Sunday, April 22, 2012
WOO HOO!!
My experience with this 23 Things has been bittersweet. I have learned so many cool things that I fully intend on implementing in my future classroom. My favorite exercises were those in which we had to create images and explore Flickr. I love creating things, and these activities allowed me to tap into my creative juices. I believe that this assignment has better prepared me for teaching. I now have multiple tools that I can use to enhance my classroom. I had no idea there was so much to know about Web 2.0 tools. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to complete this project. (even though I complained the whole time.) Now that it is all said and done, I am very happy to have my blog cramp packed full of resources and tools for my future as a teacher. I will use this blog and the tools within it forever.
Thing #23
23 THINGS
I found this blog containing similar activities like the 23 things we have completed for this course. Overall, it is outlined like the ones we have done, but this blog explores a few different tools than we did. I was surprised to find that there were many modified versions of this assignment.
Creative Commons is a very interesting. As a teacher, I will use Creative Commons to teach children the importance of copyright. Also, I will be sure to keep this in mind when I am searching for images. I would hate to get sued for using a picture that did not belong to me.
I found this blog containing similar activities like the 23 things we have completed for this course. Overall, it is outlined like the ones we have done, but this blog explores a few different tools than we did. I was surprised to find that there were many modified versions of this assignment.
Creative Commons is a very interesting. As a teacher, I will use Creative Commons to teach children the importance of copyright. Also, I will be sure to keep this in mind when I am searching for images. I would hate to get sued for using a picture that did not belong to me.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thing #22
Livebinders would be a great tool to implement into any classroom. Students could use livebinders in group projects or for research assignments. A binder can be set as public so that the students in the group can collaborate and compile all resources into one place. This may make group meetings and collaboration easier.
Thing #21
Make a video of your own at Animoto.
I freaking love Animoto!!! I had so much fun creating my video. I plan on upgrading and paying for longer videos and using it to create videos for my sisters graduation and wedding. It was so easy to use, and the products are super adorable. I love how it connected directly to whatever source contained my pictures. I will be using Animoto VERY VERY often. As stated before, I absolutely loved this web tool! Too CUTE!!
Thing #20
YouTube is incredible! I use it almost everyday to find songs or short clips of comedians. I love the fact that you can search and find almost anything on YouTube. It's very easy to navigate and has millions upon millions of videos to view. It provides endless entertainment for those days you don't feel like doing anything.
The only thing I dislike about this website is the fact that people share inappropriate videos so you have to be careful. For this assignment, I chose a video that shows a part of Obama's Speech on Education. I find it very important and relevant. It is important to be up to date on education reforms and topics as a teacher. This video is educational as well as inspirational. There are plenty of other educational videos on this website that can be implemented into a classroom. Just be careful when allowing students to access Youtube, as some content is not censored.
The only thing I dislike about this website is the fact that people share inappropriate videos so you have to be careful. For this assignment, I chose a video that shows a part of Obama's Speech on Education. I find it very important and relevant. It is important to be up to date on education reforms and topics as a teacher. This video is educational as well as inspirational. There are plenty of other educational videos on this website that can be implemented into a classroom. Just be careful when allowing students to access Youtube, as some content is not censored.
Thing #18
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001500521429
I believe it is important for teachers to know how social networking sites operate because it is a big part of today's society. As teachers, we are social engineers that is we get students to interact with each other. In knowing how to use social networking sites, teachers have the opportunity to teach the students the appropriate ways in which to communicate. Also, the teacher can implement social networking sites into the classroom. This may engage the students more since they are already so tied up in Facebook and Twitter anyways. While exploring Facebook, I found that you can create private groups for whatever you need. For a classroom, you could set up a group for only your class for discussions or announcements. Facebook appealed more to me because it was easier to navigate. It also had more features that I could use in a classroom. As for Twitter, I personally do not fully understand the significance. Following the flow or whatever it is called is strange to me, and doesn't appear as a good means of communication. Using Facebook in the classroom would prove to be more practical for me.I really liked the fact that you could create private groups and are allowed to share longer messages than on Twitter. However, I would only use a social network in a high school classroom. I don't think it would work well in elementary school.
