My plan of attack for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year is pretty much the same as before I started 23 things. A lot of the 23 things are above first graders. I did see a few sites where first grade classes are creating podcasts using songs and poetry. We only have about 6 weeks left and I may try having the class recite the pledge and use it to create a podcast.
Personally I will use many of the things I learned about. Even now I use my delicious page on a regular basis. I use it to research other information about money related matters. It has connected me to a lot of other peoples tags concerning money and finance. My wife is hooked on Flikr. She wants to store our pictures using it. She was fascinated, as was I, with the ability to alter the photo using Picnik and Dumpr. My oldest son was watching with great interest as I created my state Wiki page and even started helping put it together. My children also enjoyed the short podcast I had to put together. They want to create one too.
Professionally and pedagogically this course really has made me think about my teaching style and what changes I need to make to better reach my students especially if I begin to move up grade levels. When I am helping out with bus duty the first thing I see when upper elementary and middle school students hit the exit doors is cell phones, ipods, and other devices that are not allowed to be used in school. I think schools really need to update the policies regarding the above devices and teachers need to really need to begin investigating what kids are into so they can reach them better. Change is scary especially if you have been doing the same things for the past 10, 15, 30 plus years. The truth is that things have changed and continue to at a faster and faster rate. We as teachers need to harness the new technologies that the students are using and incorporate it into our curriculum. Teachers, myself included, need to step outside the box and take a look at teaching in a new light.
23 things has given me a glimpse of what is out there and I plan to tell my peers and coworkers about 23 things. I have already mentioned and shown some of the work I had to do to a few people and they were impressed with all the things I was learning about. Hopefully that will grab their interest and make them want to try new things. I believe as I use some of the 23 things in my classrooms now and in the future some of my peers will warm to the ideas and take interest in it too. I have been thinking about educating parents on some of the applications that we use in school via the use of the school computer labs. If the parents are on board and get a glimpse of what we use in school than that will only strengthen what I am trying to do in the classroom because the parents will have a better understanding of it.
It is difficult to gauge to what extent I will use the 23 things in my classroom because I do not know what I will be teaching next year. It could be Kindergarten, fourth grade, or even middle school. Generally speaking I would like to use and create classroom podcasts. In the upper grades I will incorporate blogs and make a class Wiki page. I will also research how others are using podcasts, Wikis, blogs, and other technologies in the classroom and try to incorporate it bit by bit into my curriculum. Like the saying goes “You can get anywhere one step at a time.” As I get a better feel for what is out there and learn about it I will slowly add more and more to my curriculum.
I still want to learn what twitter is all about. I hear and read of athletes, politicians, and others twittering and I feel like I am out of the loop. I’ll look it up online and check out what it is about. I know there is a bunch of stuff out there that I am not aware of. I’ll pay attention to what I hear and read about then look it up online or sign up for “23 more things” hopefully in the near future.
As for staying in touch with the current participants through a “PLN”, we could continue our blogs. Members could blog what they are up to and the new and exciting things that they have tried in their classrooms that really enhanced/engaged student learning. Maybe create a Wiki page where member could put comments, ideas, videos, podcasts, etc…
In closing, I learned a lot of things that I had no clue about before. I did feel overwhelmed or in the web 2.0 “cloud” at times. The class was presented in a manner that was easy to follow and broke it down into step by step increments. It was a lot of work and I did get frustrated but in the end it was well worth it. This course enabled me to learn about Wikis, podcasts, web 2.0, RSS, Flikr, and many other things. I got to learn, explore, and best of all create things using what I had learned. This course has provided me with tools that I can add to my tool box and can access and use at a personal and professional level.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thing 22
I will be utilizing PD opportunities online now and in the future. Having a busy schedule with kids and a spouse who also works full time finding time to take a class at the college or at a university would be very difficult at this time in my life. It is hard enough just to make it to the PD opportunities offered at the ISD and its only a few minutes from my house. Online PD is the way to go especially for those with a busy schedule. You can work on it virtually any time, no drive time, don't have to worry about the weather, don't have to line up a babysitter/daycare, and you can work from the comforts of your home. Wow! What more can you ask for. Some disadvantages include face time with an expert in the area your learning about especially if you have questions and concerns that need addressed immediately. Another disadvantage would be class time with fellow people in your field. You often learn a lot from talking and interacting with them. Another disasdvantage is the motivation/commitment factor. How many people start an online PD course and acually complete it. Being online people may foget about it or put it off or don't realize all the work that needs to go into it to complete it.
