I enjoyed playing in the Sandbox! I am so proud of myself -- I created Fishing for Knowledge. It is going to be great -- I plan to add to it as I learn different Web 2.0 Things. I hope to hear from a lot of you about my Burning Question! =)
I first looked at the example page and that gave me an idea of how to do it. Then I followed the instructions on the Sandbox Page Instructions. I even used the font and color tools so that I could change to Comic Sans and blue and purple. I added a bullet list by clicking on that tool. Formatting the wiki was very simple -- I was surprised at how quickly I caught on! To add an image, I uploaded my picture of Gumbo and added that picture to my page. How fun! I added a link to my blog using the link button -- again -- so easy to use! I also did the stretch activity -- check it out on Fishing for Knowledge.
I added a link to my page and I also shared a website on the Sites We Like page and visited the sandbox of two classmates and answered their burning questions. Busy busy!
I enjoyed playing in the sandbox. I lost myself a bit -- lost track of time!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thing #8
I love wikis! I think it would be great to begin one for my middle school math teachers. I am always creating and finding things to share with teachers. A wiki would organize those things and we could edit those ideas and build on them. Collaboration is where it all begins! I really love the idea of building that community of learners and collaborators .... =) Teachers have a lot to share -- things that work and things that don't work. I think it would be great for teachers at different campuses to share successes with teachers at other campuses -- how wonderful! WOW! A whole list of ideas of things that work -- I would certainly love to see that list!
I checked out a few wikis and spent some time at each wiki to check things out! At 'Schools in the Past', students list their interview answers. That is the extent of that wiki -- just a list. Perhaps the students will do something additional with the information -- I would love to see a Venn Diagram in action on a wiki! Visitors can also add their comments to the wiki. The class is comparing and contrasting school in the past and schools today. It is a neat way to bring technology into a paperless lesson!
The 'FHS Wolves Den' had a lot of different links and activities. It was visually appealing to me and offered lots of information. I think it is so neat how teachers take these wikis and really engage and empower students to own their thinking and learning. Imagine -- using technology to engage the digital learner -- makes sense!! I can see where the students want to come to a wiki like this one to see what else is there -- almost like they don't want to miss anything. Neat!
The most adorable wiki that I have viewed so far is the 'Kindergarten Counting Book'. It is the cutest! I can just imagine those students having so much fun counting objects, taking pictures, and adding them to the wiki. I am so proud of them! The teacher even joins in with her 29 carrots at dinner! A few of the numbers still do not have a picture -- I may join in and add ... =)
Wikis are great! I can see a wiki in my future!
I checked out a few wikis and spent some time at each wiki to check things out! At 'Schools in the Past', students list their interview answers. That is the extent of that wiki -- just a list. Perhaps the students will do something additional with the information -- I would love to see a Venn Diagram in action on a wiki! Visitors can also add their comments to the wiki. The class is comparing and contrasting school in the past and schools today. It is a neat way to bring technology into a paperless lesson!
The 'FHS Wolves Den' had a lot of different links and activities. It was visually appealing to me and offered lots of information. I think it is so neat how teachers take these wikis and really engage and empower students to own their thinking and learning. Imagine -- using technology to engage the digital learner -- makes sense!! I can see where the students want to come to a wiki like this one to see what else is there -- almost like they don't want to miss anything. Neat!
The most adorable wiki that I have viewed so far is the 'Kindergarten Counting Book'. It is the cutest! I can just imagine those students having so much fun counting objects, taking pictures, and adding them to the wiki. I am so proud of them! The teacher even joins in with her 29 carrots at dinner! A few of the numbers still do not have a picture -- I may join in and add ... =)
Wikis are great! I can see a wiki in my future!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Thing #7
I think that commenting on blogs allows the reader to interact with the author. I think it is a powerful communication tool. I don't ever remember interacting with an author before (except in 3rd grade when an author came to visit our school ...) Times have changed -- thank goodness -- and I am excited about this new communication tool. It allows me to be connected to my colleagues and learn about what they are learning about. I am increasing my knowledge base by staying connected and learning from their blogs. It is so neat!
