Maree+Campion

=//So what has the impact of this project been?// = **//I’m posting on this wikispace. I’ve posted on a NING. I can tweet, tag, bookmark on Delicious; set up a blog, a gmail, a discussion, join a forum, add a widget, get a Clustermap, a Wallwisher, manage a blog, collaborate with peers down the hall and down the highway via email, blog, wiki, Elluminate, phone, twitter.

The hesitations, concerns, caution have been replaced by knowledge. I understand what the jargon means, I can join in where I choose, I filter out what I do not need, I explore what members of the digital community find and recommend and I use it with increasing ease.

I am now a confident user of Web 2.0 tools and resources. I am convinced that my teaching and learning is enhanced by this technology. The possibilities are endless. The communities of practice I have joined and those I will join in the future will be changed by this experience of supported collaborative exploration.

As a learner I am engaged by what I see and who I meet. // **  //**If this is what I think, then it’s likely to be the same for my students. ** // 

 =//THE OPPORTUNITY!  //=

=== //To recognise and engage in Communication that embraces WEB 2.0 tools, and encourages Teachers and Students at Coolaroo Primary School to participate in Social Networks to encourage collaboration by embedding technology in teaching and learning.// ===  Coolaroo South Primary School has 79 Year 5 & 6 students participating in the Netbook 1:1 Project. These students are learning to manage this new technology and new equipment. The Year 3 & 4 students have access to 14 classmate computers.

Issues faced in the classroom include:
· staff and parent concerns about cybersafety <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: EN-AU; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">student use of messaging systems such as Groove, Facebook and MSN outside school with little understanding of their audience <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: EN-AU; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">student inexperience navigating and negotiating the internet <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: EN-AU; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">internet connection problems <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: EN-AU; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">the authentic use of the Netbooks and Classmates in teaching and learning.

= **My Journey** = <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;"> //As I have engaged in the exploration of WEB 2.0 tools, a series of opportunities have arisen, that have allowed the development of a range of skills and programs that have enhanced and enriched my classroom practice.//

= Superclubs = // In May, the school began making inquiries into the SuperclubsPlus Program, by the July, each student in years 3-6 had the opportunity to participate in the SuperclubsPlus Program. A timeline and timetable was developed to enable the 5/6 students to become proficient with Superclubs, and then for them to mentor the 3/4 students in navigating and using their Classmate computers and the Superclubs site. // <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">SuperClubsPlus is a Social Networking Environment that allows students to connect with other children with similar interests, whilst exploring a range of ICT applications and using Web 2.0 tools for communication, presentation, and social learning. There is a strong focus on cybersafety, and a mediator is online at all times. A group of 5/6 students and myself will be implementing a collaborative learning project as part of our Oral Language Program. We will be mentoring small groups of students in the use of <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">SuperClubsPlus <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> and/or the Classmates. The aim is to develop our own social network within Coolaroo South, and to empower our students with the tools of the 21st Century. The focus will be the language of constructivist learning. The outcome is the creation of classroom experts. Students will need their SuperClubs Passwords and a positive attitude. Classroom teachers are welcome to join our sessions as learners and to take part in the journey of discovery!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Developing Social Networking at Coolaroo South Primary School! **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">

// “The students of grade 3/4G waited anxiously for the clock to strike 2.15. Why? Because 2.15 meant that the much anticipated Super Club mentors were about to arrive. // // With their new net books tucked tightly under their arms, the mentors filed into our classroom, heads full of IT jargon, just busting to share their knowledge with their junior peers. Each member of 3/4G carefully selected their own Class Mate computer from the multimedia trolley with much excitement, buddying up with a 5/6 student. With confidence and ease, the 5/6s worked in tandem with their juniors, explaining all the dos and don'ts of chat room netiquette and why security is so important. I was fortunate to have specialised mentoring from a Super Club expert - 11 year old, Bianca. In no time she helped me create my profile and plough through the quiz questions. // // Before I knew it,I had sent a message to a student and received one in return. All 5/6s taught their buddies how to navigate the Super Club site and promoted the benefits of being a Super Club member. All 3/4s were up and running in record time, a. It was a Super Fun, Super Club, Super Day!” // 3/4G <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> ** I Followed up the new starters a week into the program by contacting them on Superclubs… Who was using the program and when?
 * Glenda Bofill

// “Hi Glenda! I thought I’d have a look at how your class was travelling a week after their first experience with Superclubs. Kayla has sent me a message, and we have been having an email conversation, if you check your email within Superclubs, it’s likely she is messaging you as well. //

Evidence of progress


Statistics pages from Superclubs plus show that over 2000 emails and page edits have taken place, an average of 26 per student.