I believe it is important for teachers to know how social networking sites operate because it is a big part of today's society. As teachers, we are social engineers that is we get students to interact with each other. In knowing how to use social networking sites, teachers have the opportunity to teach the students the appropriate ways in which to communicate. Also, the teacher can implement social networking sites into the classroom. This may engage the students more since they are already so tied up in Facebook and Twitter anyways. While exploring Facebook, I found that you can create private groups for whatever you need. For a classroom, you could set up a group for only your class for discussions or announcements. Facebook appealed more to me because it was easier to navigate. It also had more features that I could use in a classroom. As for Twitter, I personally do not fully understand the significance. Following the flow or whatever it is called is strange to me, and doesn't appear as a good means of communication. Using Facebook in the classroom would prove to be more practical for me.I really liked the fact that you could create private groups and are allowed to share longer messages than on Twitter. However, I would only use a social network in a high school classroom. I don't think it would work well in elementary school.
Thing #17
At first, trying to navigate through the tool was a bit frustrating, but once I got the hang of it, it was really cool. I was able to create my own stacks by viewing others. I could see this tool being used in a classroom for different activities. A teacher could have the students create a Delicious account and create stacks that will assist them in researching a topic or for completing a project. This tool is easy to use and can be used effectively in the classroom. Also, I see this tool as a great bookmarking tool. It was simple to create stacks by subject and then share them with others. This bookmarking tool makes it easier to find your favorite "tagged" web pages. Teachers can take advantage of this social bookmarking site in the sense that they can share awesome online lesson plans or videos that can be implemented into any classroom. It allows teachers to collaborate virtually. Essentially, it makes sharing information and collaborating easier for teachers world wide.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thing #16
I chose iGoogle as my customized start page. It appealed to me because I was able to choose topics that interested me and they appeared on my homepage. Everything was easy to arrange and organize in such a manner that was manageable for me. Honestly, I probably will not make this my homepage because I already have one that I am accustomed to. However, if I get bored with my current one, I may switch to the one I created using iGoogle.
The online calendars can be useful to me as a teacher because it will enable me to organize my life in a better fashion than how it is currently. I can categorize and prioritize my events by subject, date and importance. I can have a different color for each thing like school, work, and leisure activities. Having an online calendar will prove beneficial when I forget my planner at home. I can access my online calendar virtually anywhere.
I found the to-do lists to be superb everyday life tools. I am constantly creating lengthy lists of things to accomplish throughout my day. These tools will help me organize my lists better. Yes, creating to-do lists take time to create, but I find that taking the time to make a list helps me to accomplish all tasks for the day or week. I will definitely be implementing the Don't Forget the Milk to-do list in my daily life.
Zamar is an incredible online tool that I would recommend to anyone. It allows you to convert one file type to another to better suit your needs. As a teacher, this can be very useful. This tool was very interesting, easy to use, and extremely useful. It allows you to adapt a word document into an image or a video into an mp3 file. These are just a few examples! Check out it out!
The online calendars can be useful to me as a teacher because it will enable me to organize my life in a better fashion than how it is currently. I can categorize and prioritize my events by subject, date and importance. I can have a different color for each thing like school, work, and leisure activities. Having an online calendar will prove beneficial when I forget my planner at home. I can access my online calendar virtually anywhere.
I found the to-do lists to be superb everyday life tools. I am constantly creating lengthy lists of things to accomplish throughout my day. These tools will help me organize my lists better. Yes, creating to-do lists take time to create, but I find that taking the time to make a list helps me to accomplish all tasks for the day or week. I will definitely be implementing the Don't Forget the Milk to-do list in my daily life.
Zamar is an incredible online tool that I would recommend to anyone. It allows you to convert one file type to another to better suit your needs. As a teacher, this can be very useful. This tool was very interesting, easy to use, and extremely useful. It allows you to adapt a word document into an image or a video into an mp3 file. These are just a few examples! Check out it out!
Thing #15
WIKI:
Using Wiki was surprisingly easy. I was expecting it to be more challenging, but was pleased at its simplicity. Because of this simplicity, I could easily incorporate it into my classroom. I can have students use it to write a class story in which each person adds a paragraph. I could also use this by having the students share their ideas or creations with others. I found it very interesting that anyone who was a part of the workspace had the ability to make changes or add information. This is very convenient in the sense that it cuts down on the number of separate documents and combines them into one. For example, with the story writing assignment mentioned above, students will be submitting their paragraphs in the workspace rather than on a million other sheets of paper. This makes it easier for the teacher to stay organized. Plus, it will save a few trees in the process!
