Joachim+Cohen

 


 * Hi Everyone,**

I have been attempting to implement some of the things we learnt in the classroom, as well as passing on the message.


 * Photo Essays**

Fortunately when I returned to school my Year 9 History class were in the middle of WWII, so I tried using the **Kokoda Photo** essay to engage them and consolidate their understanding of the topic. The students produced some great work, and I was really excited to see a student who has extremely low literacy skills, engaged and motivated, even if he did produce a photo essay on WWII motorcycles, but it a was a big achievement for his year. Unfortunately whilst working well in the editing stages, I had a problem saving the finished movies. It appeared as though it had something to do with the way the photos were saved. After coaxing them in to the idea of opening each photo in paint and then saving it again we finally produced some that worked, if not quite as spectacular or as many as before, but overall a success, and I will ensure they do it the correct way next time!!

I have also had a go at creating a subject selection night movie, in a really short period of time, unfortunately the presenter had a Mac and my video would not play, but it is ready for next year!!

media type="file" key="Movie Subject Selection Night.wmv"

An update on Photo essays. Another member of my school community has begun to use this tool, hurrahh!!, for a very low literacy Year 7 group, they have created some amazing movies to record their family history. I think this was the first essay they have ever completed and were extremely proud of their efforts, I am confident it may now become a permanent ficture in our faculty and possibly even incorporated in to future assessments. thanks for the inspiration.

I confess to being excited by this tool, and have converted my faculty and non-techno head teacher to creating one of these as soon as possible. With these new little laptops comming out everywhere I am going to attempt to show the whole staff at my school how to create one, especially those who have been issued with the little laptops. I have produced a small powerpoint which I have attached, not a patch on Richard's I am sure!!




 * Wikis**

I have finally become brave enough to venture down the path of a class wiki. After finally getting the site unblocked, my year 7 (top) group have begun creating a page of their own on an ancient civilisation of their choosing.

So far it has not worked as well as planned, but I think it is just taking some time for them to get used to the functions and layout of a wiki page. Apart from the task of creating their own page I have given them the daily task of visiting at least two other peoples pages (to gain ideas and knowledge) and making one constructive comment or observation, and keeping a virtual diary of their learning in their own discussion tab.

I thought of leaving them to their own devices and seeing what transpired but have instead developed a grid of activities to ensure they cover all aspects from the syllabus and are not left wondering what to do.



The biggest problem I have faced so is that so often the computers won't work or the website is blocked or information is lost, it really makes me realise why so many people shy away from using ICT, but I'll keep trying.

I'll post any new developments, Good luck with your efforts!!

Click here for day 2