ABC Website:
Aboriginal/Indigenous people - http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/

This site can give a child an awareness of Aboriginal culture through the use of beautiful animation and imagery.

Exercise: Story Retell

'The Brolga'

Victor is trying the find his ancestors and while singing the song of the Brolga he attracts all the animals to him. In the desert he asks the Goanna, "Are you baring news of my Fathers"? " No the Goanna replies. He also asks the same of the Kangaroo, Emu and Barramundi but none of the animals have news of his ancestors. A flock of Brolgas land around him and they tell him that they hold the message and spirit of his fathers. The animals and Victor cry for joy and sing and laugh. Victor is reunited with his Fathers and has at last found lasting happiness...

Note: For every lesson try and incorporate the computers in the classroom.

Example of Build your Wild Self

To engage children in story-writing you can give them a book title and ask them to start a story of their choice and then swap stations with other children which then continue the story. Make sure each child puts what they write in a different colour font to the others. This task can help a child comprehend what was before and adapt to change.

An example of lego character created on Reasonably Clever

Website Resources - Week 5

www.abc.net.au/rollermache

www.ziptales.com.au

http://myths.e2bn.org/

An example of a short story using the Myths and Legends website.

www.xtranormal.com

www.zimmertwins.com.au - Make a movie

www.buildyourwildself.com - Can use characters for story-writing

www.storygames.com/TeachmanPF/Rebus.html - (Rebus model of story writing- partially told in pictures). When children do rebus stories, they save Gif files and children need to save word Doc as a webpage so that picture start moving.

Dvolver moviemaker - not for primary schools - Movie maker

Lego- http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/kidsafe.htm - similar idea when making characters and writing story also if using Lego in the classroom, ask children to make Lego character then remake on website.

www.sketchswap.com/ - Drawing sketches and swapping with other people, unsure what drawing the child will get sent back

http://www.digitalfilms.com/ - Create movie

Microsoft - Free software for photos; Photo Story 3

M&M Activity

The M&M activity can be used for maths sessions as it relates to counting, graphs and grouping. Ask the children to sort the M&M into colour groupings and then ask that they count how many colours of each there are then use a program like Excel to graph what was found.

Note: Ensure that children do not have peanut allergies if so make sure there is another equally creative activity that they can do. Also bare in mind that there is probably only a small amount of computers so make other interesting activities for the children to do that aren't using the computers.

Publisher introduction/e-portfolio

This was my first introduction to Microsoft Publisher which we are using for our e-portfolios which can be used in practicums and also for job interviews as a significant insight into your self, achievements and experience, it should also include a personal, appropriate photograph and resume as well as contact details. It is expected that you include information that is relevant for teaching and not just information related to your life in terms of relationships, pets etc. You have to make a decision of what you perceive 'valuable' to include. Referees are also important, but make sure that the referees that you choose have a real idea about who you are and are wanting to participate in being called and speaking on your behalf. You can also send your e-portfolio to a referee so that they are able to make reference of a particular point that has been drawn upon in your portfolio, usually something that the referee may be unaware of. Referees can be anyone that is directly related to your life and someway whether it be a manager, previous employer, coach, educational advisor, usually the organisation will ask for between 2-4 people to act as referees.

In job interviews it is recommended that the interviewee has researched the organisation, specifically the school and you should also make sure that you ask a question(s), even if you have to think of one, so that you can show your interest in the school/position. If you do not happen to get the position you should always call afterwards and ask for any reflective feedback on why you weren't offered the position so that you can improve on your responses next time. Also arrive prior to the specified time, not right on time, if you have already received a job be courteous to inform any other schools of this, prior to the appointment.

Length of hard copy of your CV should reflect the requirements asked IE if asked for 5 page CV, do not exceed this limit. The e-portfolio examples from today include a book format with a educational philosophy, academic transcripts and any reports written about your work within a school during practicum. Use key words (use theorists name's/theory where applicable) however using the theory is not the point, it is using the theory as a basis for formulating your own views and opinions. Its important to include information that is relevant and time specific, nothing that is too old but if so make sure it's relevant.

So far, using Publisher seems to be quite straightforward and may be useful to use in classes, depending on age, to engage the children to talk about themselves and it seems like an appropriate way in which to present this information for them. I may look at using DreamWeaver instead of Publisher but will choose a program soon to begin my e-portfolio.

Quia

During the technology workshop today we were introduced to the Investigate/Design, Produce, Analyse/Evaluate process that you can introduce to all ages of children as a way of prompting them to think about a practical problem to a solution. This also involves a reflection or evaluation if the problem doesn't work or if part of the design needs to be changed in some way. The problem that was presented to us in class was trying to make a frog jump using only a picture of a frog, sticky tape, a piece of cardboard and an elastic band. Our group decided firstly to use a catapult design which was quickly adapted to include a sling-shot instead because this seemed a more successful option. We produced the design placing the elastic band on a table using sticky tape and attaching the frog to the cardboard and then to the elastic band. When you pulled the elastic band up from the table, the frog was able to jump. Greg told us to include a science based lesson in our classrooms for a least one hour per week.

Our other expectation today was to create a quiz and a game using the website http://www.quia.com/. Firstly I created a quiz about main characters in movies and the actor/actress that played that part. Each person did this and we had a chance to play other people's games as well, which gave us a chance to see what other people were interested in and have also have a chance for a fun break. We were also asked to make a game which I choose to so Jumble Words, a screen-print attached below. This was quite a good site that can be used in a variety of ways within the classroom. Perhaps this is something that you can offer as a 'reward' for children that have finished their work promptly but children that are considered less 'prompt' should also be given the opportunity to use such a site. Overall it seems that it would be an interesting and fun way to introduce students to the computer and the different applications available on the Internet. Also it would help students to become more confident in their use of the classroom computers, particularly if the don't have the option at home and to help interaction if students are asked to firstly create a game/quiz and then play one made by another student as well.

Bullying mindmap

This is a mind map of bullying that was quickly created so it probably doesn't include all the emotions and people involved.

1st Post

This is the first time I have used the program 'Inspiration' and it seems useful in the teaching profession. I have made a basic interpretation of a predator/prey relationship between some of the animals on the African Savannah.