I've had a little experience with Google Docs as our church uses this to coordinate worship planning and Praise Team leadership schedules. I'm amazed, though, at what all is available. Not only could I just make a simple document or spreadsheet to access from anywhere, I could use templates galore to organize my life. There are even lesson plan templates, grade books, school year calendars, syllabis, just about anything a teacher could want. Amazing. Really, one could organize most of her life through Google...e-mail, calendars, documents for personal and professional needs, Google Reader, create another website, the possibilities are endless.
But could Google Docs replace MS Office? It may be possible in the future, but I don't see it happening quite yet. I suppose it'll become a learned action to work at a site like Google Docs, but for now, most people sit at their computer, open their own document, and save it to their personal computer.
Throughout each "thing," I've been wondering about those students who don't have a computer at home. They are out there, after all. With all the amazing things we can do online, what does it mean for those without online access outside of school? It seems to be a lot to demand that they figure it out on their own, as these tend to be the kids from a lower income home and/or less parental support/involvement. Google Docs could be part of the solution as it would allow students to open their documents from a variety of places, but I still wonder where are these places (just at school?) and how will these kids access a computer if they don't have transportation? These may be unfounded worries, but I do wonder.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thing #10
It's super simple to create a wiki! It takes no time at all to set up, although I imagine it could take all the time in the world to do all the fun things with it and to get it set up just so. I decided to use WetPaint, just because it sounded fun. After setting my wiki up I did go back and check out the other suggested sites, but WetPaint still sounds more fun. :) I also liked the Educator Ambassador for the site who seemed eager to help ensure success. I even checked out one of his articles for an easy way for students to join the class wiki.
As far as professional uses, WetPaint actually had suggestions listed for how to use wikis in the classroom which I appreciated, especially just getting started with an endeavor like this. I would use wikis for peer reviews, brainstorming, source sharing, creating definitions, cultivating word lists, and for extra-curricular writing and editing like the school newspaper.
As far as professional uses, WetPaint actually had suggestions listed for how to use wikis in the classroom which I appreciated, especially just getting started with an endeavor like this. I would use wikis for peer reviews, brainstorming, source sharing, creating definitions, cultivating word lists, and for extra-curricular writing and editing like the school newspaper.
Thing #9
Wikis are a bit daunting for me. I've been overwhelmed looking at the examples given, although I certainly see amazing potential!
To be honest, I think I've visited Wikipedia only once in the past, so I started by looking at that a little more in depth. It was easy to use, both in locating a specific topic and in browsing their lists. I didn't feel like I was getting lost within the site, which I did feel in a few other examples. I would, though, be hesitant to use this as a reliable source for research as anyone can add to it, so it would be important to back up any info I used from Wikipedia with a collaborating source.
I also glanced at RocWiki, a tourist's guide to Rochester, NY. Next time I travel to another city, I'll be certain to check for a Wiki for the area! What a great way to plan a trip with recommendations and comments from locals and prior visitors. I'd rather get a valid suggestion of where to eat than randomly pick a name of a restaurant out of a brochure!
The highlight of my search through Wiki-world was visiting Vicki Davis' blog and following it to her students' wiki. Ingenious. This is what true learning looks like...students becoming the teachers. It seemed to be easy to use and created an opportunity for students to work together (although I have a question...would the teacher be able to see who had accessed or contributed to the definitions to ensure all had a role in the project?).
Personally, I would have to take a class, read more, or have a coach in how to run an effective wiki. If it isn't well organized, it could be a nightmare for both students and the teacher.
In what ways could wikis be used in the classroom? I think it'd be a good way for absent students to check the notes of their classmates, a great way to do a collaborative research projects or book reviews, and possibly be used as a place for students to offer feedback on each other's writing (although a blog may be better for that since no one could actually change the document that way).
To be honest, I think I've visited Wikipedia only once in the past, so I started by looking at that a little more in depth. It was easy to use, both in locating a specific topic and in browsing their lists. I didn't feel like I was getting lost within the site, which I did feel in a few other examples. I would, though, be hesitant to use this as a reliable source for research as anyone can add to it, so it would be important to back up any info I used from Wikipedia with a collaborating source.
I also glanced at RocWiki, a tourist's guide to Rochester, NY. Next time I travel to another city, I'll be certain to check for a Wiki for the area! What a great way to plan a trip with recommendations and comments from locals and prior visitors. I'd rather get a valid suggestion of where to eat than randomly pick a name of a restaurant out of a brochure!
