Web 2.0 is Good for Learning. Official
Becta has just published research that shows that Web 2.0 tools such as blogs encourage student engagement. Read the summary here.
Blogging in the Park
I originally announced Saturday 29th November
as the date for the Creative ICT Blogging Unconference. I've decided to change the date to a spring term date, mainly to allow the event to take place on a weekday. Date to be confirmed shortly. Entitled Blogging in
the Park, the event will take place at Green Park Primary School, Maghull.
An unconference is an informal conference in which the participants set the
agenda. I’m hoping that as many Creative Blogs schools as possible can be
represented so that people can make contact, discuss collaborative projects,
exchange ideas etc. I’m hoping to have a couple of exciting keynotes too. Much
more information coming soon, in the meantime, please mark the date in your
diary and pre-register your interest by dropping me a line or visiting the conference wiki. I should be able to
offer lifts from Manchester on the day and the event will end in an optional
social at a suitable local hostelry.
Hopefully the event will be a relaxed and enjoyable way to meet fellow edubloggers and learn at the same time. I hope to see you in Maghull.
Don’t let it die
If you haven’t yet registered for the Creative Blogs social network on Ning, then please do so and have a look at some of the interesting blogging related discussion that has gone on there. If you get a moment, add your own six penn’orth too. http://creativeict.ning.com
Stuff from my network
Not all blog related, but it’s all good!
Mapskip This site really appeals to me. Find and tag a location on Google Maps, then write a story about it and upload photos, video etc. Got to be brilliant for adding local ghost stories, anecdotes about holidays etc. Here’s my story, have a read, add a comment...
Flickr Toys Loads of great activities using images (upload your own or use Flickr and Photobucket). Create your own spoof magazine cover, or get each member of your class to create a trading card of themselves using a set of attributes that you decide as a group. Loads more activities (great for when you have to cover a lesson and you’ve nothing prepared) and some great ideas here.
Spelling City I can’t believe I didn’t know about this site: simply upload your spelling list and play lots of different activities to help the learning process. Brilliant.
Brave New World Superb 5 minute video: one for the technophobes on your staff Definitely worth a watch at your next staff meeting.
Wordpress PDFs Set of useful Wordpress guides for those that like the printed word.
As usual I have to give a big "shout out" to my Personal Learning Network for introducing me to these resources.