Week 5... Site-tastic

Well.... I am really excited for using the stuff I've found in this class.  I keep talking to my students about what I'm doing in class and I am chomping at the bit to actually get it in the classroom.  
Currently, I'm working on a google site for my students and have added tons of useful links off of my other site which has kinda fallen to the wayside. I used to use wordpress...and would still like to, but the updating of the software, etc... is a pain.  Makes me want to go to the wordpress site and have them do it all for $15/year.

I also found a cool Web 2.0 tool and look forward to seeing what everyone else found.  I actually played with mine for quite a bit and plan to have my kids or my students also try it out.   Plus, by having more eyes out there, we are essentially crowdsourcing our search efforts for cool 2.0 tools.  We're livin' the dream!!  Crowdsourcing is the new crowdsurfing!!

Blogs, WIkis & Podcasts, Oh my!!

Well.... there is lots of good stuff to be used here.   First off, a Wiki/Blog is definitely on the list of things I am currently working on.  I am really excited for the assignment we have to do in creating a site.  Right now I'm thinking about making a google site, but I'm still thinking that perhaps Wordpress might also be a good option as well.

I also think screen casting would be a GREAT way to create walkthroughs for various  Web2.0 tools that we want to introduce our students to.  That way, instead of trying to make sure everyone works at the same speed, we can have them walk through it on their own and be available for questions and help if they don't understand the walk through.  

I foresee a lot of work being dun this summer on using these tools to prepare for next year!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Week 5 ... I think....

      RSS feeds are pretty keen.  As long as you can sort through the feeds and find quality stuff.  Having information delivered to your doorstep is a real boon.  I think it would also be a great source of information for students, as long as they can find appropriate sources. Which worries me a bit.  I've been slowly getting my students on google and once one of them found out that through customization they can add Yo Mama jokes as one of the customization bits in igoogle.  That wouldn't be an issue, except once we have 1-1 technology, will students be on task or looking at things not-so important.  
     However,  suppose learning how to manage your time on the internet is an important skill students will need to learn.

     As for the photo sharing, that was kinda fun.  I got to finally go play more with Flickr.  I've had an account since '06 and really haven't done much with it.  Granted, it's my personal one and I will probably need to make another one for school.  I'm a firm believer of keeping my school and personal information separate.
     As for how I would use it, I can see using it to have students create stories from pictures, take virtual trips or share stories about life in America.  I've been inspired to contact some of my friends overseas to see if they wouldn't be interested in doing a classroom connection.  I think it would be awesome to try and get my students in touch with other students around the world. Especially being ELL, it may inspire them to try harder if they have an actual audience.  I know I would strive to make fewer mistakes.