I am feeling much more prepared for all that is out there in Web 2.0 land. I realize that I need to continue to find time to explore and play with all of the new tools. Teaching myself how to use many of them for our final project was exasperating - but I kept reminding myself that I would get through it. And I certainly learned more useful skills than I ever did writing a paper!
I knew before I started the course that I was somewhere in the middle range of techy people. I don't know if I'll ever be geeky enough to bypass others - but I'll keep tryng. I actually feel quite accomplished. I can't wait to show all of my new skills off at work in September!
I've used wikis and blogs before, but I think he most useful tool for our high school right now would be Livebinder. The binder I created for Ancient Greece on my wiki is for a Global class in the fall. I plan to make more for the other Golden Age civilizations.
I'll also continue to work with all of the Google Tools. Tough I was disappointed - Google Presentation kept getting stuck and delivering service errors. I'm wondering if it's my laptop. I'll try it again from a different computer. But Google Forms, Docs, & Scholar are way on the top of my list. Plus they're all free and not blocked by our district!!!
Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone. Class was great!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Google Sites & Forms
Loving Google Sites so far! I realize HTML may be a problem later, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm psyched because I know I can use it in my district. I don't need special permission and I don't need to beg IT guys to open access (I'm tired of making cookies as bribes). Plus most of the kids have gmail accounts, as teachers and counselors advise them to set them up for college app. process.
I think it will work great for everything I need/want to do this year. It's really a one-stop shop since there's Google Forms & gmail all in one place.
I actually plan to do my presentation for the final project on Google Sites/Forms, because I will present the tool to my boss as well as our colleagues in the elementary schools. I may do it as a presentation that can be emailed to them.
I think it will work great for everything I need/want to do this year. It's really a one-stop shop since there's Google Forms & gmail all in one place.
I actually plan to do my presentation for the final project on Google Sites/Forms, because I will present the tool to my boss as well as our colleagues in the elementary schools. I may do it as a presentation that can be emailed to them.
Digital Storytelling
I loved making the story on Photo Story, though I had some issues with mt headset. (Another reason to buddy up with IT folks when working in a school). I can't wait to make some for our school library.
We're doing a Shared Read over the summer that includes 5 titles. The video teacher made a video encompassing all five, but I'd love the students to make their own photostories on the titles. It might be a fun first lesson to do with the incoming 9th graders, rather than orientation. It would be a great alternative to a book report.
Wix was pretty cool too, though I plan on checking out Glogster also. But I like the fun factor in Wix.
We're doing a Shared Read over the summer that includes 5 titles. The video teacher made a video encompassing all five, but I'd love the students to make their own photostories on the titles. It might be a fun first lesson to do with the incoming 9th graders, rather than orientation. It would be a great alternative to a book report.
Wix was pretty cool too, though I plan on checking out Glogster also. But I like the fun factor in Wix.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Too Many Tools - Too Little Time!!!!
It sounds sooooooo cliche - but it's definitely true and exactly how I'm feeling.
I love all of these tools. I just hope they become functioning tools for me, not just time suckers and clutter on my toolbar.
I see the use of Twitter as a professional tool, but not something I would use in the classroom at all. Though my district allows blog sites at times, they have an aversion to new technology. Plus there's always the feeling that you're giving IT more work to do. With so many budget cuts everyone is feeling bitter. No one wants more work. And it's hard convincing them to move on.
Our principal wanted us to become a 21st Century library. There were so many roadblocks it became very frustrating. I'm hoping that if I team up with just one or two teachers that are forward thinking and experimental, we can get new things accomplished in September, and use them as models at the faculty meetings.
One teacher last year argued that she wanted nothing to do with blogs - she had no time for anything new! One of the English teachers decided to do a blog with her class and the result were amazing. The other teacher saw it and later commented on how wonderful it was. But she still is not interested - very sad and frustrating.
I can't wait to use Google Books on our library page. The time it would save in emails from teachers and phone calls from parents would be phenomenal. Also fastflip in Google Labs deserves a full trail year. I'm wondering what we could cut from our database budget with that application.
Though I am a bit tense and tired - I will focus on the library manifesto from Buffy Hamilton - keep an open mind and have fun - I'll just keep laughing at myself!
I love all of these tools. I just hope they become functioning tools for me, not just time suckers and clutter on my toolbar.
I see the use of Twitter as a professional tool, but not something I would use in the classroom at all. Though my district allows blog sites at times, they have an aversion to new technology. Plus there's always the feeling that you're giving IT more work to do. With so many budget cuts everyone is feeling bitter. No one wants more work. And it's hard convincing them to move on.
Our principal wanted us to become a 21st Century library. There were so many roadblocks it became very frustrating. I'm hoping that if I team up with just one or two teachers that are forward thinking and experimental, we can get new things accomplished in September, and use them as models at the faculty meetings.
One teacher last year argued that she wanted nothing to do with blogs - she had no time for anything new! One of the English teachers decided to do a blog with her class and the result were amazing. The other teacher saw it and later commented on how wonderful it was. But she still is not interested - very sad and frustrating.
I can't wait to use Google Books on our library page. The time it would save in emails from teachers and phone calls from parents would be phenomenal. Also fastflip in Google Labs deserves a full trail year. I'm wondering what we could cut from our database budget with that application.
Though I am a bit tense and tired - I will focus on the library manifesto from Buffy Hamilton - keep an open mind and have fun - I'll just keep laughing at myself!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Using Blogs in Education
Blogs are excellent for education. There are so many different ways to use them as a learning tool. Most importantly it makes it easier for teachers and librarins to collaborate.
The most obvious choice is for book discussion or book clubs. Along with discussion, teachers can post assignments and homework.
Many of our students are involved in school clubs and teams. They often have questions as to where and when meetings or practices will be held. It would also work well for their fundraising sign ups, such as bake sales.
One of our physics teachers recently got his class involved in researching technology based physics projects that were influencing/helping people globally. The class became very interested in the Solar Light Project, but had difficulty getting information synthesized. This would be great for them. They did fundraising and got the whole school involved in sending a solar light creation to Malawi. But they often had trouble viewing videos from Malawi. This would be a great place to post the videos and messages.
The most obvious choice is for book discussion or book clubs. Along with discussion, teachers can post assignments and homework.
Many of our students are involved in school clubs and teams. They often have questions as to where and when meetings or practices will be held. It would also work well for their fundraising sign ups, such as bake sales.
One of our physics teachers recently got his class involved in researching technology based physics projects that were influencing/helping people globally. The class became very interested in the Solar Light Project, but had difficulty getting information synthesized. This would be great for them. They did fundraising and got the whole school involved in sending a solar light creation to Malawi. But they often had trouble viewing videos from Malawi. This would be a great place to post the videos and messages.
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