Module 3

Google docs is a document that's online and multiple people can work on it together. It's a collaborative tool for classroom use where the teacher and the students can work on the same document at the same time.   For example in English a text is given with multiple paragraphs, each paragraph can be given to a student to work on and then students can go and review or edit the other student's paragraph.  The teacher at the same time can see what is happening on the projector or their own screen.  Therefore students are assessed at the same time, giving real time feedback to the students.

Other than ordinary documents google docs has other file types like forms, spreadsheets and presentations. This gives teachers and students a variety of tools to get creative when producing work and all can be done collaboratively.

The advantage of using Google Docs is if I'm team teaching with another teacher we can create a file and work on it together with updated information at the same time no matter where we are.  We don't need to be in the classroom or sitting down together working on a lesson.  We simply sent permission to have access to the file or the lesson and work on it.

My only concern would be one of my own students hacking into my classwork , i.e. if I'm having a discussion about exams, a student could be watching.  I'm not sure if it actually does happen, but it could.  Also what if the internet is down that day and I'm desperate to use google docs that day.

I can see this being useful with my special needs teachers to collect data on students and classroom progress.  Since google docs has different file types it gives me and my students the option to use the files in a variety of ways.  One of my staff is already in the process of using google docs in collaboration with the students to check on their essay drafts.

Module 1

Web 2.0 it's about learning new ways to socially interact via the internet, via Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Amazon, Wikipedia, etc.  It also gives you ways to bring information to you, rather than having to go and look for it, e.g. iGoogle.  Web2.0 is more interactive, you feel you are part of any communication or topic.

As a teacher I will be able to learning more interactive tactics to show my students.  It is more student centered especially for students who have access to their own computers.  Students have immediate access to different sites and can choose which space they go to find information.  Through web 2.0 students are able to share what they discover online by sharing through space like wikis, twitter or facebook.

After setting up iGoogle I realised I can have access to information that interests me in one location.  Due to work commitments I can foresee that iGoogle would help me save time.

Module 2

Blogs are about nonconventional news from people around the world who would want to share their ideas and experiences. It brings people from all around the world together even though they may not know each other. They can then socially interact on each others blog through comments.

I like the idea of having a blog of my own so I can interact with Special Needs teachers around the world since I am one myself. I think this blog will help me talk to more experienced teachers as how they cater for the needs of Special Need students they teach.

Being a Special Needs teacher means looking after students with so many different needs. This blog may take me a step further to work with my students from a different perspective. I can even see my students having a blog of their own in future, working individually  or as a group.