Monday, June 22, 2009
Richardson - Chapter 5
I knew RSS feeds were about subscribing to selected information that would be delivered to you personally via the internet - somehow. But this chapter does a great job of explaining how it works, how to get going using them and why it makes sense. I especially liked the idea of using RSS feeds for news searches. What a great tool for helping students (and me) find news articles on specific subjects - delivered to my Google Reader.
School/Classroom Blog Camparison
I was especially curious about the blogs created by Elementary classrooms. I looked at each one but will compare KinderKids Blog with a Kindergarten classroom and Mighty Writers with a 3rd grade classroom. They each served a different purpose. KinderKids was more of a journal of activities that the teacher posted. I can see it as way to share what the students had done with the parents or for the students to go back and revisit what they had done. It also looks as though it may be used in conjunction with an older class because of the comments that were posted. Initially, I wasn't sure blogging in Kindergarten would be of much value, but I am getting some great ideas: In our school, we have Kdgn.-5th grade buddies and I can see this being a great project for them and a way for them to interact.
Mighty Writers is a blog where the classroom students contribute. I liked how the teacher posted the assignment or question and the students responded. It appears as though the students can continue to blog throughout the summer. I think that is a great way for the students to stay connected. I can see creating a reading blog and have students share and discuss what they are reading. I had mentioned in a previous post that I would like to start a book club. This would be a way to continue the book club during the summer...! For a blog like Might Writers, I think it would be important as the teacher to encourage the students to comment on their peers' blogs in order to keep that interaction and communication component going. This would be a fantastic way for students to work with partners or small groups. So many times I hear the teachers tell their students to read a book when they are finished with their work, which is fine, but wouldn't it be nice to differentiate and be able to tell students they can blog (about the book they are reading or an assignment) if they finish early.
Mighty Writers is a blog where the classroom students contribute. I liked how the teacher posted the assignment or question and the students responded. It appears as though the students can continue to blog throughout the summer. I think that is a great way for the students to stay connected. I can see creating a reading blog and have students share and discuss what they are reading. I had mentioned in a previous post that I would like to start a book club. This would be a way to continue the book club during the summer...! For a blog like Might Writers, I think it would be important as the teacher to encourage the students to comment on their peers' blogs in order to keep that interaction and communication component going. This would be a fantastic way for students to work with partners or small groups. So many times I hear the teachers tell their students to read a book when they are finished with their work, which is fine, but wouldn't it be nice to differentiate and be able to tell students they can blog (about the book they are reading or an assignment) if they finish early.
Educator Blog Comparison
I compared David Warlick's 2 Cents Worth http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/ to Brian Crosby's Learning is Messy http://learningismessy.com/blog/. Although I am not an expert on blogs, my initial response was that Warlick's blog was that of an expert and Crosby's was average. However, after spending more time on each, I will keep my same opinion of Warlick's blog, but have changed my mind about Crosby's. According to Kathy Schrock's evaluation guidelines, Crosby's blog passes the test for being a reputable blog, so I took a closer look. Crosby appears to have some very good credentials, has been a presenter at numerous technology-related conferences, and has won some awards for his work as well. What I found useful with his blog is that he provides examples of what he has actually done in his classroom, he discusses what has worked for him and isn't afraid to share and question what hasn't worked or what went wrong.
David Warlick's blog is a tremendous resource for the big Web 2.o picture. I have no doubt he is an expert in the technology field. I have heard him referenced at the ITEC conference and got sucked into his blogs immediately - jotting down notes for future use with my colleagues. His blog is very professional, yet has a personal flare. He poses information that gets the reader thinking. I plan to revisit both of these blogs, but will be will be checking Warlick's on a regular basis!
David Warlick's blog is a tremendous resource for the big Web 2.o picture. I have no doubt he is an expert in the technology field. I have heard him referenced at the ITEC conference and got sucked into his blogs immediately - jotting down notes for future use with my colleagues. His blog is very professional, yet has a personal flare. He poses information that gets the reader thinking. I plan to revisit both of these blogs, but will be will be checking Warlick's on a regular basis!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Blogs, Wiki's, Podcasts..Ch.2
Teacher Librarian to Staff:
I think blogging would be a great tool to use with teachers to share ideas and resources, but also to communicate information from committee meetings and have it all organized in one place for the participants to access rather than sending out numerous emails and trying to find information in old emails.
It could also be used as a follow-up tool after an in-service. Especially for teachers to share with colleagues any great ways they are implementing the new information into their curriculum. (i.e., technology, differentiation, etc.). Or share additional resources/links for teachers to use.
Teacher Librarian to Students:
I have been thinking about starting a book club with the 5th graders and a blog would be a great tool for me to pose questions to the students and have them respond.
I think blogging would be a great tool to use with teachers to share ideas and resources, but also to communicate information from committee meetings and have it all organized in one place for the participants to access rather than sending out numerous emails and trying to find information in old emails.
It could also be used as a follow-up tool after an in-service. Especially for teachers to share with colleagues any great ways they are implementing the new information into their curriculum. (i.e., technology, differentiation, etc.). Or share additional resources/links for teachers to use.
Teacher Librarian to Students:
I have been thinking about starting a book club with the 5th graders and a blog would be a great tool for me to pose questions to the students and have them respond.
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