Wow, this summer has flown by and so has this class. So much learned in so short a time!
I have always viewed my computers and cars the same way. I like to use them, but I don't understand how they work. If something is broken or doesn't work right when I go to use it, I'm frustrated and discouraged and I ask my husband's help in fixing the problem. Being the great guy that he is, he always helps me! I'm nervous talking to mechanics or technicians because I don't understand the terminology or problems, I just want them fixed.
Before this class, I had never put software on a computer or set up my own email account. I had never bought a computer or done anything except use the software that my husband has loaded with a shortcut icon on my desktop (I didn't even know how to create these shortcuts). I had never bookmarked or tagged anything. I'm working to rely less on my husband, who's schedule is already busy with computer related work.
I started this class by purchasing a laptop. Although I was scared, I wanted to start at the very beginning and learn as much as I could about loading software and managing the computer myself. I came into this class knowing that I didn't know a lot about Web 2.0 tools and I wanted to learn what tools were available and how I could use these tools in the Library Classes I teach to K-8 students at the Marlborough School.
Little did I know how much I had to learn and how capable I would become in just a few short weeks. Here is what I have now learned to use in this class: Wikis, Blogs, Social Bookmarking, RSS, Skype, embedding videos, YouTube Tutorials, Voki, Audacity, podcasts, tags and Wordle. I also set up my own email account with Google and learned about Google Documents. I know how to download free software and love that YouTube offers videos to help if I am confused.
The most significant advancement for me this summer has been a new-found comfort in playing around downloading new software and knowing that help is available online in the form of video tutorials. I'm no longer afraid and now I'm willing to take chances and try new things on my computer. Some of what I learned has already made my life significantly easier. For example, I love Diigo! I can now easily find sites I'm looking for from any computer and I don't get overwhelmed trying to remember all of the addresses.
I can't wait to bring to school all that I have learned. The first thing I plan to do next week in our teacher workshop days is to sit down with our technology teacher and discuss access to Web 2.0 tools in our school. I know that we have increased bandwidth coming this year and I want to know what tools are accessible, what are blocked and how do we unblock it all! if our technology teacher can't help me, I want to know who to talk to that can and I don't plan to stop until I find access to the tools we need. I am already creating lesson plans using Wordle, blogs, YouTube videos and podcasting and I want to be certain that I can carry these plans out this year!
The purpose of this course for me is to bring this information back to teachers, administration and most of all my students! I plan to start doing so next week as we head back to school on August 19th.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Looking for Matt?
I have moved the video "Where the Hell is Matt" to the bottom of my blogpage. I think it is easier to find new blogs this way but I wanted to keep Matt on my blogpage.
Audible Wordle Podcast
Week #8 - Teaching in a new Networked World
For the past several weeks I've tried to be a sponge absorbing all there is to know about Web 2.0 tools. Now that I'm thoroughly soaked, it is time to wring me out. I have all of these ideas floating inside my head, now it is time for me to see which ones are supported by my school's infrastructure and policies and which I need to wait on. I say "wait on" because the knowledge I have gained from this course will help me advocate for the use of Web 2.0 tools in my school that may be currently blocked, I just need to start with our tech director and see what doors can be opened for the teachers and the students.
As tools such as wikis, blogs, video and teleconferencing become available to students, they will become connected to the world. I believe that the educators role will then shift from protecting students from the outside world to helping them become digital citizens. For educators to encourage students to connect to the outside world, we need to ask questions and create projects that will require students to look outside of the classroom walls for answers. Project based learning will become incredibly important in our new networked schools.
I am a dreamer. I like the idea of breaking down borders and world peace and I believe that this networking can help us get closer to one another. What I have learned is to dream big and start taking small steps in the direction of your dream. It may seem daunting and it may take time, but that is no reason to stop working towards it.
You don't have to see the whole staircase to take the first step. ~Martin Luther King
As tools such as wikis, blogs, video and teleconferencing become available to students, they will become connected to the world. I believe that the educators role will then shift from protecting students from the outside world to helping them become digital citizens. For educators to encourage students to connect to the outside world, we need to ask questions and create projects that will require students to look outside of the classroom walls for answers. Project based learning will become incredibly important in our new networked schools.
I am a dreamer. I like the idea of breaking down borders and world peace and I believe that this networking can help us get closer to one another. What I have learned is to dream big and start taking small steps in the direction of your dream. It may seem daunting and it may take time, but that is no reason to stop working towards it.
You don't have to see the whole staircase to take the first step. ~Martin Luther King
Week #8 - Facebook Village
My oldest daughter is 11-years-0ld and I've been thinking a lot about how I will guide her use of social networking sites when she is ready for one. What will our house rules be in regards to information that can be added. I have already discussed with my children social networking sites and what they are used for and how they can be used by others (employers, college admissions, schools, etc.).
