Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Richardson - Chapter 7 - Flickr
Wow! I thought Flickr was just a sight were anyone could share pictures and that alone had some possibilities. I had no idea about the RSS feed or the abililty to create groups, tags, comment, use with Google Maps or Google Earth, and all the Flickr Tools. My equipment order for the school includes 6 digital cameras for the students to use..I think I may need to order more! I can see having my upper elementary students using their own photos for projects, but the lower elementary could possible use photos that I or someone else has uploaded for less involved projects. I think Flickr is a tool with a lot of potential for K-12 education and I plan to spend more time exploring this resource.
Richardson - Chapter 6 - The Social Web
First, some random person overall thoughts... As I read these chapters I feel like the character in a movie with the devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel sitting on the other shoulder having conversations with me about whether or not the social web is good or bad. I love the enthusiasm Richardson writes with as he explains the Read/Write Web because it gets me excited about trying new things with the staff and students at school and also for my own personal use. But I also can't help but feel a little anxious about the fear of the unknown. I completely agree with the idea that these web-based tools provide networks of resources connecting us to a plethora of valuable interests, ideas, professionals...the list is endless. I know from my personal learning experience with the classes we are taking that I love the idea of interacting with others and have gained so much from networking with my co-hort and other professionals. These tools definitely have their place in the educational setting and I can't wait to share them with others, but (the little devil speaks) I start having "what if" thoughts - such as "what if we go overboard with all this connectivity - I can see where there may be students who go through class with little effort because they can get lost in a group that does everything for them. Can all this technology create lazy learners? But then (the little angel wakes up) I think of specific students who struggle and I think of how this will work great for differentiation in the classroom. I go from great ideas to feeling overwhelmed.
Back to Chapter 6... I have been curious about Twitter, find it funny that there is a whole new "twitter vocabulary," but again have some reservations about it. I see some great potential and love the examples Richardson provides, but can it become too much? I also see it as sucking my valuable time by getting addicted to the idea that I need to read everyone's tweets.
How do we balance it all out and sort the good from the bad before we become "addicted." I kind of envy those that just dives right in, but for me personally, I think I'll just wade in and see if I want to become a "Twitter-ite."
Back to Chapter 6... I have been curious about Twitter, find it funny that there is a whole new "twitter vocabulary," but again have some reservations about it. I see some great potential and love the examples Richardson provides, but can it become too much? I also see it as sucking my valuable time by getting addicted to the idea that I need to read everyone's tweets.
How do we balance it all out and sort the good from the bad before we become "addicted." I kind of envy those that just dives right in, but for me personally, I think I'll just wade in and see if I want to become a "Twitter-ite."
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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