I would like to see online PD on the various software teachers could utilize such as power point, excel, google.docs, and many of the things I learned about through 23 things but covered in more depth.
This online class was a lot more work than I realized. Was it worth it? Yes - it helped me gain a better understanding of the many things that students as well as other educators are using. The course felt like a college course if you take into consideration all the time and energy it took to complete it. I will use or at least have some kowledge of some of the things I learned. I will be able to hold a conversation with someone and actually have a clue of what they are talking about and may be able to add my own two cents to the conversation.
I would like to see online PD on the various software teachers could utilize such as power point, excel, google.docs, and many of the things I learned about through 23 things but covered in more depth.
This online class was a lot more work than I realized. Was it worth it? Yes - it helped me gain a better understanding of the many things that students as well as other educators are using. The course felt like a college course if you take into consideration all the time and energy it took to complete it. I will use or at least have some kowledge of some of the things I learned. I will be able to hold a conversation with someone and actually have a clue of what they are talking about and may be able to add my own two cents to the conversation.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thing 21
The following video was comic relief.
How It`s Made: Fireman`s Hat
2. I downloaded a video from Zamzar and it worked. It sent me an email fairly quickly maybe because it is 5 in the morning and everyone is sleeping in considering it is Easter morning. Have a Hoppy Easter!!! Save some candy for the kids.
3. I have used video streaming in my classroom in conjunction with the lessons I am teaching. It is nice because I can play certain segments without playing the entire video. When we learned about the sun I played some segments from"The MagicSchool Bus" talking about stars from streaming video. A word to the wise preview a video for appropriate content and age appropriateness before showing. What cracks me up is whenever I turn my tv on to show a streaming video or dvd the Jerry Springer show pops up on my classroom tv (talk about content). Now I start the video then turn the tv on. YouTube is blocked at our district. I guess we have had to many issues with it - thats to bad because it has a lot of educational stuff too - Zamzar &Vixy will come in handy.
How It`s Made: Fireman`s Hat
2. I downloaded a video from Zamzar and it worked. It sent me an email fairly quickly maybe because it is 5 in the morning and everyone is sleeping in considering it is Easter morning. Have a Hoppy Easter!!! Save some candy for the kids.
3. I have used video streaming in my classroom in conjunction with the lessons I am teaching. It is nice because I can play certain segments without playing the entire video. When we learned about the sun I played some segments from"The MagicSchool Bus" talking about stars from streaming video. A word to the wise preview a video for appropriate content and age appropriateness before showing. What cracks me up is whenever I turn my tv on to show a streaming video or dvd the Jerry Springer show pops up on my classroom tv (talk about content). Now I start the video then turn the tv on. YouTube is blocked at our district. I guess we have had to many issues with it - thats to bad because it has a lot of educational stuff too - Zamzar &Vixy will come in handy.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thing 20
1. I think my students would like to listen to podcasts in certain areas. I believe they would listening to stories, songs, & poetry through podcasts. A podcast link students would enjoy is called storynory which has audiobooks created by adults as well as students.
http://storynory.com/
2. My students would love creating a podcast. We could create a podcast of a song or poem we have been working on in class. What a thrill it would be for students to hear the song or poem on a podcast.
3 A. Some of the podcasts that I look at include:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=3634017 ESPN
http://www.cnn.com/services/podcasting/ CNN news
B. From a professional standpoint I have used the following podcasts sites:
REMC podcasts
http://www.remc3-9.org/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=144&catfilter=26&PHPSESSID=12b10d5fd2175810b7122cb1c0979c76#showDoc
Earth & Sky Science topics podcasts
http://www.earthsky.org/clear-voices/
The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach with and about, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century.
http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=7#10
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thing 19
Here are the podcasts I listened to including my likes/ dislikes /classroom usage.