My husband has always asked that he have our kids' passwords and access to any computer files or sites they have. This is one way we can check up on them.
I have always told my children that you wouldn't want anything on a website that might hurt their "professional" or "student" reputation. Don't put anything on that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see or read! So here is my idea. I will be sure that my children's Facebook information can be read by their friends and what better way to help them then to be their friend. I will also ask that their aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and teachers be their friends. This will help keep them connected to family.
It takes a village to raise a child, so let's create a "Facebook Village" which will help to watch out over our children and will help our children be considerate of the information they are putting out to the world. They just need guidance from responsible adults, we need to model what we are expecting of them. We can also teach our children to use this social networking to their advantage in marketing themselves positively to colleges and employers.
My husband has always asked that he have our kids' passwords and access to any computer files or sites they have. This is one way we can check up on them.
I have always told my children that you wouldn't want anything on a website that might hurt their "professional" or "student" reputation. Don't put anything on that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see or read! So here is my idea. I will be sure that my children's Facebook information can be read by their friends and what better way to help them then to be their friend. I will also ask that their aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and teachers be their friends. This will help keep them connected to family.
It takes a village to raise a child, so let's create a "Facebook Village" which will help to watch out over our children and will help our children be considerate of the information they are putting out to the world. They just need guidance from responsible adults, we need to model what we are expecting of them. We can also teach our children to use this social networking to their advantage in marketing themselves positively to colleges and employers.
Week #7 - The World is Flat
For a while now I have been wanting to read "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. So many books, so little time...you know the story and this is why I had not yet picked this book up. Since reading Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools, I once again was reminded why I wanted to read this book. There are so many great quotes in Web 2.0 taken from Friedman.
I have begun reading and I am really enjoying this book. It validates why I'm taking this summer course, Teaching and Learning in a Networked Classroom. Students in schools which are not networked will fall behind the rest of the world. Educators need to stay on top of technology so that our students will be competitive with the rest of the world.
I don't see the advancement of other countries as a scary thing, something to fear. Some people I know feel this way. They are worried that people in India and China will be taking over their jobs, our country, the world. I look at the advancement of other countries as a challenge, a raising of the bar. It is time for us to challenge ourselves and rise to the occasion, not gripe and complain about how other people are doing better than we are. Each individual needs to work to be the best they can be. If competition is encouraging us to become better, is that a bad thing?
Whether young or old, we need to continue to grow and learn and change with the world. If our students learn nothing else, they should learn how to learn and accept change. One of my favorite quotes is "change in the only constant".
My uncle is 79 years old and he just invited me to be his Facebook friend. We can all continue to learn, change and stay connected!
I have begun reading and I am really enjoying this book. It validates why I'm taking this summer course, Teaching and Learning in a Networked Classroom. Students in schools which are not networked will fall behind the rest of the world. Educators need to stay on top of technology so that our students will be competitive with the rest of the world.
I don't see the advancement of other countries as a scary thing, something to fear. Some people I know feel this way. They are worried that people in India and China will be taking over their jobs, our country, the world. I look at the advancement of other countries as a challenge, a raising of the bar. It is time for us to challenge ourselves and rise to the occasion, not gripe and complain about how other people are doing better than we are. Each individual needs to work to be the best they can be. If competition is encouraging us to become better, is that a bad thing?
Whether young or old, we need to continue to grow and learn and change with the world. If our students learn nothing else, they should learn how to learn and accept change. One of my favorite quotes is "change in the only constant".
My uncle is 79 years old and he just invited me to be his Facebook friend. We can all continue to learn, change and stay connected!
Week #7 - Technology and Assessment
What is it we want our students to know? This is an important question for teachers to be asking themselves. Once we figure out what we want our students to know, how do we find out if they actually understand or know what we have taught them? We need to assess the students to see if they have learned what we hoped they would.
It is my hope that in addition to what I want my students to learn, there will also be some extraneous learning going on as well. The students and I will learn something new together, something we didn't plan on learning. In my last post, I mentioned recent home projects in which my family and I have learned a lot. Some of it we knew we needed to learn at the start of the project. For example in raising chickens, we knew we would need to learn how to shelter our chickens. I did not, however, anticipate needing to learn why one chicken plucks another and how to make them stop this behavior. How do we assess this type of learning? Well we have healthy chickens laying eggs. In my way of thinking, we pass the test.
How does technology fit into assessment in schools? We all know that students can take computerized tests and the results can be easily analyzed using technology. This can assist teachers in learning what portion of the testing needs more attention in the classroom. However, is this truly creating the best educational experiences for our students? Is this the best assessments of the teacher's performance? or the students performance?
