Module 9

Scootle
I really didn't know too much about Scootle until our school signed up for it last year. Even then I was not aware of the possibilities this tool had until I studied it pretty much in depth during the Web 2.0 course. Playing around with it enabled me to focus on its capabilities.
What made me even more aware of Scootle is that my wife, who is a teacher-librarian, has developed units of work on biodiversity for Curriculum Co-operation. You may view these on the following link: http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/pin/CCINMB?userid=22
Scootle allows you to choose the digital content that you want and then create a Learning Path. A Learning Path allows students to gain access to a portion of the lesson content online. This allows students to work at 'their own pace.' Networking and sharing between teachers are just some of the features Scootle provides. It also allows students to access information and online resources.
My summation is that Scootle seems to be a useful tool that provides relevant and reliable resources for teachers and students alike. Its good to be able to access resources for teachers Australia-wide. One can keep on building their resource base and adjust assessment tasks.
Interactive learning in the classroom is inevitable. We should embrace it using tools such as Scootle!
I am not a great believer in Social Networking scene. I do not see the relevance for this as a learning tool in the classroom and hesitate to release information or images of a private nature for the world to see.
Sure there are positives but I feel that, if used in an adverse nature, it can have a negative effect on learning and interaction.
Facebook has a security feature which allows the user to block content or other users. I was only made aware recently by an ex-student from a school I used to teach in, that a group from the school set up a network describing teachers and adding class photos, etc. Fortunately any comments posted about me were all positive! Phew! It does though open up this whole question about what has actually been said about teachers? Scary, to say the least!