WOW! What a journey. I began this journey last summer and had to carry it over into the fall session. It has been fun and I felt a little overwhelmed at times, but I have learned or experienced so many new tools. I hope I remember what I need to know when the opportunity arises to use my newly acquired knowledge.
While the class is very informative, it does require a lot of time. I think the weekly required time commitment should be increased. Give the new recruits a good aspect of the time commitment. Regardless of the times commitment, this is a fun course using a lot of new tools.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thing #23
I really don't foresee adding Twitter to my curriculum. I understand that you could post updates and pictures of projects onto the site, so I may be too harsh. But with 7th graders, I don't think they are ready to post and appropriately respond on Twitterl
Thing #22
Social Networking is the new email. I have a Facebook account and that's how I keep up with my friends. I don't have to send individual emails, and I don't have to have a second program open. Facebook is how I keep up with my new granddaughter. They post pictures, tell me what they are doing and I can download the pictures and have them printed. My son was never good at phone calls so this is a great help.
Thing #21
We've been using Google SketchUp in my Tech class for almost two years. The students really like the program. It allows them to draw 3D pictures or models. They also can go online and add a shape or figure to their sketching. Each year the students seem to enjoy this activity and they continue to get better! I'm not at school so I'm not able to include a link to a completed project.
Google Sketch Up is a free downloadable program
Google Sketch Up is a free downloadable program
Thing #19
I'm not real fond of VoiceThread, maybe I'm missing its importance. It's similar to listening in on an active podcast or someone's conversation. I can understand that it could be helpful in a classroom Students in one class could collaborate with another class, discuss a current event or topic. It think this would be fun especially if the class is in a different state or country.
This VoiceThread is more of a game, Guess The Movie.
This VoiceThread is more of a game, Guess The Movie.
Thing #18
I could spend hours on YouTube, so I stay away. People send me links and I'll watch them but I seldom go search myself. Why? Because I would get overwhelmed with the choices and the number of videos available. There are some that make you wonder, "Do these people watch the video before they post it??" There are also some good educational videos and I looked under the CATE category. YouTube and TeacherTube offer video clips for most subjects and categories. A good tool to focus your students, add to a lesson, or teach them how to do something new.
What I'm posting is "very educational" to someone. I think we should all prepare for a fun, active holiday season so here's a "how-to" video. Watch it and you will learn how to do the wobble dance!
What I'm posting is "very educational" to someone. I think we should all prepare for a fun, active holiday season so here's a "how-to" video. Watch it and you will learn how to do the wobble dance!
Thing #20
I've been using Google Docs for the past year. When the Tech teachers had their Staff Development, the agenda and other information was posted and shared on Google Docs. We shared many activities and projects through Google Docs this past summer during a conference. It is a great tool for easily sharing documents.
Currently, our school is sharing a documentation spreadsheet to keep track of behavior issues, detentions, and parent contacts. It's so easy to use and saves time! One short posting and all of the team teachers have access to the good or bad behavior notes.
Three ideas: 1) a checkout list to track and monitor the cameras in Yearbook, 2) a spreadsheet that allows interns to sign-up for activities and school events, and 3) sharing Info. Tech assignments that have been created by different teachers.
Currently, our school is sharing a documentation spreadsheet to keep track of behavior issues, detentions, and parent contacts. It's so easy to use and saves time! One short posting and all of the team teachers have access to the good or bad behavior notes.
Three ideas: 1) a checkout list to track and monitor the cameras in Yearbook, 2) a spreadsheet that allows interns to sign-up for activities and school events, and 3) sharing Info. Tech assignments that have been created by different teachers.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thing #17
I selected two podcasts, Teachers Teaching Teachers and The Tech Teachers. Honestly, I'm not too fond of the podcast. It's like listening to talk radio and I get "bored" too quickly. I thought The Tech Teachers might be interesting but it took too long to get to the information. They do a lot of conversational chit-chat before they get to the real information. They are a husband and wife team of teachers and its the same as listening to their dinner conversation.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thing #16
I love to read and am a member to an online book club. I would love to participate in a bookclub. The Library Thing is a close second to a participating in a book club. I can create a list of my books, talk about the books I've read or want to read, and find recommendations of books to add to my list. I took the tour, joined, and started creating a list of my books. This will take some time to learn all of the details but I can see a lot of potential and fun discussions. I often want to discuss a book's ending with other readers. This site will let me do just that.
In my Tech classroom, I don't see a use for this site. However, the reading classes or English classes should be able to incorporate this site into their lessons, Check it out, especially in you are a reader.