Using Wiki was surprisingly easy. I was expecting it to be more challenging, but was pleased at its simplicity. Because of this simplicity, I could easily incorporate it into my classroom. I can have students use it to write a class story in which each person adds a paragraph. I could also use this by having the students share their ideas or creations with others. I found it very interesting that anyone who was a part of the workspace had the ability to make changes or add information. This is very convenient in the sense that it cuts down on the number of separate documents and combines them into one. For example, with the story writing assignment mentioned above, students will be submitting their paragraphs in the workspace rather than on a million other sheets of paper. This makes it easier for the teacher to stay organized. Plus, it will save a few trees in the process!
Thing #14
For this assignment, I chose the Flow Chart creator, Gliffy and the Mind Chart creator Bubbl.us.
Both creators offered different templates to get started, and both proved easy to use and navigate. Gliffy had numerous options, and I had the ability to change anything and everything. Honestly, it was a little too much! It was a tad overwhelming for me. Bubbl.us was just as creative and useful, but I didn't feel as overwhelmed while creating the mind chart. While I still had options, many minor details were chosen and corrected for me. This saved time and brain power. I feel that the both chart creators will prove to be helpful as a further my endeavors in becoming a teacher. They are simple and creative enough to use often.
I feel that flowcharts and mind charts alike will help my future students to sort the material they are given in a organized manner. It will also allow them to get basics instead of getting lost in all the words and main ideas.
Both creators offered different templates to get started, and both proved easy to use and navigate. Gliffy had numerous options, and I had the ability to change anything and everything. Honestly, it was a little too much! It was a tad overwhelming for me. Bubbl.us was just as creative and useful, but I didn't feel as overwhelmed while creating the mind chart. While I still had options, many minor details were chosen and corrected for me. This saved time and brain power. I feel that the both chart creators will prove to be helpful as a further my endeavors in becoming a teacher. They are simple and creative enough to use often.
I feel that flowcharts and mind charts alike will help my future students to sort the material they are given in a organized manner. It will also allow them to get basics instead of getting lost in all the words and main ideas.
Thing #13
Zoho Writer:
How convenient is this?! Upon reading the description, I was not fully on board with the web-based application. However, I shortly jumped on board after exploring the app. It functions almost identically to Microsoft Word. The only difference is its convenience! In using Zoho Writer, I will not have to worry about my zip drive failing any longer. Creating and saving documents in this application will certainly make my college life a tad bit less stressful. Not only was Zoho Writer convenient, it is also user friendly. I had no trouble navigating through the different tools and creating a document. I also like the fact that it is FREE! Who doesn't like free things that are so awesome!? I will definitely be using this web-based application as I further my education. Loved it!
Google Docs:
My Google Docs Drawing
This web-based application was interesting as well. I really like how easy it was to use, and that it saved my changes automatically. Also, I like the idea that more than one person can create or edit one single document. In a classroom, this tool can be used with the students in any group project in which they are asked to collaborate with each member. This tool will make it easier for them to create something together, instead of placing the responsibility onto one person. It ultimately will lead to more cooperation and collaboration with their peers.
Personally, I prefer Zoho Writer because it is structured more like Microsoft Word which is what I use most often. So, I guess it is a comfort thing. It was easier to adapt to than Google Docs. Both have their unique benefits though. In Google Docs, it was easier to create a chart, and students could work collaboratively. Despite my preference, I believe that both could be used effectively in any classroom.
How convenient is this?! Upon reading the description, I was not fully on board with the web-based application. However, I shortly jumped on board after exploring the app. It functions almost identically to Microsoft Word. The only difference is its convenience! In using Zoho Writer, I will not have to worry about my zip drive failing any longer. Creating and saving documents in this application will certainly make my college life a tad bit less stressful. Not only was Zoho Writer convenient, it is also user friendly. I had no trouble navigating through the different tools and creating a document. I also like the fact that it is FREE! Who doesn't like free things that are so awesome!? I will definitely be using this web-based application as I further my education. Loved it!
