During week one of the course we were invited to explore different word cloud generators. Most of them work in the same way. You insert some text, click a few buttons and then BAM, you've got yourself a word cloud. Although it's not exactly that easy, they are relatively simple to use.
After having a quick look through the many different word cloud generators and experimenting with a couple I decided to use Tagxedo.
After having a quick look through the many different word cloud generators and experimenting with a couple I decided to use Tagxedo.
The words pictured in my word cloud were selected after reading a couple articles on digital citizenship and the effects of digital technologies in primary schools. I believe these words describe and summarise the essence of these articles.
The development of the digital age has brought about big changes in the way we see and deliver education. The teaching and learning process is beginning to be approached in a more collaborative way, where students and teachers work together to create new knowledge. Technology is becoming more prevalent in primary school classrooms, and therefore the need for teachers to deliver classroom programmes that aim to develop digital citizenship is rapidly increasing. It is important for teachers to understand that, even though the children of today are growing up as 'digital natives', children still require explicit teaching on how to use such tools effectively and safely. We wouldn't expect a child to know the road rules even though they grew up surrounded by cars, would we?
New terms to think about - cyber citizenship, cyber ethics and netiquette.
How can we as teachers promote positive and responsible cyber social behaviour?
I look forward to finding out more on digital citizenship and how to use digital technologies effectively in my own classroom.
Popular word cloud generators:
Articles:
EDtalk with Derek Wenmoth (2010). Cyber citizenship. CORE Education.
National Library on Digital Citizenship in Schools - resources and thought-provoking videos.
The New Zealand Curriculum pg. 36 - e-Learning and Pedagogy.
The New Zealand Gazette. (2014). Disrupting boundaries: How digital devices became a resource for transformative change in a time of crisis. 28 July. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education.