Module 8 Virtual gallery walk Activity 3

You have experienced a physical gallery walk where you set up exhibits against the wall and use stickies to comment on the various scenarios that you were presented with. Sometimes we are not in the same physical location but needs to work together and share ideas. A virtual gallery walk is just the thing!

Another advantage is that we can build a great professional and personal learning network by collaborating and sharing within a virtual environment. In the next exercise you will summarize your thoughts for every exhibit and share it using blog comments.

Instructions:
Let every member of your group choose an exhibit and go and participate in the exhibit discussion by leaving comments on that specific exhibit blog e.g.
Member 1: Exhibit 1: Digital identities
Member 2: Exhibit 2: Phishing
Member 3: Exhibit 3: PLNs pr PLCs
Member 4: Exhibit 4: Online safety

You can consult your notes/wall stickies from your physical walk for ideas. Feel free to go and comment on the other exhibits as well if you have time left during the session. You can also carry on the discussion whenever you have internet access at home or at school.

Module 8 online discussions Exhibit 3: Personal and Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Communities  (PLCs) are formed when groups of teachers get together (online or off) to share ideas, teaching strategies, resources and inspiration. During this course you had many opportunities to share with your colleagues and with teachers from the other schools during communal professional development opportunities and we hope that you will take it to another level using your mobile devices! Consult your Module 8 Exhibit 3 folder for more information on how to start PLCs and get more information about it.

Instructions:

Use the comment section below to answer the following question.

• Which is the best place to get advice on the latest CAPS documents and resources? Look at the 4 examples and motivate your choice. 

Exhibit 3A: www.google.co.za

Exhibit 3B: http://en.wikipedia.org

Exhibit 3C: www.mathsliteracy.co.za

Exhibit 3D: www.thutong.doe.gov.za/

Module 8 online discussions:Exhibit 4: Online safety

Instructions:

Read the following scenario and comment on how you will respond. 

Context:

You have just confiscated a cell phone from one of your learners who was busy having a text chat with someone during class.

1. Is this a good enough reason to ban mobile devices in the classroom? 
2. How can we safeguard our students against online bullying? 
3. What will you do if you were this teacher?

Module 8 online discussions: Exhibit 2: Phishing

Phishing  is when someone tries to get personal information such as your usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by pretending to be a trustworthy person or organisation using electronic means like emails or a sms. In this exhibit we will try to see how gullible you are! What are the tell-tale signs of someone trying to con you?

Instructions:

1. Read the examples of the following emails and sms's, decide if each one is authentic (real) or not and discuss why you think so.
2. If someone were to send you an email and you cannot track that they are who they say they are, what should you do to safeguard yourself?  You may consult the resources in your Module 8 folder or the Internet.
3. Comment on all the examples in the comment section below.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Module 8 online discussions: Exhibit 1: Digital identities

Digital identity refer to how people can view who we are and what we do or represent,  in an online or electronic environment.  We have to constantly ask ourselves if what is known about us online is positive and won’t harm our reputation. Our students can also say bad things about us online and we need to know how to deal with this as well as help them to become responsible digital citizens. In this exhibit you will explore a few online teacher profiles and decide if you would like them as part of your Professional Learning Community. Feel free to consult your Module 8 resource folder for articles and videos that can help you understand this exhibit.

Study the following 4 different profiles and comment on the value of having the person as part of your Professional Learning Community (PLC) in the comments below.  As you do this think about:
• Is this person authentic?
• Will you follow/friend/connect to/like them and why?
• What can you learn from them that will help you grow as a lifelong learner?