Thing #10

I really have not noticed the “CC” label on different websites. But, after reading about the Creative Commons, I believe that it is important that my students understand the importance of using things from the web that are licensed to be shared.

Many students think images and information found online is a free-for-all just because it is easily accessible. I’m convinced that many of them do not understand copyright controls.

I do use images and audio clips in different class presentations and on campus staff development presentations. I have to pay more attention to what I am choosing to use. I have to lead by example and show my students how to use information from the web correctly.

Thing #9

This wiki business isn't so bad. After working with my Moodle during the school year, navigating around this wiki page is much easier. I like learning the tricks or HTML codes to make things such as a table of contents. I can see using a wiki page for one of our huge research projects we do in class.

In setting up my wiki page, I followed the instructions given. The "Cheat Sheet" was a life saver.

I like information I am presenting to students to appear organized and easy to read. I don't want their eyes jumping all over the page. I want there to be a nice, smooth flow to the content I am presenting. I organized the page so that my introduction, my favorites, my burning question and web 2.0 stuff are in an organized list. I think using a page like this would be a very good way to introduce myself to my students and parents. I gave it the title, A Few Grains of Sand..., because it is just a little bit of information about me.

Thing #8

I like the idea of using Wiki spaces in the classroom. My FAVORITE of the list we were given to explore is Code Blue. I like the idea of the information being written so that it keeps the attention of students. It is colorful and very interactive. I actually played on that site for quite some time. I especially found The Yucky and Cool Body Systems interesting. I learned a little too much about vomit from that site. It made me want to teach science, but only for a minute...

Every single wiki I visited was completely different than the last. There seem to be sooooo many uses for this and ways to do this!

The Thousands Project is also another amazing and unique idea. Once again, it is completely student centered and I really like the idea. It shows kids how powerful technology can be. It allows students to connect to others outside of their classroom. I think the goal of achieving at least 1,000 responses to the questions posted on the wiki is a very cool way to keep the students excited and interested in the project.

So, once again, I am amazed by this and excited to learn more. I would like to incorporate a wiki into my classroom experience. I can see my students posting their writings in a wiki and doing peer editing. I think it would be a productive tool with my students.

Thing #7

I like how comments on blogs lead to further conversation or provoke greater ideas. Everyone seems to have an opinion on everything these days. The comments give those the opportunity to voice their thoughts. I like reading other comments. The comments spark creativity or ideas. If I have a question or misunderstanding, I can post it as a comment. Someone is probably going to offer additional insight. Also, some blogs are there to just express thoughts or feelings. Maybe something I say in a comment can help someone.

Thing #6

I have been following a blog from a former co-worker named Wes. He and his wife, Brandi, moved to Africa with the Peace Corps. I added their blog (Brandi and Wes in Africa) to my Google Reader so I can keep up with their journey. I love that I have the reader to keep all of my blog interests in one place.

I like how Google Reader shows the updated blogs in a bold format. It is very convenient for me to look, see what's new and catch up on what I've been missing.

Another blog I am following is Free Technology for Teachers. The blog offers links to free tools teachers can use with students. There is a link to strategy games that I am looking through to use with my students, especially during the first week of school.

Another reason I like the reader is that it keeps me grounded. When I ma looking at blog sites, it is so easy for me to get lost or go 3-4 sites deep. One link leads to another link, and so on and so on. By keeping these blogs of interest in the reader, I always have the starting point to go back to. I know where I began.

Thing #5

I like having all of my blogs of interest in one location... Google Reader. It makes it very convenient to go in, check for updated blogs, read what I want and then be done with it. I can totally see how this would be useful in the classroom. I could set up a reader for my classes and let my students go through those particular blogs to find articles of interest or blogs related to our class topic.

One particular blog that I like is the one written by different high school students regarding future education, Students 2oh. I like the blog by Linda, a high school student applying to different colleges and the anxiety that goes along with that. I like seeing blogs like this created by other students. It becomes a support system for others. My students need to see such experiences through their peers. This blog provides an incredible insight to my students that I am not going to be able to provide (only because I am not a teen with the same experiences right now).

When I find more RSS feeds on topics of interest to me, I think this will be a very convenient way to stay informed and current.

Thing #4

In reading the different blogs, I found things I like and things I don’t like. The language of the blogs is very conversational. It seems very casual to me and not filled with “educational lingo.” I like it! It makes me feel like I am having a conversation with colleagues rather than sitting in a lecture. To me, this is like reading articles from magazines (editorials). Mark's Edtechblog posts an article where the students do silent reading of blogs every-once-in-awhile instead of reading straight from a book. I like how

I like that blog writing gives anyone the opportunity to express ideas. Granted, some do not need such a platform. But, those who use blogging as a way to share and offer different insights are helping others. With that in mind, no two blogs are going to be the same. Each of us expresses our ideas and thoughts differently. I expect that to come through in writing or journaling.

I find the blog, How to Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci very influential. The blogger is sharing ideas that provoke thought in the readers. The ideas do make a lasting impression. The blog article also opens the door to further conversation on the topic. The comments added at the end offer just as much insight on the topic as the actual blog itself.