Podcasts and Wikis July 31, 2009

Today I learned about Podcast and Vodcast.  A Podcast is an audio segment that is playable on demand. A Vodcast is an audio and video segment that is also playable on demand.  When you find a “cast” that you like, you can subscribe to a tag via RSS link such as Podcast.net.  Subcribers automatically recieve new podcast that contain the tag of interest.  In other words, content finds you, not the other way around.

In education, teachers have used both Podcast and Vodcast in numerous ways to demonstrate what students are learning. In our small group discussions we made applications to lower elementary.  Some ideas are–report of field trips, class discussions, interviews, book reviews, storybooks to life, ESL, weather, reader’s theatre, etc.  As I said, the possibilities are endless–as we have seen with most of these “literacies”.

Wiki’s are still a bit confusing for me.  I have worked with them in the past, but still do not know enough about them to incorporate in class.  This is one of the things I hope to explore more so that I can make applications.  From reading, I know that is a piece that cen be worked on collaboratively.  I want to look into using wikis to build stories.  As shared in class, you can also use it as a cummunication tool. 

As I look back over my Blog entries, I am really impressed with my use and understanding of the “technological terms”.  I am very pleased with my learning in the class. Since I am not currently teaching, Imust make it a priority to review all that I have I been exposed to and “play around” on the sites more, so I don’t lose what I have learned! Having this class earlier in the programm would have been helpful–allowing me to apply these technologies to other class assignments. This has been a very informative class with ALOT of information to take in, I feel up to date on the technology available–, I just hope I can find the time to explore then more before they become “outdated”. LOL!

Movie Maker and RSS Feeds July 31, 2009

I definitly agree with the Holbein, article television and video can and should be used to enhance recall information and comprehension.  I also agree that it would promote language use.  As we discussed in our groups, many of our students do not have many experiences outside of their community.  Using television and video to expose them to the world may be their only way to see the world.  As educators, we must bring the world to our students!

In our article the students worked on making a movie from a reading that the teacher did.  I did something similiar to this with my esl students.  I would read them a story without showing illustrations, and from there I would pick 7-10 sentences that represented the  “skeleton” of the story.  We would work on “acting out” those sentences throughout the week.  Students would also be put in pairs to illustrate the sentences.  As a final project, I read the story with illustrations and then we read the class book.  Having students make up the actions to the words and record them would make the story “come alive”.  I love this and I know the children (the outgoing ones at least) would love seeing themselves on tv.  As an extension, I could read the 10 important sentences first, and then have students add in the details acting them out for the video.  The possiblities are ENDLESS!

Learning about RSS feeds was interesting.  I wish i would have learned about this in previous classess.  I have had to follow blogs and not knowing when things were posted  made it difficult to know when to view it.  An RSS feed into their blog would have been helpful!  If its done in my browser it’s only on my computer.  Setting it up in Pageflakes or I-google you could always have access to your feeds.

Digital Photography and Video; a Personal Website July 30, 2009

Since the beginning of this course I have been reminding myself to work at my own pace!  Yesterday was a true test of this!  I began the day working on adding my CaptionTube video.  I added comments, Jinged it, Badongoed it and then the server got overloaded, so I moved on to task #2…

Since my computer had Moviemaker, I chose to use this, however I made a note to self to check out Photo Story because I watch some as Megan and Erica worked in it.  It looked as if you could add a lot more extra’s using that site.  I made a movie using family photos and I added music.  As with the Slide network, I will most likely use this site for personal use, however as I mentioned with Slide, both sites can be used in various ways to build community in the classroom.  Moving on to task #3..creating own webpage.

I used i-Google to create a very SIMPLE webpage.   Making it personal was neat–adding horoscopes, countdown, favorite U-tube videos, etc. I would assume many school districts have webpages or at least they did at my last school.  Teachers were required to “fill in” information– limiting creativity.  Having this available, provides me with options to adding more creative information and sites that are “favorites”.

