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.
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