I can't believe I have finally completed 23 Things! At first, I had a difficult time and needed the help of my colleagues because I had a million questions. As I started to get more comfortable, I was able to complete many "things" on my own. I have learned so much and I am familiar with so many tools that I had never even heard of. I would like to focus on a few tools at a time. We are currently using Google Docs at my school and I love it so I know that I will continue to use that. I would also like to create a classroom blog for next year. I am really excited because this is something that I have always wanted to do and never took the time to learn how to create. As for the rest of the "things," I will need to take time to practice and decide exactly what I want to implement in my classroom. I have learned a lot from this experience, I now know how to embed a video on my blog which I am super excited about! It was always one of those things that I never know how to do, but always wanted to learn.
Thank you 23 Things!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thing 15
This was another "thing" that I skipped and decided to come back to. RSS is definitely much easier to understand now. I think it is a great tool and a very useful source of information, but it is difficult to remember to check the feeds on a regular basis. Maybe if I had more time or if I found a feed that I was really interested in, I would want to check it more.
Thing 14
This "thing" was pretty confusing for me at first. I got really frustrated and ended up skipping it and now I am finally coming back to it. Once I got the hang of it, I had a lot of fun with Delicious. This site helped me to organize websites that will be useful in the classroom. For example, I found a site on graphic organizers that I have used in the past. I could never remember the name of the site so I would have to search for it each time. I am so happy that I won't have search for it again now that I have it bookmarked on my account. This is also a great tool to share pages and get ideas from other teachers. My username is delicious.com/msouldourian.
Thing 22
Creating a wiki was really easy to use! Although it was was easy to use, I don't know how often I would use it. The fact that it can be viewed and modified by anyone scares me. I honestly would prefer to use blogs or google docs. My wiki can be found at msouldourianwikispaces.com.
Thing 21
I found a couple of interesting wikis. The first was a wiki that was used as a school website from Arbor Heights Elementary School is Washington. I really liked how they were able to share information with families. Parents could easily go on and download forms, flyers, and newsletters. I thought that would be neat for our school to have a wiki as our school website.
The next wiki I looked at was Book Trailers for Readers. I absolutely loved this wiki because it spotlighted great books for kids and teens. This particular wiki had a variety of featured books for kids. Each book, had a schooltube and Youtube trailer so that kids could find out more about the book. It also included the author, number of pages, AR level, AR points, and the Lexile level. This particular wiki really inspired me! I would love to have a wiki like this for my students to find out more about different kinds of books. I think that it would get them excited to read. Although I love the idea of putting together a wiki like this, it would take a lot of time and that is something that I do not have a lot of. I would also have to watch out for people changing the content of my wiki because it can be viewed and changed by anyone with access to the internet. I could get over these hurdles by starting the wiki in the summer when I have more time to modify and monitor. It might be a little bit more difficult during the school year, but I think that it would be worth it.
The next wiki I looked at was Book Trailers for Readers. I absolutely loved this wiki because it spotlighted great books for kids and teens. This particular wiki had a variety of featured books for kids. Each book, had a schooltube and Youtube trailer so that kids could find out more about the book. It also included the author, number of pages, AR level, AR points, and the Lexile level. This particular wiki really inspired me! I would love to have a wiki like this for my students to find out more about different kinds of books. I think that it would get them excited to read. Although I love the idea of putting together a wiki like this, it would take a lot of time and that is something that I do not have a lot of. I would also have to watch out for people changing the content of my wiki because it can be viewed and changed by anyone with access to the internet. I could get over these hurdles by starting the wiki in the summer when I have more time to modify and monitor. It might be a little bit more difficult during the school year, but I think that it would be worth it.
Thing 20
I chose to subscribe to PediaCast: a pediatric podcast for parents. I will be a new mom in May so I thought this would be really helpful. The PediaCast offers parenting tips, interviews with health care providers, and the latest research.
I chose to download the podcast through ITunes because I already had it installed on my computer. I also like the idea of being able to listen to the podcasts on my iphone because I always have my phone with me.