Digital Text July 29, 2009

I spent most of this afternoon designing a slideshow of my family using the Slide site.  It took awhile to upload photos, but there are others things to do while you wait.  In designing your slideshow you can add special features like backgound colors, themes and music.  I was also able to add captions as each picture loaded.

I love this for personal use, but it also has endless possiblities for use in the classroom. Some ideas that come to mind for slideshows are open house, first day, field trips, getting to know you, family unit, field day and digital memory books.  These can be shown throughout the year, so that parents can have an insight into the classroom happeninings.  Of course you would have to have a right to photo permission slip prior to publishing for public view.  If you could save the photos to the slide site students could create their own memory pages–How exciting would that be! 

Connecting students home and school lives is extremely important to their success.  Providing students with cameras and allowing them to take photos of them outside the classroom and then designing an About Me slideshow would be fascinating for everyone!  I could use this idea in conjuction with my Student of the Week.  I most likely would use this in some form or fashion once I return to the classroom, but until then, I will enjoy making family slides!

Webquest July 28, 2009

I love the idea of using webquest activities to help young student learn to explore the “new literacies” we have talked about so much in class.  Of course behind most good ideas is alot of preparation.  I began drafting my first webquest today in class and it is now 10:30pm and I am still not finished.  I have put in a  good 2 1/2 hours of brainstorming, planning, drafting,  finding clipart (teachers loves clipart) and lots of revising–and I still am not done.  The article I read today–Leu said it only takes 10 minutes–I DON’T THINK SO!  On second thought, he was probably referring to the time needed to read how to do a wedquest.  Anyways….

Until I become real familair with designing webquests, I will most likely explore and use webquests that are readily available on the Internet.  I did a search for my topic (earth day) and there are numerous ones directed towards lower elementary level.  Some in class  talked about using a webquest in scavenger hunt format.  I think this would be a good idea for lower grades too.  I need to find out who that was and inquiry more about it!

Susu was kind enough to give me a quick tutorial on using trackstar (this one is much simplier than Zunal!!)  Her webquest is outstanding.  It is listed in a step by step format which would make it easier for younger students to follow.  She added SCOS goals and was able to add links to worksheets. online activities, and very high interest sites.  I love the idea that we posted them to the site for future use! 

Designing my own webquest is unlikely considering there are so many already available on the Internet.  My motto has always been, Work Smarter, Not Harder. I can always adapt a ready made webquest to meeting my intended purpose  grade level goals.

Twitter vs. Facebook July 25, 2009

I have been using Facebook for a while now and have finally become familiar with all it has to offer.  I can keep in touch with family and friends through instant messaging, photographs and live feeds.  It is amazing the numder of “old” contacts I was able to find using this site. 

As Dr. Dave introduced us to Twitter, I thought to myself, OH, NO–not another social network!  As I got into the site, I found it to be somewhat similiar to Facebook.  It allows you to post a “status”.  That is, what you are doing or something that is on your mind.  I viewed the links posted on our class syllabus, I found a couple of ideas for using Twitter in the classroom.  As a first grade teacher, I am always trying to find applications!  An eighth grade teacher used twitter to begin a collaborative story.  Each participant visted the site and added a sentence to the story.  This became very popular, and children from all over the world began adding to the story.  I could easily do this with my students. Other teachers used Twitter to review lessons and for parent communiation.

Since I am already aware of Facebook and know how to manuveur around the site, it is doubtful that I would use Twitter in my classroom.  I feel facebook offers so much more that I could do with my students–upload photos to build community and connect home and school, find friends, instant messaging which would allow me to monitor and provide individual feedback to each student.  With its’ overwhelming popularity, I am sure many of my students are aware of Facebook.  Using Facebook at the beginning of the year would allow students to get to know me personally by viewing my family photos andImy status entries.  I would like to encourage them to become members so that i could get to know them too!

Blogging in the classroom July 24, 2009

Today in class we read articles and dicussed how blogging cold be used in our classrooms.  In the article I read(Zawilinski),blogging broadens the audience for student writing and thinking; Provides a space for colloaborating outside of the typical classroom discussion; problem solving on the Internet.  There were four types of Blogs: Classroom News Blog–share news and info with parents and students.  Mirror Blog– allows for bloggers to reflect on thinking.  Showcase Blog–teachers and students post work samples. Literature Blog–bloggers respond to literature based prompts.