The highlight of my search through Wiki-world was visiting Vicki Davis' blog and following it to her students' wiki. Ingenious. This is what true learning looks like...students becoming the teachers. It seemed to be easy to use and created an opportunity for students to work together (although I have a question...would the teacher be able to see who had accessed or contributed to the definitions to ensure all had a role in the project?).
Personally, I would have to take a class, read more, or have a coach in how to run an effective wiki. If it isn't well organized, it could be a nightmare for both students and the teacher.
In what ways could wikis be used in the classroom? I think it'd be a good way for absent students to check the notes of their classmates, a great way to do a collaborative research projects or book reviews, and possibly be used as a place for students to offer feedback on each other's writing (although a blog may be better for that since no one could actually change the document that way).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thing #8
I've now added a few more feeds to my Google Reader page, everything from parenting to fashion to leadership. I've found that it's easiest for me to use the Google search or Technorati. I liked the idea of categories found on RSS Mountain, but I didn't really find anything I was looking for. I found Syndic8.com to be overwhelming, and while I'm sure some appreciate the Top 5 lists, they didn't appeal to my interests. As a whole, many sites didn't let me view the blog before I subscribed (or maybe I just didn't figure out how to view them), so I would subscribe, decide not to keep it, and have to unsubscribe.
Thing #7
Before this class I hadn't heard of RSS (that's just one reason why I knew I needed to update my technology toolbox!). But after playing with it I can see the extreme potential for personal and professional lives! Sending all the information that interests you to one site is brilliant!
In the past I haven't spent much time looking at blogs and newsfeeds. My time on the computer is usually rather limited with 2 kids vying for my attention, usually a quick check of e-mail and maybe facebook. The few other sites I do check occasionally don't have RSS connections which disappointed me. Of course, with the plethora of websites and blogs out there, I was able to find a few that interest me. I chose blogs that would continue to pertain to me at this point in my life even after our 23 Things class is over.
Educators should take advantage of RSS. What a fabulous way to connect with teachers nationally, or even internationally, to access lesson plans and learn from each other. They can all connect via RSS with other teachers on staff to keep up with professional blogs as to what is going on in the classrooms nearby. Both parents and students could subscribe to a teacher's blog which could contain class info, assignments, pose discussion questions, enrichment activities, reading suggestions, etc. The possibilities are tremendous!
In the past I haven't spent much time looking at blogs and newsfeeds. My time on the computer is usually rather limited with 2 kids vying for my attention, usually a quick check of e-mail and maybe facebook. The few other sites I do check occasionally don't have RSS connections which disappointed me. Of course, with the plethora of websites and blogs out there, I was able to find a few that interest me. I chose blogs that would continue to pertain to me at this point in my life even after our 23 Things class is over.
Educators should take advantage of RSS. What a fabulous way to connect with teachers nationally, or even internationally, to access lesson plans and learn from each other. They can all connect via RSS with other teachers on staff to keep up with professional blogs as to what is going on in the classrooms nearby. Both parents and students could subscribe to a teacher's blog which could contain class info, assignments, pose discussion questions, enrichment activities, reading suggestions, etc. The possibilities are tremendous!
Thing #6
Most of what I have believed to be true about copyright restrictions is WRONG! Don't use a movie in class, you can't post that excerpt, we need to get permission to use that song. It's refreshing to know that educators and students have the right to use copyrighted materials to learn about and become aware of the world today. Just as page four of The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education stated, I struggled with wanting to use copyrighted material that would enhance learning but feeling like I shouldn't and couldn't do so. Just like anything else, students need to be taught about media literacy, and how well can that be done without access to media resources?
I found it very interesting that those who own copyrights don't own them absolutely. Eduction is one of those situations where using a media source can be extremely beneficial, overshadowing the owner's right. Educators are hired as professionals and should be trusted to know what will best illustrate a point in a lesson or unit.
Now that I know the realities, I could reinstate my lesson on types of conflict. Of course this can be taught many ways, but I loved pulling clips from movies to succinctly illustrate the different types of conflict in a story. I had done this one year and another teacher asked me if it was legal to use all those movie clips. Since I wasn't 100% sure, I figured it would be too much work to get permission for all of them and that I would simply find another way to teach that point.
I found it very interesting that those who own copyrights don't own them absolutely. Eduction is one of those situations where using a media source can be extremely beneficial, overshadowing the owner's right. Educators are hired as professionals and should be trusted to know what will best illustrate a point in a lesson or unit.