= = = Global Student Blogs = Literacy and Numeracy Week Professional Development gave me the opportunity to investigate blogging at Fitzroy North Primary School. I thought blogging would be a fantastic community building tool and I was keen to see how they have established it across the school. The literacy component of blogging would also encourage and enable cross level mentoring Fitzroy North made it sound too easy, and it was! I decided the best way to learn was to jump in with the students and just try it out. Our first entry was made later the same day. A quick email to the staff with the link and an invitation resulted in 19 comments! We were off and running . Development and use of the Blog is a work in progress. The teaching and learning focus varies from writing, spelling, the student engagement with the tools, increased ICT skills, reading multiliteracies, posting, commenting, the vocabulary that is used to do all these things and publishing for a broader audience. The 5/6Cblogfest was the largest leap as a participant in this technology and as a teacher. To produce and display our classroom wonderings and reflections to our community and the world was a risk – What if it was wrong? What if it was a public failure? What if I couldn’t work it out? What if ..... I always tell my students that we should worry about ‘what if’ when it happens, and not before. The PLP Netbook discussions influenced me a great deal with this decision. A digital footprint as a professional is not risky, just the next step to take if I truly believe that technology is important in changing education.

Our blog currently has 15 posts, 8 categories and 98 comments. The students are proud of their work, share it with family and friends, and have taken ownership of this communal site. It is part of my classroom practice and our daily routines. Already I am planning ahead for next year’s blog and how it will be an integral part of establishing our classroom community at the beginning of the year.

= Breaking the Cycle - Africa  = The ‘Breaking the Cycle – Africa” project provided a perfect opportunity for myself and my students to join a global project using our new blogging skills, our Netbooks and our enthusiasm. Students are following the geographical, physical journey. Empathising with Kate and those she meets and reflecting on this information have provided for rich discussion and authenticity. Student blog entries on Kate Leeming’s site; <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msotabcount: 1;">

= Connect Primary = The Connect Website is our classroom home page. I attended a Professional Development session with Kerry Rowett, we went on a tour of the site, and played with many of the links. I added several animation and moviemaking sites to my repertoire and sufficient information for myself and a colleague to present the site to staff as PD. We are currently working toward this site being the homepage on our school network and on all student Netbooks. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Students are settling to online tasks within 5 minutes and are locating appropriate sites with more regularity. The network of teachers that is developing as part of this project provide a valuable resource in developing and enhancing teaching and learning.

= Some of the challenges and some of the solutions = ** Finding enough time! ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; text-align: left;">Developing strategies to filter the quantity of information received //<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU;">The students don’t have school email accounts, so we decided to set up a gmail accountto match our blog name. This was necessary to prevent the use of personal email accounts when posting to blogs. // <span style="display: block; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; text-align: left;">The network and internet availability have a huge impact on the teaching and learning when planning is based on Web 2.0 tools. At times we have all been frustrated by this, but have become better at thinking flexibly. // Working with the Classmate computers, which are much slower than the Netbooks, did create some negativity from the 5/6 students. Investigating the changes in technology provided reasons for the different speeds, ensuring the younger students enthusiasm //**. ** **<span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU;">Ensuring student work that has been created online, is not lost after the student has logged off. ** //<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU;">A recommendation to classroom teachers that students show one other student how to access Superclubs whenever they log themselves on, so that the learning could be shared met with mixed success. Some students were only accessing Superclubs when participating in the Peer Mentor Program. // **// Students located my image online within the ‘Breaking the Cycle – Africa” NINGand were very challenging about Why my name and image is on the internet – as my professional digital footprint - when all the cyberbullying discussions have clearly taught the students they should not put their personal details online. This situation created very complex discussions, which are not yet resolved. //**  Establishing a class Gmail account for blog entries and registering for class accounts e.g. the Zimmertwins, has allowed some students to suggest sites, and follow through with the registration process; has provided opportunity to discuss privacy, hotmail accounts, and password protocols. Using one email address has simplified the management of a variety of account we have signed up for e.g. Kerpoof, Wallwisher. <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">
 * <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; msoansilanguage: EN-AU;">Parental permission is required for students to access SuperclubsPlus. In some cases permission was not given. **