Thing #9

Using http://161.58.20.24/signs/ribbons/support.asp I create this picture. I am still finding it frustrating to export to my blog, so once again I screen captured it.
I have found that the image generators are a blast and my students would love to create with them. They love comic life already, but to add cartoons would add so much more to the lessons.

Thing #8

I created this at BigHugeLabs.com/flickr

This is a picture I took of a car that belongs to a collegues father.

I had difficulty trying to add the link and configure the download so I took a screen capture and here it is.

I still have some reservations about using children's faces online for sharing. I think that using the mash ups is a great way to have the students become exposed to the many ways to tweak a picture, but some concern needs to be taken for protection.

Thing #6

I have to say that I took an inservice this summer on social bookmarking and we used the de.l.cious account to create our bookmarks and WOW. It is wonderful for organizing your bookmarks. Parents and students can also access them.

I am very interested in google docs. I like the ability to incorporate my completed pieces into my wiki or other form of technology.

http://docs.google.com/?pli=1#

I am going to do some more playing with google docs. I see great potential for student use in the classroom and school setting.

Thing #7

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schlegl/502722304/


I really enjoyed this picture done my "A guy with a camera".
I found navigating flickr easy with the use of tags for the pictures. I was able to very easily type in my subject and come back with many different types of photos about my subject.

Thing #5

I read "Web is the future of 2.0" and it was chalked full of information on how technology is changing. One of his examples discussed amazon and how it has changed.

I agree with the author on the necessity of education to move toward technology at a more rapid rate.

The "Web 2.0, a guide for teachers" was also very insightful. I found the percentage a little low however when they listed 55% of all 12 to 17 year olds using technology to communicate and discuss online.

School 2.0 to me is the movement of education toward technology use. Education is moving rapidly in the direction of more online and self directed lessons. I think, however that even with this rapid movement, there will always be a need for the one on one teaching.

Schools in the future are moving toward computers for every student. In order to meet all childrens needs and utilize technology, computers need to be available for all students. I think the use of computers would also change the way NCLB operates and funds for technology would have come from somewhere.

Thing #4

Commenting within a blog allows students to discuss, agree and disagree in many aspects of learning. It creates a sense of community within the blog and students often are able to become a part of each others lives and lessons.

I found the 10 commandments very interesting. Especially the last one. I know myself I have subscribed to podcasts and videocasts this summer and have not visited them since subscribing. I also agree heavily with number 1, which is read it before you respond. We try to teach children to think before they speak and many times we forget to follow the same rule.

I also enjoyed the coolcatteacher blog. The information on commenting was an excellent way to express how and why we comment.

Cindy's Blog
I commented in response to her question about uploading the picture and the difficulty I had with it.

Lynette's Blog
Lynette had a great point about animoto being so easy, that you did not need the tutorial they gave you. I agreed with her and discussed creating them for students and teachers.

Sara Kim's blog
I commented on Sara's comment about apsu using blogs for reflections as students. What an awesome idea and focus for the college students. We can utilize these so many ways.

SJones' Blog
I really enjoyed the hang in there pic. I also commented on the idea of using image generator for rules and procedures. What a great way to go over needed but boring info.

Gwen Gibbons Blog
Gwen posted a video "Teachers are mirrors". It is absolutely wonderful and very motivational. I wish it could be shared with my faculty.

CNET BLOG
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10063239-17.html?tag=pt1318;continueButton

This is an article about apple computers being created a cheap prices. Like this is a new thing. I commented that it has been this way for a while.

ABC BLOG
http://blogs.abcnews.com/campuschatter/2008/10/students-told-t.html?cid=134430873#comment-134430873

I commented on this story about college students that had to remove political signs from the dorm windows. I feel they have a right to peacefully proclaim their choice for president.

Thing #3

Using blogs in my education is beneficial for the conversation piece of learning. We need to be able to talk about our education trials and triumphs and explain things to others in order to become better learners.

I have created a wiki of my own for my classroom information. It is located at http://menees4thgrade.wikispaces.com/MENEES+HOME+PAGE
However, most of this info is for parents. I would love to create a class blog for journals, questions, discussions, and subject matter. A think a challenge to this would be not having every child possess a computer or access to a computer.

Using a class blog for journal entries and class books would incorporate so many standards, make it rigorous and fun for the students. Students love to be on the computer and access the internet.

Thing #2

I decided to keep it easy and name my blog something that I could remember and one that I might be able to use with my computer club or my class.

As I mentioned before, the creation of the blog tended to make my head hurt. There were too many steps all rolled into one document. I am an extremely visual learner and even though there were screen capture pics to look at, it was still overwhelming. It did, however make me appreciate my students when I give directions like those.

My avatar does reflect my personality. My husband stood over my shoulder as I was creating it and said yep that is you, especially in the summer! The only difference is my hair is a shorter style of the avatar. I do wear glasses and picked an outfit that I would actually wear. I spend a great deal of my life at school or church, teaching children.

It never really dawned on me to create an avatar of a random person.

Thing #1

I found the entire video of the 71/2 habits very interesting. I feel that # 7 is my strongest habit. I feel that teaching others about new things is a great strength for me. It my passion to educate others, help them understand new concepts and continue to learn from them myself.

Finding myself a competent and effective learner is definiately an obstacle for me. Although I am knowledgeable in many things, I am very hard on myself. Especially with online classes. I need that feedback to help me grow and feel confident in my choices. I often find myself making things a lot harder than they have to be because of my second guessing my choices.

Web 2.0 tools were introduced to me in a class this summer and I absolutely love them. I want to be able to use the tools in my teaching. For instance there is one on allowances that would work perfectly for real world math. It is called Active Allowance.

Another one that I love for a class book is Lookybook | Home. A friend of mine actually showed it to me on the web 2.0 tools this summer.

I want to spend more time on the web 2.0 tools. Discovering by doing is a great method for me to learn by.

The creation of the blog was a little overwhelming. Being a visual person, having to read and reread the directions caused some stress this week. I am still in paper mode and needing to highlight important information and learning all this on the computer is a bit difficult.

I enjoyed the avatar and found it amazingly easy. I think blogger would be a great tool for our kids to utilize and share their knowledge about subject matter.