1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I really liked slideshare and joining twitter. I now have twitter synced with my phone and I get all kind of celebrity undates. Love it! Slideshare will be great with so many topics in the classroom. Can't wait to try on the activboard!!
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
The library 2 play blog has taught me so much. I know of tags, blogger, slidesharing, and virtual worlds. I love learning about technology and HOPE to play again next summer! It is the here and now and I have to keep up with the kids I teach!!
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I thought I would hate twitter...but I love it! The virtual world is neat. I was afraid I would hate it...but it's fun!
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I love the setup...I love the feedback! Please, lets play next summer!!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thing 11 Digital Citizenship
We must teach kids how to be good researchers. They must know how to look and not to beleive/use the first thing they find on google--they must learn how to go deeper...even if it is on google! Here are some things from the article that were well said:
Kristin Hokanson says, "At the upper level, kids need to be taught HOW to access credible sources...via data bases, advanced google searches and other good search strategies. If we don't, they will continue to go to the first sources available.
Megan Golding says "I certainly feel like the majority of my students (4th through 12th grades) cannot find good information by searching Google. That's why I'm changing the way I teach "web research".
"David Warlick says, "Instead of starting with a web page, displayed on the whiteboard, they [teachers] should start with Google, demonstrate how they found the page, the considerations and decisions they applied to select that page, and include in the presentation, the evidence that what's being presented is valuable...When we model authority, we shouldn't be surprised when students look for authority in every piece of information."
In the classroom, I would show my kids how to go deeper, and how to use other resources. I think it would be nice to show kids how a lot of information is not true. Knowing how to get good information is the key!
Kristin Hokanson says, "At the upper level, kids need to be taught HOW to access credible sources...via data bases, advanced google searches and other good search strategies. If we don't, they will continue to go to the first sources available.
Megan Golding says "I certainly feel like the majority of my students (4th through 12th grades) cannot find good information by searching Google. That's why I'm changing the way I teach "web research".
"David Warlick says, "Instead of starting with a web page, displayed on the whiteboard, they [teachers] should start with Google, demonstrate how they found the page, the considerations and decisions they applied to select that page, and include in the presentation, the evidence that what's being presented is valuable...When we model authority, we shouldn't be surprised when students look for authority in every piece of information."
In the classroom, I would show my kids how to go deeper, and how to use other resources. I think it would be nice to show kids how a lot of information is not true. Knowing how to get good information is the key!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thing 10
Virtual Worlds~~
I liked this more than I though I would. At first, I was not in the mood and my computer gave me trouble with loading second life, but once in...I liked it! I named my avatar Aubrie Chardin, and she had short brown hair with green eyes. My first setting was in Dublin near the University. I loved how much it looked like the actual place and the music was really pretty. I ran into people and had conversations--it was neat. I changed my views, sat, changed my gestures and played with my appearence. I even got invited to a club and was teleported to a club...the club scared me so I left. LOL!! I really like this virtual world but do not think it is right for my 1st graders. I can see middle and highschool students having lots of fun!! The only thing is I would want it to be a protected site...only with kids. The benefits include self-esteem building and networking!
I liked this more than I though I would. At first, I was not in the mood and my computer gave me trouble with loading second life, but once in...I liked it! I named my avatar Aubrie Chardin, and she had short brown hair with green eyes. My first setting was in Dublin near the University. I loved how much it looked like the actual place and the music was really pretty. I ran into people and had conversations--it was neat. I changed my views, sat, changed my gestures and played with my appearence. I even got invited to a club and was teleported to a club...the club scared me so I left. LOL!! I really like this virtual world but do not think it is right for my 1st graders. I can see middle and highschool students having lots of fun!! The only thing is I would want it to be a protected site...only with kids. The benefits include self-esteem building and networking!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thing 9
Slideshare~~
I loved this! I can totally use this in the classroom for all subjects. It's real life photos that are beautifully put together. I displayed a NY NY b/c that's one cool city to me. In the classroom, I can show slideshares on mammals, states, countries, shapes, books, setting and well, just about anything! LOVE it!
