Chapter 6 The Social Web

After reading chapter 6 I feel that there are so many social web sites out there that I can see why it could be overwhelming for some people.  I, personal, don’t feel overwhelmed but finding the time is another thing.  I work on a computer all day and after I get done with work the last thing I want to do is go back on a computer and look at the Internet.  I think that is the main reason why I don’t use as many social networking sites since I don’t want to take the time once I am done with work to go back on the internet.  If I had a job that did not involve so much computer and research time, perhaps I would get on Twitter or be more involved in Facebook but for now, it just feels like more work. 

Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Smelly Spots – Rewarding Positive Behavior, KindergartenWorks by Leslie @KindergartenWorks

This is a cute and interesting article about using chap stick to help increase positive good behavior.  When a student does a good task or goes beyond their daily routine to help out, the teacher puts a small spot of chap stick on the top of the student's hand.  It smells good so the student is able to smell the chap stick and remember what they did to earn that smelly spot.  They then can share the smell with other students and tell them about their good deed.  Using the sense of smell to help remind students what they did is a great way to encourage good behavior and allow students to share their experiences with other students.  I think I will try this with my daughters as well, this is right up their alley.

Smelly Spots – Rewarding Positive BehaviorKindergartenWorks by Leslie @KindergartenWorks

7 thins you should know about…Ning

I found this article very interesting since I have never heard of “Ning” before.  It almost sounds like another type of wiki with characteristics of Facebook.   I find it interesting that I have not heard of “Ning” before since it seems like an interesting way to form a social network group that you would find in a university or college type setting.   I think I will do a little more investigation about Ning and ask on the campus if anyone has used it before.

Source:

7 Things You Should Know About Ning, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Source(s)ELI 7 Things You Should Know, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)

7 Things You Should Know About Wikipedia

It is hard to believe that Wikipedia has been with us for 12 years.  I have to admit that I do go to the site to look up basic information regarding a subject or a question I have.   I mean, when you type in a search for a topic one of the top sites that pops up is Wikipedia.  This is why I believe it is the eight most visited site as stated in the article.  It does house a lot of information and creates a community of people from around the world who can add their knowledge and insights on a topic good or bad.  Along with this freedom people must be aware that not everything is 100% true but I do feel that it can give you a good guide to help direct your research and search for more information on the internet.

Recource:
7 Things You Should Know About Wikipedia

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Source(s)ELI 7 Things You Should Know, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)

TypeArticles, Briefs, Papers, and Reports

Building Brain Literacy in Elementary Students | Edutopia

Building Brain Literacy in Elementary Students | Edutopia

I found this to be a fun and interesting article about how to get students to start thinking of their brain as a muscle.  It is hard to visualize your brain "growing" but it does help to make sense out of learning.  You need your brain to make connections in order to form new knowledge and concepts and giving students a visual may make the learning process seem more meaningful.  I am going to try it on my daughter as well since she seems to think that some learning is optional.

How Teachers Can Share Their Own Learning | Edutopia

How Teachers Can Share Their Own Learning | Edutopia

I enjoyed reading about how teachers can share their own learning.  After attending a professional development conference or meeting everyone sees to be engineered and ready to put their newly found skills and information to work but after awhile it seems like you slowly start to lose the spark.  Allowing teachers to continually share their experiences and skills gives them that energy year around and also allows them to share that energy with other teachers.  Great way to get ideas following and helping others in the journey towards helping educate students.

Chapter 8 Podcasting, Video and Screencasting, and Live Streaming

After reading chapter 8 it gave me a little more insight into how you would use Podcasting in a classroom, although I still don't think it is a great tool to use. The program that we used to create the Podcast was pretty complex I thought, and took way too much time to use for just an audio file. Especially with younger students, they lose interest so quickly if there is nothing visual to see. I think a short video file would be much for effective and interesting to use.  I like using screencasting and other video tools to help with visual directions, I think they make learning fun and interactive.  When doing the podcast I felt like I was back in the 1940’s listening to an old radio.  I am a very visual learner so just listening to someone talk causes me to lose focus quickly and miss information. Perhaps with more practice and more information I will see the positives to using Podcasting in the classroom.

Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Tour Builder Makes It Easier Than Ever to Create Google Earth Tours

The article on using Tour Builder by Google Earth gave me some fun and creative ideas on how to incorporate it into a classroom and allow students to "tour" different parts of the world.  Again, this is another great way Google is giving students the ability to view the world without every leaving their classroom.  All you need to do is download the application and have a Google Account.   Students can use this feature in a variety of ways and the cost is zero.  You can use this feature to help students visually see what it looks like in another part of the world and describe the similarities and differences they see.  Students can create a visual brochure on a city or country they are studying using the images from Tour Builder.   They can see relatively up-to-date photos of an area and see how the area has changed as new images are updated.  Just another way Google is exploring ways to give all students the opportunity to see the world.

Resource:
Tour Builder Makes It Easier Than Ever to Create Google Earth Tours, Monday, November 11, 2013

Reaction to Chapter 4 Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms

Chapter 4 had a lot of good information about Wikis, and how to use wikis in the classroom.  I do agree that Wikipedia is a very powerful website that offers some of the most up-to-date information but because anyone can edit the website, I do not use it as my only resource.   I had no idea that the word Wiki came from the Hawaiian term “wiki-wiki” meaning quick (Richardson, p. 55).  However, quick does not always mean correct and unless someone is always monitoring what is being writing in the wiki false information could be shown for a period of time.  I have used wiki’s in other courses and they are a good way to collaborate with people in different areas.  I also liked the Wiki Prayer at the end of the chapter, “Please grant me the serenity to accept the pages I cannot edit, the courage to edit the pages I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” (The Wiki Prayer, tinyurl.com/2t8fdf, p. 69).  This is such a true statement and an idea we need to teach our students and children about what is on the web.  Not everything is true and we need to give them the tools in order to know the difference.

 Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Reaction to the article: Watch the First Google+ Connected Classrooms Field Trips

I have to say I was really excited to see this article.  Being able to show your students a place were they may not be able to physically visit is just amazing. This really makes learning a hands on experience such as going to an aquarium without every leaving the classroom.  I know we do not have an aquarium near us so this would be a wonderful experience for students in my area.  This also helps with the lack of funds many districts are facing.  The cost is really the technology but most schools do have this already in their classrooms.   I have used the Google Hangouts in my past CMU courses and found it to be a great tool for interacting with colleagues who are not in the area.  This truly is taking the "Virtual  Classroom" to the next step. Well done Google!

Source: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/11/watch-first-google-connected-classrooms.html#.UnkHhfnkt8E