I spent many years using bookmarking and tagging to create auto generated nested indexes in printed and on-line publications, so the concept makes sense to me. This could be a great time-saver when searching for sites I use in the classroom.
Is tagging a useful way to organize your digital resources and why? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages? Yes I think it's a great improvement over just putting sites in 'Favorties' on one PC or having a printed reference list of wwws like I have now. I think you do have to be careful that you don't get overzealous with it as too many tags for one bookmark might not be helpful anymore.
What is important to think about before assigning tags to bookmarks or other Internet content? I will have to be consistant with my method of labeling, organizing names, subjects so I don't confuse myself! I see this as a great resource for our department to collaboratively create a list of useful web sites - we will just have to first determine how we should categorize the information.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thing 11
The site PBS Teachers is something I would really use in my classroom. They have lots of pre-made Lesson Plans for all grades and subjects with video clips, along with 2-3 different and age appropriate projects. I of course,went right to PBS Teacher Activity Packs/6-8/Art. I signed up because they give you a Home Page and a Saved Resource Page where you can keep and access all the lessons you like in one list. This looks like a great way for me to start adding digital interest to my lessons without having to start from scratch with the development.
I made this widget:
Get a Voki now!
Hope it works. Could add a bit of fun to those daily reminders in class.
Also, I really like polldaddy. Not too hard to use and implement. Same sign up requirements as all the other digital spots like Flickr and Twitter. You get to use 100 Free. I could see using this in the classroom for immediate feedback from my students- they would have to be able to access my blog from home and school.
I made this widget:
Get a Voki now!
Hope it works. Could add a bit of fun to those daily reminders in class.
Also, I really like polldaddy. Not too hard to use and implement. Same sign up requirements as all the other digital spots like Flickr and Twitter. You get to use 100 Free. I could see using this in the classroom for immediate feedback from my students- they would have to be able to access my blog from home and school.
Thing 10
What is the value of Twitter?
I tried to check it out and get enthusiastic about tweets on three separate days. I just don't see a lot of value to this type of connectivity. The advertisements annoyed me, the strings that I followed did not lead me to sites or comments I really wanted and the news tweets were redundant with what is already on display on my Yahoo homepage and the TV channels. I felt I had Frittered my time away and the 3 plus hours I roamed could have been used in a better way. Maybe this is one of those venues that has a higher appeal to a younger generation. I just don't feel I need to share all the small minute details in my life all the time. I prefer to update friends and family in more traditional ways- texting, cell calls and email. Plus, when I do get together with a group of friends over dinner etc., I still have something to talk about.
Select one of the sites that you explored from Time's 50 Best Websites of 2009.
I liked the site, Academic Earth —which lead me to believe that even more classes will be available to more people on-line.
What were the site’s useful features?
It was easy to navigate through the sites. Some of the sites I was familiar with but I liked how they gave a quick overview so you could move on if it wasn't anything of interest.
Could you see any educational applications for it?
I think all three of these were very geared toward marketing and sales of consumer products. Useful, maybe for high school or college business courses teaching how to sell and get brand recognition.
I tried to check it out and get enthusiastic about tweets on three separate days. I just don't see a lot of value to this type of connectivity. The advertisements annoyed me, the strings that I followed did not lead me to sites or comments I really wanted and the news tweets were redundant with what is already on display on my Yahoo homepage and the TV channels. I felt I had Frittered my time away and the 3 plus hours I roamed could have been used in a better way. Maybe this is one of those venues that has a higher appeal to a younger generation. I just don't feel I need to share all the small minute details in my life all the time. I prefer to update friends and family in more traditional ways- texting, cell calls and email. Plus, when I do get together with a group of friends over dinner etc., I still have something to talk about.
Select one of the sites that you explored from Time's 50 Best Websites of 2009.
I liked the site, Academic Earth —which lead me to believe that even more classes will be available to more people on-line.
What were the site’s useful features?
It was easy to navigate through the sites. Some of the sites I was familiar with but I liked how they gave a quick overview so you could move on if it wasn't anything of interest.
Could you see any educational applications for it?
I think all three of these were very geared toward marketing and sales of consumer products. Useful, maybe for high school or college business courses teaching how to sell and get brand recognition.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thing 9
WOW! Huge Topic. It felt like the more I read about copyright use the less certain I am of proper usage. I would really love a Professional Development day or two on this topic- soon.
How do you see teaching and learning changing as a result of Web 2.0?
I think this will be a great avenue for students to not so much as to learn at their own pace but rather progress in their own learning. My biggest obstacle is that middle school students are not at the same starting place; they are not at the equal ripeness to absorb what is being taught and differ in their level of interest in topics. This technology assisted way of teaching could let me assess students based on their own progression rather than how they stack-up against 20 other students in class at the moment.
I found huge truth in the mention of how we teach in isolation and can see that Web 2.0 tools has the great potential to improve collaboration in the educational community.
