What does it all mean? It is so very important to keep on using technology and looking for ways to incorporate it into the students' educational process.
How has your thinking changed between Thing 1 and Thing 23? Has this program changed how you view the Internet or how view teaching in the digital world? This program has opened my eyes to more of what technology is out there in the digital world. It's helped me to think of new ways to apply these applications.
What plans have you made for using these tools in and out of the classroom? How will you continue to learn about Web 2.0 tools? My goals are to keep on using the links that we explored, keep working on utilizing technology for educational purposes, keep exploring technology applications that help me work more effectively, etc. I'm excited to keep on exploring and find more useful online applications. I hope to keep working through the award list from Thing 17.
What are your big "take aways" from this experience? I'm hooked on Google, TeacherTube, RSS, free online accounts, blogs, flickr, twitter, online productivity, wikis, podcasts, social bookmarking, and personal learning networks. I really like the flexibility, ease of use, creativity, plethera of information that goes along with these applications.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thing 22 - Online Video
You Tube is lots of fun. It's so easy to search and find funny videos.
I find useful videos on TeacherTube. They have great instructional videos (esp. math instruction) and fun ones that we use to start staff meetings.
You Tube is banned on our system.
I find useful videos on TeacherTube. They have great instructional videos (esp. math instruction) and fun ones that we use to start staff meetings.
You Tube is banned on our system.
Thing 21 - Your Heart Will Be All A Twitter
For practical purposes, Twitter shows the latest news, traffic, weather conditions, restaurants, etc. It keeps you connected to what's going on outside of work. Keeping in contact with friends seems like the most popular way to use it. It would be nice to have it up on my web browser.
I think I could use it to do a book study and exchange ideas with my personal learning network.
I think I could use it to do a book study and exchange ideas with my personal learning network.
Thing 20 - Bookmarking with del.icio.us
del.icio.us username = Anndeyoung
On thing I thought of was that this would be another way to do a webquest with students. In other words, students could be given a tag (such as writer's workshop 7) and then use the websites with that tag to complete tasks.
This will enhance my productivity by saving time in searching. It also helps me to find better sites that have already been checked out by others.
On thing I thought of was that this would be another way to do a webquest with students. In other words, students could be given a tag (such as writer's workshop 7) and then use the websites with that tag to complete tasks.
This will enhance my productivity by saving time in searching. It also helps me to find better sites that have already been checked out by others.
Thing 19 - Introduction to Social Bookmarking
Tagging is a useful way to organize your digital resources, because it helps to organize the oodles of information. It's like a filing system.
The main thing is that you want tags to be useful and efficient. Therefore, it's good to use commonly used tags so that your items are easy to find (for you and others). Also, be sure to use punctuation carefully and in a limited way. Capitals and blank spaces are not needed.
The main thing is that you want tags to be useful and efficient. Therefore, it's good to use commonly used tags so that your items are easy to find (for you and others). Also, be sure to use punctuation carefully and in a limited way. Capitals and blank spaces are not needed.
Thing 18 - Building Your Personal Learning Network
I see quite a few opportunities - educational research, help from peers, collaboration, how-to's, ideas from other districts in a cost-effective way. It's like a virtual educational conference (without the high cost of attending a national conference).
There could be a few problems. For example, you don't know with whom you are communicating.
There could be a few problems. For example, you don't know with whom you are communicating.
Thing 17 - More Web 2.0 Winners
I already use some of the award winners (e.g., Craigslist, Etsy, GoogleDocs, Google Maps, You Tube, Monster, etc.).
I tried out Im Cooked and Revolution Health. They both have excellent search options to speed up the processing of finding exactly what you're looking for. Im Cooked is and "You Tube" for cooks and more for pleasure, but there could be classroom applications, especially if you were attempting to cook some historical recipes. Revolution Health would be an excellent tool for Health class (as long as the school district approved of it). It has lots of good tips on healthy living that would be good to use with students.
I tried out Im Cooked and Revolution Health. They both have excellent search options to speed up the processing of finding exactly what you're looking for. Im Cooked is and "You Tube" for cooks and more for pleasure, but there could be classroom applications, especially if you were attempting to cook some historical recipes. Revolution Health would be an excellent tool for Health class (as long as the school district approved of it). It has lots of good tips on healthy living that would be good to use with students.
Thing 16 - Teach Digital
These videos ring true. Students are very visual. Film clips can be very effective ways to make a point, for example.
Students need choices, multiple ways to learn, process learning, and practice with some kind of performing arts (not just traditional methods).
Students need choices, multiple ways to learn, process learning, and practice with some kind of performing arts (not just traditional methods).
Thing 15 - How to Use Podcasts in Schools
Using podcasts in the classroom makes lots of sense. Students would key into the instruction and want to be involved with it.
The video showed one place to find them. Teacher Tube is something we already use. I've seen them in other places, too. Our district supports the creative use of technology. I do not expect any push back, because we look for lots of varied ways to meet students' learning needs.
