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!!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Web 2.0 Tools
Well... this class is giving me a renewed interest in trying this with my students. Because I teach ELL, I have smaller numbers.... so it may make it easier to get into the computer lab, or let my students use my computer on a rotating basis to do things online. The problem comes if I want to get them all on at the same time to do something. I introduced them to TweenTribune.com at the beginning of the year with hopes of doing more with it... but unfortunately, it's so difficult to get computer time.
The articles I've been reading for class gave me a few ideas on how to make it work as well. I have a few students who really don't care how poor their writing is... but if I can get the principal or the vice-principal on a class blog site or forum, I think that would help. Even if they don't really ever look at it, just knowing that they're members might encourage them to write.
I also found another site recently called pixton.com which is for making online comic strips and is all drag and drop.
Which reminds me, I keep meaning to make a google doc with my non-school account for all of the links that we all use. I think it would be great to get all of my classmates to post the links that they've actually used for something so with some comments instead of finding what we thing is a great site, bookmarking it and then forgetting it. Plus,when this class is over, I (and anyone else) who used a different account to link to it will be able to access it.
My mind is on the holiday... so that may explain why I'm all over in this post.
The articles I've been reading for class gave me a few ideas on how to make it work as well. I have a few students who really don't care how poor their writing is... but if I can get the principal or the vice-principal on a class blog site or forum, I think that would help. Even if they don't really ever look at it, just knowing that they're members might encourage them to write.
I also found another site recently called pixton.com which is for making online comic strips and is all drag and drop.
Which reminds me, I keep meaning to make a google doc with my non-school account for all of the links that we all use. I think it would be great to get all of my classmates to post the links that they've actually used for something so with some comments instead of finding what we thing is a great site, bookmarking it and then forgetting it. Plus,when this class is over, I (and anyone else) who used a different account to link to it will be able to access it.
My mind is on the holiday... so that may explain why I'm all over in this post.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Session 6 - Digital Therapy
Wow.... class went by quick. Being busy at school and home sure makes your head spin. I look forward to having a little more time over winter break to play with some of the sites we used in class, as well as another site I found during class. I was looking for a fun way to get kids to write. Prezi is defiantly high up on the list in my eyes, but I also found Pixton.com, which is a really, really cool drag and drop comic strip website. Best part is individual accounts are free, although you can sign up as a teacher and get a class in for about $50 if my memory is correct.
It is also interesting to listen to the reviews of all of the keen gadgets out there. The one that I really thought was super cool was actually when Louie pulled up that printer that would scan an insane about of paper into PDF files in a short time. I see this as being the future. The only problem is, all of the digital book readers can't change the font size on PDFs like they can with digital books. You can zoom in, but then you have to scroll left to right in addition to up and down to read it. I want a hand held device that will allow me to zoom in and adjust the number of pages, just like a digital book does. Then, I would be the first in line to buy one. I've got a TON of PDFs. Does anyone out there use a Kindle, Nook or other device that can comment on how PDFs look on them?
It is also interesting to listen to the reviews of all of the keen gadgets out there. The one that I really thought was super cool was actually when Louie pulled up that printer that would scan an insane about of paper into PDF files in a short time. I see this as being the future. The only problem is, all of the digital book readers can't change the font size on PDFs like they can with digital books. You can zoom in, but then you have to scroll left to right in addition to up and down to read it. I want a hand held device that will allow me to zoom in and adjust the number of pages, just like a digital book does. Then, I would be the first in line to buy one. I've got a TON of PDFs. Does anyone out there use a Kindle, Nook or other device that can comment on how PDFs look on them?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Class #5
I've been soo busy this week I forgot to blog. So I apologize to those who were looking for a place to comment.
I really enjoyed seeing all of the differen Prezis. I really like them and want to figure out a way to use them in class. The only problem is that we don't have enough computers in our school to actually get it easily or frequently enough for a project like that. I am also one of the few teachers w/out a Smart Board in my school. Ironic since I'm such a nerd.
I have really enjoyed this class and there is a lot I will be taking away with me. Some will end up in the classroom and other stuff will just be for me.
I really enjoyed seeing all of the differen Prezis. I really like them and want to figure out a way to use them in class. The only problem is that we don't have enough computers in our school to actually get it easily or frequently enough for a project like that. I am also one of the few teachers w/out a Smart Board in my school. Ironic since I'm such a nerd.
I have really enjoyed this class and there is a lot I will be taking away with me. Some will end up in the classroom and other stuff will just be for me.
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