What about assessing the use of technology in the classrooms? If teachers were assessed on their use of technology in the classroom, they would most likely learn it and use it. The same is true for students. In this PSU Web 2.0 course, I'm thankful we are being assessed on use of technology as it has forced me to learn tools that I've always wanted to learn more about, but haven't taken the time to do so until now. I'm now thinking of ways in which I will assess my students' use of technology in school.
Most importantly I need to start with the question...What is it I want my students to know in regards to technology?
It is my hope that in addition to what I want my students to learn, there will also be some extraneous learning going on as well. The students and I will learn something new together, something we didn't plan on learning. In my last post, I mentioned recent home projects in which my family and I have learned a lot. Some of it we knew we needed to learn at the start of the project. For example in raising chickens, we knew we would need to learn how to shelter our chickens. I did not, however, anticipate needing to learn why one chicken plucks another and how to make them stop this behavior. How do we assess this type of learning? Well we have healthy chickens laying eggs. In my way of thinking, we pass the test.
How does technology fit into assessment in schools? We all know that students can take computerized tests and the results can be easily analyzed using technology. This can assist teachers in learning what portion of the testing needs more attention in the classroom. However, is this truly creating the best educational experiences for our students? Is this the best assessments of the teacher's performance? or the students performance?
What about assessing the use of technology in the classrooms? If teachers were assessed on their use of technology in the classroom, they would most likely learn it and use it. The same is true for students. In this PSU Web 2.0 course, I'm thankful we are being assessed on use of technology as it has forced me to learn tools that I've always wanted to learn more about, but haven't taken the time to do so until now. I'm now thinking of ways in which I will assess my students' use of technology in school.
Most importantly I need to start with the question...What is it I want my students to know in regards to technology?
Week #7 - Project Based Learning
I am very enthusiastic about Project Based Learning. It makes so much sense to me. I think the most important thing we can do in education is to teach students to become life-long learners. Think about how we learn as adults. Two recent projects at home had my family researching and learning new information - raised garden beds and raising chickens.
My daughter wanted chickens so we started to research what that would involve. We started with what types of chickens we should get. We talked to chicken farmers and the people at our local Blue Seal store. We researched information on the internet and learned all about raising chickens. We chose Barred Rocks. Next we needed a coop - What size? How are the roosts built? How many nesting boxes? Where should we place it in the yard? Should we build or buy? The questions and research have gone on for 2 years now. How do we protect the chickens from hawks? Fox? What do we do when one chicken is plucking another? How do we introduce a new brood to the older hens? And on and on. We are learning science, economics, math, cooperation, research skills, carpentry, social skills, and responsibility.
The same research was needed when planting our vegetable garden this year. What dimensions for the boxes? How should we lay out the beds? What do we do to the soil? Let's test the pH and nitrogen levels. The compost? From our chickens. What time of year do we plant the different seeds? Why are my zucchinis starting to form then turn yellow and fall off the plant? Possibly due to lack of pollination, so we check on our male and female flowers, a science lesson for my daughters which grew into "birds and bees" conversations. Again.. the learning goes on and on.
Why do we adults continue to learn? We learn what is meaningful to us or what is necessary to solve our own problems. We are rewarded now with eggs and comic relief from our chickens and green beans and cucumbers from our garden. I have enjoyed learning and working on these projects with my family. These are definitely group projects and it is fun to learn together.
The next project...How do we get the skunk to stay out of our compost pile (since we need to lock up our hens at night and the skunk has become a regular visitor then)? Mike has taken care of this problem. He has rigged this Wile E. Coyote type of trap (only for the skunk, not the Road Runner) where a log might fall on the skunk when he tries to pull away part of the compost fence. The log didn't drop on the skunk as envisioned, however, I think it has worked to drop the log and scared the skunk away. This is good since I'm not sure what we may have done with an unconscious skunk.
If we as adults want to learn about things that are applicable and meaningful to our lives, why wouldn't children want to learn the same way? I think Project Based Learning (when the projects are meaningful to the students) is the best way to teach.
My daughter wanted chickens so we started to research what that would involve. We started with what types of chickens we should get. We talked to chicken farmers and the people at our local Blue Seal store. We researched information on the internet and learned all about raising chickens. We chose Barred Rocks. Next we needed a coop - What size? How are the roosts built? How many nesting boxes? Where should we place it in the yard? Should we build or buy? The questions and research have gone on for 2 years now. How do we protect the chickens from hawks? Fox? What do we do when one chicken is plucking another? How do we introduce a new brood to the older hens? And on and on. We are learning science, economics, math, cooperation, research skills, carpentry, social skills, and responsibility.
