Google Calendar and Google Translate were the two tools I chose to view. Google translate is a resource that can be used to aide in communication with ESL learners. This could be particularly helpful in areas such as Arizona and California where there are many ESL students who you will need to find ways to communicate with inside of your classroom.
Google Calendars is one of the coolest tools I have seen on Google. I use a written planner that only has five slots to write appointments in per day, and I have to reference it constantly. With Google Calendar I can add in all of my appointments of the day. I can even become more organized by arranging specific time periods to complete each of my tasks in to keep me on track. Best of all, I do not have to constantly reference. As long as I am logged in to my gmail account, reminders will pop up thirty minutes before my next task is set to begin.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Thing #11
Topix.net is the devil. I have no idea why a search on blekko turns into a search engine for blekko leading to sites like onlinefinancedegree.com. I just wanted a blog. I came away confused and unhappy. I could navigate it if I tried, I realize. But when there are so many other great sources out there, I can not figure out why I would bother with a more complicated one. Just as always, it seems, Google comes through again. I am beginning to think that the innovative minds at Google Inc. are actually just a large group of wizards in pointy hats performing magic spells on computers. Whether it's geniuses or magicians, Google still steals my heart in all forms of web surfing to date.
When searching for middle school teacher blogs, Google gave me some wonderful blogs on Middle school madness, both the hormone raging sort of madness of middle school teens, and the madness that arises around halloween and middle school dances. Technorati gave me school shootings.. I can't say there is very much of a challenge. Google. For the win.
When searching for middle school teacher blogs, Google gave me some wonderful blogs on Middle school madness, both the hormone raging sort of madness of middle school teens, and the madness that arises around halloween and middle school dances. Technorati gave me school shootings.. I can't say there is very much of a challenge. Google. For the win.
Thing #10
I enjoy how user friendly RSS and newsreaders are. All of the information is at your fingertips and only a click away. Searching for topics through a google search has always been the easiest way to access information, and it holds true in a blog search on Google Reader as well. I also like the spontaneous updates. I spend so much time checking the three different email sites I have, and all five class listings to make sure that no one has written anything I need to know about. If only my D2L classlist and emails could be set up as a newsreader. It would simplify my life a great deal. However, realistically, I do not think I would use them inside of my personal life. I just do not have enough interesting information to share with others. Not yet anyway. Once I have been teaching a few years, I feel that I may be able to pass on my experience to others.
Still, RSS feeds for blogs would have their uses inside of a classroom, as long as you can find the time in your classroom for make appropriate use of them. I would think they would be useful tools at determining how best to go about teaching your students, particularly in the first year teaching at a new school. You can learn from what other teachers are doing in that school year and how students are reacting to it. Figure out which experiments children are learning the most from, and the most effective ways of implementing STEM in a school. The best use I can think of would be to set up your own blog, and have your children subscribe to it. They could check it at night to see if you had posted anything new. It updates automatically, so they wouldn't have to search for any new information, just go straight to the RSS. I believe that this is something easy to accomplish, and it makes life easier in the long run. Who wouldn't want that?
Still, RSS feeds for blogs would have their uses inside of a classroom, as long as you can find the time in your classroom for make appropriate use of them. I would think they would be useful tools at determining how best to go about teaching your students, particularly in the first year teaching at a new school. You can learn from what other teachers are doing in that school year and how students are reacting to it. Figure out which experiments children are learning the most from, and the most effective ways of implementing STEM in a school. The best use I can think of would be to set up your own blog, and have your children subscribe to it. They could check it at night to see if you had posted anything new. It updates automatically, so they wouldn't have to search for any new information, just go straight to the RSS. I believe that this is something easy to accomplish, and it makes life easier in the long run. Who wouldn't want that?
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thing #9
This is one of the images I created on Image chef. I had so much fun creating these. I really love this application, but hated that I could not use much of the sites, as they redirected you to a paypal screen. I think it is a great way to engage students in learning about technology. Getting children excited about learning, can be difficult at times. The issue is finding something that interest them, and gets them motivated and involved in their own learning process.