I chose to download the podcast through ITunes because I already had it installed on my computer. I also like the idea of being able to listen to the podcasts on my iphone because I always have my phone with me.
Thing 19
I listened to two different podcasts. The first was a podcast from Grammar Girl, tips for better writing. The topic that I listened to was about sentence fragments in fiction writing. Although it was very informative and helpful, this particular topic would be too difficult for my sixth graders. I think that this might be geared towards writing students in high school and college.
The next podcast that I checked out was Storynory, which had free audio stories for kids. It allows you to listen to a variety of stories. There were even a variety of fairytales to choose from, which is the next unit that we will be studying in Language Arts. I chose to listen to the traditional fairytale, "Beauty and the Beast" and I really enjoyed it! I usually read the fairytales aloud to the class, but I think it would be fun for them to listen to some stories on the podcast.
The next podcast that I checked out was Storynory, which had free audio stories for kids. It allows you to listen to a variety of stories. There were even a variety of fairytales to choose from, which is the next unit that we will be studying in Language Arts. I chose to listen to the traditional fairytale, "Beauty and the Beast" and I really enjoyed it! I usually read the fairytales aloud to the class, but I think it would be fun for them to listen to some stories on the podcast.
Thing 18
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I found a lesson that would be perfect for a sixth grade Language Arts class. It is a great review for students. It also allows them to interact with the presentation so they can be creative at the same time.I would use this in my classroom for other lessons because there are a variety of presentations to choose from. I'm not sure how much I would use it outside of the classroom, but I did like the review of how to embed a video on my blog.
View more PowerPoint from Sek Ren DPS Ukong Tut II
I found a lesson that would be perfect for a sixth grade Language Arts class. It is a great review for students. It also allows them to interact with the presentation so they can be creative at the same time.I would use this in my classroom for other lessons because there are a variety of presentations to choose from. I'm not sure how much I would use it outside of the classroom, but I did like the review of how to embed a video on my blog.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thing 17
The tool that I tried was Flashcarddb and I thought it was pretty cool! I usually have my students review their vocabulary words by studying index cards that they created. But this method would save so much time and also save paper! I browsed flashcards that were already created and found great vocabulary flash cards for the next story that we will be reading, The Cay. I looked through The Cay vocabulary flashcards and even took a quiz. I will definitely show this website to my students so that they can practice their vocabulary words. The only problem that students could run into is having access to a computer at home. I would need to allow time for those students to use a computer in my classroom or in the lab.
Thing 16
I absolutely love using this tool at school! It is so nice using it for the PBIS program because my colleagues and I can record information about our students.
I have also started using it in my personal life. My mom shared the guest list for my upcoming baby shower. In fact, I logged on today to check and see who has sent back their RSVP.
The only issues with using this tool with my students would be getting all of their email addresses and making sure that they respond appropriately because all of the students will be viewing it.
I have also started using it in my personal life. My mom shared the guest list for my upcoming baby shower. In fact, I logged on today to check and see who has sent back their RSVP.
The only issues with using this tool with my students would be getting all of their email addresses and making sure that they respond appropriately because all of the students will be viewing it.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thing 13
Tagging helps you to stay organized and find your information easier. I definitely think that tagging is a very useful tool for teachers. The only problem is that I do not have Delicious downloaded to my computer. I think it is important to view the information before tagging to make sure that it is appropriate and useful.
Thing 12
I am definitely getting more comfortable with embedding code. T
The only online communities that I am a part of are Facebook and Baby Center. I like Facebook because it allows me to keep in touch with old friends and acquaintances. I love Baby Center because it gives me an opportunity to talk to new moms just like me.
Although I love being a part of these online communities, I prefer face to face relationships. You can tell a lot more about what a person thinks by looking at their facial expressions.
I think Facebook is so popular with kids today because it is easier for them to hold a conversation online rather than in person. Many kids are shy and lack self confidence so it is easier for them to open up to people online.
