Oh the things online!

I visited several of Nik Peachey’s blogs which contains many useful sites for teachers.  One site I visited was bookr.  This site allows users to create book online books.  You can search for premade books.  (I like the animal books, they have great visuals and are kid friendly). One downfall is images can only be used from flickr.

 

Another site related to bookr is bubblr.  This site is similar to bookr.  Images from flickr can be used and speech and thought bubbles can be added.  With a focus on text features this is a creative way to teach about speech bubbles.  I think ELL students would enjoy making their own captions to unique pictures.

 

The last site I visited was Xtranormal.  I found this site interesting.  This site allows you to make movies using animated characters.  I had a difficult time creating a movie.  I would like to explore this site more and try to make a movie for my students.  I can see myself using it to teach students manners.    

Can you tell what this is?

I viewed several of the Best Online Learning Games on Larry Ferlazzo’s website.  I browsed thorough many of the sites, finding some to be difficult to maneuver.  One game in particular was the PhotoMunchrs.  I liked the concept of the game, however, I think my students would have a difficult time playing the game.  The game offers students a word and a Pac Man like icon needs to munch the picture.  Many pictures were difficult to see and often confusing.  Can you tell what this picture is?  It's a floor!  Also, if this is a game designed for ELLs shouldn't muncher be spelled correctly?

Not your typical math glossary

Harcourt produced an Internet glossary of math terms called Math Glossary.    The terms are arranged in alphabetical order.  When clicking on a particular topic, the word, example and visual are provided.  The site allows for audio reading of the word.  This site would be useful to show math vocabulary in different form for reinforcement.  If your class uses math journals this is a good site for students to get definitions!

Using Art to teach ELL

I visited the Artist’s Toolkit website off of Larry Ferlazzo’s website.  The short video’s would be useful in teaching several math concepts.   The website could be used to teach symmetry, or shapes.  Great for teaching colors as well.  Visuals use labeling and is audio.  I would use this site to differentiate my lessons.  Check it out!

The meaning of life...or web 2.0 (thanks ZIMA)

I think it is a great idea to try to see the Internet from a child’s point of view.  I would like to see how my students view the Internet.  My students usually use a computer program called, I-station that our school has purchased.  I’m not sure what websites they are familiar with or which ones interest them.  I know very few of my students have computers at home. 

I would also like to familiarize myself with Web 2.0 vocabulary.  I just looked up what Web 2.0 was.   This Blog encourages me to stay in tune with the new technologies and terms, so I will be able to “keep up” with my students.  

Blog Phase One count me in!

On the Blog post, Thinking about Teaching Blogging to your Kids, I realize I might only be in phase one.  I am at the point where I’m exploring others.  I will slowly move towards posting on my classmates’ Blogs, but have not ventured yet into that direction.  I am happy to see that the Blog process does not happen overnight.  

I got 99 problems but a Blog ain't one

Anne Mirtschin’s Blog, 20 reasons why students should Blog, offers many realistic ways to incorporate Blogs into a classroom.  I really like the idea of using a Blog as a digital portfolio.  I think it is a nice way to tie in technology for students even if they do not have a computer of their own at home.  I agree that using a Blog may be more motivational for students.  She mentioned that proof reading skills may also improve.  I wonder if using Blogs in school will minimize the use of text writing (UR, B4, g2g, etc.)?

shift happens

It is scary to see some of the statistics on this video.  It does not surprise me that there are so many more college graduates in India and China.  I think that our society does not put value on education.  I was surprised to see that 100% of college graduates from India do speak English.  I often wonder when I have children will they be traveling to other countries to find the jobs.  

How Does a 2nd Grade Teacher Use a Wiki?

As I review the different links on http://webloggedlinks.pbwiki.com/Wikis I find that I have a difficult time maneuvering through some of the sites.  I click on Using Wikis in Education, thinking I will find information on how to use a Wiki in my classroom, but instead find information on iphones, advertising, blogs, newspapers, etc.  While I like the concept of using a Wiki, I would first like to see how an elementary school teacher uses the concept.  Many of the Wikis available to review were directed to high school students, college students or other adults.  I’m not sure how to utilize a Wiki with younger students.  I think about how my students are just beginning to learn to type and how some of my students get most of their computer  (with internet) access at school.  There seems to be a lot of clicking on links and moving around a site, and I’m not sure I’m prepared to introduce this concept to my second graders.  For a high school student I think Wikis for class would be very beneficial.  Students would be able to answer questions and use the site as a resource.   Any ideas on where I can view a Wiki for elementary (primary) students.  

Networking Activity 1-8-09

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9835715-7.html

I wasn't surprised that teen girls are blogging more than boys.  However, I was surprised when the article mentioned, teen girls were "more safe than adults, apparently." I assumed adults were safe with many online billing programs set up.  I am happy to know that girls are being more safe on the Internet.  I think we do not hear of as many crimes happening because of Internet, though I'm sure it is still happening.  

Though technology, such as blogs, e-mails, facebook etc make it easier to communicate with others, it is depressing to know that only 35% of teens see friends in person.  With the increase of technology will we see a decrease of personal relationships?  

Technology Availability

In my classroom I have easy access to different technologies. My classroom has three computers, a visualizer, Interwrite board, LCD projector and is housing a mobile lab of 10 Dell laptops.  One problem that arises is that the equipment does not always work.  Currently, I am unable to access the Internet from the mobile lab.  Another problem is my laptop is also not able to connect to the Internet, which makes it difficult to present some information using the LCD projector and even plan lessons using the materials.  Also our school received Clickers, however, they are not compatible with our software.  At first I used my Interwrite board on a daily basis.  I made webs, lists, and modeled concepts.  However, my students benefit from having resources displayed throughout the classroom.  I have returned to using chart paper to make working posters with my students, however.  Our school also has a computer lab.  Students attend computers once a month with the technology specialist and teachers can sign up to use the lab.