The same research was needed when planting our vegetable garden this year. What dimensions for the boxes? How should we lay out the beds? What do we do to the soil? Let's test the pH and nitrogen levels. The compost? From our chickens. What time of year do we plant the different seeds? Why are my zucchinis starting to form then turn yellow and fall off the plant? Possibly due to lack of pollination, so we check on our male and female flowers, a science lesson for my daughters which grew into "birds and bees" conversations. Again.. the learning goes on and on.
Why do we adults continue to learn? We learn what is meaningful to us or what is necessary to solve our own problems. We are rewarded now with eggs and comic relief from our chickens and green beans and cucumbers from our garden. I have enjoyed learning and working on these projects with my family. These are definitely group projects and it is fun to learn together.The next project...How do we get the skunk to stay out of our compost pile (since we need to lock up our hens at night and the skunk has become a regular visitor then)? Mike has taken care of this problem. He has rigged this Wile E. Coyote type of trap (only for the skunk, not the Road Runner) where a log might fall on the skunk when he tries to pull away part of the compost fence. The log didn't drop on the skunk as envisioned, however, I think it has worked to drop the log and scared the skunk away. This is good since I'm not sure what we may have done with an unconscious skunk.
If we as adults want to learn about things that are applicable and meaningful to our lives, why wouldn't children want to learn the same way? I think Project Based Learning (when the projects are meaningful to the students) is the best way to teach.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Week #6 - Water Country
My family went to Water Country yesterday and enjoyed the sun and water fun! In addition to myself and my two daughters, my sister, brother-in-law, mother, teenaged nephew and a friend all came with us. I mention this because we ranged in age from 7 to 61 and we all had a great time!
One of the interesting things I noticed is how many people were "disconnected" from cell phones and electronic devices. Water slides and wave pools do not go well with cell phones or an iPod Touch. For as much as I enjoy technology and being connected, it was a nice break to be away from it. While waiting in line for fried dough, we chatted with others in line (not online chats, but real strangers communicating with each other). The teens made small talk, rather than texting friends during lunch.
We still found one way to use digital technology, our waterproof camera! Without the waterproof camera I couldn't share these photos of my daughter in the water.
I could get a waterproof cell phone, but do I really want one???
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Week #6 - Personal Learning Networks
I work in a small school where I am the only Library Media Specialist and I'm new to my position this year. My position is 60%, so I'm only in the school 3 days/week. During the time when teachers meet for collaboration, I am on recess duty or teaching a class. I have very little time for teacher collaboration or connecting with other Library Media Specialists during the school day.
My Professional Learning Network (PLN) allows me to connect with other professionals when the time is right (late nights usually). I can get questions answered and learn great ideas, lesson plans, new technology and more through Web 2.0 tools which help me to connect to other Library Media Specialists and Teachers. At this time, much of my PLN includes students from Plymouth State University where I am currently getting my M.Ed. in Library Media. Since the beginning of this Web 2.0 class, I have found many more people to add to my PLN and many more tools to use for professional networking.
My teaching is positively impacted through this social network of professionals, I couldn't do it without them!
My Professional Learning Network (PLN) allows me to connect with other professionals when the time is right (late nights usually). I can get questions answered and learn great ideas, lesson plans, new technology and more through Web 2.0 tools which help me to connect to other Library Media Specialists and Teachers. At this time, much of my PLN includes students from Plymouth State University where I am currently getting my M.Ed. in Library Media. Since the beginning of this Web 2.0 class, I have found many more people to add to my PLN and many more tools to use for professional networking.
My teaching is positively impacted through this social network of professionals, I couldn't do it without them!
Power Up Your Professional Learning Network
View more documents from Jennifer Dorman.
Week #6 - Professional Development
According to the textbook, Web 2.0 New Tools, New Schools, the effort to implement technology in schools are sometimes held back by teachers. Teachers are not applying what they are learning during professional development programs on technology. Here are some of my thoughts as to why some professional development is not working.
1) Programs are given in the afternoon or summers when teachers are tired or not engaged with students.
2) Programs are offered before the technology is available in the classroom so teachers aren't able to jump right in and use what they learn.
3) Requirements are not made of teachers to use new technology.
4) Support after the program is lacking, teachers get a one-time introduction to the technology, but no support while using it in their classrooms.
5) Learning new technology is time consuming.
6) Infrastructures or equipment don't support the technology so teachers are concerned about starting projects in the classroom. Computers, programs or the internet do not work when teachers need them to.
7) Fear that the students may know more then the teachers do about this technology.
Three important things that should be present to increase technology use in the classrooms are:
1) A requirement that teachers are to be using technology in the classroom. I believe that parents, administration and school boards should raise their expectations as to what is being taught in the classroom and how it is being taught. If it is only suggested that teachers use new technology, they may choose not to.