The video showed one place to find them. Teacher Tube is something we already use. I've seen them in other places, too. Our district supports the creative use of technology. I do not expect any push back, because we look for lots of varied ways to meet students' learning needs.
Thing 14 - Learn About Podcasting
In order to help students learn, podcasting utilizes another modality.
I would like to use podcasts from authors so that students could learn more about the writing process and about the creative process. This method is much more cost-effective than bringing in a speaker to a school!
I would like to use podcasts from authors so that students could learn more about the writing process and about the creative process. This method is much more cost-effective than bringing in a speaker to a school!
Four Steps For Better PowerPoint Presentations
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Thing 13 - Sharing Your Vision
Online slideshows are great ways to have visual lessons on hand. Visual = memorable.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thing 12 - Productivity Anywhere
I've been checking out a few different spots. It's amazing how much you can do.
30 Boxes was a great spot to post a calendar of events and to connect to other accounts (blogs, etc.). It even shows the weather for your area on the calendar. It would be a good place to post classroom assignments due dates, upcoming field trips, etc. It could take the place of a printed classroom newsletter. You could put news items in date boxes that don't have any events. I did put my blog address into it, but it's not real clean. I'll need to play around with it some more.
I love Google Docs. I really see my self using that so that I can access things from anywhere.
30 Boxes was a great spot to post a calendar of events and to connect to other accounts (blogs, etc.). It even shows the weather for your area on the calendar. It would be a good place to post classroom assignments due dates, upcoming field trips, etc. It could take the place of a printed classroom newsletter. You could put news items in date boxes that don't have any events. I did put my blog address into it, but it's not real clean. I'll need to play around with it some more.
I love Google Docs. I really see my self using that so that I can access things from anywhere.
Thing 11 - Online Productivity Applications
Google Docs is a great way to be productive from any location. It's nice to be able to save things online for access and for collaboration.
I would think that Microsoft would be a bit nervous. I can see why Google's stocks keep going up.
Students can use Docs to do their work from various locations (e.g., library, friends' house, school).
It's a great tech. tool.
I would think that Microsoft would be a bit nervous. I can see why Google's stocks keep going up.
Students can use Docs to do their work from various locations (e.g., library, friends' house, school).
It's a great tech. tool.
Thing 10 - Create a Wiki
Creating a Wiki was easy. I am wondering how to link my Wiki with my Blog. I tried a few ways and explored the help areas, but didn't see it.
I could see my self using the Wiki for professional collaboration, student group projects, student assessments, discussion groups, etc.
I could see my self using the Wiki for professional collaboration, student group projects, student assessments, discussion groups, etc.
Thing 9 - Wikis
The Cool Cat Teacher is an amazing compilation of wiki, blogs, video, etc., all in the name of teaching. The author has taken all of the best of technology and incorporated it all into one site. From what I gather from her postings, her students really are engaged and the assessment pieces she uses get into authentic learning.
Library Success demonstrates lot of great ways to use wikis and other technology applications. It creates a new niche for libraries - gathering information from library users (instead of just providing information for users).
Wikispaces for Educators has a free place for educators to set up a wiki account. This is a great way to collaborate with students and with other educators.
Library Success demonstrates lot of great ways to use wikis and other technology applications. It creates a new niche for libraries - gathering information from library users (instead of just providing information for users).
Wikispaces for Educators has a free place for educators to set up a wiki account. This is a great way to collaborate with students and with other educators.
I would like to experiment with creating and using a wiki. I think it would be a good place for educators to review, edit, and discuss curriculum documents that are in review.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thing 8
Google RSS was the easiest for me. I couldn't get to Feedster - the page wouldn't load. Topix is useful. It's nice that it loads your local info. on the home page. That's very easy. Blog Pulse had lots of junk mail/advertisements.
Thing 7 RSS
What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
I really like the quick access to lots of custom news sources. I've set up some news sources for things that are important to me: my school district, my son's college, etc. The best parts are that it's easy and free!
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?
Currently, I use it to keep up with the latest news. This helps in school and in my personal life. In school, I can use RSS to get the latest news for student activities. Personally, it helps me to know what's going on.
I really like the quick access to lots of custom news sources. I've set up some news sources for things that are important to me: my school district, my son's college, etc. The best parts are that it's easy and free!
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?
Currently, I use it to keep up with the latest news. This helps in school and in my personal life. In school, I can use RSS to get the latest news for student activities. Personally, it helps me to know what's going on.
Thing 6 - Tech. Thoughts
Technology is a great tool for educating students; however, as with most tools, it has procedures that need to be taught, cautions that need to be monitored, etc. Teachers are using more and more technology in classrooms.
I do like to use technology. I especially like the instructional videos on Teacher Tube, digital cameras for classroom instruction, and distance learning for virtual field trips.
As we continue to use technology, it's important for educators to guard copyrights and instruct students on correct usage.
I do like to use technology. I especially like the instructional videos on Teacher Tube, digital cameras for classroom instruction, and distance learning for virtual field trips.
As we continue to use technology, it's important for educators to guard copyrights and instruct students on correct usage.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)