Exploring Learning

As an English teacher, working overseas with a majority of learners with language needs, any tool that I can find to support the writing process is one that I HAVE to explore. In the past, I have used Ginger Software , and Read and Write , which I find useful, but  Grammarly  is a tool that has been on the edge of my explorations so far, and this seems like a perfect opportunity to see if I can add another writing support tool to my repertoire. What makes Grammarly different, is that it is free. Ginger used to be free, but as it has grown, it has limited options in the free version. What I do like about it, is it works on ALL online apps - and the same appears true of Grammarly. Once added to Chrome from the Chrome Store, it works across all online platforms: The links appear automatically and once added to my Chrome toolbar, I was taken to the page to create an account:- What I am impressed with, is that the account suggests it saves your style, learni...

I am always on the search for ways to collect, curate and  organise  information - both for my professional and my personal life. Recently, I stumbled across  TiddlyWiki , which claims to be a unique  non-linear notebook for capturing,  organising  and sharing complex information (TiddlyWiki.com, 2014) What drew me to it was its transformation of traditional note-taking techniques, such as index cards, into an interactive tool that lives on my computer and can house hyperlinks, self-proclaimed "hypertext index card from the future". What could there not be to love? The site hosts helpful explanation video tutorials, as well as text instructions on how to get started. After watching the introduction, I must admit that whilst  i  feel it sounds good, I am not sure about the user-friendliness of it. Use of codes for formatting, etc., much like in the  Bubbl.us mind-mapping  tool I reviewed. After the introduction...

For the current module of my MEd., I have to identify six Web 2.0 tools that could be used in my classroom to enhance student learning. I have searched the Internet and resources provided by my professor, and have made a preliminary list, which includes:- Zunal TED Ed Pinterest TiddlyWiki Bubbl.us Grammerly Explain Everything My focus is going to be on my Media Studie students, as this is a subject I have the fortune to be teaching again. They have to be able to gather and organise a lot of information and present their learning on a blog. I am interested in finding ways to help them manage this work flow and build a successful multi-media coursework blog. Over the next two weeks, I will explore these tools and think of ways they can enhance the learning experience of my Media Studies students.

Our school is 1:1 but in its infancy. It is a new initiative that will revolutionise  our learner's experience of education. However, teaching learners to manage themselves in a paperless way is posing somewhat of a challenge. Homework in particular is a problem; the recording of homework specifically, is an issue. I use Edmodo to post homework. I use Google Calendar, which is embedded in their page on my Learning Site , and shared with them to add to their own calendars. I also use the school site, which is the party line. Homework is therefore recorded for them in three places, so they have many ways to find it. Are they doing it? No, not always. Part of the problem might be the lack of transference. We know that the physical act of writing helps learning. If they are passively receiving homework instructions, perhaps they are not actively engaging with it. Ever-searching for solutions to help my learners organise  themselves digitally, I recently found out abou...