Choosing the Right Tool

This week in RaVE we have been exploring the significance of early Christian symbols.  Over the last two days students have been working collaboratively to prepare a presentation that will enable them to share their knowledge and understanding of a particular symbol from early Christian times.  What has impressed me most about the work that the students have been doing is their ability to choose the right tool for their purpose.  During the past two lessons I have seen students using the following technology:

• Prezi and Prezi Meeting to collaboratively work on their presentation at the same time
• OneNote to collaboratively share information and images
• Power Point
• Movie Maker

We also discussed how "Willyoutypewithme" and Google Docs may be useful tools for collaborative projects in the future.

It has been great to see the students independently choosing the right tool for their skill level and purpose.  I can't wait to see their presentations next week.

Accessing Your Email

As you now know all student email has been moved into the cloud using Microsoft Live edu. From this year all students in years 4-12 will have individual email address.  Sending and receiving of emails has not changed but the platform they log into has changed.

To access your CAC email account you need to do the following:

To login in to email

Open: Your preferred web browser (IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome)

Type in address: outlook.com (or just click)

To sign in:

In the Windows Live ID: (your student number)@cac.qld.edu.au

Your Password: the generic password that was provided to you today during PC (this password needs to be changed immediately)

Once signed in please change your password and select the time to Brisbane.

If you have any difficulties with this please contact the IT Helpdesk.

Safe Social Networking

During Semester 1 all teachers at CAC will be completing the Connect.ed cybersmart online course.  This course will help teachers to better understand some of the online habits that our students have or are developing, and will give us useful tools and strategies to help us help our students to become more responsible digizens.

When I was completing the first module I came across this resource about safe social networking:

The full document can be read by clicking HERE

The document is worth reading for both parents and students and may help you to better understand the world of social networking.

Staying Safe on the Web

As we begin another year of learning with the wonders of technology, it is important to remember some of the basic things we can do to ensure our web experiences are safe and productive.

Be sure to protect yourself and your identity when surfing the web.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012.  After a long summer break I am looking forward to getting back to school and to meeting my new classes for this year.  All of the teachers will be back on deck tomorrow and will be participating in professional development and meetings to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running when the students return next Monday, January 23rd.

You will notice that the links to the student blogs have been removed from this blog - this is in readiness for the new group of Year 8 students.  I will be working with the Year 8s over the first couple of weeks to set up their learning blogs and will provide links to them as soon as they are up and running.

I have had a fantastic holiday and have really enjoyed spending lots of time with family and friends.  Some of the highlights were:

• Completing a 50km run in early December
• A 3-day surfing trip at Noosa with my son
• A family camping trip to Wooyung Beach (NSW)
• Spending Christmas with family
• Catching up on some reading

I hope you (the students) enjoy the last week of your holidays and that you are as excited as me about getting our learning underway for this year.

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