing teaching and learning with new web tools.  Their book is written for those interested in the application of new web-based ICTs to primary teaching.  It has been specifically designed for anyone who works in the primary classroom or who is training to do so.  It is divided into 2 sections; the first section justifies the use of Web 2.0 tools, laying the ground work for the second section which gives specific and tangible ways in which these technologies can enhance classroom practice.  “The Really Useful ICT Book” from Jesson and Peacock is more of an overall technology across the curriculum guide – but it is up to date and incorporates a range of new tools as well as the more traditional ICT resources that many of us are more familiar with.  Both are well work a look.