Thing 5 ...a few more questions answered

I found editing the wiki to very simple and easy. I can see where wikis would be a useful tool both in the classroom with students/parents and with our co-workers. The difference between a blog and wiki is having the right to add information. Blogs are more controlled when it comes to letting others add information to it; whereas a wiki allows more freedom to individuals to add. I feel wiki can be benefical in the classroom. However, very close monitoring and strict guidelines would need to be in place.

Thing 8

Before I begin my summary about thing 8, I want to again say wow!! I must say I signed up for the things to get my time and be done with it. However I have been so impressed by what I have learned. I am excited to get back to work and start applying some of the "things".

Now on to thing 8...I wish I had known about this years ago. Techonology has made some major advancements in the past few years. I can see where this will come in handy saving sites as a teacher to use for planning, ideas, and more. But I think setting up a class account for students to be able to go back and reference is an excellent idea (also setting up a place for parents to find homework help). Of course the best thing about this thing is having the ability to work from different computers. How many times have I put something in my favorites on a computer only to need that information when I am on another computer?

My delicious name is bullbugg99. I found the site very user friendly and easy to use. I believe teaching students to use and access it would be fairly easy once they practiced using it. As with all techonology students would need to be monitored closely.

Thing 7

I think google docs in great. What a great tool to introduce students to to get them to learn a variety of skills. There are many ways to incorporate google docs into a classroom. I have taught lessons on budgeting, applying for a classroom job, and numerous other real world skills. Google docs can be used to in all of these lessons and many more.

I have had several google docs questionnaires sent to me. This is then sent back to the maker in spreadsheet format. Again, how great would this be not only to use to ask students questions; but also, have them create and have others answer and send back. They could then use the information collected to create graphs (also found in google docs).

By using google docs students have to ability to work on numerous computers...school, home, phone...the opportunities are endless. Of course by allowing students this opportunity you are also opening up ways for students to perhaps not do all the work themselves. In order to make sure students are learning independently, teachers would need to have questions about the steps in using/applying google docs. Teachers would also need to allow opportunities for students who do not have out of school access to the internet.

When looking at the pros/cons of google docs, I believe the pros far out way the cons. This is an excellent way to enhance students technology skills for their future.

Thing 6

Again, I have never used or been introduced to podcasting. I wasn't sure what it was or if I would want any part of it. But, WOW!!! How exciting...again I am amazed at the unlimited supply/information that is out there for people to use. I can hardly wait for school to start (well okay, I can wait, but I am excited to use this in my classroom). I have never explored YouTube very much (I thought it had mostly inappropriate videos prior to this). I think that video sharing would be great for classrooms. I know many times when you do a classroom play or project or even a party their are parents that want to attended, but are unable to do so. What a great way to involve parents even more in their child's life when they are away from them.

I choose the flylady video because I have been a huge flylady fan for years. I never knew I could find her on YouTube!! Flylady has played a part of my life for many years as I try to raise kids, work, meet family needs and work needs...her advise is wonderful.

I think people are more likely to watch a video when it is embedded compared to linking it. Embedding seemed simple (hopefully I did it correctly). I was the same as embedding photos, but it was with a video.

YouTube can be used in the classroom, but in my classroom it would only be allowed to be used by me. As I said before I feel YouTube has some inappropriate videos that I would not want students to be accessing in my classroom. (This is where embedding the video would come in handy instead of linking the site.)

Thing 5

Prior to this "thing", I have never used wikis. Although I have seen different things refer to wikis...I really had no idea what it was. After reading and working on the 8 thing wiki, I feel that it is similar to blogging. The sites I went to looked similar to me also. The main difference I found was anyone is able to make changes (or add information) to your wiki. Since I am not familiar with wikis, it all seems a little foreign to me. I am very hands on. Once I use wikis more wikis I feel I will have a better understanding of them. I do feel that setting up a classroom wiki would be more beneficial than a blog. A blog would be more for getting information out there, where a wiki is more for sharing information with others. Of course any type of technology would benefit students. Wikis would benefit them more hands-ons than blogging (in my opinion)...but my knowledge and use of wikis is very limited.

Thing 4

I really enjoyed using Flickr. I have never used this type of photo search. It was very interesting. Once I did the advanced search and clicked on the Creative Commons, it became a lot easier to find pictures that I could use. I have always enjoy photography so I loved this.
I choose the picture because it represents freedom. The American Flag is such an amazing symbol. I then used ImageChef.com to create the birthday wishes (for my daughter who turns 11 soon). I have never been on a site like this one and found it interesting (wish I had known about it when I taught technology).

I knew a little about the Creative Commons License. At least from a copyright stand point. I believe it is extremely important for students to learn about how to correctly use and give credit to the correct person(s) or business. It is the law and it can cause serious reprimands if credit is not given.

I can see using some of the tools from this Thing in the classroom. Using Flickr to find photos and add them to powerpoints, journal entries and numerous other projects would be great.


Author: Pam Roth (Bubbels on sxc.hu), http://www.creatingonline.com/

Thing 3

I have been a facebook user for about a year and a half. It has been amazing watching my friend list grow and grow. For me facebook has been a way to keep in touch or "reunite" with former students, friends, and co-workers. I have been able to find neighbors that I haven't "talked" to in 18 years. It has also been a way to let people know what is going on...of course you don't want to let them know too much. It is very important to maintain some guidelines when using facebook and other networks. For example, I want to share that I am going on a great vacation, but I don't want all of facebook to know that I am going to be gone, the dates, where my house is...you get the idea.

Would I use facebook as a classroom tool? This is a difficult question for me to answer. Right now I see how it can be benefical, but I also see negative aspects. One positive (that could also become a negative for me) is it would give students opportunities to ask teachers questions possibly about homework assignments, projects, etc. However, I am also a parent; therefore, when I go home I have my "mommy" responsibilities. Getting on the computer to check Facebook and answer questions could become time consuming at home for many teachers. Yet, if students post questions, then other students could help answer their questions. So I am really divided on using Facebook as a classroom tool. It is something to think about and make note of the positives and negatives for individual teachers. Some teachers have more access to internet and are more familiar with social networks. I believe that there would need to be guidelines in place from the school for teachers and students about how to use it and how it was to be used.

As I said before, I like Facebook on a personal level. Friends I would not talk to every day I know what is going on with them. Relatives that live off we keep in touch with more than we have before. However, using it in the classroom would take some consideration on my part before I would implement it.