tutpup

After reading Suzie's blog, I tried this site with my class today. The basic facts and spelling games were great, and the children loved competing against other kids around the world. Try it! I was great to introduce the kids to a new game over the 5th wet lunch time in a row.
http://tutpup.com/

Voice Threads

I tried Voice Threads with my class today. We used it as an oral language activity, and it led directly into self assessment and peer assessment. The children are highly motivated and I hope that they can use it for other oral language activities this term. After we have finished the voice thread I intend to post it on our school wiki so the children can share with friends and family.
Take a look at these examples.
http://voicethread.com/share/154051/
http://voicethread.com/share/160448/
http://voicethread.com/share/163585/

Interface Magazine :: Supporting the use of ICT in learning

Interface Magazine :: Supporting the use of ICT in learning

This is a great resource. If you haven't seen it look for it in your school. Follow the link to lesson plans. Some great ideas here.

World Enviroment Day

This World Environment Day web site is a great opportunity to connect your class to others. You need a pass word which was sent to your school. Find it, log on and connect up for this worth while topic.
http://efs.tki.org.nz/wed

Conferences

It must be my year for conferences. Over the last two weeks I have attended the Sole Charge Principal's Conference and the N.Z.E.I. Rural and Teaching Principal's Conference. Both were great experiences, and very affirming, what a great job this is.
Many of the workshops I attended covered ideas for thinking tools. All these ideas support the ICT journey.
Sharing, supporting and catching up, is always an important part of these conferences for me.

E Pals

Last term we were writing letters for our topic. We joined e pals, and the class all ended up with 2 or 3 e pals each. It was a very good way to put letter writing into an authentic context. An added bonus for me was to make contact with teachers from around the world. It doesn't matter where you are from, teachers are always good at sharing ideas.
check out e pals
http://www.epals.com/

It does take a few days to get your profile approved, and a few days to find schools to connect with, but once up and running it works really well.

Want to start your own blog?

I decided that starting my own blog was a great way of learning more about web 2 tools.
This wiki has useful information, check it out.
http://schoolsupportservices.wetpaint.com/

Great ideas from Allanah King of Appleby School.