I was a little nervous commenting on those 'big blogs' out there! The comment that I made will not be posted until the author reads and approves it. I think that is a good idea for the 'big blogs'! There needs to be some policing of comments. Otherwise there would be more comments than posts -- especially to the blogs that millions subscribe to!
Overall, I think that commenting is important -- it lets the author know that you are reading, and lets them know about your thoughts, opinions, and questions.
So that settles it --> commenting = interaction. (There goes my math brain again!)
I was a little nervous commenting on those 'big blogs' out there! The comment that I made will not be posted until the author reads and approves it. I think that is a good idea for the 'big blogs'! There needs to be some policing of comments. Otherwise there would be more comments than posts -- especially to the blogs that millions subscribe to!
Overall, I think that commenting is important -- it lets the author know that you are reading, and lets them know about your thoughts, opinions, and questions.
So that settles it --> commenting = interaction. (There goes my math brain again!)
Thing #6
Now that I have Google Reader, I have saved so much time looking at various websites for information -- now it comes to me! That is amazing!
I was checking out my RSS feed on the blog, 'Free Technology for Teachers' and I found a great interactive website on wind turbines. Students can learn about the alternative form of energy and create their own wind turbine. Talk about project-based learning! I can see kids really getting excited about this one! I have really enjoyed looking at the postings of this blog. I love free resources! (That was one of my goals for this class -- to learn about free resources!) What great ideas, templates, projects, and lessons that are already created! Great stuff! This project also gets the kids passionate about the environment too -- it is never too early to get that message ...
I also subscribe to 'TeachPaperless', and found an interesting post about why a teacher wants her students to blog. In a semester-long course, students are expected to post about what they are learning, comment on posed questions, and respond to each other. The teacher found that 80% of the students posted MORE than expected. WOW! That really does show that the students are engaged and excited about their learning. They are going above and beyond to really get their ideas flowing. They have owned their learning. Isn't that the goal?? That is wonderful! Keep blogging and keep learning!
Checking my RSS feeds on the Google Reader each day will be informative and addictive! I will want to check it every evening. I am learning quite a bit and enjoying the online class -- Thanks!
I was checking out my RSS feed on the blog, 'Free Technology for Teachers' and I found a great interactive website on wind turbines. Students can learn about the alternative form of energy and create their own wind turbine. Talk about project-based learning! I can see kids really getting excited about this one! I have really enjoyed looking at the postings of this blog. I love free resources! (That was one of my goals for this class -- to learn about free resources!) What great ideas, templates, projects, and lessons that are already created! Great stuff! This project also gets the kids passionate about the environment too -- it is never too early to get that message ...
I also subscribe to 'TeachPaperless', and found an interesting post about why a teacher wants her students to blog. In a semester-long course, students are expected to post about what they are learning, comment on posed questions, and respond to each other. The teacher found that 80% of the students posted MORE than expected. WOW! That really does show that the students are engaged and excited about their learning. They are going above and beyond to really get their ideas flowing. They have owned their learning. Isn't that the goal?? That is wonderful! Keep blogging and keep learning!
Checking my RSS feeds on the Google Reader each day will be informative and addictive! I will want to check it every evening. I am learning quite a bit and enjoying the online class -- Thanks!
Thing #5
RSS feeds are incredible! I am about to check out all of my favorite websites and see if they have an RSS feed. I am about to get out of control!! Watch out! Okay -- let me pace myself! =)
I checked out an interesting story on the Tech Learning blog. It is about the essential classroom learning technologies needed in the classroom. It really makes sense! We need a computer with internet access, a projector and screen so that all kids can see, and some speakers. WOW -- talk about a simple list -- most classrooms have these items. So what is holding us back? TIME? Creativity? Timidity? Restricted access? TIME? (I think I already mentioned this one -- so did the author of the blog ...) We have to remember that using technology with our digital learners is time worth spending!
I enjoyed looking at the RSS feeds using my Google Reader! Okay -- I have to admit -- I have never had a Google Reader! Now that I do -- I don't know what I did without it! News and information that I want to know coming straight to me -- perfect!
