Tool 7

This is a video for my personal use. It wasn't until I spent nearly 2 hours on it did I go back and read the part about not using personal music. This will take some time to work on with kids, but podcasting is a great tool for science. I can't imagine how hard this would have been for those who haven't had some previous experience. I am pleased with the end result though.

Tool 6

I can see the benefit of using a WIKI in the class room. I copied this off of PBWORKS. Why reinvent the wheel?

• Class Resources - Publish class notes, PowerPoint lectures, schedules and policies; show off examples of great student work.
• Group Projects - Build collaborative pages, start discussions and encourage comments.
• Parent Outreach - Keep parents involved. Post assignments, key dates and volunteer lists. All available at home, from work, or anywhere.
• Student Portfolios - Give students their own page to post content, upload homework, and share their work.
• Expand Horizons - Share and interact with other classrooms or groups, across town or around the world.
  

I tried to start one for the classroom, but they said my account was pending verification. Not sure why. So hopefully once I get one started, I can have a way to keep in touch with kids and parents better.

Tool 5

Bookmarking. This is a little less exciting. I guess it is a good idea and I can see how it is useful to organize bookmarks. I use bookmarks quite a lot already. I also am using the MAC more than my Dell because I am trying to become more familiar with the daily workings of the MAC. This will make it easier to reach those important bookmarks. I will probably bookmark the new grade book and attendance site since it will be new for me and I sometimes am not near my personal computer when I need the site. I will also add the standard ones I use a lot. I put a few ones on DELICIOUS that I already use and a few new ones.

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm

http://www.brainpop.com

Tool 4

I already have been using the READER. Easy. This will be useful to keep in the know with my team, and whatever else I find. I have already used DOCS before, but I created a Math Survey for my students to use when we begin the year with multiplication facts. I thought this would be an easy first survey for them to try out with GOOGLE DOCS. I would also like to experiment with math word problems. Students could peer teach and compare different ways to solve a problem. This could be an assignment during Math Stations, a weekly assignment like with exemplars, or problem solvers. I could also see this used for cooperatively creating a science project. You could see which students were providing facts to the project. No slackers this way. It is just getting the kids ready and familiar with the use of these tools, and implementing guidelines for their use.

Tool 3

That was fun. I had been in Hugelab before, but only trading cards. There is so much to use. I used thought bubbles, movie poster, stamps, and the magazine cover. I could see having kids use this to show their personality. I love photography and need images/art in my life, so I know this will be useful for students. Creating is so important in learning. There are some very cool ways to add interest to reports, which I love assigning. Kids always exceed my expectations when they are allowed to stretch their boundaries. Wordle will be a great way to incorporate some extensions for kids that move a long a little faster than others. Vocabulary is huge in Science.

Tool 1 & 2

I have spent a good chunk of time reading Jenny's, Meridith's, Karyn's, Carole's, and Robye's blog posts this morning. Informative. Everyone is so positive and pleasant. They must have read that suggestion in the section where you are given tips for posts. I agree that I personally will have to be careful on the word choice of my comments, but I find it necessary to keep it "real". I am going to look for an "outside" blog to follow. I think it is important to follow what your fellow educators are thinking...but we usually do that in the hallway after school anyway.

First Post

I have been at this for 1 hour 22 minutes and have no idea if I have accomplished anything. Not cool.