2) "Just in time" education and training is needed for teachers. Web 2.0 tools can make it possible for teachers to learn when, where and how they need to. Through Professional Learning Networks and online tutorials, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and videos, teachers can get the professional development they need to bring more technology to the classroom. If programs are paid for by the school and experts are brought in, the technology should already be in place so that teachers have an opportunity to use the technology as they learn about it.
3) Funding and support for technology must be available.
1) Programs are given in the afternoon or summers when teachers are tired or not engaged with students.
2) Programs are offered before the technology is available in the classroom so teachers aren't able to jump right in and use what they learn.
3) Requirements are not made of teachers to use new technology.
4) Support after the program is lacking, teachers get a one-time introduction to the technology, but no support while using it in their classrooms.
5) Learning new technology is time consuming.
6) Infrastructures or equipment don't support the technology so teachers are concerned about starting projects in the classroom. Computers, programs or the internet do not work when teachers need them to.
7) Fear that the students may know more then the teachers do about this technology.
Three important things that should be present to increase technology use in the classrooms are:
1) A requirement that teachers are to be using technology in the classroom. I believe that parents, administration and school boards should raise their expectations as to what is being taught in the classroom and how it is being taught. If it is only suggested that teachers use new technology, they may choose not to.
2) "Just in time" education and training is needed for teachers. Web 2.0 tools can make it possible for teachers to learn when, where and how they need to. Through Professional Learning Networks and online tutorials, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and videos, teachers can get the professional development they need to bring more technology to the classroom. If programs are paid for by the school and experts are brought in, the technology should already be in place so that teachers have an opportunity to use the technology as they learn about it.
3) Funding and support for technology must be available.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Testing Audacity Podcast
Testing, Testing to see if I can create a podcast on audacity then upload it to my blog.
Week #5 - Podcasts
There are so many great educational podcasts out there, but can I just say how much fun I have listening to NPR! I love listening to several of the NPR Programs such as Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me and All Things Considered, but I rarely get to listen to them. My daughters are ages 7 & 11 and when we hop in the car to go somewhere they always request music (although my oldest does enjoy Prairie Home Companion). I'm thrilled to find the NPR podcasts.
Without having heard his podcasts, I would not be able to hear David Sedaris' voice in my head as I'm reading his hysterical books such as Holidays on Ice or Dress Your Family in Denim and Corduroy.
I'm thankful for this assignment. I now have to go listen to another podcast and politely ask my family to not interrupt me...I'm studying.
Without having heard his podcasts, I would not be able to hear David Sedaris' voice in my head as I'm reading his hysterical books such as Holidays on Ice or Dress Your Family in Denim and Corduroy.
I'm thankful for this assignment. I now have to go listen to another podcast and politely ask my family to not interrupt me...I'm studying.
Week #5 - Streaming Video
This video titled Future of Learning: How Technology is Transforming Public Schools features Scott Kinney, the VP of Discovery Education, discussing technology use in classrooms. This started me thinking about streaming video.
For next school year I was hopeful to get streaming video into our classrooms. Currently our school has a few outdated VHS tapes and even fewer DVDs which our teachers use in their classrooms. In addition our District collectively purchases videos and we pay approximately $1100/year for our K-8 Elementary School's use of the videos and a few other items.
I believe that this money would be better spent on streaming video (we will have bandwidth to support this). I'm hopeful for either Discovery's United Streaming or SAFARIMontage.
Do any of you have schools which subscribe to video streaming? Is it worth paying for subscriptions like these if we can access Teacher Tube or other free videos from our school?
For next school year I was hopeful to get streaming video into our classrooms. Currently our school has a few outdated VHS tapes and even fewer DVDs which our teachers use in their classrooms. In addition our District collectively purchases videos and we pay approximately $1100/year for our K-8 Elementary School's use of the videos and a few other items.
I believe that this money would be better spent on streaming video (we will have bandwidth to support this). I'm hopeful for either Discovery's United Streaming or SAFARIMontage.
Do any of you have schools which subscribe to video streaming? Is it worth paying for subscriptions like these if we can access Teacher Tube or other free videos from our school?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Week #5 - Blogs
Blogs are like the Opinion Column and Letters to the Editor from a newspaper all rolled into one. Blogging is an opportunity to share your personal commentaries on whatever you'd like (opinion column) and it allows other people to make comments on your blog (letters to the editor).
One great advantage I see to blogs is that you can create a professional network. I am a Library Media Specialist (LMS, f.k.a. Librarian) and this could be a lonely job if I didn't search out other professionals in my field. Many schools only have one LMS. I meet once/month with other District LMSs and I'm on a ListServ for New Hampshire LMSs, but sometimes I want to read more about Library Media.
I can find a particularly knowledgeable and experienced LMS blogger and learn all sorts of new information by adding their blog to my RSS and reading updates as they appear.
