Bubbl.us is a great brainstorming/webbing site. I can see using this in the gradual release of instruction for my Bermuda Triangle research project. I can use this to model, have students practice with peers, and then do their own when they have completed the research. I liked it because it was simple to use and modify. I would be able to tell if students were on the right track and had enough details and examples with just a quick glance.
Zoho show seems to be much like the idea of google docs, except formatted as a presentation. Using the same concept as Google docs, the presentation can be shared without having to e-mail it. Students could also put together a class project, each person/group adding a slide.
The Diigo site would be perfect for student use in a research project. Students can add or visit a set collection of sites that gets them on the right track in their research. I can see this functioning much like the teacher who had students blogging as a study hall.
As we delve deeper into Web 2.0 I can see the process and experiences of educating children becoming vastly different that the way we currently deliver instruction. From my amateur view, I can see all of my instruction being anchored from my Teacher Blog. All of the assignments and projects would be much more student driven with me as the facilitator rather than the deliverer of all pertinent information. Once the issues of hardware are addressed, it will certainly be the means by which students experience school. I sure am glad that I have taken part in this course now!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thing 11- Online Productivity Applications
It seems certain that Google docs will replace the current Microsoft Office applications. I would bet that in the short term as many of these software companies merge we will see a Microsoft brand of on-line productivity applications.
As is always the challenge, students without a home computer or internet access need a way to research, communicate, and word process school work. Google docs would allow them to do what they need to do without worrying about compatible software and keeping track of jump drives. So many times students have sent or brought me papers on jump drives or through e-mail that my computer didn't recognize. If students were to create their papers and projects on Google docs, we could just access them off of my teacher computer in the classroom to print, view, or grade.
I think it would make perfect sense for me to set all of my students up at the beginning of the year with a google account so that they could all have the capability to create projects and presentations without the issues that software brings. Now, if we could just get them all reliable internet access and the hardware, we'd be all set! It is so sad that the hardware has to be such a limiting factor when there is so much amazing technology out there.
As is always the challenge, students without a home computer or internet access need a way to research, communicate, and word process school work. Google docs would allow them to do what they need to do without worrying about compatible software and keeping track of jump drives. So many times students have sent or brought me papers on jump drives or through e-mail that my computer didn't recognize. If students were to create their papers and projects on Google docs, we could just access them off of my teacher computer in the classroom to print, view, or grade.
I think it would make perfect sense for me to set all of my students up at the beginning of the year with a google account so that they could all have the capability to create projects and presentations without the issues that software brings. Now, if we could just get them all reliable internet access and the hardware, we'd be all set! It is so sad that the hardware has to be such a limiting factor when there is so much amazing technology out there.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thing 10- Make a Wiki
How simple! Creating a wiki is easier than the creation of a blog. The only thing I am finding difficult is how to plug the wiki into my blog.
I can see using the wiki as a tool for collaboration between Literacy coaches in our district, as well as other Professional Learning communities. I can also see this providing a great medium for collaborative projects with students in the classroom.
I can see using the wiki as a tool for collaboration between Literacy coaches in our district, as well as other Professional Learning communities. I can also see this providing a great medium for collaborative projects with students in the classroom.
Thing 9- Wikis
The Coolest Cat site is amazing! What enthusiasm! I added this as a feed into my Google reader. The collaboration she describes in the projects sounds like it is of high quality and highly effective. The collaboration that wikis encourage as tools for reviewing for tests is extraordinary and meaningful. Wikis also seem to provide a unique and creative authentic assessment.
Thing 8- Interesting RSS Feeds
During Thing 7 I spent a lot of time finding pertinent feeds, but I did add a Best of the Web blog for grammar in this activity. This feed provides all sorts of grammar hints and will be beneficial as we intensively teach grammar on a daily basis- it is BACK!
I was most intrigued in finding personal blogs. I just can't imagine having the time to blog on a personal and private level as some people do! Wow, this was eye-opening!
In case anyone were to find my posts interesting, I've added an RSS feed to this blog.
I was most intrigued in finding personal blogs. I just can't imagine having the time to blog on a personal and private level as some people do! Wow, this was eye-opening!
In case anyone were to find my posts interesting, I've added an RSS feed to this blog.
Thing 7- RSS Feeds
Since I haven't ever really used the internet for getting my daily news, it was a challenge for me to find 5 RSS feeds that I might actually enjoy. I did find that most major sites offer feeds and I think I will benefit from these as far as "ease of use" is concerned. Hopefully these feeds will keep me abreast of new and fresh ideas regarding teaching, parenting, and other things in which I am interested.
I can see this being beneficial for students during a project when students need to find specific information and I only want them to use certain resources. Providing them with an RSS feed will focus the searches of the students.
I can see this being beneficial for students during a project when students need to find specific information and I only want them to use certain resources. Providing them with an RSS feed will focus the searches of the students.
Thing 6- Copyrights & Fair Use
What have you been told that you may have discovered is incorrect?
I was under the impression that anything a person copies, including photos, needed to have credits given. I also thought that using any copyrighted material without permission was illegal.
What things that you believed about copyright have now been challenged?
I thought that copyright was cut and dry, but now I understand the concept of Fair Use. It is a relief to know that educators can use copyrighted material in their teaching without having to cut through a bunch of red tape.
What new things do you think you will incorporate into your teaching practice now that you know the reality vs. myths.
