Gail Mitchell's Comments

You had some questions about Elluminate sessions. I think the time difference is the only limitation you have... Once you've set up you won't really see anything until the session is live. You click in through the session link Steve set up on the Wiki. I hope this helps. One cool thing-- Elluminate lets teachers set up free V-Rooms where three distributed participants (classrooms, teachers, whatever ) can get together. Very handy and as I say, FREE. Do you know Dean Groom? He's one of my favorite Aussies and a great technology leader. Best to you!

Thanks for the friend request, Gail. I'd love to talk to you about those topics. Let's connect soon! :)

Hi Gail,

With your work in 21st Century Technology, I recommend you take a look at Wiziq's virtual classroom and authorstream's power point presentation platform. Both are web based platforms, have a bunch of features and free basic service. Here’s a public class recording conducted by Nellie Deutsch on Technology Integration.

Hi Gail
We are looking forward to getting started with something too. We finish on 24 July, and return on 2 September, so we could do an initial contact perhaps when you come back in July? Perhaps we could communicate via ePals as an idea to start with? You are right we should Skype and firm out some details properly. All the best Jon

Hi Gail
I too have a class of Year 4s in Swindon UK, although I do in addition teach ICT to Years 3, 5 and 6 as well (it's busy here!). I am thinking of doing a class exchange via email towards the end of the school year - focussing on what it's like living in a different country, similarities, differences etc etc. Is this something you would be interested in doing? We could even do a cross-hemisphere wiki?! The possibilities are pretty exciting! All the best Jon

Hi Gail,

I teach high school (grades 10 -12) and I'm working with MyPodcast and Podomatic podcasts portal. Is very easy to work with this two e-tools for audio and video.
http://geramovel.podomatic.com/ - my students voice
http://geramovel.mypodcast.com/ - my voice

Odeo is another podcasting tool.
Sometimes I use also Audacity.

I hope this help.

Hi Gail!

Thanks for your comment. It is very nice to meet you! I have heard some great things about the schools in Australia. I'm not sure if you follow Will Richardson or not. He is a web 2.0 guru here in the states. If you have not heard his name yet you probably will soon. Here is a link to a blog he wrote about visiting a primary school in Australia http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/ very impressive!
I like to consider myself a reflective practitioner. I think that is an extremely important skill that all great educators posses. How wonderful would it be if we could teach our students that skill as well! I think we need to help them pursue their passions, reflect on what they are learning and where they want to go, and help them to become life long learners! I have never used e-portfolios before; I am defiantly going to check it out! Any suggestions or links to examples you may have?
I currently teach high school (grades 10-12) and I will be working with middle school teachers next year (grade 7). It is nice to talk to someone who works with younger children. Sometimes I loose perspective on what they can do. If you are teaching them to use these e-tools and portfolios at such a young age imaging what they are going to be able to do when they get to high school!
You asked about audio tools...Have you ever used Audacity? If is a free program you can download from the internet. It is very easy and allows you to make your own recordings and save them in a variety of file formats including mp3s. Hope this helps!

Heather

Hello Gail,
thanks for your response.
I´ m using classblogs as well, e.g. http://rsr-10a.blogspot.com
We are working with WebQuests....
I also use e-journals to work on.
In Europe there is eTwinning too: electronic partnership between schools.
Look at one of my action:
http://etwinningdigiskills.ning.com
In what age are you students? 14-17 years...
Maybe we can team up.
Hans