I haven't finished going through YouTube or TeacherTube yet, but I wanted to show you my FAVORITE YouTube video. It was taken during my son's senior year of high school at South Williamsport when he competed for (and won!) the title of "Mr. Mountie"! Enjoy!
I just saw an EXCELLENT promotional video on YouTube about the "California Mouse Squad". They have their students (elementary, middle school, and high school) who join the "Mouse Squad" to provide technical support for their district. From the comments that I read, I understand that there is a Mouse Squad in New York City also.
I also found a "How to" video on YouTube called "How to Play Guitar Hero III Songs on an Electric Guitar". Pretty sweet stuff!
On TeacherTube, I found my favorite video entitled "When I Grow Up", which was created and uploaded by some guy "mjohnson". :-) Awesome video!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Activity 15
I am beginning to get a little tired of blogging about EVERYTHING I do. I don't know how some people do it constantly. Or, maybe it's just me? But, I digress..........
I have used Delicious for probably a year. I had never heard of it before, and one day last year, a teacher came to the computer lab with her class and logged on to a computer and said, "Where's Delicious?" I thought she had "lost her mind". I had no idea what she was talking about. After she had explained it to me, and her class had to type in the web site that they were going to, I had to research what Delicious was. I found that it would be PERFECT to use on these computers in the lab. Every summer, we have to add and delete "Favorites" to the "image" and then Ghost (or re-image) each and every machine. Then, subsequently, a student, either accidentally or on purpose, deletes a favorite or two. Thus, the process has to start all over again.
If each teacher had their own Delicious account, and Delicious was downloaded onto each computer here in the lab, it would benefit everyone (students, teachers.............. me) involved! Currently, teachers are adding links to their own web pages to have students get to sites or they have them type in the web site (which takes the entire period to do). I think we should go Delicious!
Here is a link to my bookmarks: http://delicious.com/tershmom96
I have used Delicious for probably a year. I had never heard of it before, and one day last year, a teacher came to the computer lab with her class and logged on to a computer and said, "Where's Delicious?" I thought she had "lost her mind". I had no idea what she was talking about. After she had explained it to me, and her class had to type in the web site that they were going to, I had to research what Delicious was. I found that it would be PERFECT to use on these computers in the lab. Every summer, we have to add and delete "Favorites" to the "image" and then Ghost (or re-image) each and every machine. Then, subsequently, a student, either accidentally or on purpose, deletes a favorite or two. Thus, the process has to start all over again.
If each teacher had their own Delicious account, and Delicious was downloaded onto each computer here in the lab, it would benefit everyone (students, teachers.............. me) involved! Currently, teachers are adding links to their own web pages to have students get to sites or they have them type in the web site (which takes the entire period to do). I think we should go Delicious!
Here is a link to my bookmarks: http://delicious.com/tershmom96
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Activity 14
I check my Reader 2 to 3 times per day and I don't feel overwhelmed by it, but I can understand how you could be. At the most, I will have 40 to 50 new items. For school purposes, I subscribe to Education and Technology. It keeps me up to date on new technology advances in the classroom.
For personal reasons, I LOVE the soapnet feed, which keeps me up to date on General Hospital. (Sorry, it's a guilty pleasure.) I also subscribe to the Sun-Gazette to have the local news delivered to me each morning.
For personal reasons, I LOVE the soapnet feed, which keeps me up to date on General Hospital. (Sorry, it's a guilty pleasure.) I also subscribe to the Sun-Gazette to have the local news delivered to me each morning.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Activity 13
I LOVED bighugelabs.com! Since I am a photographer at heart, playing with digital photos is right up my alley! I also checked out Animoto.com which is just as much fun making a "video" slideshow of your pictures with music!
The social aspects of these two tools would be endless. However, I'm not too sure how they could be used in a classroom. Bighugelabs has a "map" creator aspect to it, which would be great to use in a classroom. And, I know for a fact that Mr. Fausnaught uses Animoto in his blog quite a bit. Parents can see a video each week of what occurred at the middle school that week.
The social aspects of these two tools would be endless. However, I'm not too sure how they could be used in a classroom. Bighugelabs has a "map" creator aspect to it, which would be great to use in a classroom. And, I know for a fact that Mr. Fausnaught uses Animoto in his blog quite a bit. Parents can see a video each week of what occurred at the middle school that week.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Activity 11
I truly enjoyed the "Schools in the Past" wiki page. It was very enjoyable to see how schools have changed over the years. I thought that this wiki was very easy to read and didn't have too much going on to complicate things (i.e. links).
I also liked the use of pictures in the "Kindergarten Counting Book" wiki and the colorful and interesting "Welker's Wikinomics" wiki.
I just don't see how a wiki could be useful in what I do (yet). I'm sure there is some reason, though, that I'm just not seeing right at this moment.
I also liked the use of pictures in the "Kindergarten Counting Book" wiki and the colorful and interesting "Welker's Wikinomics" wiki.