A few interesting blogs I've found today are:
One great advantage I see to blogs is that you can create a professional network. I am a Library Media Specialist (LMS, f.k.a. Librarian) and this could be a lonely job if I didn't search out other professionals in my field. Many schools only have one LMS. I meet once/month with other District LMSs and I'm on a ListServ for New Hampshire LMSs, but sometimes I want to read more about Library Media.
I can find a particularly knowledgeable and experienced LMS blogger and learn all sorts of new information by adding their blog to my RSS and reading updates as they appear.
A few interesting blogs I've found today are:
School Library Media Activities Monthly
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Week #4 - Kindles
I know that this class is about Web 2.0 tools, but since we are posting on a topic of our choice, I thought I would look for comments about Kindles. I figure this is a tech savvy group and getting savvier by the minute. Do any of you own a Kindle? You can order newspapers, books, access blogs and Wikipedia anytime, anywhere with your Kindle - does that classify it as web 2.0?
I have considered purchasing a Kindle, but I'm not really certain I would benefit from one. I do quite a bit of reading. Typically I read 2-4 books a month (not including children's books). One of the biggest selling features of the Kindle is that you can save money. If the average cost of a book is $20 and you can get it on a Kindle for $9.99, you could be saving money. However, if you go to the library and get the books you want to read , with the exception of a few that you really want to own, isn't this an even bigger savings?
For pleasure reading, getting books from your school or public library saves the most money!
Kindles have other benefits such as being easy to transport because of its light weight and small size and no wait if you want a book immediately. I'm just not sure if it is worth the cost to me.
I have considered purchasing a Kindle, but I'm not really certain I would benefit from one. I do quite a bit of reading. Typically I read 2-4 books a month (not including children's books). One of the biggest selling features of the Kindle is that you can save money. If the average cost of a book is $20 and you can get it on a Kindle for $9.99, you could be saving money. However, if you go to the library and get the books you want to read , with the exception of a few that you really want to own, isn't this an even bigger savings?
For pleasure reading, getting books from your school or public library saves the most money!
Kindles have other benefits such as being easy to transport because of its light weight and small size and no wait if you want a book immediately. I'm just not sure if it is worth the cost to me.
Week #4 - Wikis in the Classroom
I could spend hours looking at classroom Wikis designed for and by students. Actually I did spend hours, but I could spend even more. If so many other teachers can use Wikis, why can't I? I'm looking forward to returning to school this year with a Wiki site ready to go so that I can present it to the administration. I think if they can see a site for the School Library Media Center where I am the Library Media Specialist, then they would want to see it used and hopefully other teachers would want to do the same for their classrooms.
I found a great number of Wikis used in classrooms at Wikiswork. Here you will find lots of examples of sites and ideas for Elementary, Middle School and High School Wiki useage.
Another inspiration in my desire to build a Wiki is this 28 minute video by Vicki Davis which explains Wikis and how to use them in the classroom. Watch Vicki's Video to learn more. Also visit the Wiki for Westwood Schools in Georgia, where Vicki Davis teaches. I find this site interesting and easy to use!
If you visit the links in this blog, I think you will agree that every school should be using Wikis in the classroom. They are fun and educational! And if you are like me you will end up linking and linking and linking while you continue to find "Wiki'd Good" ideas. (ok, I'll admit it, I really am a Mainer)
I found a great number of Wikis used in classrooms at Wikiswork. Here you will find lots of examples of sites and ideas for Elementary, Middle School and High School Wiki useage.
Another inspiration in my desire to build a Wiki is this 28 minute video by Vicki Davis which explains Wikis and how to use them in the classroom. Watch Vicki's Video to learn more. Also visit the Wiki for Westwood Schools in Georgia, where Vicki Davis teaches. I find this site interesting and easy to use!
If you visit the links in this blog, I think you will agree that every school should be using Wikis in the classroom. They are fun and educational! And if you are like me you will end up linking and linking and linking while you continue to find "Wiki'd Good" ideas. (ok, I'll admit it, I really am a Mainer)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Week #4 - Students and Learning
As I was reading "World Without Walls: Learning Well With Others" by Will Richardson I was moved by 11-year old Laura Stockman using her blog page to help with a community service project. I'm not so much surprised by the fact that an 11-year-old would have a blog page, but the creative way in which she was using it for a good cause. My daughters, ages 7 and 11, have their own blog pages which they currently use for linking games, sharing pet photos, and sharing their Voki avatars.
Although I think that it is great that my daughters are learning how to use this technology and they are having fun with chickenmama.com and elizabriggs.com, I can see other ways in which they could use this technology as they grow and become more comfortable with it.
I am inspired to help students discover new ways in which they may use their sites to benefit others. Students today have the technology and they are using it, but as teachers, can't we still teach them ways to use it better? Thanks for raising the bar Laura Stockman!
