Developing my ICT skills and pedagogy

My ICT skills have improved since beginning the TL diploma after learning how to implement multi modal technologies into my own inquiry projects.  As a result, there have been a few tools, networks and resources that have proved useful and I have incorporated them into my teaching with students and colleagues.

I have found Padlet, a networking collaboration tool very useful to me in explorations of ICT with my students and staff.  I learned how to use it by watching this short youtube Padlet tutorial.  The nice thing about youtube videos is that you can go back and rewatch whatever portion you need in order to get something right.  Although I'm sure there is much more to be learned, these are the applications in which I or others have noticed it's usefulness:

-formative assessment on Ancient Egypt
-gaging the temperature in a room for discussion purposes 
 (this one really helped me to become aware of student perspectives)
-staff meetings for ongoing discussions
 (school goals, professional development ideas)
-brainstorming
-group communication ~ Literature Circles
-LST as a way of saving student work and having it all available in a portfolio format
-teaching safe practices in media literacy, the creator of each Padlet is able to edit or delete posts made by others (not permanent)
-no login or passwords necessary (sharing can be done by scanning a QR code)
-discussion cn be shared with larger audiences around the world
-within the tool there are multi modal forms of communication available for one to use including
-group communication for event planning
-An example of a an author thank-you project

I shared this example with colleagues to showcase the multi modal literacies Padlet offers.  
I would like to see this tool used in a workshop setting as a way to collect real-time information from other professions.  For example the yearly TL workshop that happens in Surrey at the beginning of each year.  I think it would give people a voice in a situation when they might not normally be heard due to numbers.

Symballoo is a web tool for collecting, sharing and curating multi modal digital resources.  It allows you to collect, categorize and organize videos, journal articles, websites, digital resources, photographs, sounds or whatever type of resource you are dealing with into easily retrievable web mixes.  Previously, the only way I knew how to save a website I was interested in was to put it on my blog.  This was disorganized and ineffective.    I am now more proactive and productive when it comes to managing digital resources that I think are useful.  I have started to create categories in which to collect and curate these resources.  It's a process, that once started, will be useful in the future.  There is also a database that can be searched for web mixes that have been created by others.  Web mixes can be private or shared.  So far, I have not figured out how to modify someone else mix, to fit my needs but will learn this soon hopefully.  Again, in order to learn how to use this valuable resource, I simply watched this Symballoo tutorial a few times.

I use Twitter from time to time but find it poses me some challenges.  I may not understand all the inner workings, but I find it frustrating when I want to look at what someone has posted and get more information than what appears to have been offered.  For example, there may only be a picture shared with a title and some hashtags but there is no rationale offered to explain what was happening in the picture.  I suppose that's it's intended purpose- a snapshot of something here and now.  Teaching in the LLC I I work with so many students and I need to have permission to share their photos.  I do not have this information handy so my work becomes backlogged and as a result, not shared.  I tend to share some of the learning on our school blog for this reason.  I want to become an effective user of Twitter in the future because I can see how it is an effective networking tool but I have to find a way of working that allows me to post in a timely manner.  Some advice that was offered to me by a  peer in my last course was to make sure the pictures I take only show the backs of the students or only their hands doing what ever activity it is.  

Attending after school workshops put on by other professionals has helped me bridge some gaps.  
-Discovery Education resource
-curating authentic aboriginal resources 
-exploring Digital Resources 
-3D printing
-Green screen technology ( now I am learning with the help of other grade 7 students how to create an iMovie using green screen rather than simply a still image using the Superimpose App.) Green Screen with iMovie

I nab colleagues to help me learn new things and I repay them when I can by taking their classes to give them time.  I have recently had a grade 7 student in the LLC teaching me how to create using the 3D printer.  Thats one way that I find collaboration so useful.  Being creative with our schedule can allow others time to learn a new skill.  I have shared tools and resources at staff meetings, but I believe the learning really happens when collaboration takes place and I can help by leading the first time.  In the future, I would like to bring in the helping teachers to work with our staff and help them integrate aboriginal content and digital resources into their teaching.
Resources:

A website I found that I have added to my Symballoo web mix and that I'd like to share with you all is:
tech4learning

Im excited to explore this resource in more depth as it offers practical ideas and lessons for incorporating ICT into teaching and learning.