I checked out an interesting story on the Tech Learning blog. It is about the essential classroom learning technologies needed in the classroom. It really makes sense! We need a computer with internet access, a projector and screen so that all kids can see, and some speakers. WOW -- talk about a simple list -- most classrooms have these items. So what is holding us back? TIME? Creativity? Timidity? Restricted access? TIME? (I think I already mentioned this one -- so did the author of the blog ...) We have to remember that using technology with our digital learners is time worth spending!
I enjoyed looking at the RSS feeds using my Google Reader! Okay -- I have to admit -- I have never had a Google Reader! Now that I do -- I don't know what I did without it! News and information that I want to know coming straight to me -- perfect!
Thing #4
Blogging is a great way to express yourself. After reading 5 different blogs, I can see why people follow a blog -- you want to find out what happens next.
The blog about the duck was adorable! What a great way to practice writing skills in the 2nd grade. I can see where a math teacher could utilize blogging about a problem of the week or for students to record how they solved a problem. They could even ask each other questions ...
I am getting into this blogging thing -- I am learning more every day!
I hope that through this whole thing, I will get better at blogging! I loved the examples that I saw today. Some were very formal and informational, and some were casual and more like diary entries. What I loved about them all was that each blog represented the author and the reader both -- I guess that is what blogging is all about. Since I am a 'math brain', I believe in word economy. (Let's get straight to the point!) I need to work on my reflective writing and using my 'voice' when I write. It is getting there!!
The blog about the duck was adorable! What a great way to practice writing skills in the 2nd grade. I can see where a math teacher could utilize blogging about a problem of the week or for students to record how they solved a problem. They could even ask each other questions ...
I am getting into this blogging thing -- I am learning more every day!
I hope that through this whole thing, I will get better at blogging! I loved the examples that I saw today. Some were very formal and informational, and some were casual and more like diary entries. What I loved about them all was that each blog represented the author and the reader both -- I guess that is what blogging is all about. Since I am a 'math brain', I believe in word economy. (Let's get straight to the point!) I need to work on my reflective writing and using my 'voice' when I write. It is getting there!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thing #2
WOW! Students are digital learners. The education system needs to keep up and learn from them! Students are so engaged with technology. I have seen many students engaged in math using the Promethean Slates. It is amazing! Teachers are more excited to teach and students are more excited to learn. I really think that we can incorporate more technology into our lessons to make them powerful and engaging for the digital learner. Using Excel and interactive websites is just the beginning... I have signed up for this class so that I can experience 23 things that I may be able to apply to my situation. I am excited to learn and I am willing and able to try to experience a day in the life of a digital learner. That article about a day in the life of a digital learner was fantastic -- what a dream school day! Digital experiences at every turn ... that is the ultimate. We may need to take baby steps in that direction, but we will get there!
Thing #1
I am excited to be a part of Learning 2.0 23 Things!
In response to Thing #1:
I think that the most challenging habit of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners will be to "create my own toolbox". It will be challenging because of time and budget constraints. It is difficult to create a toolbox with few resources. However, I will discover many free resources and borrow some along the way!
As a lifelong learner, I find that "teaching and mentoring others" comes naturally for me. I enjoy teaching others -- then I learn it better myself. That will be the easiest habit for me to continue.
The most important habit for me to engage in this online course is to "accept responsibility for my own learning". I will need to really set time aside to make this learning experience the most it can be! It is up to me to learn and discover and practice and explore and "play"!
In response to Thing #1:
I think that the most challenging habit of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners will be to "create my own toolbox". It will be challenging because of time and budget constraints. It is difficult to create a toolbox with few resources. However, I will discover many free resources and borrow some along the way!
As a lifelong learner, I find that "teaching and mentoring others" comes naturally for me. I enjoy teaching others -- then I learn it better myself. That will be the easiest habit for me to continue.
The most important habit for me to engage in this online course is to "accept responsibility for my own learning". I will need to really set time aside to make this learning experience the most it can be! It is up to me to learn and discover and practice and explore and "play"!
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