Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thing #18
MySpace link.
It important that we as educators know how social networking works, our students are in love with it! I chose MySpace because that is what my daughter uses and she said that this way we could talk back and forth. I asked her what is wrong with the phone, her response was, "MySpace is for when you don't really want to talk to someone" ??? OK so what part of that did I not get...it is totally mind boggling that so many people have these pages and have spent countless hours designing and downloading the little bells and whistles. I can see how this could get out of hand and some teens as well as adults would not use it in the way in which it was intended. I see that we as educators need to meet our student's somewhere here in the middle. We need to see the value and the benefits of MySpace and/or Facebook and become creative in its classroom use. Student's already are on their pages any and every chance they can get so why not utilize it in an appropriate way. There are many widgets and tools that could be included to make it work for the classroom. Can you imagine the look on your student's faces when you tell them, "OK, today we are using our mobile lab cart and the computers, log on to your MySpace or Facebook account and go to the blogging area. WOW it could happen :)
It important that we as educators know how social networking works, our students are in love with it! I chose MySpace because that is what my daughter uses and she said that this way we could talk back and forth. I asked her what is wrong with the phone, her response was, "MySpace is for when you don't really want to talk to someone" ??? OK so what part of that did I not get...it is totally mind boggling that so many people have these pages and have spent countless hours designing and downloading the little bells and whistles. I can see how this could get out of hand and some teens as well as adults would not use it in the way in which it was intended. I see that we as educators need to meet our student's somewhere here in the middle. We need to see the value and the benefits of MySpace and/or Facebook and become creative in its classroom use. Student's already are on their pages any and every chance they can get so why not utilize it in an appropriate way. There are many widgets and tools that could be included to make it work for the classroom. Can you imagine the look on your student's faces when you tell them, "OK, today we are using our mobile lab cart and the computers, log on to your MySpace or Facebook account and go to the blogging area. WOW it could happen :)
Thing #17
del.icio.us is an easy tool to set up and to use. I can see teachers and students using this tool as they research and seek valid, helpful, and appropriate information from the internet. It reduces the search, it refines the search, and the best feature of all it is an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from any computer anywhere!
OPTIONAL: My del.icio.us account is set up and is being used pretty regular, I am in need of several up to date articles on technology uses in the classroom and del.icio.us helps me to find them.
OPTIONAL: My del.icio.us account is set up and is being used pretty regular, I am in need of several up to date articles on technology uses in the classroom and del.icio.us helps me to find them.
Thing #16
I liked the look of iGoogle (as opposed to PageFlakes or Net Vibe) so I customized my home page to iGoogle and even had fun adding widgets to my pages!! I chose iGoogle calendar, it is too easy not to use. I like the format, layout, and the editing tools, I didn't care for the look of 30 Boxes or Scrybe. I use a online calendar for home and work and can sync them both, I also use several online calendars at work within our department that are all synced together. It makes it nice to look at everyone's calendar when trying to schedule a meeting or to schedule training. When I first started in our department I was using the Credit Union calendar that we get every year (and that I dearly love!) but then I had to change and I am glad that I did, I like the pop up reminders for appointments!
The to-do lists in my opinion are too much work, however, the Backpack organizer looked to be a little easier to create to-do list, with reminders, etc.
Zamzar is an essential tool tool at work and at home! It allows you to save a document into another format, this can be really important for presentations and papers that you need to work on another computer.
Thing #16 had a lot of GREAT tools worth exploring!
The to-do lists in my opinion are too much work, however, the Backpack organizer looked to be a little easier to create to-do list, with reminders, etc.
Zamzar is an essential tool tool at work and at home! It allows you to save a document into another format, this can be really important for presentations and papers that you need to work on another computer.
Thing #16 had a lot of GREAT tools worth exploring!
Thing #15
Wiki's - This tool is my favorite for classroom use. I have my own wikispace - https://tlcox.wikispaces.com that I have used in the classroom to introduce Photo Story - a free Microsoft download. I was able to add links, directions, and helpful tips for teachers and students to access at any time all they needed was the link. Once teachers see the benefits of this tool and the fact that it is free, they can't wait to start using it and having their students use it. I see some wiki training at the campus level in the near future!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thing #14
Mindmapping and Flowcharts are purposeful not only in math and writing but in every content area imaginable! I chose Bubbl.us for and MindMeister to see how these two mind mapping programs differed. They both were easy and could really be used for all age groups. I created samples below:
Flowchart allowed me to create a sequential chart - a process from beginning to end.
Flowchart allowed me to create a sequential chart - a process from beginning to end.Thing #13
The thing I liked most about ZOHO is the fact that I can email my document to a friend or my students could email it to me or to each other for editing and for ideas. It is truly a working document. So often times teachers assign group work to be done outside of class and the students do not have the means to meet, transportation, parent's schedules, etc...but with ZOHO and an email address the possibilities are endless!
(I created a sample typed in ZOHO using links, and charts).
The embedded codedid not work I got an error message every time. I did figure out how to email, share, and publish, my logins just didn't work. With so many different requirements for logins on the 23 Things, I have had to change the login and passwords so much it is hard to keep up with them all.
(I created a sample typed in ZOHO using links, and charts).
The embedded codedid not work I got an error message every time. I did figure out how to email, share, and publish, my logins just didn't work. With so many different requirements for logins on the 23 Things, I have had to change the login and passwords so much it is hard to keep up with them all.
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