1. Warner Archive Collection - Abe Lincoln in Illinois- This was a play about Abe Lincoln it was rather an old play and the audio was not to clear. You really had to focus to understand it. I would not share this with my students. If anything I would listen to it myself on a lazy Sunday night when I had nothing better to do.
2. Mandarin Chinese Lessons with Serge Melnyk- I found this pretty interesting. In fact we were discussing the possibility of offering students Mandarin Chinese through a grant from the ISD at our last staff meeting. I am thinking what is it? This podcast broke it down into simple instruction that a kid could follow. I learned that "Ne How "spelling is off, means hello. I think even my first grade students could learn some simple words / greetings in chinese with this podcast. I would probably download it to an mp3 player and have students learn a few words a week. I would have the mp3 players at a station and students would rotate to it during reading rotations.
3. Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - I would use this podcast if I was teaching high school. It had a nice jingle to it and added life to grammar which is usually pretty blah for students.
4. Manic Mommies - The daily life of 2 moms who work full time and have kids. I thought this was a bit comical to listen to. I would not use this in the classroom. My wife might be intersted in listening to it.
5. Poetry Everywhere - I liked this podcast. It read a poem with video to it. This was above and beyond elemetary age kids comprehension. I would use maybe at HS/College level.
6. PBS podcast - American Experience - If were teaching middle/high school social studies I would integrate some of the podcasts they offer into my lesson plans. Not long ones though - students would do better with the video. They had many topics to choose from which could easily be integrated into a lesson.
7. Audiblekids - I registerd for an account and found that they had a lot of great books to listen to especially for my first graders. The bad part is that there was a fee for each book and it could get quite expensive. They had a few free ones and samples. If I had the extra cash I would purchase a few because they had tons of books in the 5-7 year old range. I would have this at one of my centers during center time.
8. Storynory - same reasonings as number 7 above but most of it is free although most of the stories are made up by others including students. I would use this in my classroom as one of my centers during reading rotation.
1. Warner Archive Collection - Abe Lincoln in Illinois- This was a play about Abe Lincoln it was rather an old play and the audio was not to clear. You really had to focus to understand it. I would not share this with my students. If anything I would listen to it myself on a lazy Sunday night when I had nothing better to do.
2. Mandarin Chinese Lessons with Serge Melnyk- I found this pretty interesting. In fact we were discussing the possibility of offering students Mandarin Chinese through a grant from the ISD at our last staff meeting. I am thinking what is it? This podcast broke it down into simple instruction that a kid could follow. I learned that "Ne How "spelling is off, means hello. I think even my first grade students could learn some simple words / greetings in chinese with this podcast. I would probably download it to an mp3 player and have students learn a few words a week. I would have the mp3 players at a station and students would rotate to it during reading rotations.
3. Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - I would use this podcast if I was teaching high school. It had a nice jingle to it and added life to grammar which is usually pretty blah for students.
4. Manic Mommies - The daily life of 2 moms who work full time and have kids. I thought this was a bit comical to listen to. I would not use this in the classroom. My wife might be intersted in listening to it.
5. Poetry Everywhere - I liked this podcast. It read a poem with video to it. This was above and beyond elemetary age kids comprehension. I would use maybe at HS/College level.
6. PBS podcast - American Experience - If were teaching middle/high school social studies I would integrate some of the podcasts they offer into my lesson plans. Not long ones though - students would do better with the video. They had many topics to choose from which could easily be integrated into a lesson.
7. Audiblekids - I registerd for an account and found that they had a lot of great books to listen to especially for my first graders. The bad part is that there was a fee for each book and it could get quite expensive. They had a few free ones and samples. If I had the extra cash I would purchase a few because they had tons of books in the 5-7 year old range. I would have this at one of my centers during center time.