I believe that applications like this can be used in libraries as a way to entertain children in a way that can be beneficial to their learning. It is so much better than playing solitaire, or finding a way to bypass the library system to get on facebook. Besides that, learning about science can be boring at times for children. Creating little jokes like this can get them learning about the planets, just to joke about it on here. I think it would be a very effective teaching strategy if used appropriately.
Thing #8
Applications can be fun and simple for children of all ages. The picture above is a perfect example of this. A simple application like this can be used to create fun posters for around the classroom, or for the students to use to create their own name labels for which seat they will sit in while in your classroom. It is a simple and interactive way to introduce students to technology.
Many of the applications could be useful inside of a classroom. Adding pictures to certain locations could be used inside of a geography or science classroom. In helping understand how geographical landforms influence weather conditions, children could put the corresponding pictures over the correct location.
In my personal life, I will probably not use flickr though. Although I do appreciate other people's pictures and photography, I would not add in my own. I do not feel comfortable with others looking at my photographs. I feel that they are personal, and should only be shared with those who I am close to.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Thing #7
This picture expresses what I want to do as a teacher. I want my children to be inspired. While inside the class I want to foster a relationship with my students offers a chance to grow, blossom, and flourish. As a naturalist, I enjoy the idea of inspiration occurring outdoors in a peaceful and prosperous environment.
I love the expressive nature of photographs, but do not believe that I will use them very much inside of my classroom. While great for certain subjects, I just can not see the need for them in a science classroom as much as other web 2.0 tools. As a teacher, I only have so much time to use inside of the class, and I am not sure that sites like flickr would be the best use of my time.
I have never used a site like this or any other. I am not entirely comfortable with such a large group of people capable of seeing my pictures.I am not very artistic, and I do not think other people would enjoy seeing the pictures from my 22nd birthday. For me, I believe expressive writing on blogs would be my art form of choice. I do believe that inside an art class, or perhaps explaining symbolic meanings in an English class, that this would be very helpful though. It just is not my particular cup of tea.
Thing #6
I absolutely love GameClassroom! It has so many fun games for Math and Language Arts, and even lesson plans, videos, and worksheets. It is like an entire class set up in one location. The only thing I would change is the grade levels. It is set up for K-6, but I believe children at any grade level would enjoy this. When I was in middle school, I spent most of my computer time on solitaire. These games are far more fun than solitaire and have the potential to actually teach children something.
Inside of a school, I would put a site like this to work, particularly in the cases of gifted individuals or individuals who are having difficulties grasping a certain concept. Gifted individuals can begin learning more complex concepts, while feeling like they are not being punished with more difficult or boring work. Likewise, individuals who may be having difficulties also should not feel as though they are being punished for not understanding something. By giving them a fun game like the ones in the funbrain arcade, they can get comfortable with a difficult concept without fearing the assignment, and taking joy in independently learning a concept.
Inside of a school, I would put a site like this to work, particularly in the cases of gifted individuals or individuals who are having difficulties grasping a certain concept. Gifted individuals can begin learning more complex concepts, while feeling like they are not being punished with more difficult or boring work. Likewise, individuals who may be having difficulties also should not feel as though they are being punished for not understanding something. By giving them a fun game like the ones in the funbrain arcade, they can get comfortable with a difficult concept without fearing the assignment, and taking joy in independently learning a concept.
Thing #5
I remember going to the library when I was in elementary school to find a book on cool science projects. I remember asking my parents who Shakespeare was, what perfume was made of, and wondering how to pronounce the word "awry". As children, we had an unending curiosity about the world around us, and soaked up information like sponges. The only problem I had back then, was getting the answers for all of my questions.
For me, School 2.0 means the ability to constantly learn and further your knowledge and understanding. Have a question but don't have an encyclopedia? Google it. Do you need an awesome science project for the science fair? Look at the winning selections from last year. You can even chat with a professor or in a message board on Shakespeare if you did not understand something in class. School 2.0 is expanding your world view, and having all the knowledge you could want and need at your fingertips.
For me, the scary realization is that I am a student's guide to all of this information, teaching them how to navigate the waters of an ocean of information. At the moment, I am just beginning my own journey! The good news, is that with the use of web 2.0 tools, I can find innovative new ways to teach my students, and find the best 2.0 tools to complement their learning inside of my classroom. I believe that this is an asset inside schools that has been shown to significantly improve the achievement of students. I do not believe that this can go ignored. As a teacher, I don't just want my students to be taught. I want them to learn, and continue that learning. I believe that this is an area that web 2.0 tools can be put to a use and be very beneficial for both teachers and students.