In my Tech classroom, I don't see a use for this site. However, the reading classes or English classes should be able to incorporate this site into their lessons, Check it out, especially in you are a reader.
Thing #15
I played around with Delicious and added a few people to my network. This is a site that I think I would use a lot once I know a little more. It would be nice to have all of my bookmarked sites in one place. Currently, each computer has a list of bookmarked sites. If I'm at a different computer I may not remember my bookmarked sites. Most of my bookmarked sites or personal or bill paying sites so I'm not sure I would want to share them. Again, something new I've learned with a lot of potential. I need more time!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thing #7A/B
I have two items I want to share. The first is from Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero, Top 25 Sites of 2010. Obviously this is a list of the author's favorite websites. They are all sites recommended for educators and students. Go check it out, you might find something useful for your classroom. This blogger also has a post on Top 10 Sites for Creating Tests and Quizzes.
There's another blog that really interested me. It's not a recent post but the information is timely. It's about Character Education and is written by J. Steve Miller. He provides resources for teachers of life skills and character education, and shouldn't that be all of us to some extent. My plan is to use some of his celebrity stories about character as warm-ups in my classroom. He does offer a complete program with Lesson Plans and worksheets for a small subscription fee.
There's another blog that really interested me. It's not a recent post but the information is timely. It's about Character Education and is written by J. Steve Miller. He provides resources for teachers of life skills and character education, and shouldn't that be all of us to some extent. My plan is to use some of his celebrity stories about character as warm-ups in my classroom. He does offer a complete program with Lesson Plans and worksheets for a small subscription fee.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thing #14
These are some fun tools that could take up my entire evening. So I limited myself to two tools, Wordle and Blabberize. I think my students would like Wordle because they love to write their name (as long as its not on an assignment) and the names of their friends. This would also be one way to get the students to add words to a word wall.
Blabberize is so much fun. My granddaughter isn't old enough to talk but tonight she told me she's excited about coming to see me. I'm her favorite person!
I plan to create a list of these free sites for my students. They will be fun, learning sites for the "what do I do now?" times.
Blabberize is so much fun. My granddaughter isn't old enough to talk but tonight she told me she's excited about coming to see me. I'm her favorite person!
I plan to create a list of these free sites for my students. They will be fun, learning sites for the "what do I do now?" times.
Thing #13 - Flower Mosaic
Hi! It's been a while but I'm back and I'm going to finish this class. Here's my Flower Mosaic made from my favorite flower pictures on Flickr. This was easy to make and I will use it again. I used Mosaic Maker.
It was as simple as selecting flowers and adding them to my Favorites. Mosaic Maker takes you step-by-step through the process. Upload your own photos and make a mosaic...its fun.
I think my students will enjoy using this website. They could bring their pictures from home or select a subject and locate pictures. I like the fact that Mosaic Maker automatically creates a list of photo credits.
This was created with Image Chef. Select the photo frame and upload your picture. How easy is that!
1. Flowers, 2. Mac Flower 142 Wild tiny flower from Drigg's dunes 02-05-2009, 3. Wild Flowers, 4. Wild Flowers, 5. Wild flower., 6. Neckles Of Wild Flower, 7. FLOWER in NARAN,PAKISTAN, 8. Small yellow wild flower ( Buttercup), 9. wild flowers II, 10. ~ Wild Flowers ~, 11. A mixture of lovely flowers, 12. Flower / Pink Flower / Pink Lotus Flower Macro: IMG_4931, 13. Open for business, 14. White Flower, 15. wild flowers, 16. Pink Flower, Oxalis Weed Macro
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thing #12 - Slideshow
Yeah, I made the slide show. Really, it was very easy. I've made DVD's for family reunions with my mother's old pictures. This was much easier, of course it's a lot shorter too. I took my slide show's name from my Wiki page; Sun, Sand, & Technology. I added Kindles to represent reading and technology and the beach pictures. I hope you enjoy it. The music is a little loud but it fit so perfectly, Summer Sunshine by Amy Powers.
Okay, I'm not too happy with the results. It said the pictures were too small and I think the resolution is wrong because many of the pictures are not clear. Next time I will use a different site.
Photo credits:
Okay, I'm not too happy with the results. It said the pictures were too small and I think the resolution is wrong because many of the pictures are not clear. Next time I will use a different site.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com
Photo credits:
- Kindling by andyi.
- Time for a tour by mode.
- Young girl on the beach by State Library and Archives of Florida.
- South Beach Staten Island by U. S. National Archives.
- Autumn Swell by midlander1231.
- Reading a Kindle by AGeekMom.
