Day 3 – ClassPortals

Introduction

Tom’s Intro

ClassPortals…

• Focus on one compelling topic (with all its interesting connections to others)
• Embody a passionate interest of the teacher and students
• Continue in the background of class activities drawing attention when something in the real world provokes it
• Act as a platform for things like writing, podcasts, videos, photos, cartoons, data collection, etc.
• Make a contribution to the world’s learning

Examples

• Child Slave Labor News
• PodKids Australia
• Radio WillowWeb

References:

• What is a ClassPortal?
• Chapter 1
• Why ClassPortals?

For Ideas

• Change.org: Social Network For Social Activism
• Change.org – Causes in Need
• OXFAM – Reshaping our World – Poverty Maps (+ Complete Story Library from OXFAM)
• Idea Index from the Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2009
  

For Inspiration

• The Girl who Silenced the U.N. for Five Minutes
• End Homelessness
• Five Former Slaves Who Are Changing the World
• 10 Revolutionary Acts of Courage by Ordinary People
• 50 Items That Should Change the World

Brainstorming and Designing

• Download the worksheet or use the hard.

Task 1: Choose Topic(s)

• Browse Brainstorming List
• Use the digital worksheet or hard copy.

Task 2: Enrich the Possibilities

• What would excite student interest in this topic?
• Why People Care about this Topic
• Complexity: What Issues and Aspects make up this Topic?
• Embedded Learning Skills

Task 3: Tapping & Taming the Information Stream

• Examples: Tom’s ClassPortal Pageflakes or Netvibes
• Types of Current Information Available (News, Podcasts, Video, Cartoons, Movies, Books, etc.)
• Initial places to begin looking
• Possible Student Jobs, Roles, Tasks (consider ICT expertise and Gifted & Talented extensions)

Task 4: ICT Productions

• Based on Your Skills & Interests & Student Inclination, which ICT Creations seem possible?
• Any needed software, hardware, online spaces / tools, tech support, tutorials, etc.

Let’s Get Started!

• Work as a school team?
• Set-up Your Space (register another blog on your WordPress Account? – Tap into great Tutorials from WordPress.com)
• Add your brainstorming ideas to Pages on your ClassPortal (Roles, Rationale, etc.)
• Create 3 Look-to-learn activities on your topic to excite student interest and participation.
• Create a RSS Feeds page for the topic (Add Netvibes tutorial)
• Consider using Podcasts (Add a Podcast Player to WordPress and review a Podcast Booklet from Tony Vincent)
• Upload a Podcast (through Jotform)
  
• Consider how students will author (register & add as “category”). See the tutorial Invite Users to WordPress.com.

Next Session: Day 4

• Real, Rich and Relevant Group: Wednesday, 27 July (Day 5: Aug 17)
• AGQTP Group: Tuesday, 16 August (Day 5: Oct 12)