Hi Britt,

Welcome to Classroom 2.0. What exactly is Hawkesdale P 12 College. P-12 sort of implies that it has everything from preschool to grade 12. But then it says college?

I wanted to let you know that I'm the blogger for a blog associated with this social network site. The blog is always looking for interesting tidbits to share with our readers. We also have guest bloggers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Perhaps you'd be interested in contributing?
The blog can be linked to from the above tab titled, "Daily News." It's address is http://www.classroom20blog.com.

Anyhow, thanks and welcome to Classroom 2.0.

Andy

Thanks Andy and yes...Hawkesdale primary school amalgamated with the secondary school in 1988, so we have about 300 students from prep to year 12. I think 'college' was used to differentiate it from either school. We have a couple of teachers here who are right into web2 and last night we had a podcasting workshop. I'm just starting out, so I look forward to joining in!

Best regards, Britt Gow

I'm a secondary science and maths teacher, especially interested in education for sustainability. I teach at a small rural school in south-west Victoria (Australia) and am interested in working with teachers from other countries to collaborate on environmental projects.

Hello Britt Good see you here and welcome aboard the wonderful world of web 2.0 and classroom web 20. Catch you on and off line

Hi! Thanks for the note and encouragement. This is a great site. I'll have to chime in on the discussions as opportunity affords. Nice hearing from you Britt, my very first correspondent. Mark

Hello Britt! Lovely to hear from you. One of the most memorable aspects of my time at Hawkesdale was the collegiate activity among staff. Schools are very busy places but I felt the staff made time to support each other. I remember the staff PD roadtrip to Geelong- that was fun!

Another thing that strikes me is the special ability Hawkesdale has to get projects off the ground - I see this in your sustainability work, and also the uptake of web 2.0 - I think this is a benefit of the size of the school - not too big, not too small. Great school - I miss it!

We have around 800 across two campuses (7-9 and 10-12), which is reasonable for a regional school, but having experienced the benefits you refer to, a bit bigger than I'd prefer.

I do work across both campuses, as I did last year. The travelling can be a little tiresome, but the payoff is in the variety of classes I get to teach - I have a Year 7 English/Humanities/Pastoral (similar setup to Hawkesdale); a Year 8 English in the SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) program; and a VCE Units 3&4 English.

My husband's teaching VCE science this year also - Units 3 & 4 Chemistry and Physics. He's love to be teaching Environmental Science - his most recent work experience was as an environmental scientist and geologist before that, but we don't run it!

Thank you! I am overwhelmed with the information and ideas and I appreciate your support!

Cute! My daughter is 9 and loves webkinz. Thank you

Hi Britt,

You responded to a couple of posts on my class blog (http://arditoscience.blogspot.com). Thanks.

I really appreciate your reaching out. Sometimes it feels like bringing technology into the classroom can be a lonely thing.

Anyway, I have been wanting to do a videoconference (ideally, via Skype) between my students and students from somewhere else). Please let me know if you'd be interested.

Thanks again.

Hi Gerald,
I haven't organised a skype before, but we have a couple of web 2.0 experts at school who can show me how. I have a year 7 Science and a year 9 science/off-campus program who would like the opportunity to speak to overseas students. Looking forward to speaking to you!
Regards, Britt.

Britt,

Let me know if your science students have an interest in communicating with chemistry or physics students at my college. I am looking for international collaborative student projects.

Mike

Hi Britt,

I'm still exploring collaborative ideas, but for starters it could be something as simple as using a wiki or blog to let our students cooperate on a chemical problem, concept, or experiment. Our semester has just ended here so students are offically on vacation. I know seasons are different in Australia, but what about your school calendar -- when does it start and end?

Mike

Hi Mike,
We are half way through our second (10 week) term. Third term starts on the 14th of July - are you back at school then? Until then the students are working on photosynthesis, respiration and combustion reactions. What age are your students?
Regards, Britt Gow.

Thank you, Britt - and thanks for your recommendations for online mindmapping tools - I've already started experimenting with Mindmeister!

Hey Britt,
Forever Young is from 2006, the then music teacher had them record it for our entry in a portland schools film festival. Luckily i don't have to worry bout music, not really my forte but sport, PE & Health, ICT and grade 1/2integrated keeps me on my toes enough. Tried Podcasting with grade 4 and audacity in 2006 and thought it was great, and about to try again as part of my health program with 5&6 am looking forward to it. Voicethread looks awesome to i can't wait to try it with some of my kids!

Britt, since my teen has been ill, I've rarely been to CR2.0. She is better, so I am trying to get back into my good writing habits, and I saw you were here;D I would like to invite you to be my colleague/friend here at CR2.0. Good suggestion with Cells Alive. I responded to the cellular biology resource request also;D

So you are going to Tasmania also? You are lucky teachers and students. I can't wait to hear all about it. Hope you take lots of pictures!

Hi samccoy, We are in Hobart now, after an overnight ferry trip (very smooth sailing) and a tour of beautiful Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. All is good so far! I am hoping to post some photos on my blog at: http://brittgow.globalteacher.org.au as we go.

Cheers Brit - have a good holiday yourself.
We're overdue to have our second child so I'll be hanging around home, then hospital, then home so more. Oh, and trying to get some sleep as well! Can't wait ...

Dave.

Hi Britt,Thank you so much for the response. My maths teacher will get in contact with you. It will be a pleasure for my students to get intouch with you. I have a skype account it is kikaaya.college.school

Hi Britt,

Thanks for commenting and visiting my page. It started as an assignment for a technology class I'm taking this summer, but I plan to keep it up to be able to keep meeting new people like you. I am also working to integrate sustainability wherever I can within our science standards. I just finished a week-long natural resources workshop at San Jose State University sponsored by the Bay Area Earth Science Institute. (www.baesi.org) It renewed by commitment to focusing on the earth and environment in my classes. Would love to stay in touch.

Katherine (AKA science_teacher)

Hi Britt,
I wondered in your blog and I found it very inspirating. The problem (if it is) is that my student are at least 13 years old so I don't know how the'll react using this instrument. If you don't mind I'll post your blog to my collegues and to my italian teacher social network.
Bye