8. Storynory - same reasonings as number 7 above but most of it is free although most of the stories are made up by others including students. I would use this in my classroom as one of my centers during reading rotation.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thing 17
My wiki space URL is http://cshipe.wikispaces.com/ . Please feel free to check it out. I created it to share motivational quotes and short videos that inspire teachers to keep doing what they love to do - TEACH. There area lot of variables in teaching and it can get stressful at times. Teachers need a pick me up sometimes so I created the above wiki to do just that. We all need a little lift at times in our careers to reinforce why we became educators in the first place. Please feel free to add to the Wiki some of your favorite quotes, sayings, or other inspirational words to continue to inspire fellow educators. A blog is like a diary - I post to it and people comment. A wiki is more collaborative. Ican invite people to add to it their ideas. A wiki is more functional. It is easy to edit, save, add to, and etc... I will be using Wiki's as part of my curriculum as I continue my teaching career from here on out. Today I showed my first graders my State of West Virginia wiki and they loved it. They got a kickout of the dumpr site too. Some potential pitfalls I see with a Wiki include student sabbatage. Students adding misleading info or links. Students will have to follow some typeof rules when it comes to working and creating Wiki's.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thing 13 Picknik
http://www.dumpr.net/photos/139401/
I think my first graders would have a blast editing pictures. I would give everyone a picture of my dog or goat and have them play around with it. At first it would have to be in small groups until students could get the hang of it. I would first introduce it by editing a picture of myself. The students would get a kick out of it. This would be quite a challenge for 6& 7 year olds but with small group instruction students could learn to edit a picture. They may not remember later but they'll have a lot of fun.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thing 12 Flickr
I would search for pictures to show the class in conjunction with what we are studying. After Spring/Easter Break we will be talking about the oceans and the aimals that live in it. I will use Flickr to show studets the various oceans & the animals. I found some great whale pictures that people have posted to Flickr. In terms of other teachers I would probably introduce them to Flickr and show them that other options exist when looking for photos besides searching Google images. I think the Flickr pictures look much clearer almost as if you could picture yourself in the photo. I could see Social Studies teachers using Flickr when talking about places around the globe, science teachers using it to show plants and animals. As for pitfalls, teachers would have to preview what they are oing to show students in case an unsuspecting picture pops up during your lesson (trust me - I've had a few close calls). I could take pictures of onoing projects in my class and post them to Flickr. In in my weekly news letter to parents I could note that I posted some class photos they may want to check out.
Thing 11
I could search SlideShare to enhance my curriculum that I am teaching. Students could learn about a topic via a SlideShare. They could also get another persons take on a topic that differs from what I taught them. I think this would be a great way for students to share their PowerPoint with the world. It would give the students more recognition & may encourage them to take more pride in their work because an endless number of people can view their work. One issue that could be a problem is that of appropriatness. A student could post something to SlideShare that may not be appropriate. The instructor would have to carefully screen what students plan to put on SlideShare.
My SlideShare that I liked was about being Debt-Free. Hopefully it works.
My SlideShare that I liked was about being Debt-Free. Hopefully it works.
Debt-Free Living
View more presentations from meadereads.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thing 10
I could use google docs for a variety of things. I could use it to collaborate with different teachers around the county. I could collaborate on a 1st grade presentation on Space with other first grade teachers. Each adding their own ideas or thoughts to the presentations. It would allow for different points of view. Maybe a teacher at another school has a great idea that I had not thought of. Personally I could use the spreadsheet to hammer out practice schedules for baseball teams. Instead of calling & emailing the list around, I could use a spreadsheet and have people fill it in. It would save a lot of hassle & time. Some problems may be that people could delete or edit other peoples work completely. As for the practice time spreadsheet someone could possibly delete someone from a time slot and use it as their own.
Some advantages of working in the cloud include the ability the have constant interaction & feed back on things. Your ideas are opened to the world and sometimes thats a good thing and sometimes its not. Also things in the cloud could get jumbled, things are always changing (here today gone tomorrow), and it can be very fast paced and overwelhming. I am still trying to remember and roll around in my mind all things I've learned so far and I am only on Thing 10.
