WEEK THREE

Today's lecture was based on the protection of students online. In particular, the legal issues and concerns with respect to the use of technology within the classroom. The internet provides the potential for enormous benefits and exciting learning opportunities within the classroom, however, it does involve some risks and both students and teachers must be careful.

It is important that schools and teachers have in place appropriate measures and codes of conduct when using technology within the classroom. However, I do not believe that it is the sole responsibility of schools and teachers. Students MUST be taught to take responsibility for their actions and MUST be willing to accept a certain level of responsibility. Therefore, I believe it is important for teachers to carefully explain any codes of conduct in respect to using technology within the classroom in detail with students at the beginning of the year. Teachers should also carefully express the consequences of the code of conduct not being upheld. A great idea may be to get students to sign the code of conduct after it has been carefully explained. This would demonstrate that they understand the responsibilities of having access to certain types of technology within the classroom.

One of the key points from today's workshop was that technology is not just about computers. This is something that I believe tends to be forgotten. To often when the term technology is used people immediately assume COMPUTERS! Technology is so much broader than just computers and encompasses the arts, crafts, applied sciences and other skills.

In today's workshop we had to design a "Jumping Frog". We were given a lot of freedom when designing our jumping frog. The only instructions were that the following materials were required to be utilised:

• Frog picture
• Piece of cardboard
• Rubber band
• Sticky tape

This is a picture of Matt and our frog pre-jump:

We based our design on a catapult. We placed the frog at one end of the cardboard. We then had to pull up the opposite end of the cardboard using a rubber band before releasing the tension by letting go. This resulted in the frog being catapulted up into the air, effectively making the frog jump.

This is a picture of our frog jumping:

This was a fun activity that would encourage students to think outside the box and be creative. What I loved about this activity was that there were a number of different possibilities and pretty much everyone could come up with a different design/method making the frog jump.

The second part of today's workshop was spent on the website www.quia.com/web. The first activity that we had to do required us to make a test/questionnaire using the 'quizzes' application. As an avid Harry Potter fan, I decided that my questionnaire was going to be all about Harry Potter! A picture of my Harry Potter quiz can be found below. Alternatively, please click on the following website link to have the opportunity to take the questionnaire yourself http://www.quia.com/quiz/2511748.html.

The 'quizzes' function was great and could be easily utilised in a school environment by both teachers and students. It is definitely something that I would consider using on my next teaching placement.

The second activity also required us to use the website www.quia.com/web. However, this time we were required to use the 'activities' application in order to make a game of our choice.

I decided to make a game of hangman based on African animals. I have not included any clues in my hangman game, however, there is the option to do so when creating the activity. A picture of my hangman game can be found below. Alternatively please click on the following website link to have the opportunity to play my hangman game yourself http://www.quia.com/hm/667573.html.

Once again this would be a great activity that I believe students would find engaging. It would be quite possible to have students make an activity or game based on a special topic that you are currently covering in class. This activity or game would then be available for other students to complete.

I believe that we need to ensure if nothing else, that we get students building, thinking and creating within the classroom.

This is something that I aim to do and will work very hard to achieve within my classroom.

Well that's about it for week three!