In my classroom I would most likely incorporate 3 of the above types of blogs– to share classroom news with parents, post student work, and as a repsonse to literature.  In class, I would use Literature Blogs as one of my literacy centers.  Students would respond to literature circle readings, whole group reading and guided reading prompts.  I would also use blogging during down time, so accomondate those students who do not have computer access at home. 

I have enoyed using blogs in my graduate coursework as a means of sharing ideas and blogging about common topics.  Using blogs is a great way to build communitity in the classroom.  Viewing other first grade blogs will provide me with ideas on set-up and uses and provide me with links that are age appropriate.

What is Literacy and Technology? July 24, 2009

Today in class we were asked the question, “how do you define “new literacies” and technology?  As I listened to the class discuss the articles, it was clear that our definitions varied.  I define literacy as text, reading and writing. It can and should be done using numerous tools and teaching styles.  According to Semali(http://www.readingonline.org/newliteracies/semali1/), “new literacies” refers to those literacies that have emerged in the post-typographic era. To highlight the different effects of electronic and visual communication, various writers have used the term “post-typographic” to mark an intellectual and cultural shift in the way information is designed, communicated, and retrieved. With every new technology introduced, a new literacy is also introduced. 

It is vital to the success of our students that we prepare them the technology world! Using different forms of technology to teach motivates student learning.  The hands on factor allow students to show their creative side.  As I have witnessed with my own nieces and nephews and their friends, using technololgy is the “in thing”.  When I first got an I-Pod, I called my newphew to get instructions on how to work it.  I think this speaks volumes!  If children are wanting to learn, we as educators need to provide them with that knowledge. 

Throughout my graduate coursework, new technologies have been introduced to me–blogging, creating web pages, wikis, powerpoints, etc.  It has been very interesting, and I am excited about incorporating them into my teaching style when I return to the classroom.  I am almost positive that the response from my students will be overwhelmingly POSITIVE!

All About Me July 23, 2009

I am a stay at home mother of two little girls and 2 dogs.  Addie is  a typical 3 year old who loves dressing up and makeup.  Sydney is our newlest little angel only 8  months old. Our dogs are Smokey a west highland terrier and Bear a black mixed breed.  My husband Jay works in sales.  All require alot of attention, making this job a very challenging one!! I now have a greater appreciation for others moms who have been doing this.

 

Prior to being a stay at home mom, I was teaching first grade.  My 12 years of teaching included grades Kingergarten, First Grade, Seventh and Eight Grade Rotation class.  I can honestly say that teaching in middle grades was a huge challenge for me.  After moving to North Carolina I returned to the elementary level and have found this is where my heart belongs.

I am currently working on my Master’s Degree in Reading Education. I have enjoyed all the courses and look forward to getting back into the classrooom so I can apply what I have learned.

My family and I are orignally from Louisville, KY. –home of the most famous 2 minutes in sports–The Kentucky Derby.  I moved to North Carolina after we were married.  Jay has lived in NC for about 15 years.  We just recently moved to Mooresville, NC and have enjoyed getting to know the area and eating at all of the resturants.

I leave behind in KY. 2 older sisters , 2 nieces and a nephew, and my dad.  I am extremely close with my family so that makes living here very hard.  I also miss it for my kids.  Jay has 2 older sisters, 2 nieces and 2 nephews, and his mother.  We both lost a parent to cancer.  We try to travel home during the winter holidays and on long weekends and they come down during the summer.

For fun, I enjoy watching movies, gambling, playing bunco and going out on the lake.  My husband and I just purchased a boat.  Out of the 2 months we have owned it, we have only been out on it 2 times without it breaking down!  It is turning out to be a real moneypit! I hope we can get it fixed and be able to enjoy the rest of the summer without having to call SEATOW to get us back to the marina.  Wish us luck–LOL!