I was really impressed with all the resources on the nings…I looked through Classroom 2.0 and right away I found a series of typing programs that I’ve needed for my two middle schoolers!! I will definitely return to the nings to search for valuable resources. I’m now thinking about adding my profile to Facebook…:))))
I have been reading through my Google Reader, and Scott McCloud’s blog has become one of my favorites. I have been trying to decide whether to get my daughter a sub notebook computer for Christmas, and on his blog is a description of his new 910 Mini Dell Inspiron “netbook.” I was able to compare it to the mini notebook that I’ve had my eye on at Best Buy….:)) The web is a wonderful thing!
I really enjoyed learning about Pageflakes. I have been wanting to learn iGoogle for quite some time and now I think I can transfer what I know about Pageflakes to IGoogle. I am teaching a Data class over the summer, and I have been thinking about requiring them to create a PageFlake!! I need time to explore the flakes to determine how I can tie it into their course so they can see the uses and benefits of using it!!!
I’m not sure what themes, but I will hopefully be able to decide over the Christmas break!!!
I absolutely love Google Docs. I see lots of ways to use it with a class or with colleagues. I have used in many times to collaborate with colleagues at ETCs across the state. We have worked on spreadsheets and documents. However, I have never used the presentation tool. I can’t wait to use it with students who are tasked with creating a PowerPoint collaboratively. I plan to require that they use Google Docs to complete the presentation. This will ensure that they understand how to use the tool. I can also see using it for students to complete writing assignments together. I plan to use it to get students to help me generate criteria upon which to judge their work. I like having students “generate” their own assessment tools and Google Docs is the perfect tool for doing this.
I am attempting to embed my first podcast into my blog below….
Okay….It’s now been about 3 hours of trying to figure out how iTunes works if you no longer have the original library of files for you iPod…Oh my…I think I need an iTunes for Dummies workshop!!! I can see why educators may hesitate with podcasting, particularly if you are trying to deal with iTunes…I can really see the educational uses of podcasting..I plan to podcasts some material for my upcoming classes..I also plan to have my students develop podcasts….and I plan to have my class listen to podcasts that I find out on the web….but, first I have to conquer iTunes…I have to make this easy…..
I enjoyed learning more about Delicious. Years ago, I used iKeepbookmarks, and really liked having my sites available online. I think I will use Delicious to save sites for the classes I teach. I like the tags, although, I’m having to adjust from the “folder” mentality to the “tag” mentality. I’m looking forward to being able to “share” the sites with my students.
I’m not sure how much I’ll use the Library Thing…I think I will use it occassionally when I want to read some reviews of books, etc…I also plan to show it to my kids so they can read what others are suggesting or unsuggesting..
I was reading through some of the articles in my Google Reader, and one in particular struck my interest. It was on the Dangerously Irrelevant blog by Scott McLeod, entitled, Teaching Adminstrators About Wikipedia. There is apparently a Librarian in New Jersey who puts up a sign in the library saying, “Just Say No to Wikipedia” over the computers in the school library. . . . Wikipedia is blocked on all computers in the Warren Hills Regional School District.
This is amazing to me when you consider how accurate Wikipedia is compared to most of our textbooks. Scott goes on to give lots of reasons why the stance against Wikipedia is unwarranted..He also suggest introducing administrators to Wikipedia in order to change their mindset. I totally agree…..but the entire time I’m reading the article, I keep wondering will there ever come a day when part of my job is no longer to “convince” others of the value of technology. It seems so obvious to me—a major “duh!”….Did we have to convince teachers to use the blackboard? Why can’t people see it? I better stop now, before I really get started….:)