I loved this! I can totally use this in the classroom for all subjects. It's real life photos that are beautifully put together. I displayed a NY NY b/c that's one cool city to me. In the classroom, I can show slideshares on mammals, states, countries, shapes, books, setting and well, just about anything! LOVE it!
Thing 8
Okay...I did it, but it has no sound. I'm still pleased and plan to play more with slidesharing. At first I was a little confused and wondered why I would ever use this and still think it is not good for my kids in the classroom. I have co-workers who would love this though. We have all kinds of new programs and slidesharing end-results or "how-to's" might help us all. It will also be neat for presentations.
Thing 7
I use videos a lot in my classroom--the activeboard makes is easy and fun. We use united streaming,brainpop jr and discovery kids. I really like pbs and will use it next year. I'm so glad I finally posted my video correctly!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thing 6
I-Touch Apps~~~
I do not have an I-phone or and I-touch, but I really, really, really wish I did! I have seen how amazing they are and have t-mobile's equivalent to the i-phone ( the motorola click). My brother has an I-phone so I was able to play and compare.
First of all the I-phone is the winner. It does more and it is more user friendly. As soon as my carrier picks up apple, I will own a I-phone. Some apps that I found that would be helpful in my first grade class include:
animoto
pandora
google maps
promethean, my planet
primary sketching (emergent letter practice)
compass
kids paint
usa capitals
youtube
age appropriate trivia
My phone has most of these apps. I have done things with my phone last year and love it! I was able to video fielday, post to snapfish and watch on the activboard in very little time. The kids are captivated by all technology. I know we have many new apple products for the kids to use at my school. We will have i-touches, and flip cameras. I look forward to learning more and sharing with my new batch of 6 year olds.
I do not have an I-phone or and I-touch, but I really, really, really wish I did! I have seen how amazing they are and have t-mobile's equivalent to the i-phone ( the motorola click). My brother has an I-phone so I was able to play and compare.
First of all the I-phone is the winner. It does more and it is more user friendly. As soon as my carrier picks up apple, I will own a I-phone. Some apps that I found that would be helpful in my first grade class include:
animoto
pandora
google maps
promethean, my planet
primary sketching (emergent letter practice)
compass
kids paint
usa capitals
youtube
age appropriate trivia
My phone has most of these apps. I have done things with my phone last year and love it! I was able to video fielday, post to snapfish and watch on the activboard in very little time. The kids are captivated by all technology. I know we have many new apple products for the kids to use at my school. We will have i-touches, and flip cameras. I look forward to learning more and sharing with my new batch of 6 year olds.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thing 5
Face book and Twitter
My phone streams face book and I love the hourly updates. I feel connected with my friends. Twitter is new for me--I set up an account today. Neat to see that now I can follow my favorite authors, musicans and moviestars. Not sure I care to "tweet" with my friends as it seems redundant to Face book, but the Hollywood/famous world is appealing! Now...how to use this in the classroom...well, I thought we were not allowed to use social networking sites?? But I see that our homepage supports Face book and Twitter. I teach first grade so I'm not sure how Face book would benefit my classroom, but Twitter could be useful. We could set up a class account and follow certain people, authors or places. This could be neat. Backchanneling is neat but something I feel is more for highschool.
My phone streams face book and I love the hourly updates. I feel connected with my friends. Twitter is new for me--I set up an account today. Neat to see that now I can follow my favorite authors, musicans and moviestars. Not sure I care to "tweet" with my friends as it seems redundant to Face book, but the Hollywood/famous world is appealing! Now...how to use this in the classroom...well, I thought we were not allowed to use social networking sites?? But I see that our homepage supports Face book and Twitter. I teach first grade so I'm not sure how Face book would benefit my classroom, but Twitter could be useful. We could set up a class account and follow certain people, authors or places. This could be neat. Backchanneling is neat but something I feel is more for highschool.
