Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Friday, July 16, 2010
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.
Friday, June 25, 2010
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/
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.
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.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thing 2
Wow. That is a lot to try and take in. "A Day in the Life of Web 2.0" was very overwhelming to me. Although I can see the benefits, I can also see where many teachers would not want to or be able to do this. It seems time consuming. Which it would be until you had a good understanding of what you were doing. I believe that I personally am moderately technologically advanced, but many concern is for teachers who are not. It is amazing how far technology has come in the last 15 years. Every time we turn around it seems something else is being improved on. It makes it hard to keep up with! However, we are in education to educate kids. If this means that we need to take the time to learn more about technology and incorporate it into our classrooms, then that is what needs to be done. Technology is not a fad. It is the future and so are our students. We must prepare them and in turn prepare ourselves. I am excited to see how using these tools in my classroom this next will not only help students and myself; but also, how it will help parents. It is difficult to communicate with parents at times. Their schedules don't always fit around a school day schedule. By using blogging to post homework assignments, upcoming tests, projects, field trips...the list goes on and on, we are again helping our students become more successful. I do realize that is can be time consuming until I understand how to use it effectively (there are a lot of "things" in the design of the blog that I am not sure of), but I am hoping once I practice how to use blogging it won't be as time consuming and overwhelming.
Thing 1
I am very excited to learn how to and start blogging. I think this is a great way to communicate with others. By continuously learning about technology and ways to incorporate it into our classrooms, we will helping our students excell in the future. I believe this can be a very effective tool in communicating with parents and students. And hopefully I can stay caught up with my own children in this technology age!!
After reading about the student guidelines, I thing this would be a great way to have students give feedback about different things. Of course there is always the concern that some student(s) will post hurtful comments. I believe it is very important for everyone (students, teachers, parents, etc...) to be very mindful of what is placed on blogs or other social networks. Learning early on that "what you put out there is out there" is very important for our students. They need to come to an understanding that employers, friends, family, colleges can look back at these things. The old saying " It isn't what you do when someone is looking, but what you do when people AREN'T looking builds your character" is taking on a whole new meaning in the technology age. If you are putting it on the internet, then someone is always looking.
After reading about the student guidelines, I thing this would be a great way to have students give feedback about different things. Of course there is always the concern that some student(s) will post hurtful comments. I believe it is very important for everyone (students, teachers, parents, etc...) to be very mindful of what is placed on blogs or other social networks. Learning early on that "what you put out there is out there" is very important for our students. They need to come to an understanding that employers, friends, family, colleges can look back at these things. The old saying " It isn't what you do when someone is looking, but what you do when people AREN'T looking builds your character" is taking on a whole new meaning in the technology age. If you are putting it on the internet, then someone is always looking.
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