contemporary+tools

=Contemporary Tools=

Tools used:
 * Bubbl.us/inspiration - this tool supported us in the immersion/brainstorming stage of our inquiry because the students were able to immediately get their ideas down. They were also familiar with this tool due to having used it in the past. They didn't have to worry about their spelling and could just write what they thought. Also could move things around and organise their ideas into groups if they wanted to.

Both of the film sites were extremely useful to the unit. The students were able to see the point of view of people who had migrated to Australia. Even though many of them had families who came from other countries, many didn't make the link until seeing this film. It made them feel special and some shared how their parents came to Australia. These films also enabled the students to put themselves into the shoes of someone else. We did a Y chart (looks like, feels like, sounds like) so they could write their responses. Very interesting responses, very thoughtful.
 * Film Australia
 * Australian screen

The students enjoy using graphic organisers. They are confident in using them and they allow for varied responses. The students fill them in how they think and take risks with their responses.
 * Thinking tools - Venn Diagrams, Concept Maps,

The writeboard is a great tool for cooperative writing. The students can immediately see what we have put up and then we could go back and edit our writing. The editing also shows who did what and how the piece have changed. The ability to be able to invite others to collaborate enabled other teachers to check and use it in their classes.
 * writeboard - play writing

The students have become very adept at using flickr now. They are able to search using creative commons images only and put them into their work. This helped our unit because we had access to a range of images, from all over the world - people and places etc. This helped us as teachers to locate photos quickly and use them with the students. As the students knew we used flickr, they also used it for their presentations. They also were able to search using appropriate terms to locate the images they wanted.
 * Perspective activity - flickr

The students confidently chose their format for the presentation. Some of the choices were surprising but all worked well to complete it. Having access to the imacs in the classroom has assisted us because the students automatically have access to movie making, music programs, photo programs which all link together. The students think about what to put into their presentations (visual elements) to interest the audience.
 * presentation at end - imovie, powerpoint, garageband, word, photobooth, iphoto