Tuesday, July 14, 2009
One Last Thing
Learning how to create a Wiki was the most difficult thing, but I felt so accomplished when I completed the task. I still haven't been able to figure out Flickr letters, but I will!!!! The instructions on how to do everything we easy to follow so I shouldn't have had any problems. Sometimes it takes me experimenting with stuff to get it. I just need to experiment more.
I feel more comfortable with this technology and have even shown a couple of my teammates what I have learned. I'm hoping that since I can apply the things I've learned that I will want to keep up with any new developments.
Once again, I want to say I have learned so so much and I have told so many people about this class. They are excited about the course and that is just from what I have told them.
Thanks for an educational journey!
Thing #23
I joined the TeacherLibrarianNing. Of course it was created by Dr. Joyce Valenza so it was full of useful discussions. I also joined Texas School Librarians. The thought of communicating with fellow librarians at all levels is an exciting concept for me. This being my first year I want to have as much input to make the library program at my school the best it can be. Connecting with people who have been where I am will save me time and mistakes.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thing #22
I do think it would be a good place to keep in touch with relatives and to share photos. Which I usually do through email. I understand the importance though of being aware of this type of communication and my ability to work with it.
Here is my Facebook!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Thing #7b
Thing #21
Google Calendar is something I have used at work. I used it mainly to remind me of places or things I had to be at or do. The popup feature is a saving aspect of the calendar for me. The calendar could be used for more than my personal schedule. A list of due dates, activites, or holiday for school could be published. Just like all other aspects of Google, if you have Internet access you have access to the calendar.
Another feature of Google I explored was Google Alerts. I have several interests and it was difficult which ones I wanted to be notified about. I liked the idea of the topics being narrowed down for me. I didn't have to search for what I was interested in. Students could use this for getting information on a particular topic they are studying. Since the posts are put up all day long the information would be current. Students could track statistics of sports team without the "paper." I'm sure students would rather use the Internet versus a newspaper.
My one concern with the alerts is the bias of articles. If a contributor supports a particular political party his/her entry may not be totally objective, as in newspapers.
Thing #20
I created a spreadsheet for scheduling library checkout times using GoogleDocs. I could easily send this out to the campus for the teachers to schedule their times. As long as no one changed anybody else's time. Last year I completed a survey for the library using SurveyMonkey, but this would be better because it is free.
Teachers could share documents or forms they created with other grade levels or campuses. The possibilties for its use are multiple. The best thing I think about GoogleDocs, and I stated this above, is not having to save to a zip-drive or print the document out. As long as you have access to the Internet you have the document with you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thing #19
Some of my favorite VoiceThreads were Science Fair. I could use this to demonstrate to the students what their projects should like. I thought Sarah Marie did a great job on Geometry. Gives me ideas for ways to use this.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thing #18
I put in the key words "earth science" and the first video I came up with had a couple of heated comments. Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics (clip) It was interesting reading the discussion. Most of the time all I read is just feedback on the video and it is usually very positive. This one had me thinking about the video a little more. Why Earth Science, posted below, would be good to introduce the Earth Science Unit. The idea that it is only about 6 minutes long is great.
Another video I viewed was off the TeacherTube titled: Book Review: Ms. Todd is Odd. It was created with an animated paper cutout. Glog Book Review: One Potato Two Potato was yet another video with a book review using the same type animation. I had seen this before and want to know how to do it.
There were several videos that I watched just for fun. I embeded one of my favorites in my Wiki.
Thing #17
Another podcast that was entertaining and informative was Geek!Ed! I listened to one of the podcasts on Technology in Education. The reason I say one is that the podcasts averaged 40 minutes. I subscribed to this podcast through my Google Reader and iTunes. I don’t really have the patience to sit and listen to something for that long but while I’m driving or walking I can listen on my iPod.
I feel that podcasts could be used for learning a new language, students sharing their work or reviews, or students who need to hear information more than once. I had a fellow teacher who recorded her spelling words so students could “ hear” them all during the week. Another idea would have students record their multiplication facts to listen to later.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thing #16
I found an interesting group discussing banned books. The discussion included a list of the American Booksellers Foundation “Banned Books.” The list contained the school district that wanted the books banned and the reasons behind the banning request. Pretty fascinating read! I was surprised at some of the books on the list. The Giver by Lois Lowry and Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya were just two. The controversy over Bless Me Ultima was really surprising. All it made me want to do was read the books!