Although I think that it is great that my daughters are learning how to use this technology and they are having fun with chickenmama.com and elizabriggs.com, I can see other ways in which they could use this technology as they grow and become more comfortable with it.
I am inspired to help students discover new ways in which they may use their sites to benefit others. Students today have the technology and they are using it, but as teachers, can't we still teach them ways to use it better? Thanks for raising the bar Laura Stockman!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Week #3 - Media Sharing
Who knew I was sharing (and borrowing) media all along. I use Flickr, Facebook, Snapfish, YouTube and other media sharing tools and I never thought to lump them together under one title - Media Sharing.
I've been reading a lot about globalization in connection with Web 2.0 tools. The above video is one I enjoy and many of you are probably familiar with already. Click here to learn how Stride gum paid for Matt's trips around the world - Where the Hell is Matt. It reminds me to always look at what we have in common with others, rather than to look at our differences. I also marvel at Matt's simple brilliance. As someone who loves to travel, I think this young man is very smart and very fortunate.
I've been reading a lot about globalization in connection with Web 2.0 tools. The above video is one I enjoy and many of you are probably familiar with already. Click here to learn how Stride gum paid for Matt's trips around the world - Where the Hell is Matt. It reminds me to always look at what we have in common with others, rather than to look at our differences. I also marvel at Matt's simple brilliance. As someone who loves to travel, I think this young man is very smart and very fortunate.
Week #3 - RSS
With RSS (Really Simple Syndication), why would anyone purchase a newspaper anymore when you can save the trees and get only the news you want? Years ago I stopped reading newspapers or watching the news on tv. I found myself becoming too depressed and was angered by a lot of misinformation we receive from the media. Have you ever verified the details in a local newspaper? There are misprints in most articles, quotes taken out of context, and sometimes lies or deceit. Lemony Snicket knows what I'm talking about! I love the newspaper in The Series of Unfortunate Events, called the Daily Punctilio. Don't believe everything you read in print or online!
When I stopped receiving the daily news by print and tv I was worried that I might miss something big. The sky could be falling and I'd never know it. It turns out that through small town gossip, small talk with friends and co-workers, and conversation with my significant other I hear just about everything I ever need to know. The gaps are filled in by my Yahoo homepage where I choose the news and headlines I would like to read. I never realized I was already using an RSS.
Now with my knowledge and use of Google Reader, I can hear the news and opinions from classmates and other blogs I choose to read. I can choose the information I find most trustworthy from a much larger number of news sources.
Although I love using RSS, a question I once heard comes to mind. Will the ability to choose the news we want to hear narrow our opinions? Yes, it is nice to read articles that make me happy or that support my own personal beliefs, but will this escape prevent me from hearing two sides a story and close my mind more around my existing beliefs. I hope that my awareness of this possibility will help to keep me open minded.
When I stopped receiving the daily news by print and tv I was worried that I might miss something big. The sky could be falling and I'd never know it. It turns out that through small town gossip, small talk with friends and co-workers, and conversation with my significant other I hear just about everything I ever need to know. The gaps are filled in by my Yahoo homepage where I choose the news and headlines I would like to read. I never realized I was already using an RSS.
Now with my knowledge and use of Google Reader, I can hear the news and opinions from classmates and other blogs I choose to read. I can choose the information I find most trustworthy from a much larger number of news sources.
Although I love using RSS, a question I once heard comes to mind. Will the ability to choose the news we want to hear narrow our opinions? Yes, it is nice to read articles that make me happy or that support my own personal beliefs, but will this escape prevent me from hearing two sides a story and close my mind more around my existing beliefs. I hope that my awareness of this possibility will help to keep me open minded.
Week #3 - Social Bookmarking
Yeah! Diigo is the solution I've been looking for. Learn more about Diigo 2009.
I can now easily locate websites using Social Bookmarking with Diigo. I work on my computer a lot, as I'm certain many of you do as well. I wear many hats and they all involve time on the computer. In the past year I have been an Arbonne Independent Consultant, Library Media Specialist, Graduate Student, Mom, Partner, Daughter, Friend and PTA President. I have several websites which I use every day and many more I want to remember for repeat or future use.
Whether placing an order for Arbonne, checking the swim meet schedule or reading the PTA emails, I visit a lot of sites daily. I have 6 email accounts. Our family has 5 computers and I use a desktop at the school where I work. With the addition of new sites I've been introduced to and I'm now using for this course, I was feeling overloaded, unorganized and frustrated when I would forget how to access a site and would have to search through stacks of papers to locate a URL address. I needed a quick easy way to get to the sites I need from any computer I'm using.
The solution is social bookmarking and I can easily link from Diigo to any site I want. By using tags, I have organized the sites so that I can easily find them. I have a lot more bookmarking and annotating to do, but it is an easy process and I will continue to add to Diigo as I use or discover new sites. The next challenge for me is figuring out how to keep track of all of my login ID's, usernames and passwords.
