Workshop for Twin Coast Cluster Conference. Deals with the purpose of blogging in a classroom and gives examples from a junior class (5 to 7 year old children) . Examples include voice thread, photopeach, Kid Pix, animoto.

1. A Journey With Blogging

2. In this workshop I intend to...
discuss the purpose of blogging and digital learning
outline the progress I have made as a blogger with my junior
class
show how ICT could be embedded into a programme
list tools and resources that I use regularly that you may like to
explore in your own time

3. This workshop is not...
a step by step guide to blogging
How to set up a blog, step by step instructions by Rachel Boyd
“Create your own classroom blog” download as PDF
http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com/bloggingnotes

4. The parrot of purpose metaphor
A powerful metaphor of Andy Hargreaves (1997), is
found in the ‘Parrot of Purpose’ sitting on our
shoulders questioning our actions.
Sherry Crisp, National Facilitator ICT PD in 2008

5. Wallwisher
Online sticky notes

6. Digital Learning
An optimum combination of:
Real time real life learning experiences that employ quality digital
tools
Participation in gaming / virtual learning environments
Collaboration in social networking / Collective Intelligence sites
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

7. IT is not ‘added’ to learning. It must be deeply
embedded in learning.
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

8. If you employ digital learning processes, they must
advance student learning. Otherwise, why bother?
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

9. So what is the purpose of the blog in my class?
Developing explicit understanding of what makes a good
learner
Awareness of learning goals
Reflective learners
Feedback and collaboration - between teacher and child,
child and child, parents and child, wider audience - other
learners, other teachers

10. Pedagogy elements within the
Key Competencies??
Thinking. Higher order thinking, deep knowledge, deep
understanding
Using language, symbols and texts. Narrative, digital / visual
literacies
Managing Self. Student direction; self-regulation
Relating to others. Inclusivity; substantive communication; group
identity; social support
Participating and contributing. Active citizenship; problem-based
curriculum.
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

11. Essential Questions for the Key
Competencies
Thinking: Is there evidence of intellectual depth in every learning
experience?
Using language, symbols and texts: Are students making meaning and
application of quality language, symbols and texts?
Managing Self: Is student attitude and behaviour self-regulatory?
Relating to others: Is the learning characterised by an atmosphere of
mutual respect and support amongst everyone present?
Participating and contributing: Is there a focus on identifying and solving
real-world problems?
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)

12. Blogging Specifics - my first steps
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com

13. Picture and text - describing current learning
digital camera, photo taken with class, by
teacher or child - teach simple safety
rules, point and click, learn new skills as
need arises, explore composition, but
most importantly just use the tool
upload with the class, model the process,
talk them through it, allow children to
take part
draft sentences with class
email parents to let them know about
new posts

14. Photos and Cyber Safety
Keep to photos of work or learning
objects rather than children as much as
possible
If posting pictures of children, show
groups rather than individuals
Need permission from parents to show
photos of children - school policy and
procedures
(see http://www.netsafe.org.nz/keeping_safe.php?
sectionID=education&titleID=Policies%20and%20Use
%20Agreements&pageID=81&menuID=81) or see Rachel
Boyd’s wiki
FIRST NAMES ONLY

15. Revisiting learning
Real time, real life learning
experience over time (May &
November)
Learning object, digitised
through camera
Created with the class

16. Wordle
A simple presentation idea for brainstorms and lists

17. Voice Thread
a versatile digital storytelling
tool
developing oral language
and oral reading
revisiting ideas
giving feedback
catering for special needs

18. Voice Thread examples
http://voicethread.com/share/694860/ http://voicethread.com/share/1227602/ http://voicethread.com/#q.b1083558 http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2009/11/properties-of-plastic-
and-glass.html

19. Kid Pix
avoiding google images,
respecting copyright and
modeling good practice
publishing writing - export
jpeg
slide shows
save as a template
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/04/term-2-begins.html

20. Writer’s Blog
A reason to write
An audience
Reflecting on learning
Learning to comment
constructively
Awareness of writing goals
http://kaipara2writers.blogspot.com/2010/06/frost.html

21. Maths and Kid Pix
open ended tool with many
uses
not a pre-packaged learning
experience, as worksheets
and even computer based
games and website activities
often are
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com/2010/05/maths-and-kid-pix.html

22. The Side Bar
Add the relevant websites
you find to the sidebar
Change them often
http://room2kaiparaflats.blogspot.com

23. Collaboration
Date and Weather chart -
from the side bar
Talking Buddies

24. Photopeach & Animoto
displaying art work
a record of special events

25. Digital Camera
Quick publishing - from the
whiteboard, the floor,
children’s books, children’s
pictures, chalk on the
playground

26. Kidspiration
Use it, model it, model
learning how to use it with
your class

27. Student Voice
I asked the children to tell me what they like about our blog...

34. Twitter: Overcoming Geography
Why I have a twitter account
PLN & PLE

35. A few people to follow (to get you started)
tinado (That’s me) Nunavut_Teacher
dragonsinger57 (Jo Fothergill) timbuckteeth (Steve Wheeler)
sumich (Luke Sumich - keynote speaker at suzievesper
cluster conference 2009)
sharpjacqui
dorothyjburt (Point England)
tombarrett
TweetSmarter (handy hints for using
twitter) twincoastcluster (just started - updates for our schools)
teachernz (Michael Fawcett) camlockie
ahrenfelt (Johannes Ahrenfelt) Great lindayollis
professional development blog
Eat.Sleep.Teach. TeachAKid

36. ...and a few more
Keamac I started by making twitter my
home page so that whenever I
mimioguy (for mimio resources)
opened the browser, I could
MrsBee12 (Clare Buist) take a quick look, (a bit like
checking the fridge).
lagatabonita (Susan Lindsay)
Now I use Seesmic, an
fionagrant
application that can be
This is not a comprehensive list, and is downloaded from the internet.
not in any particular order, but could be
a good start.

37. Next challenges for me
e-portfolios - building the habits of reflection into the learning
process and documenting it
google docs
developing a PLN that includes local teachers & building on the
developments made possible by the Twin Coast Cluster ICT PD

38. A Learning Progression
L1. Low competence, High commitment (The
Enthusiast)
L2. Low / Some competence, Low commitment (The
Disillusioned Learner)
L3. Moderate competence, Variable commitment (The
Capable but Cautious)
L4. High competence, High commitment (High
Achiever)
Self Leadership And The One Minute Manager (Ken Blanchard)

39. Ideas into practice
(Tony Ryan, Digital Pedagogies, Learning@School, Feb 09)
A. Clarify the 3 ideas / concepts / strategies that
most resonated with you so far today
B. Choose one, and use this process:
1. What do you need to achieve?
2. What’s happening right now?
3. What could you put into action?
4. What will you put into action?
5. What will be the process for implementation?
6. How will you keep this going??
Adapted from ‘The Leadership Coaching Guide’