Google Docs:
My Google Docs Drawing
This web-based application was interesting as well. I really like how easy it was to use, and that it saved my changes automatically. Also, I like the idea that more than one person can create or edit one single document. In a classroom, this tool can be used with the students in any group project in which they are asked to collaborate with each member. This tool will make it easier for them to create something together, instead of placing the responsibility onto one person. It ultimately will lead to more cooperation and collaboration with their peers.
Personally, I prefer Zoho Writer because it is structured more like Microsoft Word which is what I use most often. So, I guess it is a comfort thing. It was easier to adapt to than Google Docs. Both have their unique benefits though. In Google Docs, it was easier to create a chart, and students could work collaboratively. Despite my preference, I believe that both could be used effectively in any classroom.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thing #12
Google Calendar:
I chose to create an account for Google Calendar because I like to be oober organized, so adding another way to keep all of my stuff in order could be of no harm. It was really easy to set up and navigate. It broke down each day hour by hour which allows me to be even more organized. As a teacher, having this resource will allow me to stay on top of all upcoming events, meetings, students' birthdays, etc. I can create a separate calendar of events for the parents and either email it to them or give them a hard copy. Any way I look at it, this web tool will allow me to keep all of my ducks in a row.
Picasa Web Albums:
I absolutely love taking pictures of everything, so I figured why not create another account to share my photos. Picasa is such an incredible web tool because it allows you to edit, file, and share every photo imaginable. As a teacher, I could use this web tool to share photos of the events and activities in my classroom. It will keep the parents up to date and aware of what is happening in the classroom or on field trips. The editing options are intense. They are super cool; I spent way too much time editing all of my pictures. It is very addictive, so proceed with caution.
I chose to create an account for Google Calendar because I like to be oober organized, so adding another way to keep all of my stuff in order could be of no harm. It was really easy to set up and navigate. It broke down each day hour by hour which allows me to be even more organized. As a teacher, having this resource will allow me to stay on top of all upcoming events, meetings, students' birthdays, etc. I can create a separate calendar of events for the parents and either email it to them or give them a hard copy. Any way I look at it, this web tool will allow me to keep all of my ducks in a row.
Picasa Web Albums:
I absolutely love taking pictures of everything, so I figured why not create another account to share my photos. Picasa is such an incredible web tool because it allows you to edit, file, and share every photo imaginable. As a teacher, I could use this web tool to share photos of the events and activities in my classroom. It will keep the parents up to date and aware of what is happening in the classroom or on field trips. The editing options are intense. They are super cool; I spent way too much time editing all of my pictures. It is very addictive, so proceed with caution.
Thing #11
After searching through the thousands of blogs, a couple of interesting blogs caught my eye. The first one pertains to traveling the world, and I actually heard about this blog from a fellow classmate. It's entitled Everything, Everywhere! I liked it because it showcases amazing pictures from around the world. The second newsfeed I decided to subscribe to is Our Daily Bread. This site contains daily devotionals.
Google Blog Search was by far the simplest and least confusing of the bunch. I guess this is due to the fact that I use the Google search engine on a daily basis. It was just the norm. But let me tell you Topix.net was so confusing. When I opened the link provided, I was petrified. It was so confusing and somewhat intimidating. I was cetaintly pushed out of my comfort zone. It is a good idea, but just a little too chaotic for my pleasure.
Okay, so I am definitely not a cat person. When I ran across this blog I Can Has Cheezburger, I was a little concerned. The ENTIRE website was about felines. I just don't get it. There was a ton of ridiculous images and videos posted solely about cats. I found this to be extremely concerning and unusual. Guess I can sleep at night knowing that I will never become that crazy cat lady next door!!
By exploring fellow classmates' blogs, I was able to find newsfeeds that I would also be interested. As I stated previously, I found a blog about traveling from Kelsea Keith. :)
Google Blog Search was by far the simplest and least confusing of the bunch. I guess this is due to the fact that I use the Google search engine on a daily basis. It was just the norm. But let me tell you Topix.net was so confusing. When I opened the link provided, I was petrified. It was so confusing and somewhat intimidating. I was cetaintly pushed out of my comfort zone. It is a good idea, but just a little too chaotic for my pleasure.
Okay, so I am definitely not a cat person. When I ran across this blog I Can Has Cheezburger, I was a little concerned. The ENTIRE website was about felines. I just don't get it. There was a ton of ridiculous images and videos posted solely about cats. I found this to be extremely concerning and unusual. Guess I can sleep at night knowing that I will never become that crazy cat lady next door!!