For me, School 2.0 means the ability to constantly learn and further your knowledge and understanding. Have a question but don't have an encyclopedia? Google it. Do you need an awesome science project for the science fair? Look at the winning selections from last year. You can even chat with a professor or in a message board on Shakespeare if you did not understand something in class. School 2.0 is expanding your world view, and having all the knowledge you could want and need at your fingertips.
For me, the scary realization is that I am a student's guide to all of this information, teaching them how to navigate the waters of an ocean of information. At the moment, I am just beginning my own journey! The good news, is that with the use of web 2.0 tools, I can find innovative new ways to teach my students, and find the best 2.0 tools to complement their learning inside of my classroom. I believe that this is an asset inside schools that has been shown to significantly improve the achievement of students. I do not believe that this can go ignored. As a teacher, I don't just want my students to be taught. I want them to learn, and continue that learning. I believe that this is an area that web 2.0 tools can be put to a use and be very beneficial for both teachers and students.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thing #4
By commenting on other blogs, you are telling those around you that you share their interests and concerns. It creates a community of like-minded individuals with common goals. Much like those of us in a teaching class will have a great deal in common with most of our peers. By talking and interacting, even online, a person can speak their mind and receive feedback on their thoughts that may further their investigation or strengthen their thoughts on the subject they are blogging about.
It connects people to a common goal that the entire group can share.
I believe that the two important points of comments for me are expanding your horizons, and feeling a bit empowered. When ideas are added on, and thoughts are shared, it increases the knowledge base of the entire group, and allows you to explore new ideas and topics, expanding your own worldview. It also lets the original poster know that they are not alone in their beliefs, which is empowering to me. Just knowing that I may be able to help someone through what I have said, or that my ideas have strengthened someone else's beliefs is a great feeling.
I commented on Lowen, Singleton, Whipkey, Funderburk, and Leek's blogs. I felt that each one had something in theirs that I agreed with. Lowen had an excellent idea for the use of her blog that I had not considered, and I loved Singleton's idea for a "On this day in History" section of a future blog for her. Funderburk and me had similar beliefs on face to face contact, Whipkey and me had similar interests on continuing learning even outside of the classroom, and Leek and me shared the comfort and familiarity and pen and paper over the computer.
Two great additional blogs were Regurgitated Alpha Bits and ScienceFix. Both are teacher's blogs, and both are so much fun to read! Regurgitated Alpha Bits is written by an elementary school teacher, and is an excellent look into the future at all the cute moments that happen between students and a teacher, written as they occur in her life. ScienceFix is full of useful science experiments done by one teacher at a middle school, tried and true methods that kept his students entertained.
It connects people to a common goal that the entire group can share.
I believe that the two important points of comments for me are expanding your horizons, and feeling a bit empowered. When ideas are added on, and thoughts are shared, it increases the knowledge base of the entire group, and allows you to explore new ideas and topics, expanding your own worldview. It also lets the original poster know that they are not alone in their beliefs, which is empowering to me. Just knowing that I may be able to help someone through what I have said, or that my ideas have strengthened someone else's beliefs is a great feeling.
I commented on Lowen, Singleton, Whipkey, Funderburk, and Leek's blogs. I felt that each one had something in theirs that I agreed with. Lowen had an excellent idea for the use of her blog that I had not considered, and I loved Singleton's idea for a "On this day in History" section of a future blog for her. Funderburk and me had similar beliefs on face to face contact, Whipkey and me had similar interests on continuing learning even outside of the classroom, and Leek and me shared the comfort and familiarity and pen and paper over the computer.
Two great additional blogs were Regurgitated Alpha Bits and ScienceFix. Both are teacher's blogs, and both are so much fun to read! Regurgitated Alpha Bits is written by an elementary school teacher, and is an excellent look into the future at all the cute moments that happen between students and a teacher, written as they occur in her life. ScienceFix is full of useful science experiments done by one teacher at a middle school, tried and true methods that kept his students entertained.
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