Week 8, Thing 19

Played around a little with GoogleEarth, but couldn't download to my laptop due to adminstrator restrictions. Was able to locate a few places using the location piece which was interesting. Would like to explore it further as a tool to use in the classroom.

Week 8, Thing 18

Joined Slidshare and uploaded a powerpoint my teammate made for teaching the steps for dividing decimals. I chose to only share it privately because I am still new at this and learning how to use it myself. Maybe later I can share with the public.

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/avjylopvbHJzKi

Week 7, Thing 17

Checked out some of the podcasts from Learn Out Loud and found some on Aesop's Fables that were interesting. I thought they could be used to help with reading fluency. Provide students with a copy of the fable and they could follow along reading aloud with the podcast and then on their own.

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Catalog/Literature/World-Classics/Aesops-Fables-Podcast/23064

Week 7, Thing 16

YouTube: I have used it in the past mostly for entertainment, but found a few clips to use in the classroom. I found a few to help students learn about fractions in math, and I will be showing them next week in class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03jPbzy9LmA

Week 6, Thing 15

I have used Movie Maker with my students in the past. They have researched about the Revolutionary War and written a paper on their chosen topic from that period. After they have finished their papers, they create movies using Movie Maker to explain what life might be like if their topic had not happened or had happened differently. It is fun to watch them make connections to today's world in relationship to the past.

Falling Behind

I am falling behind in this class again but will get caught up after conferences!!

Week 6: Thing 14

We learned about Voice Thread and I created a product about the 13 Colonies. I have included the link, check it out!!
http://voicethread.com/share/633016/

Week 5: Thing 13

Played around in GoogleDocs at the last session and had fun sharing and editing documents. I am not sure I would use the presentation and spreadsheet features much, but I can see how this would definitely help with collaboration between staff members. I do not think I would use this with my 5th graders though.

Week 5: Thing 12

I am a little familiar with wikis but had fun setting one up. I did set up accounts for my reading students and will have them complete their Literature Circle assignments on the wiki. Here is the link of what I have set up so far. http://sandersliteraturecircle.pbworks.com/

Week 4: Thing 11

Checked out TagCrowds and Wordle. I found wordle to be more user friendly and Kristin and I created a quiz for social studies that we think will help those visual students. I also think I will use it for spelling. It will make spelling words a bit more exciting and students won't realize they are practicing spelling because it will be fun on the computer!! http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1154222/Rev_War

Week 4: Thing 10

Researched some bookmarks on delicious and it is pretty convenient to be able to access bookmarks anywhere and not just at your own computer. It was very easy to access the Academy 20/20 Things site from delicious. Not sure I would use it with my students, but it is a great tool for teachers.

Week 3: Thing 9

Set up a Twitter account but had a difficult time finding others. Nancy informed us it was easier using Tweetdeck but I haven't had the opportunity to explore it further. I was able to follow about 15 people and even had a few answer back. I am looking forward to using this in the future. This will be a great way to communicate with teachers from all over!!

Week 3: Thing 7

Watched the video about RSS which sounds great since the computer does the search work for you and gives you the updates rather than you having to check it periodically. Was finally able to access googlereader (but it was extremely slow), and subscribed to a few and then finally 5 feeds.

Week 2: Thing 6

Played with Glogster at the last session because I couldn't access it on my computer. I was not able to get the full assignment completed but will finish it at an open lab unless my computer decides to speed up!!

Week 2: Thing 5

Played on Flickr and made a trading card/magazine cover. We do a writing activity every year using a time magazine cover but will use the new magazine cover with students!!

Week 2, Thing 4

I liked this picture because it shows how skin color makes no difference in friendship, and that is how kids see the world: multicolored not black and white. http://flickr.com/photos/23591275@N05/3244712997/

Week 1, Thing 3

Reviewed the YouTube copyright info and Google image search. The Google image search contained a filter system that I was no aware of before, and will now use it when searching.

Watched the Best Practices video and I am still a bit unclear of what is ok to use as far as copyrighted material. I guess I will just follow the code of fair, reasonable, and proportionate.

Week 1, Thing 2

I sent my url to Nancy on the first night of class. I also set up my blog and avatar. My avatar really doesn't look like me, but it was as close as I could get. I also reviewed the blog safety guidelines for use with students and how to set up the blogs. I will wait until I am more comfortable before starting with students. Looked at the Creative Commons and thought it was nice that they organized the items to use legally.

Week 1, Thing 1

I am excited to learn about the various technologies available for use in the classroom. I guess I was reluctant to use them because I wasn't sure my 5th graders would understand. I am actually planning on using a blog with them but will do so once I am more comfortable with it myself.

Fallin' Behind

Have fallen behind in my duties for Web 2.0, so have spent a few hours this weekend trying to get caught up. Looked at Flickr, which I am a little familar with because some of my friends post pics on it. It was interesting and I opened an account to play around with in my "spare" time (who has any of that these days?)

Young AmeriTowne

We have our first field trip scheduled for October 5th!!