By exploring fellow classmates' blogs, I was able to find newsfeeds that I would also be interested. As I stated previously, I found a blog about traveling from Kelsea Keith. :)
Thing #10
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an incredible new development. The fact that you can subscribe to all the blogs or sites that interest you and they will all be combined unto page is convenient. As the video says, it does save you a lot of time because you no longer have to visit every site separately.
RSS can be a beneficial resource in the classroom for teachers. They can subscribe to various blogs etc. that keeps them up to date on the most recent trends, issues and concerns in the education realm. Also, it would be a great way for the teacher to become connected to resources and ideas that were not tangible before. Teachers can take full advantage of this resource. Being able to have multiple sources in one place is beneficial to a teacher because it saves time and energy.
Personally, I decided to use RSS to subscribe to a couple of baking blogs
(My Baking Addiction) as well as the ever popular Pioneer Woman . I subscribed things that interested me the most: education, world travel, and baking!! By using RSS, I will become the next Paula Dean! (without all the butter, of course)
RSS can be a beneficial resource in the classroom for teachers. They can subscribe to various blogs etc. that keeps them up to date on the most recent trends, issues and concerns in the education realm. Also, it would be a great way for the teacher to become connected to resources and ideas that were not tangible before. Teachers can take full advantage of this resource. Being able to have multiple sources in one place is beneficial to a teacher because it saves time and energy.
Personally, I decided to use RSS to subscribe to a couple of baking blogs
(My Baking Addiction) as well as the ever popular Pioneer Woman . I subscribed things that interested me the most: education, world travel, and baking!! By using RSS, I will become the next Paula Dean! (without all the butter, of course)
Thing #9
la vita e bella la vita e amore... life is beautiful; life is love. I find this phrase to be uplifting and oftly romantical. To create this image, I used Image Chef. This was super easy to use and kind of reminded me of wordle!! All you do is type in your own text, chose the colors and font. Then push enter. It's as easy as that. In a classroom, students could create a similar image with their vocabulary words or important terms from a story they are analyzing. This could also be used in projects for the class.
Amor Vincit Omnia... Love Conquers All! I also used Image Chef to create this text image. I thought the graffiti effect was groovy and fresh. The process in creating it was the same as above. insert text, chose color, enter. As we all know, classroom walls can be very dull. With the use of any image generator, those boring walls can be livened up by a cute and creative project. Also, it could be used as a fun, creativity inspiring assignment for the students. I know that this has provided me with inspiration to be creative. :)
I am absolutely obsessed with fortune cookies! It is a very sad addiction. Perhaps, I should say that I love the cute messages inside them. It's always thrilling to read your fortune cookie after a nice Chinese take out dinner. For this image, I used Custom Sign Generator. On this site, there are numerous templates for text images. Of course, with my love for the fortunes within the fortune cookie, I decided to create one of my own. As with the two previous images, the steps to creating this image are simple: insert text, chose font, enter. And there ya go- your very own fortune!! A teacher could use the fortune idea to give praise for good behaviour. Fortunes that say Good Job! or Keep up the Good Work! etc. would be a nice recognition for the students. Also, the children could make write poems and use the fortunes to publish them. :)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thing #8
One of the main reasons I want to be a teacher is so that I can inspire future generations to become the best they can be. I want to give my students inspiration to achieve their goals no matter the extent. A deep passion for education and gaining knowledge runs through my veins, and I hope to influence my future students to value education greatly.
Flikr mashup can be used to brighten the dull grey walls of any classroom. Words of inspiration or encouragement can be posted around the room. Also, in younger classrooms, (perhaps Kindergarten) it can be used to help the children learn how to spell their name. They would make super groovy name tags for the desks, too!!
I see no foul in sharing photos online as long as they aren't vulgar. If you take a fantastic picture, why wouldn't you want to share it with the world? The greatest joys in life are those shared with others. Therefore, in my opinion, sharing photos online is nothing shy of a good thing. Sharing masterpieces with others is a good way to get feedback as well as inspiration for other photo ideas.
Thing #5
The perspective I found most interesting was Web 2.0: A Guide for Education. The author mentioned that the Internet has transformed from passive to active as we are encouraged to create online content. It goes on to discuss how Web 2.0 can be used in school through blogs, RSS, and pod casts. I find it very fascinating how many tools there are that can be adapted into the classroom.
