Thing #9 - Learning Networks

I am so excited to be a part of Ning Kentwood Network. It will be beneficial to share ideas and online resources with other members, so I joined two groups. It would be nice to have more members. The more members the more ideas available..

Thing #11 - Location (Maps)

I really enjoyed this activity. It is probably because I use google maps quite frequently any time I need a map for places I visit. I am planning on using this tool for projects, something like webquests. One example would be when we study Europe we can make a tour and explore it. I made this as an overview of the project but detailed directions about each stop can be given to students as a handout. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=105357888928321273548.000484fb93a86d3855792&ll=51.76444,-0.494385&spn=1.366698,4.438477&t=h&z=8. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.


View England in a larger map

Thing #10-RSS

At this point, I think I will not be using this tool in my classroom. The furthest I would go will be probably subscribing to certain websites in Google Reader. Right now, in it I have few blogs that I follow and few science and English sites that I might use as a teaching resources. I do not spend lot of time searching the web but there are few sites I visit to get the latest. Usually, I need websites for activity ideas and worksheets and for that I see no benefit of using RSS (unless you have any suggestions). Maybe in the future I will start using this tool more.

Thing #8 - Video

Last few years I heard teachers using teachertube for science, social studies, math and ELA. I think youtube, teachertube and schooltube can all find place in a classroom as long as we check for appropriate content before presenting it. How would I use video clips from these sites? I could easily use them as a short intro into a lesson or as a part of lesson. E.g. find a video that shows how to add fractions with different denominators and show it to students. Follow this with a discussion on addition and subtraction of fractions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRP6FwMflTc&feature=related. Youtube is convenient since I can pause a video at any point in case we need to discuss the topic.
I really like following video that would most likely make an impact on middle school students. Take a look. http://www.teachertube.com/members/viewVideo.php?video_id=127460&title=Prefixes_Suffixes_and_Roots_Rap_Instrumental&vpkey= Video that shows rap about root words. Wonderful intro to lesson.

Thing #7 - Wikis

Before learning about Wiki I didn't know what to think of it especially how to incorporate it in my classroom. After looking at few examples I got an idea what to do with it. Obviously some wikis have too much information and are not suitable for my ELL students (US History class), while others were set up and had info that were more appropriate. I really liked how Let's Go West Wiki was being used - as a class website. I really like timelines and charts they created. Also, being able to post pictures, word documents as well as power point presentations make this wiki as appealing as it is informational. Following wiki has resources regarding grammar such as interactive games and lesson plans: https://rude.wikispaces.com/Grammar+Review There are some interactive math activities as well but mostly focused on elementary students. I can used these resources for some of my ELL students. I see how wiki can be very helpful tool in a classroom as long as it is well organized. At this point, I need to learn more about each wiki button and tab, before I could use it in the class. I would like to have students' work uploaded on class wiki. To be something like a gallery of students' projects. I just found this wikihttp://greetingsfromtheworld.wikispaces.com/Glogs+from+Croatia. It could give you some ideas.

Thing #6 - Presentations

Here is my presentation: http://prezi.com/6purm1kz-jxh/edit/#1 This presentation would serve a purpose of brief intro to ancient civilization. I'm sure my students would be interested in making their own presentation as well. I think this tool is simple to use as long as you follow steps in making it. The program could be improved, but I think it could serve a purpose as is. I would like to use it every once in a while as an alternative to power point. Just to make it more interesting - alternate power point and prezi presentations.

Thing #5 - Google Docs

I am kind of excited about possibilities google docs offer. To me, it sounds very inviting to have students work in groups on a project and being able to have immediate feedback on their suggestions and input. The only problem I see is making google account for every student and then setting it up so they can share those documents. Am I seeing this right? Or this is not as complicated as I think it is? I created a beginning of a short story for students to edit and improve. This would be just an example what they would do for their group work. http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AR95hGHbNwzfZDg2OHM3Yl8xZ3ZxOGM0Yzc&hl=en Most likely, I would use document tool for students to edit each other papers and/or work on a project in small groups. Overall, Google Docs is a great tool to use, but I think it will not replace Microsoft Office.

Thing #4 - Podcasting

I really enjoyed watching and listening different voicethreads. At this moment, there are several ideas I have seen and would like to incorporate in my classroom. One is to have students recommend or review books they read as is done in the following sample http://voicethread.com/#q.b56011.i289587 . The students will be given some time to prepare for presentation: think about the recommendation/review, write it down, and finally record it with a teacher's help. This way students will be practicing their speaking skills, which is very important for second language learners. Another way is having students watch a presentation http://voicethread.com/#u364007.b478355.i2547479 to learn about multiple meaning words. This thread would be used at the beginning of the lesson as a short presentation before the students start exploring multiple meaning words on their own. In the same way I would use http://voicethread.com/#u364007.b756694.i4007457 to have students think about their choice of words when they are given a writing prompt. Or it could be used before students start editing their writing.

Thing #3

Photo sharing. Well, I created account on Flicr last year, but didn't really use it. Facebook is different story. I post my photos frequently to share them with friends and family all over the globe. That is how we stay in touch. For same reason, I post short family videos on Facebook. For my classroom, I opened Weebly account and set the page up at the beginning of the school year, but then the teaching job was gone and weebly is not really being used. I was able to post photos and blogs. I really liked the weebly. You can check it out: http://mrsdavidson.weebly.com Looking at shutterfly, it seems to me it has more options and is complex, thus requires more time for keeping it up to date. Must admit, I like layout for the classroom use. I might try to set it up (when I find some time).

Thing #2

I never heard of online bookmarking before, but I sure wished for something as handy as that. From now on, I do not have to email myself with bookmarks from one computer to the other. I can have an easy access to my bookmarks no matter where in the world I am. Plus, I can always look for bookmarks from the online community to find interactive games for my students. This will save me so much time (I think). All I have to do now is go through my home comp and choose the best sites and then tag them on delicious site, so I don't have to worry about forgetting site names. My delicious site is just starting to develop.

http://delicious.com/ndav05

Thing #1-Blogging in Education

Hi,
I work with ELL students in a middle school setting and would love to start using blogs with my students. All I need now is ideas on how to incorporate that in our classroom. I found out that students can write their opinions about read article or a book. Maybe, they can even start their own blog on some issue they would like to discuss with their classmates. One blog might be set up for help on specific problem in math or similar. I still have to work on more ideas.
Considering the way technology is developing, blogging would be perfect way to actively involve students in their learning.