2010 at GSNS

I have visited GSNS three times so far this year but have seen many of the teachers also at some of the Expert Workshops. There has been a lot of new equipment purchased by the school so teachers are learning lots of new things. Each classroom has a new Ipod touch which they are learning to use as a staff. At this stage everyone is working to get these to sync with their computers and learning their way around the world of ipods, itunes, applications etc. Later the teachers should be able to receive news and updates around the school when they are on the move. Teachers are beginning to plan their ‘Teacher Inquiries’ (action research) projects for the year. There are a few more blogs that have been started and these are being used increasingly with the students as the blog authors. Some blogs are being used for reflection on learning in senior classes. Although all of the students reflect on their learning, a few are selected to publish their reflections on the blog, as a reflector of the day.

Many teachers used their time with me to try to solve problems they have been having with equipment compatibility. Different cameras often create files that are not always compatible with their computer software or applications they want to use on the Internet. This can be very frustrating and is something to be mindful of when you purchase new equipment. One useful and free tool to use to convert files so they are compatible for your uses is Zamzar. It is an online site that you can upload a file to, select what you want the file to become and you are sent an email when the site has completed this change. You have 24 hours from the time you receive your email to download your converted file.

Although file problems is a frustrating way to be introduced to files types, this was an effective lesson for teachers in paying attention to the file type and realising that file problems such as these are often what is causing their problems. On a Microsoft Word document for example .doc is the file extension. The file extension tells the computer, which programme can open that file. Getting to know and paying attention to these file extensions is a good habit to get into.