- What...no surfers! by midlander1231.
- Stuck together by mode.
- Time to jump by mode.
- Friends posing on Kirra Beach by State Library of Queensland, Australia.
- The Place You Have Come by mode.
- Sand Key Beach, Clearwater, FL by Vladimir Illich.
Thing #11 - Flickr
ne more place on the web to spend my time. I could spend hours looking through the photos and playing with this site. This will be a great site to use in my classroom. The Yearbook class can use it for their posters and ads. The Tech Ed class makes cards, invitations, and other desktop publishing products. I can safely let them choose images and photos from this site. I see the potential of this becoming a class favorite site. I have access on my server for the students to use clipart that I have purchased. I can easily see their library growing as they find favorite images that I can add to the library.
looked for beach pictures because I LOVE the beach. It's not really an educational topic but will make a great slide show to show my classes. They could create their own fantasy vacation trip! I discovered that the best pictures were not found when I searched for "beach". I also looked for ocean, sand, and sea. My favorite pictures were found when I searched for "ocean." Pay attention to the tags. Below is one of my favorite ocean pictures.
ou were correct when you said "Playing with these tools could be habit-forming." I spent way too much time on this Thing when you consider that I'm behind and so many more to do. I can see my Yearbook/Newspaper class having fun with this site. We often look for clipart to take up space in the newspaper but this will be much more fun!
I'm glad other people are willing and eager to share their photos. I would not mind sharing any photos that do not include people. Unfortunately, that's mostly what I take at this point. I have a new camera and this site inspires me to get more creative.
All letter images created by Spell with Flickr, using Flickr One Letter photo pool.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thing #10 - Creative Commons
I'll admit here, within the confines of my blog, that I don't may attention to most copyrights. I know about the copyright laws so I can't claim ignorance...completely. I just always thought if it was an image on the internet we could use it. Unless...it was Disney, Warner Bros., etc. So I do pay attention to some copyrights. I've never noticed the CC logo. I must not be paying attention.
Most of what I have used are images and clip art. I use Microsoft's site a lot because I know we have permission to use the clip art. I warn my students about downloading from the web and tell them they have to get permission from me first; Again, its mostly images that they are using in a project.
I think this is a great tool to use and to teach our students to use. I talk about copyright laws with them but don't follow through with monitoring. I plan to teach them about CC and introduce them to the CC Search tool. I did not like the other two search tools as well. I thought the CC Search tool was easy to navigate and looks most like what students are used to seeing.
I would love to have access to some of the videos and lessons used in this class. I think I'll try to find out if they are part of CC.
Most of what I have used are images and clip art. I use Microsoft's site a lot because I know we have permission to use the clip art. I warn my students about downloading from the web and tell them they have to get permission from me first; Again, its mostly images that they are using in a project.
I think this is a great tool to use and to teach our students to use. I talk about copyright laws with them but don't follow through with monitoring. I plan to teach them about CC and introduce them to the CC Search tool. I did not like the other two search tools as well. I thought the CC Search tool was easy to navigate and looks most like what students are used to seeing.
I would love to have access to some of the videos and lessons used in this class. I think I'll try to find out if they are part of CC.
Thing #9 - Sun, Sand, & Technology
Whew!! I finally finished my Wiki page; Sun, Sand, & Technology. It took a little longer than I expected but it was fun. I had a few problems getting started. I wasn't sure what to do after I created an account but a classmate told me to wait for acceptance and then it will say, New Page. After that, it was fairly smooth sailing.
I'm thinking that I could have a Wiki page for my class and let the students create a page and use it for notes, assignments, or something. Do you think I should have a Wiki for the course or should I create a Wiki for each class period? I'm definitely using these new tools in our Yearbook/Newspaper class. I've also got ideas floating around about the Student Council. I think a Student Council Wiki might help us out. We have problems with advertising and this might invite students to take a look at us.
I'm thinking that I could have a Wiki page for my class and let the students create a page and use it for notes, assignments, or something. Do you think I should have a Wiki for the course or should I create a Wiki for each class period? I'm definitely using these new tools in our Yearbook/Newspaper class. I've also got ideas floating around about the Student Council. I think a Student Council Wiki might help us out. We have problems with advertising and this might invite students to take a look at us.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thing #8 - Wiki
I like that name, Wiki. I also like Wikis and plan to incorporate one into my class this year. If I'm going to teach Tech Ed, I should teach 21st Century tools. By the way, its no longer Technology Education. It is now named Principles of Information Technology, PIT. This has nothing to do with this Thing, just information I thought I'd pass on.
