I couldn't get the video that I linked in my original thing 14 to embed (I tried everything), so I am just embedding a youtube video that I found to show that I do know how to do this task.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thing 17
Classroom 2.0 was very interesting and very overwhelming. I will say that the layout was easy enough to use. I liked that there was a place for beginers so that I didn't feel so overwhelmed. The tabs and drop down menus were also well laid out. This website definitely needs more time than I gave it, but I will go back and explore it more as the year progresses.
I also spent a good deal of time on the teaching digital history website. It was not as well mapped as the classroom 2.0 site was, but it had some interesting ideas. I did have to do some sifting to find information and teaching ideas that were useful, but I could see how I could utilize it in the future. I guess I am still intimidated by these site which prevents me from jumping head first into using them in my teaching. I also feel that I need to observe for a little longer how others use it. I am not quite sure of its application, but I am going to take baby steps and see if I can begin to figure out ways in which I can integrate it into my teaching.
As far as microblogging goes, I am not opposed to using it to enhance classroom discussion. In fact, I would really like the opportunity to try it with my class. I fear though that it will not have desired affect because few students have internet access at home or at school. I am still trying to keep an open mind about PLN, but it is going to take a while before I embrace it.
I also spent a good deal of time on the teaching digital history website. It was not as well mapped as the classroom 2.0 site was, but it had some interesting ideas. I did have to do some sifting to find information and teaching ideas that were useful, but I could see how I could utilize it in the future. I guess I am still intimidated by these site which prevents me from jumping head first into using them in my teaching. I also feel that I need to observe for a little longer how others use it. I am not quite sure of its application, but I am going to take baby steps and see if I can begin to figure out ways in which I can integrate it into my teaching.
As far as microblogging goes, I am not opposed to using it to enhance classroom discussion. In fact, I would really like the opportunity to try it with my class. I fear though that it will not have desired affect because few students have internet access at home or at school. I am still trying to keep an open mind about PLN, but it is going to take a while before I embrace it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thing 23
Looking back at this course, I learned many interesting and new things to do with technology in my classroom. Podcasting, youtube, and google docs are three things that I am planning on integrating into my teaching next year. I know that it will be difficult since we are firewalled from just about everything at AHS. However, I have become quite proficient at using the Zamzar converter so I think I will be able to work around the system.
Even though I was against it in the beginning, I am starting to see the value of Twitter. I may try to integrate it into some of my lessons. Obviously, I cannot require students to use it, especially since most of them do not have computers. However, I can post a topic for discussion and see what others on the internet have to say on the matter. After I get some feedback, then I can share that with my class and see how our deiscussion evolves from there.
While I still would not say that I am proficient at utilizing this technology, I would say that I am no longer functionally illiterate at it either. I am a work in progress and overall I really enjoyed this course.
Even though I was against it in the beginning, I am starting to see the value of Twitter. I may try to integrate it into some of my lessons. Obviously, I cannot require students to use it, especially since most of them do not have computers. However, I can post a topic for discussion and see what others on the internet have to say on the matter. After I get some feedback, then I can share that with my class and see how our deiscussion evolves from there.
While I still would not say that I am proficient at utilizing this technology, I would say that I am no longer functionally illiterate at it either. I am a work in progress and overall I really enjoyed this course.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thing 22
The two tools that I chose were amap and twitter. I really like amap. It is a great graphic organizer that students can use to organize their thoughts. This would be a good tool to use when teaching AP students how to write their DBQ's and essays. I am linking mine in this blog.
The other one I explored more was twitter. I had written twitter off as a superficial toy that people use to "get more attention". However, I recently read an article in TIME magazine about twitter. It opened my mind. The article discussed how twitter could be used to have discussions and conversations on what amounts to current events headlines. Thinking about this on an educational level it blew my mind. I could use twitter to help my students (many of whom have never left Barrow County) get a world view. Even the students who have been to other places lack a well rounded world view. They know and believe what they have heard in their own little sphere. This could open them up to new concepts and points of view. I truly underestimated this tool and its value to society.
The other one I explored more was twitter. I had written twitter off as a superficial toy that people use to "get more attention". However, I recently read an article in TIME magazine about twitter. It opened my mind. The article discussed how twitter could be used to have discussions and conversations on what amounts to current events headlines. Thinking about this on an educational level it blew my mind. I could use twitter to help my students (many of whom have never left Barrow County) get a world view. Even the students who have been to other places lack a well rounded world view. They know and believe what they have heard in their own little sphere. This could open them up to new concepts and points of view. I truly underestimated this tool and its value to society.
Thing 21
Pageflakes is a hard system to use. While I am sure that it that it has and will have benefits to classroom education, I did not experience any that were useful.
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