This has been an incredible journey. I did let life get in the way and got behind. But I was able to sit and complete the class before the deadline. It has been interesting to learn all of the Things. I thought I knew a lot, but at least half of the content was new to me. My favorite was playing with YouTube and TeacherTube. I could look at those forever. I also liked the fact that I could show my Computer Tech husband something and it was new to him too. (Or he pretended that it was new to him.) :) I would definitely take another course like this. It has stretched my mind a little farther. This course will enhance my teaching.
I will continue to use my blog to update events that happen in my classroom. Thanks for the opportunity to continue learning. There will never be a time that I know everything. There is always an opportunity to learn.
http://lambfamily4.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thing 23
Wow! There is so much out there I didn't know existed. I have spent 2 hours playing on this Thing. I looked at several of the Nings, including the Teacher-Librarian Ning. There was so much content, I was overwhelmed. I saw discussions from book talks to job fair advertisements. These networks are cool. As far as using them in my classroom, I am not sure. I am skeptical about using something deemed a social network. They scare me a little still. I just want to be careful.
Thing 15
http://misd23things.wikispaces.com/Mrs.+Lamb%27s+Page#toc0
I had fun playing with the sandbox. I used wikispaces to create my page. I added the link to my blog, the pictures that I saved from Flickr, my slideshow created on RockYou, and a picture of my daughter and myself. It was really easy to create. I had to click the buttons on the toolbar and add the items I wanted to add. I had difficulty finding the Sandbox Page to add my link to the Main Page. When I did figure it out, I felt so dumb. I was looking for a separate page. All I had to do was click in the area and follow the directions. My heart stopped racing and I felt better.
I had fun playing with the sandbox. I used wikispaces to create my page. I added the link to my blog, the pictures that I saved from Flickr, my slideshow created on RockYou, and a picture of my daughter and myself. It was really easy to create. I had to click the buttons on the toolbar and add the items I wanted to add. I had difficulty finding the Sandbox Page to add my link to the Main Page. When I did figure it out, I felt so dumb. I was looking for a separate page. All I had to do was click in the area and follow the directions. My heart stopped racing and I felt better.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thing 22
I use both Myspace and Facebook. I use Facebook daily. My Myspace just sits there and collects bulletins. The only reason I started using either of them was that my friends were talking about them and I was curious. I got sucked in to the "Dark Side". I have contacted people that I went to high school and college with that I would not have known how to contact. My Facebook URL is http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1319796426&ref=profile
1. Why is it important that educators know how social networking works?
It is important for educators to know about social networking for many reasons. One is the ability to contact other teachers for resources and ideas. Another is that we need to be aware of what is out there. It is always good to be informed. When I taught Resource, my kids were talking about FB and Myspace. I didn't know anything about them. So I checked it out. Now I am hooked.
2. What new insights did you gain about these popular sites?
I play on these sights frequently. I am always finding new applications. If you want to play a game or search a topic, it is probably out there in the Facebook world somewhere.
3. What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored?
I dislike that my information is pretty much out there for the world to see. I can control it a little more on Facebook. But people can still see it.
4. Which site had the most useful features?
In my opinion, Facebook is easier to use. If you don't know html code, Myspace is hard to manipulate.
5.Can you see an educational application for any of these sites?
To me, these sites are completely social. I do not use them in my classroom.
1. Why is it important that educators know how social networking works?
It is important for educators to know about social networking for many reasons. One is the ability to contact other teachers for resources and ideas. Another is that we need to be aware of what is out there. It is always good to be informed. When I taught Resource, my kids were talking about FB and Myspace. I didn't know anything about them. So I checked it out. Now I am hooked.
2. What new insights did you gain about these popular sites?
I play on these sights frequently. I am always finding new applications. If you want to play a game or search a topic, it is probably out there in the Facebook world somewhere.
3. What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored?
I dislike that my information is pretty much out there for the world to see. I can control it a little more on Facebook. But people can still see it.
4. Which site had the most useful features?
In my opinion, Facebook is easier to use. If you don't know html code, Myspace is hard to manipulate.
5.Can you see an educational application for any of these sites?
To me, these sites are completely social. I do not use them in my classroom.
Thing 7b
The only thing that came across my Reader today is a post about the new book by Mo Willems, Elephants Cannot Dance. It had a picture of the cover of the book with the statement "There is a new Elephant and Piggie book out — I cannot wait to read it!"
I can't wait for it to come out either. I like Mo Willems.
http://kiri8.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/elephants-cannot-dance/
I can't wait for it to come out either. I like Mo Willems.
http://kiri8.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/elephants-cannot-dance/
Thing 21
I created a Google Calendar and listed all of my events for this week and next. I added some events that repeat weekly and every Tues and Thursday. I have some events marked as private. I did make it public. I am not sure how others view it. But I clicked the 'Make Public' button. This tool can be used to keep parents informed of events going on in the classroom. Here is a link to my calendar. http://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=5vyRjBaBvD5xuPc__4pNRQ
I also played with Google Alert. I used Mesquite, TX as my keywords. I left and went to lunch. When I came back, I had an email alert. It had several listings of things happening in Mesquite. It was cool. This tool can be used to keep up with new information on a topic for a project. http://www.google.com/alerts/manage?hl=en&gl=us
I also played with Google Alert. I used Mesquite, TX as my keywords. I left and went to lunch. When I came back, I had an email alert. It had several listings of things happening in Mesquite. It was cool. This tool can be used to keep up with new information on a topic for a project. http://www.google.com/alerts/manage?hl=en&gl=us
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