School 2.0, in my opinion, means improvement and opportunity. Students all have different learning styles. By taking advantage of Web 2.0 and integrating into the classroom, students will have greater opportunities to learn. It will expose them to more than a textbook ever could imagine. As teachers, we are to prepare students to become active members in society. By incorporating modern technology, they will be exposed to cyber world around them. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways: blogs, RSS, pod casts, image generators and the list goes on.... Schooling in the future needs to embrace and take advantage of all the upcoming resources around them. School 2.0 will allow teachers to create more interactive lessons, and will also introduce them to a plethora of new resources. There is only room for more advancements and improvements.
School 2.0, in my opinion, means improvement and opportunity. Students all have different learning styles. By taking advantage of Web 2.0 and integrating into the classroom, students will have greater opportunities to learn. It will expose them to more than a textbook ever could imagine. As teachers, we are to prepare students to become active members in society. By incorporating modern technology, they will be exposed to cyber world around them. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways: blogs, RSS, pod casts, image generators and the list goes on.... Schooling in the future needs to embrace and take advantage of all the upcoming resources around them. School 2.0 will allow teachers to create more interactive lessons, and will also introduce them to a plethora of new resources. There is only room for more advancements and improvements.
Thing #7
Although I had a fantastic time viewing the plethora of intriguing photos, I could not for the life of me figure out how to upload a picture to my blog. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. I tried everything!! But thankfully after many failed attempts, victory was mine! Momma was right; patient and determination are key to success. :) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
________________________________________________
Ruggles, B. "Children Laughing." 8 March 2010. 21 February 2012. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradruggles/4499926151/.
Thing #6
Music makes the people come together... YEAH! For this assignment, I chose Pandora! Everywhere I go and with every thing I do, I always have music playing. I chose to explore Pandora because it seemed simple to use and it was free! (Who doesn't like free things??) I really liked the fact that you could search any genre or artist and music correlating to the topic would play. It exposes you to great music that is closely related to the music that interests you. The only downside to this site was the fact that you can't replay a song. Once it's over, it is over. It needs a rewind button (but so does life!) A useful feature for this site is the like and dislike buttons. If you hear a song that blows you away or makes your heart melt, you can like it and it will be placed into your profile so that you can find it at a later date. This can be useful in a classroom because it will allow you to find a song year after year.
In a classroom, I could use this site to introduce the students to music from other countries and in other languages. I could also find educational songs like the School House Rock songs that we all know and love! Finally, I could use Pandora as background music. As students work on individual assignments, I can utilize Pandora and play Mozart or Beethoven to stimulate the minds of my students. :)
In a classroom, I could use this site to introduce the students to music from other countries and in other languages. I could also find educational songs like the School House Rock songs that we all know and love! Finally, I could use Pandora as background music. As students work on individual assignments, I can utilize Pandora and play Mozart or Beethoven to stimulate the minds of my students. :)
Thing #4
Commenting on other blogs creates a sense of a community because it is a form of interaction between individuals. In life, a community is the area surrounding you that impacts your life as you interact with it. So, by leaving a comment on a blog that you find intriguing, you are in essence laying the foundation for a cyber community. Interaction is key to building a community. Commenting is the key to building a virtual blog community. Interacting with other bloggers allows for ideas to be shared, improvements to be made, and relationships to blossom.
As I read the blogs concerning the importance of commenting, two ideas jumped out at me... (not literally!) The first of these would be that when you leave a comment on someone else's blog, you ultimately become a part of that blog. If the comment left is relevant and thought provoking, the author of the blog can learn from and value your ideas. The second of these would be the idea that a blog should not be unapproachable or uninviting. It shouldn't resemble a text book or dissertation. It should appeal to all people, and include flaws. Nothing is perfect. If a blog is intimidating, people will tend to avoid it.
To be continued....
As I read the blogs concerning the importance of commenting, two ideas jumped out at me... (not literally!) The first of these would be that when you leave a comment on someone else's blog, you ultimately become a part of that blog. If the comment left is relevant and thought provoking, the author of the blog can learn from and value your ideas. The second of these would be the idea that a blog should not be unapproachable or uninviting. It shouldn't resemble a text book or dissertation. It should appeal to all people, and include flaws. Nothing is perfect. If a blog is intimidating, people will tend to avoid it.