I created a LibraryThing account in hopes that maybe I will use it for my classroom catalog.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thing #15
I don't think I would have students create Wikis, at least not with my teaching them, but I think I could create one for a class or group to use.
I still want to learn how to do some of the "stuff" I saw on other Wiki pages. Selena's was awesome! And I still can't figure out the flickr letters that Angie used on her Wiki. I will not give up on figuring it out.
The link to my personal sandbox page is What a Wiki!
Thing #14 Stretch
I typed in Harley Davidson and was led to the history of the HD motorcycle. I wasn't that knowledgeable about the topic so I wouldn't know if the information was accurate. There were several citations made in the article so I guess the info could be easily checked out.
Then I went to the discussion page and discovered others had issues with some of the material. There was an entry discussing the status of the HD article in regards to Good Article status. The HD article had fallen out of favor in its ranking as a "good article." I skimmed down and most of the problem was with citing of information. When I went to the "editing" page I didn't quite understand if the edits had been made or if this was the page I could edit. I clicked on some of the edits and didn't get it. The "history" button actually took me to where people had made the edits.
There are a lot of people out there that know or think they know about different subjects. I guess I will keep verifying any information through a variety of sources.
Thing #14
I just completed the Essentials Online Intel class where we used a wiki. It was basic compared to some of the wikis I previewed. After reading some of the student entries and seeing the interaction I feel I shorted my students last year. How much they (and I) would have enjoyed doing this! After creating a wiki for a class/group, I want to further pursue the use of photographs, charts, timelines by the students in the wiki. I was impressed with Go West and the third graders work. This site included all of the extras I want to try. It appeared each student could create using a tool(s) of their choice. (time-line, journal entry) This would address the learning needs of all students.
Another Wiki I liked was Welcome to Room 15. This demonstrated the interaction and collaboration between students and with the teacher. The wiki had several categories that students could contribute. A couple of these were the Classroom Journal and The Newsroom. I think this would allow students of varying abilities to be able to participate. The wiki also encouraged students and parents to edit work, so it was not limited just to the classroom.
The final wiki I want to comment on is the primary one Kindergarten Counting Book and Primary Math. How awesome to know that even the youngest of students can participate with technology. Most of my experience has been with primary students just working with software that was preloaded on a computer. It didn't allow for much creativity or imagination. I realize the kids had a lot of assistance but the opportunity for them to experience this is great. Hopefully, the rest of the primary grades would continues to use wikis to build on the students' knowledge. It will help the intermediate teachers to transition the kids to more advanced use of technology.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thing #13
I also like the fact I can categorize my bookmarks with tags. I went to my Yahoo Bookmarks and discovered I could do the same but there were several other amenities that weren’t offered. Yahoo wouldn’t allow me to share my bookmarks or to see others’ bookmarks. Delicious not only allowed me to share my bookmarks, but I was able to determine how and to whom they were to be shared with. I could group the bookmarks in a variety of ways.
I could use this when I wanted to have students view specific resources.
The link to my Delicious is http://delicious.com/babybiker.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thing #7a
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thing #12
Thing #11
on that. I could use this for a posting of students work or them in working on a project.
The picture depicts how I felt before I started this class and sometimes during the class. I made this using Famous People's Custom Quotes on Comic Strip Generator. I shared this with my son and know he has made several for himself. This would be fun to use as a motivator. Create cartoons with the kids favortie characters giving them directions.
I tried creating at least one thing using the others so I could get the practice. The sign at the top of my blog and the heart on the side were created using Image Chef. I am still working on using Spell with Flickr. I will figure it out! I know when I figure out Flickr I will have hundreds of ideas for its use!!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thing #10
This was fun and not as difficult as I thought it would be. I did have trouble with someone else's slide show posting to my blog. They were very nice pictures of her family and friends. Don't ask me how I resolved it. I tried too many things. The only other problem I had was the amount of time I took trying out all the different effects. I think I exhausted all of them. When I get through with this post I am going to create a slide show with my personal pictures of my nieces.