I went to the Thousands Project and I was amazed at the participation. This wiki is created by a 5th grade class. It's very organized and simple to navigate and read. This class asks a question each month and their goal is to get 1,000 answers. They give easy directions for editing the page and ask students as well as adults to answer the question. For the summer they want everyone to list 10 things they plan to do this summer. I added my 10, you should add your 10.
Another wiki I visited is Schools in the Past. Another elementary class, 1st grade, tackled this wiki. They interviewed parents and grandparents to find out how schools today differ from the ones the adults attended. information is divided into categories like playground, rules, and libraries. The information is listed under the appropriate category and its obvious kids made the list. The spelling is not always accurate, but it's cute...1st grade cute.
A different wiki I checked out is Grazing for Digital Natives. In fact, I subscribed to her blog. I don't understand how this is a wiki and not a blog?? She has a voki that welcomes you to her wiki. I'm going to get me one. Its like a talking avatar. Her wiki is long, a little harder to navigate because there are many aspects and pages. It links to her blog, her vita, and other information. I think this will be a great site to learn about Google tools.
How am I going to use these new tools in my classroom? I haven't decided and I'm hoping to get some good ideas from this class and the other blogs. I'll keep you posted.
I went to the Thousands Project and I was amazed at the participation. This wiki is created by a 5th grade class. It's very organized and simple to navigate and read. This class asks a question each month and their goal is to get 1,000 answers. They give easy directions for editing the page and ask students as well as adults to answer the question. For the summer they want everyone to list 10 things they plan to do this summer. I added my 10, you should add your 10.
Another wiki I visited is Schools in the Past. Another elementary class, 1st grade, tackled this wiki. They interviewed parents and grandparents to find out how schools today differ from the ones the adults attended. information is divided into categories like playground, rules, and libraries. The information is listed under the appropriate category and its obvious kids made the list. The spelling is not always accurate, but it's cute...1st grade cute.
A different wiki I checked out is Grazing for Digital Natives. In fact, I subscribed to her blog. I don't understand how this is a wiki and not a blog?? She has a voki that welcomes you to her wiki. I'm going to get me one. Its like a talking avatar. Her wiki is long, a little harder to navigate because there are many aspects and pages. It links to her blog, her vita, and other information. I think this will be a great site to learn about Google tools.
How am I going to use these new tools in my classroom? I haven't decided and I'm hoping to get some good ideas from this class and the other blogs. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Thing #7 - Commenting
I don't like commenting. Technology Rocks said she was a lurker and so am I. I like to read posts and make comments in my head. I'm not sure they care what I think, do I add anything to the discussion? I have to admit that I feel that way about writing in general, not something I enjoy.
Still, I commented on several posts today. I do already wonder if they will respond. Some of the posts were several days and even a week old. Maybe they won't go back and read the comments. I did find a blog about yearbooks and posted my comments. The author listed his top 3 pieces of advice for small yearbooks and I agreed with them. So maybe with practice this commenting will get easier, dare I say fun.
Still, I commented on several posts today. I do already wonder if they will respond. Some of the posts were several days and even a week old. Maybe they won't go back and read the comments. I did find a blog about yearbooks and posted my comments. The author listed his top 3 pieces of advice for small yearbooks and I agreed with them. So maybe with practice this commenting will get easier, dare I say fun.
Thing #6 - Reading, Reading....
I subscribed to several blogs and have a full reader! I understand how easy it is to get overwhelmed. I'm sure that several of the blogs I subscribed to will be discarded as I read more of the entries. But I've started and check the reader a few more days before I decide what I want to keep.
For school I selected a Yearbook and a Photoshop blog. Selling yearbooks to middle schoolers is tricky. They don't understand why they will ever want a yearbook. I hope I get some inspiration from this blog. I want to teach Photoshop in both my yearbook and tech classes. I'm hoping some of the tips will help the students.
For school I selected a Yearbook and a Photoshop blog. Selling yearbooks to middle schoolers is tricky. They don't understand why they will ever want a yearbook. I hope I get some inspiration from this blog. I want to teach Photoshop in both my yearbook and tech classes. I'm hoping some of the tips will help the students.
Thing #5 - Google Reader
I have to agree, RSS is really simple. As a tech teacher I hate to say that I had not used any of these features. I've wondered how my son had time to go to different sites and read each day, now I know.
The blog I found interesting is Don't Save the World. I think students today have to learn how to deal with stress much earlier than I did. I didn't worry about a good essay for my college application. This blog is the thoughts of a high school junior on how to spend her summer. No everyone is interested in working in the third world. Does it mean they don't care about people? No, of course not. How many of these young adults spend their summer building huts because of college applications? It does look good on an application!