Some advantages of working in the cloud include the ability the have constant interaction & feed back on things. Your ideas are opened to the world and sometimes thats a good thing and sometimes its not. Also things in the cloud could get jumbled, things are always changing (here today gone tomorrow), and it can be very fast paced and overwelhming. I am still trying to remember and roll around in my mind all things I've learned so far and I am only on Thing 10.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thing 8 Something smells Delicious
It is pretty cool that I don't have to carry around my list of favorite sites any more or have to search the web to find them. What a tool to be able to access your favorite sites from any place. I have bookmarks on my school computer & home computer - now I can access them both using delicious (who comes up with these crazy names). My del.icious.us username is cshipe.
I find the ability to tag to be beneficial in respect that I can access what other sites people have found beneficial to them and I can incorporate it too. It will save me a ton of time searching the web for school stuff. For example I can network with Mr. Zilligit and see that he has tagged quite a few math sites that he thinks are worthwhile and can use them for my benefit too. The sharing & exchanging of information is incredible.
Another point I like is the ability to sort the sites according to your tags. That will make life a lot easier especially as my bookmarks grow. If I want to access my finance/money sites I can simply click the money tag and only those bookmarks will be displayed - no more looking through long lists to find stuff. On my school computer it would take me longer to find the bookmark Ias looking for than it took to get the info I needed from it. It is great that you can see what other people have access to to see which sites are "good" so you don't have to waste a lot of time searching the endless number of sites for info you are looking for.
I find the ability to tag to be beneficial in respect that I can access what other sites people have found beneficial to them and I can incorporate it too. It will save me a ton of time searching the web for school stuff. For example I can network with Mr. Zilligit and see that he has tagged quite a few math sites that he thinks are worthwhile and can use them for my benefit too. The sharing & exchanging of information is incredible.
Another point I like is the ability to sort the sites according to your tags. That will make life a lot easier especially as my bookmarks grow. If I want to access my finance/money sites I can simply click the money tag and only those bookmarks will be displayed - no more looking through long lists to find stuff. On my school computer it would take me longer to find the bookmark Ias looking for than it took to get the info I needed from it. It is great that you can see what other people have access to to see which sites are "good" so you don't have to waste a lot of time searching the endless number of sites for info you are looking for.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Thing 5
The first thing that comes to mind in thinking about web 2.0 and learning in the 21st century is what a shift from the traditional way of learning. I feel somewhat illiterate in terms of web 2.0 in all that it involves. I feel a bit behind the eight ball and that I need to really start to take a closer look at it (hence why I am taking this 23 things course) because a lot of students are into it. The old saying is "You have to reach tem to teach them" and the traditional styles of teaching are reaching the students less and less and its time for an upgrade.
My understanding of the articles and videos allowed me to realize that web 2.0 is an active, involved service that allows people to get, create, share, and build information that can be published for the world to see. Students can reach out to people in different schools, communities, states, countries, etc... Do students really understand the power of web 2.0 and can they harness it? I think that is where educators have to step in and help guide the students through the various aspects such as blogging, wikis, etc... As educators we need to think outside the box a bit (even though change can be scary especially if you have done the same thing every year the same way for the past x amount of years). Don't be afraid to dive in and try, remember we ask our students to do this on a daily basis.
I like Steve Hargadon's quote "The wisdom of the group replaces the expert." In school I find that we need to shift the focus from individual projects and learning to more team approach. We need to integrate the web 2.0 aspects into our classrooms instead of banning them from the school because we feel to uncomfortable or don't know enough about it so we shun it. I would like to introduce students to blogging or wiki but what would be the proper age if any? I could easily see myself using it when I taught the middle school age kids but what about 1st grade. The safety issue always concerns me when students are on-line. Are there "things" (pardon the pun) in place to help protect students? I always in the back of my mind think of liability issues when it comes to my students being on-line at school and how safe is it for them to blog, wiki, etc...
Overall I believe Steve Hargadon hit the nail on the head when he said that "The factory model is dying and the new wave is the ability to customize, collaborate, and be creative. " That's how we have to structure the way we present and teach our materials to students. We have to let the students be actively engaged in the process. The world will continue to evolve and the education system can't stand pat, it must grow and change like everything else.