Photographs are attributed to:
Good Day Sunshine by fangleman
Sunshine Daisies by tassiesim
Summer Suns by Bitterroot
Sweet Sunshine and Endless Sky by Chad Johnson
The Sun Watches by amcdaniel183
Bring Me Sunshine by stuant63
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thing #9
This was one of the most fun and frustrating "things" so far. I spent more than the suggested time searching Flickr and even more time trying to figure out how to do "stuff" with some of the pictures. I found some wonderful pictures and ideas for future use and even a couple of blogs that I subscribed to. The wide variety of pictures available for use will allow me to enhance my presentations.
I discovered I needed to think about how I searched for a topic. Ceramic sun also gave me "laying ceramic tile in the sun room." I got better as I went on. The only problem I had was trying to download the letters that were used on the 23 Things page. I am usually good at figuring things out, but no matter what I did I couldn't get it to work like I wanted. I will get it though!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thing #8
The only problem is I haven't ever seen, or recall seeing, this logo on any websites I have visited. I attempted a search of websites that would require some type of permission for use and only found the copyright logo. I will keep looking.
If students were creating a product that would be put on the school website, a web-page, or blog, this would be beneficial in helping them stay within the appropriate use of resources. Some students and adults tend to copy and paste without much consideration for the legality of use. I have used digital images, audio and video from the web in production of material I wanted to present to the students. I have assisted the students in the use of these resources for use in their work. This will make me stop and take a closer look at what I am doing and allowing the students to use.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thing #7
I sometimes feel as a technology novice I am not as well spoken as others. When the blog involves discussion about technology I tend to be more conservative in my comments. As I gain confidence in my knowledge and abilities I figure I'll express my myself more.
Commenting on blogs opens a window for conversation. Usually the bloggers have common interests. Getting feedback or responses to an entry on a blog also makes you feel like what you have to share is worth reading. Hearing from people, whether they agree with you or not, allows an understanding of others views and maybe gives insight into ideas not considered.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thing #6
I did find some "useful" not just fun or entertaining sites. My favorite so far is School Library Journal. I have enjoyed reading articles by Joyce Valenza Ph.D. in the past. Now, I will be connected every time she adds an article.
This feed also allows access to other articles and information that School Library Journal has to offer. Book reviews, educational technology, and curriculum connections are just a few of the links. This is a great resource.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thing #5
Thing #4
I enjoyed reading the blog on Powerpoint Reform: a first chapter. I have taught 4th grade for years and haven't had much opportunity for students to create powerpoints, but as a person who has had to create a few myself this was right on target. The author wrote the blog as an instructional piece and was easy to follow. I will use this blog when instructing students on creating powerpoints and I will refer to it often when I am creating my own!
Another blog that made me rethink my teaching was How to Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci. It didn't hurt that when you opened the page it had it was nominated for one of the most influential posts for 2007. That piqued my interest! So many times I "decide" where I want my students to go. The blog reminded me of how I need to let go and let my students discover their learning. I highly recommend all teachers read this blog and refer back to it often.
An Environmental Break-Why Can't We Do This? was not my favorite blog to read, but I understand the usefulness. I can see the use of a blog to discuss controversial topics and get responses from people of different opinions. This blog would allow students to see other sides of issues and better form their own ideas on the topic. Allowing students to link sites that support their side could be added to the blog.
The cutest blog was A Duck with a Blog. I loved reading the 2nd graders theories. Where did they come up with those ideas? Allowing the students to write about something as simple as what they saw on their playground gave them the opportunity to use their creative thinking skills to come up with their theories. This is a great way to share their thoughts about the ducks but it also allows them to practice their writing skills. Believe me, coming from the view of a 4th grade teacher, this is very important.
Overall I discovered a variety of uses for blogs and I am excited about using them in this coming school year.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Things #2
Integration of other subjects, cross-curricular planning, kids actively involved, motivated learners, the opportunity for parents to be engaged in their child's learning what more could you ask for. Now all I have to do is learn how to do this.
The possibility this technology offers is great. I want to know how to "syndicate" and "aggregate."
Thing #1
A habit I think will be easiest or a challenge, depending on how you look at it, is the playing. I have no problem with playing around. As I mentioned above I can get sidetracked changing, searching, or trying to figure things out. This is most true when I'm on the computer. I've left typing this blog three times to look up stuff.
Using technology to my advantage is definitely the most important habit for me. I want to learn as much about 23 things as possible. Being able to use this technology in my everyday life and in my teaching can only make everything more interesting and fun. I want to be knowledgable enough to share what I will learn with others.