Now that I know the realities, I could reinstate my lesson on types of conflict. Of course this can be taught many ways, but I loved pulling clips from movies to succinctly illustrate the different types of conflict in a story. I had done this one year and another teacher asked me if it was legal to use all those movie clips. Since I wasn't 100% sure, I figured it would be too much work to get permission for all of them and that I would simply find another way to teach that point.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thing #5
What fun! I could lose a lot of time playing around with fun things like this! There are so many options and fun things to play with! My boys each have Superman pajamas that they love to run around in, so this was a natural fit.
As far as using it in a professional setting, the first idea that popped into my head was to encourage students to create a movie poster based on a story they've written or a book they've read. Pretty basic, but it gets kids thinking about their story differently as far as trying to determine taglines, etc.
The one reservation I might have is that classes have time limits. Just like I could easily get sucked into playing with tools like this, students could as well. I'd need to be careful about the time given for a project like this and the overall end purpose.
As far as using it in a professional setting, the first idea that popped into my head was to encourage students to create a movie poster based on a story they've written or a book they've read. Pretty basic, but it gets kids thinking about their story differently as far as trying to determine taglines, etc.
The one reservation I might have is that classes have time limits. Just like I could easily get sucked into playing with tools like this, students could as well. I'd need to be careful about the time given for a project like this and the overall end purpose.
Thing #4
Isn't it wonderful how pictures help retain memories? My husband and I traveled to Egypt, Greece, and Italy the summer of 2004. He teaches ancient history courses so this was a dream trip for him, and I just love to travel and learn so it was fabulous for me, too! This is sunset on the Nile River...stunning.
I decided to create a flickr account since a few of my friends and family already use flicker. It took me quite a while to work through all the in's and out's of it, and I'm sure I've hardly begun to see all it can do! I tried to upload this picture from my blog page and wasn't able to do it, but when I created my blog connection on flickr I could upload it and blog from there.
This would be a great tool for classes as students plan and create projects together, and a wonderful way for teachers to post photos from the day/week/month of events in the class. As much as I love learning new things, though, it would have been much more time efficient just to upload the same picture from my computer directly to my blog.
Now, I hope this works...
I decided to create a flickr account since a few of my friends and family already use flicker. It took me quite a while to work through all the in's and out's of it, and I'm sure I've hardly begun to see all it can do! I tried to upload this picture from my blog page and wasn't able to do it, but when I created my blog connection on flickr I could upload it and blog from there.
This would be a great tool for classes as students plan and create projects together, and a wonderful way for teachers to post photos from the day/week/month of events in the class. As much as I love learning new things, though, it would have been much more time efficient just to upload the same picture from my computer directly to my blog.
Now, I hope this works...
Thing #3
So many of the 7 & 1/2 habits are connected, but I think the easiest habit for me is habit number four: Confidence in myself as a confident and effective life-long learner. I love to learn, read, question, and wonder! I enjoy researching topics of either personal or professional interest. Even if I don't entirely enjoy the content, I know that by studying, playing, and utilizing the information will make it a part of who I am.
The most difficult habit for me is habit number 3: View problems as challenges. Whether it be a technology problem, life problem, or any problem in between, I take it personally, and I want to give up, or at least put it off until later if I run into trouble. Changing this habit is as simple, or as difficult, as changing my mind-set. Instead of getting discouraged about problems, I need to remember that every obstacle is a positive step...a learning opportunity. We can only truly learn from failure, and only improve as a result. I don't think I'm alone in wanting to improve without the obstacles, but that is simply unrealistic. Since life is full of problems of one sort or another, I should have plenty of practice changing my mind-set.
The most difficult habit for me is habit number 3: View problems as challenges. Whether it be a technology problem, life problem, or any problem in between, I take it personally, and I want to give up, or at least put it off until later if I run into trouble. Changing this habit is as simple, or as difficult, as changing my mind-set. Instead of getting discouraged about problems, I need to remember that every obstacle is a positive step...a learning opportunity. We can only truly learn from failure, and only improve as a result. I don't think I'm alone in wanting to improve without the obstacles, but that is simply unrealistic. Since life is full of problems of one sort or another, I should have plenty of practice changing my mind-set.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thing #2
For what it's worth, I haven't had much experience with blogs. A few friends keep them about their family life, one friend uses it with her business -- a website with local activities for kids, and every once in a while I'll read a story from the Yahoo news feed that will have comments and replies at the end. In looking at other blogs for this assignment, I was surprised at how few blogs had comments connected with them.
So what makes a good blog? One that is...
So what makes a good blog? One that is...
- easy to read
- focused in topic
- interesting and/or informative
- updated
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thing #1
In the 21st century, education is becoming more and more a communal event. Having a Read/Write web available for student use to enhance his/her education is incredibly exciting as it opens up the possibilities for assignments and engagement similar to what students will encounter in their personal and professional lives.
