Create Something Extraordinary: Using Web 2.0 Tools to Create, Collaborate, Communicate and Grow Learning

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Working in a classroom in the 21st Century, it is obvious that students want to be active participants in their learning. They become bored unmotivated and listless if they are expected simply to listen and work from textbooks. It is not their way!
Many students who participated in Speak Up 2008 claimed they “power down” when they come to school. Outside of the classroom they are used to being in control in the world of technology. They are communicators, leaders, innovators, manipulators of information, and creators. As educators in the 21st Century we need to be able to adapt to the students’ needs, identify ways of doing things differently and develop, in negotiation with the students, new learning models that will engage these 21st century learners.
This workshop is very ‘hands on’. It is based on the premise that children use images to make sense of the world and that words and pictures go very naturally together.
In our classrooms technology is practically embedded into the curriculum; aligned with this we have developed the following cycle: Explore, talk, think, plan, create, reflect, feedback. The workshop will engage with participants outlining how web 2.0 tools can be used to develop a classroom environment which is engaging, motivating, authentic and grows learners for the 21st
century.

Stream: Curriculum and Pedagogy; Student Learning, Learner Experiences, Learner Diversity

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Gail has been an elementary school principal for nearly 15 years. She has an abiding interest in creating engaging and motivating learning environments for the students in her school. To this end she has been a leader who has always promoted continuous professional development for her staff.
Gail recognises the importance of learning both within and without the school environment. Her school has been recognised Nationally in Australia in the area of Excellence in teaching Literacy and as a National Quality School for consistently Improving student learning outcomes. Recently Gail has achieved a NSW Premier's ICT Scholarship 2007; been recognised for excellence as a Principal in the National Quality Schools Awards 2008, and named as one of the Top 100 influential people in Sydney 2008 as an education visionary.

Kimberly has been a classroom teacher for over 20 years. She has been an assistant principal for 10 years. She has been instrumental in creating the quality learning environment that has developed in the school. Kimberly was curriculum leader when the school achieved the National Literacy Award for excellence and also when the school received a National Quality Schools Award for consistently improving student learning outcomes. Kimberly is outstanding classroom practitioner. She is passionate about engaging and motivating students in their own learning. KImberly has been recognised as a Microsoft Outstanding Teacher 2007 and in 2008 achieved a NSW Premier's Scholarship for English.