I just don't see how a wiki could be useful in what I do (yet). I'm sure there is some reason, though, that I'm just not seeing right at this moment.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Activity 8, Task 1
I currently have no experience using Google Docs, however, I know that it is used by quite a few of the faculty members at LTSD.
I believe that Google Docs would be a wonderful resource for Grace and I in the Technology Support Department. We could keep notes on successful problem-solving techniques. If a computer or software problem arose that proved somewhat difficult to solve, we could refer to our documents to see if that problem had occurred prior and if there was a successful solution/repair for it.
I think that this would be a great convenience, but I would also be wary of uploading any confidential or private documents.
I believe that Google Docs would be a wonderful resource for Grace and I in the Technology Support Department. We could keep notes on successful problem-solving techniques. If a computer or software problem arose that proved somewhat difficult to solve, we could refer to our documents to see if that problem had occurred prior and if there was a successful solution/repair for it.
I think that this would be a great convenience, but I would also be wary of uploading any confidential or private documents.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Activity 7a
I found this activity great fun. I had no idea what RSS was all about and it's widespread availability and ease of use. Here I was, using the old-fashioned way of getting information by clicking on "Favorites" and actually going to each web site sorting through entire sites - WOW! I love the idea of information coming to me.
Personally, I enjoy reading Mr. Fausnaught's blog. I read it every day and now I am subscribed to it. (I am still a Middle Schooler at heart.)
Personally, I enjoy reading Mr. Fausnaught's blog. I read it every day and now I am subscribed to it. (I am still a Middle Schooler at heart.)
Monday, February 9, 2009
To Block or Not to Block - Activity 5
As you may already know, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, and many other Web 2.0 capable sites are blocked by quite a few school districts. These sites tend to pose network security and safety risks and schools are required by state and federal regulations to block them.
I am happy to see that, according to the article, "Total Traffic Control Software to Enable Educators to Use Approved YouTube Videos", software has been developed providing a user-friendly network security application which would permit teachers and students to play approved YouTube videos. This is known as the Educational Video Library.
I found this article very interesting, and I believe it would be a huge step forward in trying to balance student safety and online freedom. The article failed to mention, however, what the cost would be to purchase and activate this application.
I am happy to see that, according to the article, "Total Traffic Control Software to Enable Educators to Use Approved YouTube Videos", software has been developed providing a user-friendly network security application which would permit teachers and students to play approved YouTube videos. This is known as the Educational Video Library.
I found this article very interesting, and I believe it would be a huge step forward in trying to balance student safety and online freedom. The article failed to mention, however, what the cost would be to purchase and activate this application.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Activity 4
I believe that blogging does facilitate learning because it incorporates reading and writing. Blogs add a touch of fun and creativity also. They provide new avenues of information, communication, and knowledge. In addition, they promote the use of technology. What more could you ask for?
The fact that you can receive comments from people all over the world can help you "see" the subject from a different point of view. Comments can actually improve on what the author originally wrote. It makes reading and writing a 2-way street.
After reading several of the blogs listed in this assignment, the blog entitled "Is This SSR 2.0?" really stuck with me. How do we make Silent Sustained Reading more enjoyable to students? Mark Ahlness states, "So much is made of young kids creating content, that I think it's real easy to overlook the positive aspect of young kids consuming content - created by their peers - and who knows who else?" It makes sense to me. How about you?
The fact that you can receive comments from people all over the world can help you "see" the subject from a different point of view. Comments can actually improve on what the author originally wrote. It makes reading and writing a 2-way street.
After reading several of the blogs listed in this assignment, the blog entitled "Is This SSR 2.0?" really stuck with me. How do we make Silent Sustained Reading more enjoyable to students? Mark Ahlness states, "So much is made of young kids creating content, that I think it's real easy to overlook the positive aspect of young kids consuming content - created by their peers - and who knows who else?" It makes sense to me. How about you?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Activity 3 Part Two
Students come alive when they actively participate in the learning process. Technology is an asset in this process. We need to construct a learning environment which engages all participants. We are failing if we do not use the devices available within the school building or at home.
"Students are Changing" infers that students are being trained today for jobs that do not currently exist. Our purpose is to provide students with the skills they need for success in the conceptual age. Web 2.0 is a tool - a better way to communicate and educate. We need to change along with our social culture.
"Students are Changing" infers that students are being trained today for jobs that do not currently exist. Our purpose is to provide students with the skills they need for success in the conceptual age. Web 2.0 is a tool - a better way to communicate and educate. We need to change along with our social culture.
Activitiy 3 Part 1
I am excited to be taking this course and learning how technology and education can work fluently together in the modern world.
My goal for this course is simply to try to keep up with the ever-changing technological advances. I know that is a difficult task since technology just keeps moving forward at such a high rate of speed, but I'm willing to give it a try.
I cannot wait to read how others will combine what they learn in this course with the classroom.
My goal for this course is simply to try to keep up with the ever-changing technological advances. I know that is a difficult task since technology just keeps moving forward at such a high rate of speed, but I'm willing to give it a try.
I cannot wait to read how others will combine what they learn in this course with the classroom.
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