Chapter 7 discuss issues on online safety and security. There is a new law in effect that block students from access to certain sites. I have mixed feelings on the issue. I think it is important for teachers to teacher students online safety but to do it by preventing access?? In a way, I can see that as a way that would encourage some students to break into restriction and try to access the information. It can be compared to how parents would tell their child not to do something but instead, the child will do it inspite of the parent. But I also can see its use in teaching young students who cannot make that decision or as a way for a school to not be held responsible for the student access innappropriate material.
It also mentioned now Facebook and Myspace is not for kids - I agree with this statement. My page is soley to keep in touch with people I KNOW...I don't add random people or make new friends on the web...it's too creepy for me! With these social networks, a lot of thought needs to go into the security of oneself. Myspace seems more like an ad where youngsters post certain pictures to "sell" themselves, and what I mean by that is to promote themselves in "coolness" and so forth. I know they understand that people are going to be viewing their site but they don't understand the dangers of predators who are looking at their site. This reminds me of those dateline episodes about the predators on the internet and how easily it is for encounters to occur. I do think it is great for myspace to put out safety tips on online safety and security. I see plenty of warnings about be careful about people phishing for your information. I know a couple of people who had their pages hacked and then it would post random messages to people and it would spread so quickly! Clicking on the wrong link could possibly do damage to your computer.
One thing I'd like to become better at is copyright issues. I hear about people getting sued downloading or using music which makes me nervous since I love putting music to photo slideshows I create at school (ie, a collaberation of Kindergarten photos at the end of the year).
As the text stated, it is important for schools and parents to be on the same page with policies concering the use of the internet. Some sites or programs they are allowed to use at home may not be appropriate for school. It would be nice to have a common ground on what things are appropriate.
I found it very neat that a school has an internal IM system! I am curious if our district blocks flikr...I know it blocks youtube but teachertube works! I showed my kids last year that video that primary kids work one about technology using the Gwen Steffani song, "Bananas"....it was quite cute!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Chapter 1: New World, New Web, New Skills
Chapter one discusses how there is a change from how the internet was used when it was first introduced to today, where individuals have the opportunity to create and share information. The web has changed drastically; the way it's used went from delivering information for individuals to read to where individuals can post their own information and also be able to have others comment/edit their work. Web 2.0 offers these new tools that lets people collaberate on projects without having to be in the same room. Such tool, for example, like Wikipedia lets "multiple users to participate by editing, commenting, and polishing a document."
Many parts of the world are realizing the potential these tools have on the job market today and have even intiated computer programs into their schools so that their students can remain competitive with the rest.
Blogs are another way for people to connect with others, share their thoughts and opinions about things (even political views!). Some of my friends with their own families have blogs to keep family and friends up-to-date on their fun filled lives of caring for new little ones in their life. I for one enjoy reading them; everday life humor is much more enjoyable than ones people force to create on tv and hope that you'd find it funny. I do see a downside of blogging though. During college, I remember a friend who blogged about how a meeting went. Since many of his friends were connect to the blog, a few were offended and began blogging about how my friend felt and also added their opinions about the person. In such cases, blogs can create drama. I am sure there are other situations such as political views. I even found restuarants having their own blogs that feature specials of the week!
"Students cannot master 21st century skills unless their teachers are well trained and supported in this type of instruction," pg. 18. This statement from the text is so important to why teachers need to learn and accept new technology into their instruction. There are still teachers out there that refuses to even use a document camera and projector and continues to use the old method of making overheads and an old projector. Teachers need to realize how this new technology created to help them. We always encourage our students to continue learning throughout our lives; teachers should follow what they teach and do the same with technology. "When enough people are brave enough to use it, it will become the norm."
What I really like about Web 2.0 is that it is FREE! There are so many programs and tools on the net that are free to use. Cost is not an issue.
Many parts of the world are realizing the potential these tools have on the job market today and have even intiated computer programs into their schools so that their students can remain competitive with the rest.
Blogs are another way for people to connect with others, share their thoughts and opinions about things (even political views!). Some of my friends with their own families have blogs to keep family and friends up-to-date on their fun filled lives of caring for new little ones in their life. I for one enjoy reading them; everday life humor is much more enjoyable than ones people force to create on tv and hope that you'd find it funny. I do see a downside of blogging though. During college, I remember a friend who blogged about how a meeting went. Since many of his friends were connect to the blog, a few were offended and began blogging about how my friend felt and also added their opinions about the person. In such cases, blogs can create drama. I am sure there are other situations such as political views. I even found restuarants having their own blogs that feature specials of the week!