I won't be nervous to copy pages of a book or a photograph for use in a lesson. I will be more likely to incorporate these types of resources into my lessons.
I was under the impression that anything a person copies, including photos, needed to have credits given. I also thought that using any copyrighted material without permission was illegal.
What things that you believed about copyright have now been challenged?
I thought that copyright was cut and dry, but now I understand the concept of Fair Use. It is a relief to know that educators can use copyrighted material in their teaching without having to cut through a bunch of red tape.
What new things do you think you will incorporate into your teaching practice now that you know the reality vs. myths.
I won't be nervous to copy pages of a book or a photograph for use in a lesson. I will be more likely to incorporate these types of resources into my lessons.
Thing 5- Photo Mashups
Well, after this experience, I told my daughter that I just might have to join Facebook so that I can have the coolest wall! I love the character strips- you can do so much with these! I currently use a powerpoint slide for my daily agenda. I could see myself switching to a blog with many of these eye-catching tools! Or, at least applying them into my powerpoint slides. Now I am getting excited. How do you like my new header?
Thing 4- Photo Sharing
I recently spoke with another educator about the challenges of having students make connections between a piece of literature and their own experiences. One of her strategies was to display a photo or piece of visual art on her data projector that had an obvious connection between what her class was reading. The task was for students to use the visual as a writing prompt and comment on the connectivity. As the year progressed, the visuals became more obscure and less obvious and gradually students were able to stretch their thinking to create these connections. My first question for her was "Where do you find all of the pictures?"
Photo sharing is a perfect tool for finding these visual prompts and could be applied across the curriculum! I hadn't ever thought about the usefulness of photo sharing in the realm of school. It could be used endlessly in conjunction with teaching to show students photos of people and places they are studying. In a more dramatic manner, students could create photo essays and share them on Picasa. I'm sure the students could even come up with more creative and useful ideas.
Photo sharing is a perfect tool for finding these visual prompts and could be applied across the curriculum! I hadn't ever thought about the usefulness of photo sharing in the realm of school. It could be used endlessly in conjunction with teaching to show students photos of people and places they are studying. In a more dramatic manner, students could create photo essays and share them on Picasa. I'm sure the students could even come up with more creative and useful ideas.
Thing 3- 7 1/2 Habits
The easiest of the 7 1/2 habits for me to manage is the 4th one- having confidence in myself as a competent and effective learner. I can think of at least three areas of my life in which this habit applies.
1) My first instinct is to respond with my learning how to be an effective parent. I feel like I am fumbling through this particular challenge without knowing the answers to anything! I seek out and appreciate the advice of other resources that might be able to provide me with support or knowledge.
2) The second way that I feel like I am an effective learner is in my household projects. My dad happens to have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to home improvement. My husband and I bought a 100 year old house seven years ago and it has needed serious improvements! Throughout this time period, I have often sought the advice from my dad on how to fix things, starting first with changing a light fixture. Now I regularly complete plumbing, electrical, and construction, as well as aesthetic changes to the house. I attribute my success in this area only to taking the risk of learning how to accomplish these projects. The projects in and of themselves are quite easy, but my dad has taken the intimidation out of the equation and made learning the processes enjoyable.
3) I should probably comment on my teaching, as well. Within 4 years, I went from teaching 5th grade to 7th grade math to 7th grade language arts. Needless to say, one cannot be intimidated about learning when changing grade levels and subjects! Seeking the expertise of my colleagues is a daily occurrence!
The most difficult of the 7 1/2 habits for me to apply is definitely the concept of Play. Who has time for that!? My nature is very task-oriented and I am totally a list checker. Too many chores to do, too little time! In overcoming my difficulty with the idea of play, I am going to set aside time, just as I have carved out time for this course, to implement many of the Web 2.0 concepts into a family oriented blog space to share with relatives who are thousands of miles away. This will be my one and only New Year's Resolution!
1) My first instinct is to respond with my learning how to be an effective parent. I feel like I am fumbling through this particular challenge without knowing the answers to anything! I seek out and appreciate the advice of other resources that might be able to provide me with support or knowledge.
2) The second way that I feel like I am an effective learner is in my household projects. My dad happens to have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to home improvement. My husband and I bought a 100 year old house seven years ago and it has needed serious improvements! Throughout this time period, I have often sought the advice from my dad on how to fix things, starting first with changing a light fixture. Now I regularly complete plumbing, electrical, and construction, as well as aesthetic changes to the house. I attribute my success in this area only to taking the risk of learning how to accomplish these projects. The projects in and of themselves are quite easy, but my dad has taken the intimidation out of the equation and made learning the processes enjoyable.
3) I should probably comment on my teaching, as well. Within 4 years, I went from teaching 5th grade to 7th grade math to 7th grade language arts. Needless to say, one cannot be intimidated about learning when changing grade levels and subjects! Seeking the expertise of my colleagues is a daily occurrence!
The most difficult of the 7 1/2 habits for me to apply is definitely the concept of Play. Who has time for that!? My nature is very task-oriented and I am totally a list checker. Too many chores to do, too little time! In overcoming my difficulty with the idea of play, I am going to set aside time, just as I have carved out time for this course, to implement many of the Web 2.0 concepts into a family oriented blog space to share with relatives who are thousands of miles away. This will be my one and only New Year's Resolution!
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