Gail Mitchell

Female

Queensland

Australia

Profile Information:

School / Work Affiliation
Primary Teacher
Blog
http://professionalpracticeotago.blogspot.com/
Website
http://gailmitchell.wikispaces.com
Skype Account
gailtmitchell
About Me
I am a Primary teacher. Have worked in New Zealand for the last 10 years. and have been in Australia for the last year. I am passionate about teaching and learning. I have been a teacher for 30 years. I am also passionate about changing teacher practice for 21st century learners. I am presently completing my Master of Teaching degree and will continue with my Doctor of Teaching next year.
I have had the opportunity to present at a number of conferences on e-Portfolios for learners in the Primary school and also on Action Research - looking at teacher practice. My present professional development portfolio ids based on E-tools and e-portfolios- supporting, developing and demonstrating reflective, self-directed learning, for life.
I am really looking forward to attending this 'unconference'. I will be participating virtually from NZ.

Comment Wall:

  • Hans Feldmeier

    Hi Gail,
    greetings from Germany!
    I focus on Web 2.0 apps in the classroom - and I work with e-portfollio Mahara - you as well?
    I run my own educational Ning Network Web2Class - maybe you are interested - would love if you decide to join.
    Hans

    May 23, 2009

  • Hans Feldmeier

    Hello Gail,
    thanks for your response.
    I´ m using classblogs as well, e.g. http://rsr-10a.blogspot.com
    We are working with WebQuests....
    I also use e-journals to work on.
    In Europe there is eTwinning too: electronic partnership between schools.
    Look at one of my action:
    http://etwinningdigiskills.ning.com
    In what age are you students? 14-17 years...
    Maybe we can team up.
    Hans

    May 24, 2009

  • Heather Horton

    Hi Gail!

    Thanks for your comment. It is very nice to meet you! I have heard some great things about the schools in Australia. I'm not sure if you follow Will Richardson or not. He is a web 2.0 guru here in the states. If you have not heard his name yet you probably will soon. Here is a link to a blog he wrote about visiting a primary school in Australia http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/kids-owning-the-learning/ very impressive!
    I like to consider myself a reflective practitioner. I think that is an extremely important skill that all great educators posses. How wonderful would it be if we could teach our students that skill as well! I think we need to help them pursue their passions, reflect on what they are learning and where they want to go, and help them to become life long learners! I have never used e-portfolios before; I am defiantly going to check it out! Any suggestions or links to examples you may have?
    I currently teach high school (grades 10-12) and I will be working with middle school teachers next year (grade 7). It is nice to talk to someone who works with younger children. Sometimes I loose perspective on what they can do. If you are teaching them to use these e-tools and portfolios at such a young age imaging what they are going to be able to do when they get to high school!
    You asked about audio tools...Have you ever used Audacity? If is a free program you can download from the internet. It is very easy and allows you to make your own recordings and save them in a variety of file formats including mp3s. Hope this helps!

    Heather

    May 24, 2009

  • adelina moura

    Hi Gail,

    I teach high school (grades 10 -12) and I'm working with MyPodcast and Podomatic podcasts portal. Is very easy to work with this two e-tools for audio and video.
    http://geramovel.podomatic.com/ - my students voice
    http://geramovel.mypodcast.com/ - my voice

    Odeo is another podcasting tool.
    Sometimes I use also Audacity.

    I hope this help.

    May 24, 2009

  • Jonathan Kitchin

    Hi Gail
    I too have a class of Year 4s in Swindon UK, although I do in addition teach ICT to Years 3, 5 and 6 as well (it's busy here!). I am thinking of doing a class exchange via email towards the end of the school year - focussing on what it's like living in a different country, similarities, differences etc etc. Is this something you would be interested in doing? We could even do a cross-hemisphere wiki?! The possibilities are pretty exciting! All the best Jon

    May 31, 2009

  • Jonathan Kitchin

    Hi Gail
    We are looking forward to getting started with something too. We finish on 24 July, and return on 2 September, so we could do an initial contact perhaps when you come back in July? Perhaps we could communicate via ePals as an idea to start with? You are right we should Skype and firm out some details properly. All the best Jon

    Jun 4, 2009