"Students cannot master 21st century skills unless their teachers are well trained and supported in this type of instruction," pg. 18. This statement from the text is so important to why teachers need to learn and accept new technology into their instruction. There are still teachers out there that refuses to even use a document camera and projector and continues to use the old method of making overheads and an old projector. Teachers need to realize how this new technology created to help them. We always encourage our students to continue learning throughout our lives; teachers should follow what they teach and do the same with technology. "When enough people are brave enough to use it, it will become the norm."
What I really like about Web 2.0 is that it is FREE! There are so many programs and tools on the net that are free to use. Cost is not an issue.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Week 5, Thing 12
See my earlier blogs - I have posted my Voicethread activities I've done with my students! We spent a week working on a story or something they have been journaling about. Once they completed about 5 pages or feel that their story was finished, I took pictures of their journal illustrations and they would read me their story/journal as I recorded it. I, of course, I had to piece the images in order but they did fairly well reading what they wrote aloud!
Week 5, Thing 11
Sites I've Visited:
Craigslist - I check the free section every day!! When I was looking for a place to rent a few years ago, this was the site I used! I also found my loving beage, Buddy, on Craigslist in the pet section.
Del.icio.us - heard about this during the ASTE Conference. I need to create one for myself for my students and parents to use! I think this is amazing for education!
Yelp - I just signed up a week or so ago because of a horrible experience eating at City Diner. I was only going to email the chef, but when visiting their website, there was no contact email so I decided to join the site and write a review of my experience.
Google Maps - I either use this or mapquest when printing off maps.
Google Earth - It's facinating to students, especially when it is projected on a Smartboard!!
Flickr - I first heard of it through this Web 2.0
Etsy - My good friend is selling these hand sewn journal books on this site...to me this site is evil...evil because I want to buy so many things off of it! I love going to craft fairs and going on art walks...this is a dangerous site for me!!
Kayak - I have used this as one of my sites to look for cheap flights! I believe it gave me at least 2 good deals on flights that I have purchased in the past.
YouTube - Unfortunately, I'm on it! I am doing a Chinese Dance during an Asian Culture Night back in the day...my uncle decided to share it with the world!
Donors Choose - I over heard another teacher using this site to raise money for a particular item for her classroom! This might be a way to get a smartboard in my classroom!
Zillow - When my friend was looking to buy a home, I used this site to compare prices...However, I didn't find the mapping of homes too accurate, at least not in Anchorage. I couldn't even find my own house which was built in 2004. I looked even closer on the map and where my house is now, there is a bunch of trees where my house should be!
Facebook - I check this everyday! It's a fun way to share photos with one another or send a message. I used facebook to arrange events such as my scrapbooking night!
HairMixer - Used it the first time ever...it was either that I couldn't find a good enough picture or the site doesn't mesh my photo well....I couldn't really "fit" my face into the hair styles nicely.
PeerTrainer - Since I am getting back on track on my fitness routine (teaching really bogged me down at the end of the year - missed the gym A LOT!), I thought I'd check out the site. I have been working out with another teacher friend, encouraging one another to go to the gym. I am sort of her "trainer" and feel obligated to go to the gym and do the exercises with her, not just come up with a routine! I am not liking the gym I currently go to so she has been quite the motivator. I subscribe to SELF magazine and they have a place for subscribers to log their workouts...I logged twice. Facebook had a workout application, I logged for about a week and quit. I felt like I was logging it twice - once in pen and paper, and then again on the internet. I am a little hesitant in joining this site for the same reason.
Google Doc - Man, I wish I had this in college! This would have been so nice to upload my documents instead of the server.
BackPackIt - I was super excited about this at first until I realized it costs money after 30 days.
Ning - I am part of the ASTE Ning. It was a neat way to share our responses about the different workshops and seminars different participants attended at the conference. It also gave us ways to share out thoughts and opinions about the new technology out there and what we found to be "the best" tools in education.
Travel IQ: 78..........pretty bad........
Craigslist - I check the free section every day!! When I was looking for a place to rent a few years ago, this was the site I used! I also found my loving beage, Buddy, on Craigslist in the pet section.
Del.icio.us - heard about this during the ASTE Conference. I need to create one for myself for my students and parents to use! I think this is amazing for education!
Yelp - I just signed up a week or so ago because of a horrible experience eating at City Diner. I was only going to email the chef, but when visiting their website, there was no contact email so I decided to join the site and write a review of my experience.
Google Maps - I either use this or mapquest when printing off maps.
Google Earth - It's facinating to students, especially when it is projected on a Smartboard!!
Flickr - I first heard of it through this Web 2.0
Etsy - My good friend is selling these hand sewn journal books on this site...to me this site is evil...evil because I want to buy so many things off of it! I love going to craft fairs and going on art walks...this is a dangerous site for me!!
Kayak - I have used this as one of my sites to look for cheap flights! I believe it gave me at least 2 good deals on flights that I have purchased in the past.