I can now easily locate websites using Social Bookmarking with Diigo. I work on my computer a lot, as I'm certain many of you do as well. I wear many hats and they all involve time on the computer. In the past year I have been an Arbonne Independent Consultant, Library Media Specialist, Graduate Student, Mom, Partner, Daughter, Friend and PTA President. I have several websites which I use every day and many more I want to remember for repeat or future use.
Whether placing an order for Arbonne, checking the swim meet schedule or reading the PTA emails, I visit a lot of sites daily. I have 6 email accounts. Our family has 5 computers and I use a desktop at the school where I work. With the addition of new sites I've been introduced to and I'm now using for this course, I was feeling overloaded, unorganized and frustrated when I would forget how to access a site and would have to search through stacks of papers to locate a URL address. I needed a quick easy way to get to the sites I need from any computer I'm using.
The solution is social bookmarking and I can easily link from Diigo to any site I want. By using tags, I have organized the sites so that I can easily find them. I have a lot more bookmarking and annotating to do, but it is an easy process and I will continue to add to Diigo as I use or discover new sites. The next challenge for me is figuring out how to keep track of all of my login ID's, usernames and passwords.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Week #2 School 2.0
The Department of Education's School 2.0 website offers tools for schools and communities to estimate their needs and dream big in regards to technology needs for their students and community members. There are some good ideas as to how 2.0 tools can be used in schools and communities everywhere. I particularly like the video interviews by members of the school and the community.
I currently live in a town where we are building a new K-8 school and now is the right time for us to make considerations as to how this building will support future generations of students during times of rapidly changing technology. The information found on the School 2.0 page reminds me that many people are stakeholders in this new school and should be involved in the decision making for this new building. We need to consult individuals who are knowledgeable about bandwidth and design needs for the building during the progression of the building so that we will be up and running when we move to the new school in Fall, 2010.
I currently live in a town where we are building a new K-8 school and now is the right time for us to make considerations as to how this building will support future generations of students during times of rapidly changing technology. The information found on the School 2.0 page reminds me that many people are stakeholders in this new school and should be involved in the decision making for this new building. We need to consult individuals who are knowledgeable about bandwidth and design needs for the building during the progression of the building so that we will be up and running when we move to the new school in Fall, 2010.
Week #2 - Learning about Web 2.0 through PSU's online course
Less than two weeks into the Plymouth State University course "Teaching and Learning in a Networked Classroom" taught by Kimberley Tufts, I have learned more about Web 2.0 tools than I imagined possible. Not only have I learned what Skype, Blogs, RSS and Wikis are, I have actually had an opportunity to use these tools as well.
Most of what I knew before this course I learned from a YouTube Video about Web 2.0 which my significant other, Mike, shared with me. Until I began using these tools, I was not sure what the real purpose or benefit of each one was. I kept wondering why I would ever want to use Skype when the phone itself is easy to use and I already have great long distance service. I then realized I have great service in the United States, but not beyond. I began to see the benefit of global use with free calling services. I started to think bigger and outside of the box which holds the tools I already use everyday.
Also, with Skype's video call option, my daughters can show off their new kittens in action to Grammie in Maine...something they can't do over the phone.
Web 2.0 is about thinking outside of our existing "toolbox" and connecting to the world. All of this global thinking reminds me of a video I recently watched which touched my heart and reminded me how much we are all connected. Read this short introduction and watch the video, "Stand by Me", while you think about ways new technology tools can be used to reach out and keep you connected to the world.
Most of what I knew before this course I learned from a YouTube Video about Web 2.0 which my significant other, Mike, shared with me. Until I began using these tools, I was not sure what the real purpose or benefit of each one was. I kept wondering why I would ever want to use Skype when the phone itself is easy to use and I already have great long distance service. I then realized I have great service in the United States, but not beyond. I began to see the benefit of global use with free calling services. I started to think bigger and outside of the box which holds the tools I already use everyday.
Also, with Skype's video call option, my daughters can show off their new kittens in action to Grammie in Maine...something they can't do over the phone.
Web 2.0 is about thinking outside of our existing "toolbox" and connecting to the world. All of this global thinking reminds me of a video I recently watched which touched my heart and reminded me how much we are all connected. Read this short introduction and watch the video, "Stand by Me", while you think about ways new technology tools can be used to reach out and keep you connected to the world.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
I am currently enjoying vacation in Maine with Mike and my two daughters. We will be home for a couple of days and I plan to catch up on my coursework, including this blog, before heading to Cape Cod for the weekend. I've been doing some work while away, but mostly enjoyed the sunny days kayaking and golfing. Let's hope for more sun!
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