Thing 11
I like leaving comments on people's pages if I have something important or beneficial to say to them. I don't like just adding comments because I have to. I definitely like it when people leave me comments, it is nice to get feedback from my peers.
I think that it could be helpful for students top get feedback about their writing online as long as it is positive or helpful suggestions. Although, negative comments can be very hurtful to a child's self esteem.
I think that it could be helpful for students top get feedback about their writing online as long as it is positive or helpful suggestions. Although, negative comments can be very hurtful to a child's self esteem.
Thing 10
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NjOsQ_baJv8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I chose this video because I love to show it to my students when we are learning about conjunctions. It is a very catchy tune and the kids love it!
I chose this video because I love to show it to my students when we are learning about conjunctions. It is a very catchy tune and the kids love it!
Thing 9
I love using YouTube in my classroom. I can find a video that connects with just about anything that I am teaching. For example, when we learn about conjunctions I show the School House Rock video called Conjunction Junction. I love using YouTube in my classroom, but the only problem is that it takes forever to load. It becomes a hassle using it because it is so slow! Other than that, I love YouTube for both professional and personal reasons.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Thing 8
I had a lot of fun using Spell with Flickr. I enjoyed putting words in and seeing what it came up with! It was very fun and easy to use! I could use it in my classroom with presentations such as Prezi and Power Point.
Thing 7
I could use Flickr in my classroom when my students do their Unsloved Mysteries power point project. For the project, they need to find pictures that relate to their topic. This would be a very useful tool for this particular project!
I will need to explain to my students how important it is to understand the copyright laws. They will need to understand how important it is to give credit to the photographer of the picture.
I will need to explain to my students how important it is to understand the copyright laws. They will need to understand how important it is to give credit to the photographer of the picture.
Thing 5
I really enjoyed using RSS! It is amazing how many articles are out there about any topic that you choose to research! There are many topics out there, but if you narrow your search it made it much easier.
I enjoyed looking at other teacher's blogs and getting an idea of how they set their pages up. I found exactly what I was looking for!
I enjoyed looking at other teacher's blogs and getting an idea of how they set their pages up. I found exactly what I was looking for!
Thing 4
I would use RSS in my professional life to save articles that I find useful. It is a great way to keep the information together
I prefer using method 1 of subscribing. I found it to be the easiest and fastest method for me.
I did not like method 3, I found it to be a bit confusing. I felt that the other methods were much easier for me to use.
I prefer using method 1 of subscribing. I found it to be the easiest and fastest method for me.
I did not like method 3, I found it to be a bit confusing. I felt that the other methods were much easier for me to use.
Thing 3
I think blogging is an effective tool to use with students because it is keeps students informed on what is happening in the classroom. If a student is absent or forgot an assignment, they could simply go onto my blog site and find the information that they are looking for.
I would use my blog to post homework assignments and remind students of upcoming quizzes, tests, and projects.
Students could use my blog to answer a question that I posted as a homework assignment.
My only concern is finding time to keep up with updating my blog. Also, I know that not all of my students have access to a computer. If they do not have access to a computer at home, they could always use a computer in the school library.
I would use my blog to post homework assignments and remind students of upcoming quizzes, tests, and projects.
Students could use my blog to answer a question that I posted as a homework assignment.
My only concern is finding time to keep up with updating my blog. Also, I know that not all of my students have access to a computer. If they do not have access to a computer at home, they could always use a computer in the school library.
Thing 1 and 2
I am participating in 23 Things because I would like to create a classroom blog. I would also like to integrate more technology into my classroom.
I hope to learn more new and exciting ways to use technology in my classroom.
During Thing 1, I realized that I am not using nearly enough technology as I should. I am excited to learn how to use podcasts and wikkis in my classroom.
I think it is both exciting and scary that people can read anything I write on the internet.
I hope to learn more new and exciting ways to use technology in my classroom.
During Thing 1, I realized that I am not using nearly enough technology as I should. I am excited to learn how to use podcasts and wikkis in my classroom.
I think it is both exciting and scary that people can read anything I write on the internet.
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