My understanding of the articles and videos allowed me to realize that web 2.0 is an active, involved service that allows people to get, create, share, and build information that can be published for the world to see. Students can reach out to people in different schools, communities, states, countries, etc... Do students really understand the power of web 2.0 and can they harness it? I think that is where educators have to step in and help guide the students through the various aspects such as blogging, wikis, etc... As educators we need to think outside the box a bit (even though change can be scary especially if you have done the same thing every year the same way for the past x amount of years). Don't be afraid to dive in and try, remember we ask our students to do this on a daily basis.
I like Steve Hargadon's quote "The wisdom of the group replaces the expert." In school I find that we need to shift the focus from individual projects and learning to more team approach. We need to integrate the web 2.0 aspects into our classrooms instead of banning them from the school because we feel to uncomfortable or don't know enough about it so we shun it. I would like to introduce students to blogging or wiki but what would be the proper age if any? I could easily see myself using it when I taught the middle school age kids but what about 1st grade. The safety issue always concerns me when students are on-line. Are there "things" (pardon the pun) in place to help protect students? I always in the back of my mind think of liability issues when it comes to my students being on-line at school and how safe is it for them to blog, wiki, etc...
Overall I believe Steve Hargadon hit the nail on the head when he said that "The factory model is dying and the new wave is the ability to customize, collaborate, and be creative. " That's how we have to structure the way we present and teach our materials to students. We have to let the students be actively engaged in the process. The world will continue to evolve and the education system can't stand pat, it must grow and change like everything else.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Thing 4 How things change
In terms of technology, teaching and learning has changed quite a bit since I was a child. I remember a lot of rote memorization, drill and practice, and testing. Everyone had their own desk in rows facing the almighty chalkboard. There was not much collaboration or group work as compared to individual work. I do not remember receiving any formal computer class until 7th grade and that was done on Commadore 64's. Wow how have the times changed!!!! I'm not that old but boy do I feel like it when it comes to technology.
Now a days students enter Kindergarten knowing more about computers than I did when I was that age. Sthudents have formal computer classes beginning in Kindergarten. Students are learning Excel, Powerpoint, Word, how to search for information, post messages, email, etc.... Students today can take virtual field trips, take on-line classes, use the IVAN room at their school to take a class offered at a different school. Students communicate information and process it at a faster rate thanks to email, IM, texting, cell phones, etc...
In terms of staying the same, the physical buildings are much the same and how things are taught remains much the same. Students still use textbooks for most of their learning even though some texts are really old and out dated. Some things are still really strongly emphasized the same as I was in school. One example is cursive handwriting. In my opinion a lot of time is wasted teaching it and when the students get to middle school and high school much of the major work is done via computer software such as Word and Excel. Like the old saying goes the more things change the more they stay the same.
Now a days students enter Kindergarten knowing more about computers than I did when I was that age. Sthudents have formal computer classes beginning in Kindergarten. Students are learning Excel, Powerpoint, Word, how to search for information, post messages, email, etc.... Students today can take virtual field trips, take on-line classes, use the IVAN room at their school to take a class offered at a different school. Students communicate information and process it at a faster rate thanks to email, IM, texting, cell phones, etc...
In terms of staying the same, the physical buildings are much the same and how things are taught remains much the same. Students still use textbooks for most of their learning even though some texts are really old and out dated. Some things are still really strongly emphasized the same as I was in school. One example is cursive handwriting. In my opinion a lot of time is wasted teaching it and when the students get to middle school and high school much of the major work is done via computer software such as Word and Excel. Like the old saying goes the more things change the more they stay the same.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thing 3 blogging
I have blogged before but not very often. My wife recently got a facebook account and I have been connecting with friends I have not seen or heard from in many years. I have written some blogs on some teacher sites asking for some classroom advice on different issues. I do read blogs quite a bit. I find myself reading blogs at some of the news sites such as CNN and FOX News. I also read blogs posted on the financial guru Dave Ramsey's website. How does it feel to share your thoughts so publicly? I usually blog in response to a article or topic and I feel comfortable sharing my view point with whoever cares to read it. As for blogging personal info or airing any dirty laundry to anyone who wants to read it is a different story- I choose not to. I have read several blogs or postings on facebook or other sites where people tell their life history, marital problems, etc... I think thats a bit to much info to share with people. As for some of the blog sites I enjoyed so far I mentioned them in my Thing 1 and Thing 2 blogs. I am looking forward to learning about the rest of the 23 "things" and how I can use them in my personal and professional life.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thing 2 Oh the possibilities!!!
