What is the value of Twitter?
While I don't think Twitter appeals to me as much as some other social networks such as Facebook or Ning, I can see how it would appeal to many users, especially those looking for real time status information. I can also imagine it to be very useful for people following or communicating with one another over great distances who want the ability to "check in" on each other's lives and day to day or moment to moment activities. As far as the usefulness in the field of education, I can see a "thing" like this breaking down walls or barriers. No longer does there need to be a delay with receiving information. Questions could be posed and answers found nearly instantaneous. Following blogs of interest or to accumulate information could be entertaining or helpful depending on your purpose. Monitoring and security would be two very important things to address.
Select one of the sites that you explored from The Best of the Web 2008 or Time's 50 Best Websites of 2009. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any educational applications for it?
Lulu was fantastic! The idea of being able to write, publish your work, and even sell it using the tools Lulu has to offer is amazing. The possibilities are endless! I have had several students who have wished to become published authors. We have found ways "in house" to help them accomplish their goals, but with Lulu the opportunities and choices are so much greater and frankly, more attractive! I'm looking forward to experimenting with Lulu more in the future.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thing 9
How do you see teaching and learning changing as a result of Web 2.0?
Teaching and learning will be ever changing as a result of Web 2.0. Technology today enables us to reach out for resources, to share information with people, to explore our creative side and the list goes on and on. For so many people, learning this way has become a way of life. Our students need instruction and exposure to this style of teaching and learning. They need opportunities to utilize these skills on a regular basis in order to compete in today's global economy. As their teachers, we must find and create ways for them to safely explore and share their learning.
What opportunities do you see emerging?
The opportunities are abundant! Every teacher dreams of having the ability to "give" their students the tools they need or want to succeed. Opportunities to use ipods, cell phones, laptops as tools for learning, sharing and creating are very exciting. The challenge for us as educators though is how to effectively incorporate or allow for this within our curriculum.
What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources?
All students should be taught the importance of giving credit where credit is due in the appropriate format. I find that in our district, there is a need for consistency in our instruction on this topic. Our teachers, as a team, must work together to establish a common set of grade appropriate expectations to support our learners.
Teaching and learning will be ever changing as a result of Web 2.0. Technology today enables us to reach out for resources, to share information with people, to explore our creative side and the list goes on and on. For so many people, learning this way has become a way of life. Our students need instruction and exposure to this style of teaching and learning. They need opportunities to utilize these skills on a regular basis in order to compete in today's global economy. As their teachers, we must find and create ways for them to safely explore and share their learning.
What opportunities do you see emerging?
The opportunities are abundant! Every teacher dreams of having the ability to "give" their students the tools they need or want to succeed. Opportunities to use ipods, cell phones, laptops as tools for learning, sharing and creating are very exciting. The challenge for us as educators though is how to effectively incorporate or allow for this within our curriculum.
What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources?
All students should be taught the importance of giving credit where credit is due in the appropriate format. I find that in our district, there is a need for consistency in our instruction on this topic. Our teachers, as a team, must work together to establish a common set of grade appropriate expectations to support our learners.
Thing 8
I chose this video because each year when we visit North Carolina, my kids always hope we will be lucky enough to see loggerhead turtles hatching from their nesting site. Great efforts are taken in North Carolina to protect these endangered species. One of my favorite childhood memories is seeing hundreds of tiny loggerheads hatch and miraculously make their way down the beach to the ocean water under the light of the moon. Although we haven't been fortunate enough to stumble upon this phenomena with our own kids, (we'll keep trying!) they were able to see what actually happens by viewing video footage about it on YouTube. And they continue to wish to one day see it all happen in person!
Thing 7
What do you like or dislike about YouTube?
The possibilities are just endless with YouTube. I love the fact that video can be captured and shared with the world. You can search for video on anything! The only apprehensions I have as with so many online resources are security settings and also the educational purpose. TeacherTube and SchoolTube may be safer options to start with.
Did you find videos that would be useful for teaching and learning?
There are countless valuable videos for teaching and learning. On a personal note, my washing machine was giving me trouble this week and I was able to find a video on YouTube that showed my husband how to replace a broken part. The video made completing the project so simple! (It's running again...like a charm!)
Is YouTube restricted in your building?
I believe teachers have access to YouTube, but students do not.
The possibilities are just endless with YouTube. I love the fact that video can be captured and shared with the world. You can search for video on anything! The only apprehensions I have as with so many online resources are security settings and also the educational purpose. TeacherTube and SchoolTube may be safer options to start with.
Did you find videos that would be useful for teaching and learning?
There are countless valuable videos for teaching and learning. On a personal note, my washing machine was giving me trouble this week and I was able to find a video on YouTube that showed my husband how to replace a broken part. The video made completing the project so simple! (It's running again...like a charm!)
Is YouTube restricted in your building?
