Google Page Creater

This is cool. Googlepages. Google is creating a real monopoly, or realm of services which, in turn means we will hardly need to use anything else... (unless of course, your one of those people who doesn't like to support the masses!) Googlepages is also a representational change for the future... the Internet is becoming almost too user friendly, catering to those, not unlike myself, who are inept with regards to programming and writing HTML, but more than capable at piecing together usable information on a user friendly site, with all the mechanic's previously programmed into the back-ground.

I use Google... I use there reader daily, I have two blogs with Blogger and there search engines appear to be second to none. However now you can do so much more, Gmail has changed the face of Internet based email, Google Docs are amazing and now they are designing Google page Creator. I first came across a this yesterday when I found a neat website by a teacher, looked at the URL and discovered the words 'Googlepages'. This was a new thing for me so I did some more investigation - only to discover the availability, and the request for constructive criticism.

Upon more investigation, Googlepages allows you to have up to three different URL's under your email address. You can have a lot of opportunity for change, design formats and usage, as well as creating appropriate URL's for your site. My only question is whether or not Blogger and Googlepages are linked, and if you could have a Google blog linked to open as a page on your site! That would be cool - but will take more investigation!

I will let you know how I go with this... I have a couple of cool ideas for implementation, so I will certainly be able to let you know how user friendly it is etc...

Voki

What is a Voki? It is a little animated video clip, which you can personalise and post on a webpage. It is nothing too exciting, noting really important, but just a piece of fun, which makes your stuff look cool, and probably more attractive to our learners!

Here's something new and exciting... the kind of thing we've seen for years, and often wondered how others did it... and low and behold, some kind person has designed a site that is idiot proof and now anyone can make these cool personalised and instructional video's if they want too!

I have made one my first Voki, and placed it on my wiki... but I did have issues... I do think they were my laptop and our Internet security not wanting to upload the script... so I had to type my words in, which was disappointing, but I also intend on having this issue addressed!

I have made another Voki, in order to show you... so have fun, follow the links and see what you can come up with... feel free to let me know what you create!!!




Get a Voki now!

Find a story... Map a story... Create a story...

This is a great site, probably best aimed at intermediate learners, when formatting and writing stories. Unfortunately in New Zealand creative writing is often overlooked at an intermediate level, due to curriculum pressures (although I'm not speaking on behalf of the school I'm currently working in!!), and then learners are expected to complete NCEA Creative Writing tasks... which in turn becomes very daunting.

This website really supports learners who are not interested in writing, gives them another aspect of motivation and development... I would highly recommend it as a teaching tool. It takes them through planning and implementing a story - which in turn allows learners to give their work meaning.

Breathing Earth

This website is scary and an eye-opener. It points out what some of us don't want to see or admit to either!

Kids love it... you are able to create wicked class discussions, and this could lead into much follow-on work, incidental learning or simply introduce a term's topic. Breathing Earth is brilliant when studying sustainability, Environment etc... or simply want to give ideas for motivation in writing...

Blogging....

Blogs. They are a wave of the future... or maybe more so, now... until the next wave of evolution from Web 3.0. Blogs create a facility for the infamous to be the famous... the unknown and quiet to be known and often loud... Blogs give those who are not confident in first person, a safe avenue to let their opinions fly out into the world wide web - which is now so overwhelming!!!

I love blogs. I have a personal blog, for my children... I want them to have something to reflect back to... I know I will not be able to remember every little thing they do... I want them to know I cared about their growth and development into the people they are yet to be. But, you must notice, even with this blog, I do not allow them to take over my life. I have heard horror stories of people who are allowing blogs to take over their lives... nervous breakdowns occurring and realistically stopping their realistic life, for their second life. I will not do this. This is why I am not too regular with my contributions.

However, as a Teaching tool blogs are fantastic. It doesn't matter what subject area you are referring to or what your doing.. they could be used in nearly any avenue... crikey, soon we may not use exercise books, just blogs...but I don't now how much I'd like that! As an English teacher, I feel learners don't write enough anymore... they don't express their opinions enough, as especially with our education system - NCEA - they are constantly stressed and trying to meet the course requirements. Blogs give an avenue of an out... as well as a learning opportunity.

All my learners are required to have blogs. I started this year, and my HOF has adopted this policy - we are trying to implement this across the school. It is not always an easy thing to do. Our goal is to get learners writing. Obviously. I am looking forward to looking at each learners evolution over the course of the year, and also it will be interesting to see how different writing styles change on their blog, as we move through different Achievement Standards.

Learners must write on their blogs a minimum of three times a week. This becomes their primary home learning. Learners are given options of what they can write about - motivational ideas on a daily basis...

• Today we watched a web 2.0 safety clip on YouTube today, and they were sent home to write a review of the clip onto their blogs.


• Learners are allowed to create stories, let their minds run free.


• Learners can complete their course work as home learning and simply publish what they have done in class.


• Learners can share Web2.0 information, ideas, books reviews - basically anything (but if they are sharing something like a video clip - they must write a paragraph review).


• Learners can write about their own thoughts and ideas - but in a safe manner

Blogging brings in opportunities to discuss and implement ideas regarding personal safety on line. I am currently working on gathering material to create an on-going unit regarding safety on line with Web2.0. I relate this to any interaction on line, not just school work.. and find YouTube to be one of my best friends! I will be posting more of my ideas regarding this online as this starts to evolve. I strongly believe it is something that educationalists and parents do not always realise the importance of and it can be over-looked at times.

New Zealand Book Council

I realise that many people may already be aware of this site, but it is worth a mention. I have a few learners in my classes who regularly enter competitions, and a couple more who should enter regularly. This is simply a New Zealand site to monitor, in order to allow/encourage our learners to enter, grow confidence, and grow passions. I am posting it on my wiki for my learners to follow, as well as supporting and encouraging those who show interest to enter what ever they deem relevant.

This site has been established to encourage and foster the love of reading, which in turn also encourages the love of writing. Our New Zealand writers are growing in confidence, and I feel it is very important to encourage the next generations to do realise they are more than capable. I very strongly feel that as an educationalist, it is not only our job to teach skills, it is also to teach learners how to teach themselves - giving them skills to carry forth into adult life, allowing learners to constantly evolve. The experience learners can get from entering such competitions such as those from the book council would be invaluable - failure is not an option - success can be gained simply from a submission.