To be continued....
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thing #3
Being as afraid of technology as I am, I decided to look at the blogging idea in a different aspect. Instead of approaching it as a troublesome task, I approached it as a means to sharing my thoughts with others.
As a teacher, collaboration is key to a successful classroom. Thus, in my future classroom, I can use a blog to enlighten other teachers with vital information. For example, I can post about what lessons or activities worked and which ones were an epic failure, so that they can maybe try different approaches to a certain lesson. A good thing about a blog is that I can discover ideas from other teachers that have posted about educational topics. Beg, Borrow,and Steal. A teachers best resource, at times, is the brain of a fellow colleague.
A blog will not only prove beneficial to me as a teacher. It will also be a great way to keep in touch with the parents of my students. By posting upcoming activities and announcements, the parents will always be in the loop, and hopefully (fingers crossed) they will participate and become active within the classroom. Also, I can showcase students' excellent work on the blog. This will give the student a sense of accomplishment. Besides, what parent doesn't like seeing their child be recognized for their great efforts? What's better than seeing an aced test or brilliant masterpiece on the fridge at home? -Seeing it on a blog that is viewable by the whole world!
As a teacher, collaboration is key to a successful classroom. Thus, in my future classroom, I can use a blog to enlighten other teachers with vital information. For example, I can post about what lessons or activities worked and which ones were an epic failure, so that they can maybe try different approaches to a certain lesson. A good thing about a blog is that I can discover ideas from other teachers that have posted about educational topics. Beg, Borrow,and Steal. A teachers best resource, at times, is the brain of a fellow colleague.
A blog will not only prove beneficial to me as a teacher. It will also be a great way to keep in touch with the parents of my students. By posting upcoming activities and announcements, the parents will always be in the loop, and hopefully (fingers crossed) they will participate and become active within the classroom. Also, I can showcase students' excellent work on the blog. This will give the student a sense of accomplishment. Besides, what parent doesn't like seeing their child be recognized for their great efforts? What's better than seeing an aced test or brilliant masterpiece on the fridge at home? -Seeing it on a blog that is viewable by the whole world!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thing #2
Discovering the name for something always proves to be a brain exhausting chore. Parents are faced with the challenge of finding the perfect name that will suit and define their child, and authors are plagued with the deed of molding a crafty title for their books that will hook the minds of the readers. Fortunately for me, the title of this blog is not set in stone and can be changed with the click of a button if need be unlike the names mentioned previously. Trying to find a clever and catchy name was certainly an interesting feat. I wanted to find a name that was poetic, but that still met the requirements given. I started off with the title "23 Things with Ms. Anderson," but found that it didn't satisfy me, so I went back to the drawing boards. I began to ponder what came to mind when I heard the word classroom. Words came flooding into my mind... Teacher, Desks, Apples, Pencils, Books, Chalkboards... ah ha! Chalkboards. If I remember correctly, chalkboards can be considered a type of assistive technology. Well, that's a start. I then decided to connect to the modern classroom, and it just so happened that we had a tutorial over Smartboards that morning in class. How convenient?! After a few failed attempts, I finally created the title "From Chalkboards to Smartboards." I found that the title was a perfect fit because it described my journey with technology in the classroom.
As for my posting name, I decided to use my future teacher title. It's the one my parents gave me, so why not use it? I chose to include the Ms. because I wanted to sound like a teacher. Also, I plan to use this blog in the future, and by using my government name, my fellow colleagues or anyone who is interested will be able to identify my blog easily. Besides, I want credit for my efforts. I'm so excited to see how this project helps me grow professionally as an educator.
In Thing One, I mentioned my experience in creating a blog. When first faced with the task, I was a little concerned. I had never done anything of the sorts before. There were numerous steps that had many different ways to complete them. So, I panicked. I feel more comfortable when things are explicitly clear, and the steps to creating a blog were as clear as a mirror after a hot shower. Thankfully, with the much assistance from a fellow classmate, I successfully set up my blog. The second time around was much easier (Thank Goodness!). Since I had previous knowledge on setting up a blog, I was able to share my knowledge with a few classmates. They say practice makes perfect, but I find that practice only makes things easier. Because new ideas are always being revealed, there is only room for improvement.