What opportunities do you see emerging?
Reclaiming lost learning minutes. Currently in a 90 minute block, when I need to work one-on-one with my students, they each get less than 3 minutes of my time. In a 45 minute block, less than 90 seconds. There have been times where students will sit and wait until I come around to them because they want to make sure they're doing it right. So, if I had a few computer stations set up with video /blog where I've selected and assembled visual and written how tos, and students knew they could get up and view them at any time- how great would that be. If they could eventually view this all from their seat using their iphone... even better!
This would help the student who was absent, the student who needs a reteach or to refresh their memory after a 3 day weekend, the student who wants to be sure before they start, the student who wasn't listening yesterday because they were upset about something else, or the student that has the time and inclination to go farther with their project.
What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources?
Make sure what we use in our classroom, digital or hard copy, has been cited or is in the legal domain. Also, anything we write and put on the web should use a Creative Commons type of copyright to let others know how they might use or re-purpose the work.
How do you see teaching and learning changing as a result of Web 2.0?
I think this will be a great avenue for students to not so much as to learn at their own pace but rather progress in their own learning. My biggest obstacle is that middle school students are not at the same starting place; they are not at the equal ripeness to absorb what is being taught and differ in their level of interest in topics. This technology assisted way of teaching could let me assess students based on their own progression rather than how they stack-up against 20 other students in class at the moment.
I found huge truth in the mention of how we teach in isolation and can see that Web 2.0 tools has the great potential to improve collaboration in the educational community.
What opportunities do you see emerging?
Reclaiming lost learning minutes. Currently in a 90 minute block, when I need to work one-on-one with my students, they each get less than 3 minutes of my time. In a 45 minute block, less than 90 seconds. There have been times where students will sit and wait until I come around to them because they want to make sure they're doing it right. So, if I had a few computer stations set up with video /blog where I've selected and assembled visual and written how tos, and students knew they could get up and view them at any time- how great would that be. If they could eventually view this all from their seat using their iphone... even better!
This would help the student who was absent, the student who needs a reteach or to refresh their memory after a 3 day weekend, the student who wants to be sure before they start, the student who wasn't listening yesterday because they were upset about something else, or the student that has the time and inclination to go farther with their project.
What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources?
Make sure what we use in our classroom, digital or hard copy, has been cited or is in the legal domain. Also, anything we write and put on the web should use a Creative Commons type of copyright to let others know how they might use or re-purpose the work.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Thing 8 - continued
This was a great game to watch... I was happy to be able to see it again, or at least these highlights. What makes this video out take better than the actual game it that the creator added a great song by the Rolling Stones in the background and completely eliminated the very annoying zuzuvella (sp?) horns!!!
Thing 7
YouTube has it all! The Good, the Bad, the real Bad and the Funny!
I have found very good short clips in YouTube that I could use for classroom instruction, lots of fun software tutorials for vector drawing with a computer application which I teach to the 7th Grade. I think if I ask IT, and give enough notice, I can show the clips at school.
If students get access it at school, they will be laughing, but I'm not sure they'll always be learning!
I have found very good short clips in YouTube that I could use for classroom instruction, lots of fun software tutorials for vector drawing with a computer application which I teach to the 7th Grade. I think if I ask IT, and give enough notice, I can show the clips at school.
If students get access it at school, they will be laughing, but I'm not sure they'll always be learning!
Thing 6
Flickr could be a great way to compile photos of art styles or art posters into topics or albums for classroom discussion by displaying and viewing them on the smartboard or used to create a notebook presentation from some of them.
Issues: First, I'm not yet sure about all the legal constraints but I know I would have to really look in to the copyright of doing this before I began. Also, I have not been able to access Yahoo accounts from the school PCs so IT policy would have to change.
This could also be a wonderful way to display individual student artwork, maybe in albums by grade.
Issues: My first concern would be with privacy. I don't think that I couldn't list student full names, so it kind of diminishes the 'spotlight' of having their artwork displayed. If I listed the school, I might even have to forego listing first names with grade as this might be too much information to share on so public a place. My second concern would be the time it takes. I would have to add the task of photographing the work, editing the file, uploading and organizing the photos, adding labels and make sure I don't go over the space allowed.
Issues: First, I'm not yet sure about all the legal constraints but I know I would have to really look in to the copyright of doing this before I began. Also, I have not been able to access Yahoo accounts from the school PCs so IT policy would have to change.
This could also be a wonderful way to display individual student artwork, maybe in albums by grade.
Issues: My first concern would be with privacy. I don't think that I couldn't list student full names, so it kind of diminishes the 'spotlight' of having their artwork displayed. If I listed the school, I might even have to forego listing first names with grade as this might be too much information to share on so public a place. My second concern would be the time it takes. I would have to add the task of photographing the work, editing the file, uploading and organizing the photos, adding labels and make sure I don't go over the space allowed.