I believe teachers have access to YouTube, but students do not.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thing 5
I chose this photo because it reminds me of my yellow lab, "Katie", and her chocolate lab friend, "Molly". Thing 6
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
I chose this picture because it is one my favorite places to visit. My family and I have visited this area for years and keep coming back. It brings us peace, happiness and allows us to explore the many ocean wonders. We just LOVE vacationing here!
Thing 4
What service did you choose? Why?
I am familiar with both Netvibes and iGoogle and have also used myYahoo. I tend to agree with the "mashable" article in that Netvibes is the one to beat. Although, I really like the features iGoogle has to offer as well. Netvibes allows you to customize your dashboard by topic and it's visual appearance is appealing with nice organization and clean lines making it quick and easy to locate information or sections you may be looking for in a hurry.
What are some of the items you included on your custom homepage?
I like to include the weather, driving directions, news events for my area as well as world news, email access and a favorites section which includes links to some of the sites/pages I visit most often.
What kind of widgets or links could you add to your homepage that would enhance instruction?
I could tailor my homepage to fit the needs of my students for the topic or cluster I work on with them. For example, when we are studying the Stock Market, there are several sites we sometimes toggle between to aid us in our research and assist us with real time findings. A "Stock Market" section could easily be added to include links to the sites we find most helpful during this instruction. As we move on to study new topics, the homepage could easily be altered to keep current with supporting our learning.
I am familiar with both Netvibes and iGoogle and have also used myYahoo. I tend to agree with the "mashable" article in that Netvibes is the one to beat. Although, I really like the features iGoogle has to offer as well. Netvibes allows you to customize your dashboard by topic and it's visual appearance is appealing with nice organization and clean lines making it quick and easy to locate information or sections you may be looking for in a hurry.
What are some of the items you included on your custom homepage?
I like to include the weather, driving directions, news events for my area as well as world news, email access and a favorites section which includes links to some of the sites/pages I visit most often.
What kind of widgets or links could you add to your homepage that would enhance instruction?
I could tailor my homepage to fit the needs of my students for the topic or cluster I work on with them. For example, when we are studying the Stock Market, there are several sites we sometimes toggle between to aid us in our research and assist us with real time findings. A "Stock Market" section could easily be added to include links to the sites we find most helpful during this instruction. As we move on to study new topics, the homepage could easily be altered to keep current with supporting our learning.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thing 3
How might a blog support the work you do?
Using blogs with the work I do could certainly help with being able to communicate with my students more frequently and allow me to provide feedback on the assignments or reactions they post. I also like the idea of blogging enabling my students to communicate and collaborate between each other.
How might you blog with your students?
One idea that comes to mind would to be to set up a blog for students to comment or ask questions about a recycling video we made. Lots of information about recycling was shared in a play the students wrote, recorded and then shared with the rest of the third graders via their recording. With the addition of a blog, the students could not only receive feedback, but could also answer any questions their viewers may have had after viewing their performance.
What concerns do you have about blogging in education?
Some concerns that come to mind include, access, security and appropriateness of what gets posted. I'm hopeful though that as I learn more about blogging that these will be obstacles that can easily be overcome.
Using blogs with the work I do could certainly help with being able to communicate with my students more frequently and allow me to provide feedback on the assignments or reactions they post. I also like the idea of blogging enabling my students to communicate and collaborate between each other.
How might you blog with your students?
One idea that comes to mind would to be to set up a blog for students to comment or ask questions about a recycling video we made. Lots of information about recycling was shared in a play the students wrote, recorded and then shared with the rest of the third graders via their recording. With the addition of a blog, the students could not only receive feedback, but could also answer any questions their viewers may have had after viewing their performance.
What concerns do you have about blogging in education?
Some concerns that come to mind include, access, security and appropriateness of what gets posted. I'm hopeful though that as I learn more about blogging that these will be obstacles that can easily be overcome.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thing 1 and Thing 2
Thing 1 and Thing 2:
I am excited to participate in this learning opportunity so that I may gain a better understanding of the many 21st century technology tools. I do realize that technology is ever changing and I am also aware of my need to keep current with what is available in order to challenge and enhance the education of my students. It is important to me to provide my students with as many challenging learning opportunities as possible. The idea of being able to express my thoughts and opinions for all to see gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, it is exciting to think that I have the ability to share information with virtually anyone. But, on the other hand, it makes me feel a little vulnerable. Although I would never mean to post something that may contain an error, the reality is that this could and probably will happen. If somehow my efforts make a difference in a positive manner, then it will all be worth the risk!
I am excited to participate in this learning opportunity so that I may gain a better understanding of the many 21st century technology tools. I do realize that technology is ever changing and I am also aware of my need to keep current with what is available in order to challenge and enhance the education of my students. It is important to me to provide my students with as many challenging learning opportunities as possible. The idea of being able to express my thoughts and opinions for all to see gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, it is exciting to think that I have the ability to share information with virtually anyone. But, on the other hand, it makes me feel a little vulnerable. Although I would never mean to post something that may contain an error, the reality is that this could and probably will happen. If somehow my efforts make a difference in a positive manner, then it will all be worth the risk!
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