Thing
Gosh...that took me a while. I'm still not sure I like where I'm posting my videos but it's done. The layout of my blog continues to be a problem for me, but it's a work in progress. To answer the question on how could having videos like this help in the classroom? Well, I can answer first hand b/c we used youtube a lot last year. One of our teks was to teach the compass rose. On youtube there is a directions song which we played, learned and created a game with. The kids loved it! It became one of our most favorite things to play!! Youtube is amazing and was also used with phonics. We played the "when 2 vowels go walking" song as part of our word study and calendar routine. Student work can be uploaded in many ways!! We could post Art projects, papers and well, just about everything!! It's so current, the kids love it and are totally engaged!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thing Three
Skype!~~~
I cannot believe my favorite childhood cartoon is happening...Skype is The Jetsons come true!! OMG!! It is so neat that the future is here. It is only the beginning and it's really good. Skype can be used is just about every lesson, every subject and well just about everyday in the classroom. It is the way of the future. In my classroom, the first thing that came to mind is being able to connect with other students and other teachers. We study about different countries and it would be AMAZING to speak with children from Egypt, Ireland or Italy. What a neat, real and accurate experience this will be! We also study authors like Eric Carle. For a super famous author...it is really expensive for them to come visit...but maybe, just maybe, a skype conference could happen. I believe Skype is the way education is going. Grad school programs on-line are becoming very high tech. I'm so glad to be learning and can't wait to participate!
I cannot believe my favorite childhood cartoon is happening...Skype is The Jetsons come true!! OMG!! It is so neat that the future is here. It is only the beginning and it's really good. Skype can be used is just about every lesson, every subject and well just about everyday in the classroom. It is the way of the future. In my classroom, the first thing that came to mind is being able to connect with other students and other teachers. We study about different countries and it would be AMAZING to speak with children from Egypt, Ireland or Italy. What a neat, real and accurate experience this will be! We also study authors like Eric Carle. For a super famous author...it is really expensive for them to come visit...but maybe, just maybe, a skype conference could happen. I believe Skype is the way education is going. Grad school programs on-line are becoming very high tech. I'm so glad to be learning and can't wait to participate!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thing 2
Okay, I have used wordle all year long and I love it! It is really nice to use in science and social studies. It lends itself easily to units. We made wordles on insects and on the compass rose and on cycles...we would print them out, minimize and glue in appropriate journal. Very nice for key words and vocab builing! I have also played with animoto but not at school. This will be nice to do this year as we now have the awesome activboards! Bookr is a very simple way to make a flipbook and I believe my first graders can (with assistance) make one! This would be a really good way to teach retelling or sequencing...and well, just about anything! :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thing 1
The Networked Student-
Well I must say things have changed a bit since I was in school! Often, I searched and found junk...or found information in books that was outdated. What a tech savey world we have stepped into! To know how to "connect" is such a great resource. To be able to share via blog is so current and fast! The knowlege that can be dumped into a single topic is unlimited. The bar has definately been raised! I loved the itunes u and that is something I will look more into. Having the worlds best teachers literally in the palm of your hand is pretty cool. I do think librarian can play this role. They are often the source that filter information out to so many. My librarian is great! Deb is on top of all new tech learnings!
Well I must say things have changed a bit since I was in school! Often, I searched and found junk...or found information in books that was outdated. What a tech savey world we have stepped into! To know how to "connect" is such a great resource. To be able to share via blog is so current and fast! The knowlege that can be dumped into a single topic is unlimited. The bar has definately been raised! I loved the itunes u and that is something I will look more into. Having the worlds best teachers literally in the palm of your hand is pretty cool. I do think librarian can play this role. They are often the source that filter information out to so many. My librarian is great! Deb is on top of all new tech learnings!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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