What a great set up Eric had for his 8th grade students. The Guerrilla Season blog brought a part of history alive for his students. He was able to reach his students using the latest technology that made learning fun, interesting, and interactive for all parties involved. It probably took him a lot of time to set this up but it pays dividends in the end. Our social studies teacher really integrates technology in her teaching using the starboard. It took her many hours to input and find things but the students absolutely love the class.
The Cool Cat Teacher Blog site was quite a busy site. There is stuff all over that site. I found lots of great links and good info but the site could be cleaned up a bit. Out of all the sites you reccomended to look at my favorite was the Remote Access site relating to siftables (little tiles that are interactive) Way Cool !!! It really makes you think of technology in a whole different realm besides a keyboard, drive system, and monitor. I could use the siftables in my class for spelling and math. The first grade students would really get a kick out of it and have fun learning their math facts and spelling with them. I had a great thought, Jim could you use your tech money or pay out of your own pocket for a set or two of siftables for my classroom!! Thanks in advance.
The Cool Cat Teacher Blog site was quite a busy site. There is stuff all over that site. I found lots of great links and good info but the site could be cleaned up a bit. Out of all the sites you reccomended to look at my favorite was the Remote Access site relating to siftables (little tiles that are interactive) Way Cool !!! It really makes you think of technology in a whole different realm besides a keyboard, drive system, and monitor. I could use the siftables in my class for spelling and math. The first grade students would really get a kick out of it and have fun learning their math facts and spelling with them. I had a great thought, Jim could you use your tech money or pay out of your own pocket for a set or two of siftables for my classroom!! Thanks in advance.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thing 1 Many uses for blogging & technology
Hi everyone,
Since my first go around with 23 things I have had a few more experiences with blogging. I've seen it can be used for many things: teachers using it as an instructional tool where students give feed back, as a way to communicate with people that have common interests, as a sounding board for whatever a person wants to rant about, and the many other endless possibilities people blog for. Most recently my wife got a facebook account and we have made connections with people we have not heard or seen since our high school and college days. It's great to see how their lives have changed since the school years. As an educator I sometimes worry that our students are to attached to all the new technologies thats out there. It seems the days of interacting with people face to face in person is becoming less & less. I feel that technology is great and I find it really engages the students in the classroom and out of it. My wife and I discuss technologies pros and cons once and a while. She sees it evolving all the time in the medical field. The other day we were discussing the new technologies that they use in the open heart unit where she works and I questioned her about heart surgies with robotics. She asked, " Would you your chest cracked open and face a longer recovery or have a robot do it without cracking it open?" I guess she's made a good point on how technology has helped in the medical field.
Since my first go around with 23 things I have had a few more experiences with blogging. I've seen it can be used for many things: teachers using it as an instructional tool where students give feed back, as a way to communicate with people that have common interests, as a sounding board for whatever a person wants to rant about, and the many other endless possibilities people blog for. Most recently my wife got a facebook account and we have made connections with people we have not heard or seen since our high school and college days. It's great to see how their lives have changed since the school years. As an educator I sometimes worry that our students are to attached to all the new technologies thats out there. It seems the days of interacting with people face to face in person is becoming less & less. I feel that technology is great and I find it really engages the students in the classroom and out of it. My wife and I discuss technologies pros and cons once and a while. She sees it evolving all the time in the medical field. The other day we were discussing the new technologies that they use in the open heart unit where she works and I questioned her about heart surgies with robotics. She asked, " Would you your chest cracked open and face a longer recovery or have a robot do it without cracking it open?" I guess she's made a good point on how technology has helped in the medical field.
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