Thing #16

I really like the Library Thing! This would be an incredible resource for my students to use when we are doing research projects! The students could gather books useful to their topic and catalog them on this site for others to access!

I also have an idea of group I want to form with some students and the Library Thing could play an important part. I want to form a support group for students (female teens from my school) to discuss growing up and social issues they experience. There are plenty of books the girls could read and share using this tool. It could be a great platform for discussions.

Thing #15

I like the concept of social bookmarking. But, in all practicality, I do not see myself using this more. I know that it makes keeping up with different sites convenient because I can access them anywhere. But, it is just another password/username to remember. I have my home computer and my school computer that keep my bookmarks. I did try finding sites of interest. Here is the link to my delicious page.

I have friends who really like using this! Maybe it will grow on me...

Thing #7a

Ok, so I checked my Google Reader. After only day of setting it up, there are already new blog posts to follow! One of my favorite blog sites in my reader is Free Technology for Teachers. Today a blog was posted sharing a site about screencasting. The site is called Screenjelly.

I could create screencasts of steps for my students to follow when we are using new technology applications. I think it would help those who don't get it immediately as they would be able to go back for a second look.

Thing #14

After checking out the list of Web 2.0 tools, I found one that will be the best thing for me and my students. The site is Ta-da List. This site allows you to make checklists AND check the items off as steps/items in the list are completed.

I need this for me. I can keep my tasks organized. My students can use this when they are working on a project. The checklist will help stay on task and meet deadlines. It can be used as an assessment tool so they know exactly was expected of them.

I also LOVE Wordle! I can use this as notebook/project covers for myself and my students. I also think it would be cool to put all of my students' names into this and display it as a decoration in the room. There are many possibilities.

Thing #13

The image generators have consumed a large quantity of my time today. I see many uses for these in my classroom. They spice up presentations and are fun to create. I used Spell with Flickr to create the word above.

I like Image Chef, also. Although I don't think all of the image creations are school appropriate, there are some I will use for my classroom. I like this one:

I thought about using this little creation on all of my documents during the school year as my trademark of sorts. I created it using the License Plate Maker under the Custom Sign Generator Widget.

Thing #12

I did my slideshow in RockYou.com. I set it up with thought provoking questions as the captions during the slide show. I really like this way of presenting photos to my students with writing prompts.

Photo Attributions:

Remaining Beach Damage by Fakelvis

Derelict Boat by Fakelvis

Friends and a Secluded Beach by Fakelvis

Derelict Cuban Airliner at Pearls Airport by Fakelvis

Thing #11

I think I could spend an entire day going through photos on Flick'r. I would like to use photos and images in writing exercises with my students.

When I started looking through the photos, I just wanted to see what was out there. I did and advanced search to find photos under Creative Commons of people, places and anything else that popped into my head. I came across a photostream by a photographer known as Fakelvis. His photos are very vivid and it seems he has been to interesting places.

I would use this photo in a writing exercise where I would have the students write and tell the story of the people in the photo.

This is another photo that I like.