YouTube - Unfortunately, I'm on it! I am doing a Chinese Dance during an Asian Culture Night back in the day...my uncle decided to share it with the world!
Donors Choose - I over heard another teacher using this site to raise money for a particular item for her classroom! This might be a way to get a smartboard in my classroom!
Zillow - When my friend was looking to buy a home, I used this site to compare prices...However, I didn't find the mapping of homes too accurate, at least not in Anchorage. I couldn't even find my own house which was built in 2004. I looked even closer on the map and where my house is now, there is a bunch of trees where my house should be!
Facebook - I check this everyday! It's a fun way to share photos with one another or send a message. I used facebook to arrange events such as my scrapbooking night!
HairMixer - Used it the first time ever...it was either that I couldn't find a good enough picture or the site doesn't mesh my photo well....I couldn't really "fit" my face into the hair styles nicely.
PeerTrainer - Since I am getting back on track on my fitness routine (teaching really bogged me down at the end of the year - missed the gym A LOT!), I thought I'd check out the site. I have been working out with another teacher friend, encouraging one another to go to the gym. I am sort of her "trainer" and feel obligated to go to the gym and do the exercises with her, not just come up with a routine! I am not liking the gym I currently go to so she has been quite the motivator. I subscribe to SELF magazine and they have a place for subscribers to log their workouts...I logged twice. Facebook had a workout application, I logged for about a week and quit. I felt like I was logging it twice - once in pen and paper, and then again on the internet. I am a little hesitant in joining this site for the same reason.
Google Doc - Man, I wish I had this in college! This would have been so nice to upload my documents instead of the server.
BackPackIt - I was super excited about this at first until I realized it costs money after 30 days.
Ning - I am part of the ASTE Ning. It was a neat way to share our responses about the different workshops and seminars different participants attended at the conference. It also gave us ways to share out thoughts and opinions about the new technology out there and what we found to be "the best" tools in education.
Travel IQ: 78..........pretty bad........
Friday, July 11, 2008
Week 5, Thing 10
Image Generators
Boy, did I have a good ol' time with this one! At first I started off the FD Toys site and developed this:
Then I came across http://www.fakemagazinecover.com/(or http://www.fototrix.com/ is good too!!) and decided to play around at that site...Of course I used an image of my friend stuffing his face with food on his birthday...Hope he has a sense of humor!!
And also made a wedding magazine of my friend's cake.
I also did a google search on "image generator" and stumbled upon "http://interactimage.com/."
Boy, did I have a good ol' time with this one! At first I started off the FD Toys site and developed this:
Then I came across http://www.fakemagazinecover.com/(or http://www.fototrix.com/ is good too!!) and decided to play around at that site...Of course I used an image of my friend stuffing his face with food on his birthday...Hope he has a sense of humor!!
And also made a wedding magazine of my friend's cake.
I also did a google search on "image generator" and stumbled upon "http://interactimage.com/."
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Week 4, Thing 9
Wow, I never imagined so many blogs when I type in the search for "kindergarten!" I come across some fun blogs by other kindergarten teachers that I decided to add to my RSS feeds. Some mentioned new websites such as the Lookybook.com I had previously posted about. I found that by reading her blog. The teacher blogs also offered other ideas of what I can do in the classroom - fun projects!
While I was going through the "http://edublogawards.com", I came across http://www.classroom20.com/ so I signed up!
When I used the different search blog tools, they didn't always give me what I wanted, even though I had typed in extra key words. I was looking more from a teacher's perspective, not things that happened to a young child in the news.
When I used google blog search and typed in "raven about web 2.0," I came across other people's "thing" assignments but only came across 4 entries because I quoted it. I do prefer google for my searches on the web, for images, etc.
There are tons of new feeds on the net! Practically every big news related website offers newsfeeds - in yahoo, google, etc., you can subcribe to "pre-packed" items they picked for you that will provide you the information you want on such topics as world news, local news, entertainment, multimedia, etc.
While I was going through the "http://edublogawards.com", I came across http://www.classroom20.com/ so I signed up!
When I used the different search blog tools, they didn't always give me what I wanted, even though I had typed in extra key words. I was looking more from a teacher's perspective, not things that happened to a young child in the news.
When I used google blog search and typed in "raven about web 2.0," I came across other people's "thing" assignments but only came across 4 entries because I quoted it. I do prefer google for my searches on the web, for images, etc.
There are tons of new feeds on the net! Practically every big news related website offers newsfeeds - in yahoo, google, etc., you can subcribe to "pre-packed" items they picked for you that will provide you the information you want on such topics as world news, local news, entertainment, multimedia, etc.
Lookybook.com!!!
Amazing! Books on the net that I can project and use them as a read aloud!! I can also bring students here to explore books during computer lab. How fun!
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