The blog I found interesting is Don't Save the World. I think students today have to learn how to deal with stress much earlier than I did. I didn't worry about a good essay for my college application. This blog is the thoughts of a high school junior on how to spend her summer. No everyone is interested in working in the third world. Does it mean they don't care about people? No, of course not. How many of these young adults spend their summer building huts because of college applications? It does look good on an application!
Thing #4 - Blogging Begins with Reading
I read several of the blogs that I thought interested me and might be useful or apply to my teaching style. I don't need homework so the first post I read was "Why I Don't Assign Homework." It's an old post that must have hit a nerve because it generated a lot of comments. The blogger, Dan Meyer, is a math teacher and bases his opinions on surveys with his students. He writes in a "formal" conversational style and is easy to read. The comments are very casual and his responses are in his own style, "formal" conversation. If you struggle with the question of assigning homework, read his blog. He makes some valid points.
I found most of the blogs to be easy to read and dedicated to one subject or objective. If you are looking for specific information or opinions, its easy to locate them fast. The research and additional information is linked and you have the choice of checking out the links. Be aware...you can spend hours reading blogs. There is an advantage to the addictiveness of reading blogs, use it in your classroom, introduce your students to blogs. Maybe it is the new sustained silent reading.
I found most of the blogs to be easy to read and dedicated to one subject or objective. If you are looking for specific information or opinions, its easy to locate them fast. The research and additional information is linked and you have the choice of checking out the links. Be aware...you can spend hours reading blogs. There is an advantage to the addictiveness of reading blogs, use it in your classroom, introduce your students to blogs. Maybe it is the new sustained silent reading.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thing #2 - Web 2.0
The videos were good and the Web 2.0 article was very interesting if not a little overwhelming, in a good way. My first reaction was that it would be great to have students that would text group members about an assignment. Then, to have those group members begin researching without being told would be amazing.
I thinks its obvious that the Web 2.0 tools will have an impact on our profession. Our "digital learners" will force us to change and that's okay. I think it would be great for students to turn assignments in to my dropbox, to blog about their experiences in the classroom and connect with learners outside their school. I hope to start that process this year in my class.
Why would we want to use these tools? We want to engage our students in learning, to encourage their creativity, and improve problem-solving skills. If we set guidelines and monitor their work, our students will do this and enjoy it. We learned to write, and in cursive, our students need to learn to type!
I thinks its obvious that the Web 2.0 tools will have an impact on our profession. Our "digital learners" will force us to change and that's okay. I think it would be great for students to turn assignments in to my dropbox, to blog about their experiences in the classroom and connect with learners outside their school. I hope to start that process this year in my class.
Why would we want to use these tools? We want to engage our students in learning, to encourage their creativity, and improve problem-solving skills. If we set guidelines and monitor their work, our students will do this and enjoy it. We learned to write, and in cursive, our students need to learn to type!
Thing #1
The most challenging habit for me is, begin with the end in mind. I am not typically a goal setter, at least not in writing. I make mental goals which are still goals but safer. How are they safer? If its not in writing, no one knows if you failed. I have issues, I know. The good news is I created a Learning Contract and wrote down my goal. I even emailed it to the facilitators so I must be improving! I'm also a bit of a procrastinator...but I do meet my deadlines.
The easiest habit for me is, accept responsibility for your own learning. I take advantage of MISD's staff development classes regularly. I am currently taking on-line classes with Lamar University. (That's why I am so late starting on this class.) I enjoy technology and I'm very excited about the new skills I'm going to learn in this class. I can't wait to use them in my class next year!
I think the most important habit is to have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner. Negative thoughts will block your thought process and make learning harder. You have to believe in yourself as others do. Parents send their children to us with confidence that we will teach. So you must also have the confidence that you too can learn. Besides, learning technology is fun. Kids will think you're cool when you show off your new skills and use the buzz words.
The easiest habit for me is, accept responsibility for your own learning. I take advantage of MISD's staff development classes regularly. I am currently taking on-line classes with Lamar University. (That's why I am so late starting on this class.) I enjoy technology and I'm very excited about the new skills I'm going to learn in this class. I can't wait to use them in my class next year!
I think the most important habit is to have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner. Negative thoughts will block your thought process and make learning harder. You have to believe in yourself as others do. Parents send their children to us with confidence that we will teach. So you must also have the confidence that you too can learn. Besides, learning technology is fun. Kids will think you're cool when you show off your new skills and use the buzz words.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)