finito!!

I have so loved the opportunity to get lost amongst the layers of the Web 2 World. I can honestly say I never realised just how huge and how invaluable its features are. Web 2 certainly provides everyone with the ability to do so much with actually very limited knowledge. So many fabulous tools - from being able to make social comments and accesssing maps and locating destinations overseas, making learnid contributions to group workshops via googledocs and the ability to gather and store information for future use!! and the list goes on!!

I still have so much to learn but i look forward to utilizing and fine tuning many of the features introduced by this course!! thankyou for providing the opportunity to become a little more technology proficient!!
WOW!

Downloadable Media (#22) and (#23)

My family have always been a big fan of the audio books . They have made many a long distant journey an absolute joy. (A particular favourite being the Harry Potter series.)Such a brilliant tool also for the visually impaired and the elderly.

The electronic books are also a fabulous creation . I can see lots of merit in their usuage particularly being so portable and so at your finger tips. (I have a friend who loves to download books onto her I-phone and reads them whenever she gets the opportunity.) Personally i am old school.I am an avid reader and i like nothing more than sitting with my book in hand or perusing the lovely bookshops we are so lucky to have. ( although i am concerned for their future because of the online buying and of course the electronic downloads!)

Once again i believe it is all about balance and respecting the new technology that is exploding before us. Whatever the mode, the most critical factor is that our new generations are reading!! If that just happens to be electronically so be it but hopefully they will also get to enjoy the delights of having a book in hand.

Youtube and TeacherTube(#21)

Enjoyed looking at Teachertube site. So many resources for us to employ in the classroom.eg watching the Endeavour space shuttle blast off for the last time Great stimulus for a Space unit of work.The Presentations like these make a valuable learning tools, providing variation in the way we teach enabling us to capture childrens interest levels.Lets face it - so many children are so responsive to visual learning and practical sites like Teachertube are invaluable.

Like everything though, there are pitfalls .How many times a day do we hear " I saw that on Utube". Utube usage can absorb a lot of time and one must question whether this time could be spent in a more effective way!!!

It is all a matter of the user managing time and finding appropriate presentations!!

Podcasts (#20)

Really like the podcast features. For example it is great to be able to tap into your favourite radio shows when you want to listen to them.Time is so precious and to be able to listen to what you like eg love the Hamish and Andy talkback programs, when time is available rather than having to endure programs you don't particularly enjoy. Podcasts really give you the control on want you want to tune into. I believe yu can be more effective with your time.No advertisements is a real attraction too!I am loving my new ipod nano given to me for mothers day!It is really allowing me to listen to what i enjoy!!!

Rollyo (#19)

Enjoyed looking at the rollyo search engine. i think this would be a valuable tool. i can see myself using this with students by setting up a selected search roll for them to view. It would enable close monitoring as students would not be rquired to "surf the web" for the required information. It reduces the risk of children uncovering inappropriate material.

Wiki's (#18)

I believe the Wikis are a handy tool. Especially because it enables the everyday user to be able to produce their own wiki website. All users essentially having the eopportunity to be authors and edit and undate the knowledge bank.
A great tool for being able to pool various users expertise in given domains. A very useful and helpful tool particularly for collaborating information about given topics. I like the example given for conferences. People could access the wiki for the up and coming Conference to find out about locations, restaurants,places to stay etc.
There is of course the downside and that is that the information being given is valid and not incorrect. The information is very subjective and the user needs to be aware of this.

Delicious (#17)

Very impressed with the functionality of the delicious website. Being a teacher and being able to tag relevant resource sites is just fabulous. The tags are a great way to organise the information and enable easy access . The fact that you can be on any computer is very beneficial as well. I loved using the "favorites" bar but i can see this web site has so much more to offer. The ability to share resource information is attractive. I still however feel a little apprehensive about the "public sharing " of information but i can certainly see the benefits in this situation!!WoW!!!!