Web 2.0 MUST change the education process! I'm an English teacher by trade, so I truly believe that books have their place and papers must be written. Being literate, however, has a whole new meaning. What an incredible learning opportunity for students to post their writing in a place where their classmates can comment, question, and engage in learning. It seems that the article is correct that using Web 2.0 capabilities would force students to think more in depth, to see each other's work, and to become literate on a technological level -- essentially, teach their peers. Without having documented proof, I would wager that the quality of a student's work would increase with the involvement of the Read/Write web in a class simply because someone besides "just the teacher" will be viewing their thoughts and ideas, and students value what their peers think about them.
I've always believed that education needs to be more about the process of learning...knowing how and where to look for solutions to questions and problems. Rote memorization is necessary for many facets of education, but it cannot stop there! Like the videos pointed out, many of the students today will have jobs that are not yet created! How do we prepare students for the unknown? We need to teach them how to be resourceful, how to learn from and interact with peers, and we need to make their education experience applicable to their future.
One of my greatest frustrations as a student in education courses was to hear professors emphasize the importance of identifying learning styles, to use cooperative learning, etc. yet never utilize these same strategies in their own teaching. To tell our students that the web is the way of the future and not give them a chance to use it in a variety of ways is a disservice to them and to our future.
I do worry about my own kids' future in a classroom. So often I hear stories from other parents about what is going on in their child's classroom, and I cringe at what isn't happening. As our world advances exponentially, our classroom conduct and content seem to struggle to keep up. There is no more room for excuses.
Teachers and parents no longer have excuses for poor communication or planning. I would have loved the opportunity to create lesson plans across the curriculum (sadly, not encouraged in my district), and by keeping up with other teachers' blogs I would have had a chance to help my students make more connections in their learning. As I stated earlier, education is becoming more communal, and that should include parents. Allowing parents to observe their child's contributions to and involvement in class discussions and projects is an invaluable school-home connection. Without that, parents have very few resources to help them see their child's progress. This feature of Web 2.0 alone will change what education looks like.
Web 2.0 MUST change the education process! I'm an English teacher by trade, so I truly believe that books have their place and papers must be written. Being literate, however, has a whole new meaning. What an incredible learning opportunity for students to post their writing in a place where their classmates can comment, question, and engage in learning. It seems that the article is correct that using Web 2.0 capabilities would force students to think more in depth, to see each other's work, and to become literate on a technological level -- essentially, teach their peers. Without having documented proof, I would wager that the quality of a student's work would increase with the involvement of the Read/Write web in a class simply because someone besides "just the teacher" will be viewing their thoughts and ideas, and students value what their peers think about them.
I've always believed that education needs to be more about the process of learning...knowing how and where to look for solutions to questions and problems. Rote memorization is necessary for many facets of education, but it cannot stop there! Like the videos pointed out, many of the students today will have jobs that are not yet created! How do we prepare students for the unknown? We need to teach them how to be resourceful, how to learn from and interact with peers, and we need to make their education experience applicable to their future.
One of my greatest frustrations as a student in education courses was to hear professors emphasize the importance of identifying learning styles, to use cooperative learning, etc. yet never utilize these same strategies in their own teaching. To tell our students that the web is the way of the future and not give them a chance to use it in a variety of ways is a disservice to them and to our future.
I do worry about my own kids' future in a classroom. So often I hear stories from other parents about what is going on in their child's classroom, and I cringe at what isn't happening. As our world advances exponentially, our classroom conduct and content seem to struggle to keep up. There is no more room for excuses.
Teachers and parents no longer have excuses for poor communication or planning. I would have loved the opportunity to create lesson plans across the curriculum (sadly, not encouraged in my district), and by keeping up with other teachers' blogs I would have had a chance to help my students make more connections in their learning. As I stated earlier, education is becoming more communal, and that should include parents. Allowing parents to observe their child's contributions to and involvement in class discussions and projects is an invaluable school-home connection. Without that, parents have very few resources to help them see their child's progress. This feature of Web 2.0 alone will change what education looks like.
Monday, June 15, 2009
23 Things - The First Thing
I'm sure I have quite a bit to learn about what the web can offer since it's been four years since I've been in the classroom. I'm currently at home with my two boys who are growing up way too quickly!!! My oldest is four and already has a growing interest in the computer. In addition to wanting to keep my certificate up-to-date, I'm hoping to learn a thing or two about Web 2.0 to use with the kids or even pass along to my husband who teaches high school history. Besides, I do enjoy learning.
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