I chose to create an Avatar that looked as close to me as possible. I contemplated creating one that was crazy and fun, but decided against it. I created one that looked professional because I plan to use this blog for other things after the completion of this course.
As for my posting name, I decided to use my future teacher title. It's the one my parents gave me, so why not use it? I chose to include the Ms. because I wanted to sound like a teacher. Also, I plan to use this blog in the future, and by using my government name, my fellow colleagues or anyone who is interested will be able to identify my blog easily. Besides, I want credit for my efforts. I'm so excited to see how this project helps me grow professionally as an educator.
In Thing One, I mentioned my experience in creating a blog. When first faced with the task, I was a little concerned. I had never done anything of the sorts before. There were numerous steps that had many different ways to complete them. So, I panicked. I feel more comfortable when things are explicitly clear, and the steps to creating a blog were as clear as a mirror after a hot shower. Thankfully, with the much assistance from a fellow classmate, I successfully set up my blog. The second time around was much easier (Thank Goodness!). Since I had previous knowledge on setting up a blog, I was able to share my knowledge with a few classmates. They say practice makes perfect, but I find that practice only makes things easier. Because new ideas are always being revealed, there is only room for improvement.
I chose to create an Avatar that looked as close to me as possible. I contemplated creating one that was crazy and fun, but decided against it. I created one that looked professional because I plan to use this blog for other things after the completion of this course.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thing #1
Technology and I have never had the greatest relationship. While I find the new advancements intriguing, I can never seem to conquer the task of comprehending how to use them to assist me in everyday life. The sixth habit of lifelong learning states that as a learner one should use technology to his/her advantage. This proves to be the hardest habit to embrace in regards to my lifelong learning process. Granted I use the Internet for Facebook, online homework assignments, and sending emails, but that is the main source of technology in my life. I hope to learn of new ways to use technology. In doing so, I anticipate that I can enrich my learning process, and use the new technological discoveries to my advantage. By becoming more knowledgeable about the technological gadgets that are right at my fingertips, I will be able to better serve my future students.
Growing up, I was always told that education was an important key to being successful in life. From a young age, I took learning into my own hands. I would always experiment with ideas, read anything I could get my hands on, and asked lots of questions. I was consumed with the appetite for knowledge. As I grew older, I realized that the amount of knowledge I obtained was a combined effort by my teachers and myself. Although teachers play a huge part in the learning process, it is ultimately up to the individual to take responsibility for his/hers own learning. As the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". With this said, I find that the easiest lifelong learning habit for me is habit number two which states that learners must accept responsibility for their own learning. It is the easiest for me because at a young age the importance of education was instilled in my being. In my opinion, you must have a desire to learn in order to truly gain knowledge.
In regards to Web 2.0, I am anxious to learn numerous, innovative ways to integrate emerging technology into my classroom. New things are always being developed, and thanks to the Internet and other tools these things are always just a click away. There seems to be an endless amount of resources available due to Web 2.0.
Setting up my blog for this project was nothing short of a simplicity. However, when faced with this task in my Children's Literature course, creating a blog was beyond challenging. As with most things, experience and determination proves to decrease the amount of obstacles and frustration standing in the way of the final result.
Growing up, I was always told that education was an important key to being successful in life. From a young age, I took learning into my own hands. I would always experiment with ideas, read anything I could get my hands on, and asked lots of questions. I was consumed with the appetite for knowledge. As I grew older, I realized that the amount of knowledge I obtained was a combined effort by my teachers and myself. Although teachers play a huge part in the learning process, it is ultimately up to the individual to take responsibility for his/hers own learning. As the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". With this said, I find that the easiest lifelong learning habit for me is habit number two which states that learners must accept responsibility for their own learning. It is the easiest for me because at a young age the importance of education was instilled in my being. In my opinion, you must have a desire to learn in order to truly gain knowledge.
In regards to Web 2.0, I am anxious to learn numerous, innovative ways to integrate emerging technology into my classroom. New things are always being developed, and thanks to the Internet and other tools these things are always just a click away. There seems to be an endless amount of resources available due to Web 2.0.
Setting up my blog for this project was nothing short of a simplicity. However, when faced with this task in my Children's Literature course, creating a blog was beyond challenging. As with most things, experience and determination proves to decrease the amount of obstacles and frustration standing in the way of the final result.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)