Nonfiction features

Nonfiction features

Old Lesson Plan 1

Old Lesson Plan 1

What It All Means

After reading this book and getting to the final chapter I took a deep sigh when I finished.  It was a happy sigh of relief but also a little overwhelming sigh of relief- What now?  I have now learned about some great resources and tools that I can bring back to my classroom but I honestly not sure where to start!

As the author states"we are  still at the beginning of  a radically different relationship with the Internet,one that has long standing implications for educators and students." We are going to be in a "flood" of even better technology, tools and more innovative teaching techniques as our world continues.  Everything is faster and better and people's live styles are also changing-

I do feel like I will bring some of  these web tools back to my classroom especially the Wiki and possibly  some screen casting and podcasting.  As overwhelmed and confused as I felt, I am happy I participated and took part in this class.

Social Networks Chapter 9

I never thought I would allow my young daughters to have cell phones until they were like 13 and both of my daughters had them when they were 11 and 12.  My parents tell me my son will be next and will get one when he is 8 along with Facebook- I am still one of those people who feel that texting has gone to far and people are no longer having intellectual conversations and are now "texting instead of talking"but I do feel there is a need to text at times- especially to stay in touch with my young daughters.  "Our kids are using social networking  in two  important ways: 1.) Frienship based- staying in touch with friends and 2.) Exploring and finding different information that they may no have access to in their school or everyday life."  I thought this was an interesting notion and I do feel there are benefits of all of these social networking opportunities.

The author discusses some ways in which teachers could use Facebook in the classroom but I feel that 4th grade is to young to set up facebook even in private settings or discussions. I will not being using Facebook at least not for this grade level. Ning another social networking site sounds interesting.  I had never heard of it and like I said in my previous posts I just need more time to explore the endless possibilities.  I like the idea that everything in Ning happens under "one roof.  We shall see-I will continue to use Facebook and maybe even delve in NING!

Chapter 8 Podcasting, Screencasting..

As soon as I finished reading about podcasting, screencasting, and videocasting  I thought to myself that these tools would be fantastic for visual and auditory learners in my class.  I think it is amazing that there is the ability to record your voice and the students can hear it as you teach a lesson or introduce a topic etc.  I also think that screencasting sounds like alot of fun because we usually do Reader's Theatre and I thought it would be fun for my students to create like a "movie" or they can screencast- They could practice their fluency, voice, and tonation.  I Iike the idea that the students could see themselves on "screen" and they could watch their body language as well and as a teacher this could also be a useful tool as far as gaging who may be engages or who may not be engaged in your lesson/

Out of all the types of casting, I think the easiest one would be podcasting but screencasting I think my students would like the most.  As I have said in my previous 7 posts, I just need the time to explore so that I can rally use this in my class!

FUN WITH FLICKR!

I was psyched when I learned about Flickr and definitely see myself using in my personal life with my family and in my classroom.  At the end of the school year parents and teaches put together a yearbook and I think using Flickr could be very beneficial.  I also like the idea that as an educator what a great way" to capture daily events or highlights and then easily share with parents, community and colleagues."  I have a place in my classroom that I call,"  Room 15's Fridge" and it is a place where students post their work so colleagues and other friends can see their school work and they are very proud seeing their own work on display- Flickr could so the exact same thing but online and I think that is really neat.  As it is now, my students are better using technology than I am so I could definitely use it with their expertise for students .

I think the ending in this chapter sums it up well," Flickr is a great tool for introducing students not only to digital images and publishing, but also to the social conversations and collaborative learning opportunities that the web now offers.:  Looking forward to exploring FLICKR!

Chapter 6 The Social Web

Learning Together... That is exactly what we are all doing!  After reading this chapter, I was very surprised that over 1 billion people are now online, and the ways in which they are connecting and creating are literally exploding!  Twitter universe is one place I have not gone to yet- nor do I want too- I am feeling way to overwhelmed but I do admit I like to hear the Twitter updates about Hollywood!

I was very interested in a resource the author suggests we use for books- LibraryThing.com.  I could see myself using this with my friends but also in my classroom.  My students could add the books they have read and have discussions and make comments about the books they have read.  I guess when I am feeling a little less stressed I will try to incorporate this into my classroom.

Chapter 5

RSS- Updated and current news at your finger tips- I love this notion!  I had never heard of RRS until this course and I am so impressed that we have the capability of been able to select from different resources and chose which news fed w want and do not want.  I like the idea of being able to get newswffeds to me quickly an to my students quickly but still find it a bit overwhelming because I still need to be able to find the time to read through all of the newsfeds and select the most authentic one for my classroom.

I did like the suggestion that when dealing with RSS we should only subscribe to websites that work for us and feel right for us and I guess a website that we would consider top quality.  they also made some suggestion about making files and adding data and information to that.  I still feel like I need to first can a handle on blogging, and wikis- I feel absolutely in a  whirlwind but no that eventually when I have time to slow down and reread sections of this text it will be better.  I have commented in the last 4 chapters that I just need time to play and actually blog and know that I can't really "mess" up the computers while I am exploring this unknown world of technology.

Chapter 4 Wikis

"The sum of human knowledge," I really thought about this statement and still can not get over where we are in this day and age with technology.  To think we can click one button or move our mouse and find wealth's of information on a "wiki" is mind blogging.  I do question what is really authentic and real and what may just be one's perception or opinion and this will always make me weary.  I like the idea of how one can be editor in chief to your wiki and I also like that anyone can respond and add their knowledge to whatever I post or comment on.

I understand what wikis are used for but I am still unclear on how to really move around and use wiki.  I need more time to play and practice and mess around with wiki so that I am more familiar and comfortable with this "wiki."  As far as use in my classroom, I am not there yet.  I am still trying to update my own classroom page let alone using wiki.  I would say a big challenge if I were to sue it in my classroom would be trusting the sources and resources,  and I think as a teacher we would have to check the resources first to make sure they are authentic.