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.

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.