Thing 5
I did pick out a fun picture from Flickr but I was not sure what to do for the copyright. So I am posting a picture I took of the Pacific Ocean with my digital camera.This is taken on the shore of northern California, about a two hour drive north of San Francisco, very close to the small town of Gualala. This part of California is a spectacular place to visit! The ocean drive is like being on a roller coaster, but you can stop often to take in the view. I saw hundreds of seals and sea lions just hanging out. Not a place for sunning and swimming, only brave divers go in the waters here looking for abalone shells. Minutes away from the ocean edge you are in the California Red Woods; so serene and calm in comparison to the violent ocean waves. Of course, the near proximity of good wine makes this part of the world a must see in my opinion!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thing 4
I like uncluttered, simple screen displays that load quickly, so I tried to access Eskobo because it sounded like what I would like to use for my homepage but it kept redirecting me to the popular Netvibes. After a few tries and failures, I gave up and did create my homepage in Netvibes. Perhaps they've merged.
I added the gmail I use for this on-line class as well as USA News Today and weather but I already see these when I go to my real Yahoo mail.
What I'd really like to use it for is to keep all of my web links to teaching references all in one spot. Right now they are in a variety of digital and non-digital forms and places. I could see that this might be the tool for this. I would just need to know if my homepage can be accessed from the school site. Also, I would use it as a central bank where I can link to YouTube clips and Discovery streaming videos that I could use with the students.
I added the gmail I use for this on-line class as well as USA News Today and weather but I already see these when I go to my real Yahoo mail.
What I'd really like to use it for is to keep all of my web links to teaching references all in one spot. Right now they are in a variety of digital and non-digital forms and places. I could see that this might be the tool for this. I would just need to know if my homepage can be accessed from the school site. Also, I would use it as a central bank where I can link to YouTube clips and Discovery streaming videos that I could use with the students.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thing 3
- I commented: "I can use a blog as a forum for students to post their work in progress which parents can then view or use the blog site for all to collaborate on one project, each student having a piece, like creating a puzzle."
- I am concerned about students posting to a blog in an appropriate manner- even with my being able to first monitor the posts, and deleting any unsuitable ones. This puts me in the spot of being the 'judge' of what is acceptable content. What if my opinion differs with a student and possibly even their parent on what is okay to post?
- Also, as much as I think parents like being connected to what their children are learning, I'm not sure I want to be that connected to them. How do I stem the flow of well meaning but often time consuming parent ideas and suggestions without offending?
Thing 2
I am hoping this virtual program will help me decide where to best spend my tech energy and time. I need to understand how to use all of these varied forms of tools to communicate, collaborate and educate students in my classroom, so I can filter out the ones that are digital time wasters and embrace the 'hits the spot' tools that speak to the subject area I teach.
I would like to plug in to the tools that keep students interested for longer, so more in depth discussions can take place, which in turn should make me a more effective teacher and have a stronger impact what the student actually learns.
I would like to plug in to the tools that keep students interested for longer, so more in depth discussions can take place, which in turn should make me a more effective teacher and have a stronger impact what the student actually learns.
Thing 1
I just finished re-reading a sci-fi that came out when I was in college, Enders Game written in 1977 by Orson Scottt Card. The students desks in this futuristic war novel are described as digital, portable, connected to both instructors and students as a touch screen type all-in-one learning center. This appealed to me because it seems simple, like the slate and chalk of 100 years ago.
But now, after viewing and reading about digital learners in 2010 (Thing 1), I wonder how the back to school student supplies list will read in the near future years. Seems like traditional pencils and notebooks will be replaced by a variety of digital tools plus all those accessories. Not that I object; they are all wonderful in their own way, but I do not yet find them to be cohesive, integrated and easy to use in an educational setting.
I believe that education should be an equalizer not a separator of social class. I can't assume that students of the future will be less likely to lose, drop or forget their digital supplies. I'm concerned that the personal cost to student, parent, teacher as well as costs to public educational budgets will now really create a social gap between the haves and have nots.
I think the technology will become less complex but that it will be some time before digital learning is streamlined to a simple and affordable all-in-one system for both learner and teacher. I wonder, will it happen in my teaching lifetime?
But now, after viewing and reading about digital learners in 2010 (Thing 1), I wonder how the back to school student supplies list will read in the near future years. Seems like traditional pencils and notebooks will be replaced by a variety of digital tools plus all those accessories. Not that I object; they are all wonderful in their own way, but I do not yet find them to be cohesive, integrated and easy to use in an educational setting.
I believe that education should be an equalizer not a separator of social class. I can't assume that students of the future will be less likely to lose, drop or forget their digital supplies. I'm concerned that the personal cost to student, parent, teacher as well as costs to public educational budgets will now really create a social gap between the haves and have nots.
I think the technology will become less complex but that it will be some time before digital learning is streamlined to a simple and affordable all-in-one system for both learner and teacher. I wonder, will it happen in my teaching lifetime?
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