I'm already a fan of Facebook. I love that Facebook allows me to keep in touch with my high school friends, my college friends, and now my teaching colleagues. In fact, in the past year, even my sisters, aunts, and uncles have joined Facebook. Although communicating through Facebook is not the same as visiting in person, I’m grateful that I can easily keep in touch with my friends and family back home in California.
I’m a beginner with Twitter. I’ve played around a few times, and I can definitely see the appeal. Depending on who you are following, it can be a lot of fun. Juicy, too!
Having a Facebook group would be great for students to join. Students can post questions/comments about homework, projects, book clubs…anything. Limitless possibilities! And, of course, it’s another way to keep students engaged in their learning.
In general, back-channeling seems like a great way for students to stay engaged in their learning. When back-channeling during class, it might take some time to establish ground rules for appropriate comments. Also, it will be an adjustment for the teacher to get used to students looking at a computer and typing, not making eye contact with the teacher. However, I think the benefits could be so amazing!
I’m ready to give it a try with my students!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thing #4- Posting to YouTube or TeacherTube
I uploaded a video of my friend trying to sled in Breckenridge. She was having such a difficult time, so the rest of us girls thought it was hysterical. Poor Becca!
I think it would be awesome for students to upload their student-made videos online. It seems like students would take the assignment more seriously. And, of course, it would clarify the importance of knowing your audience. Plus, it would be so exciting!
My only concern would be for their privacy. According to the privacy option, only 25 viewers could watch the video. I’m not sure if students would continue to take the project as seriously if they knew their viewers were capped. On the other hand, it seems like a huge liability to have the student’s face on camera. Last year, I took a video of my students performing some of Shakespeare’s plays in a student-written, student-produced, student-performed masterpiece. I played it back so they could see themselves, but again, I wasn’t comfortable uploading it because of privacy. Hmmmm…I wish someone would just give me the specifics of privacy rules and such.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thing #3- Like Skype (11.5 Things)
I've used Skype before and I think it's amazing! In fact, I have a friend who used Skype to continue a long-distance relationship with a guy in Australia. (Miss you, Claire!) I could definitely use this in my classroom. My students could communicate with students in other parts of the world, talk with authors, conduct interviews for research...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thing #2- Image Generators 2 (11.5 Things)
I created this in Wordle using the article "You are Brilliant, and the Earth is Hiring." I can definitely use this program in class. As a pre-reading exercise, students can use this Wordle to make predictions about the article. While reading, these common key words might help students with their annotations/highlighting. After reading, students can use this to write a summary for the article. These words will remind the students of the main ideas. I love this program!Glogster is such a cool program! Using this program instead of creating the tradition posters would have so many advantages. Particularly, students can upload images, sounds, text... Also, students or teachers could save these "posters" in a file on the computer. Lasts a lot longer than the old school poster boards! Obviously the students would have to project their posters for others to view. Easy enough though.
Animoto is such a great program and I know I will use this with my students! This would be an awesome alternative to the dull project. Love it!
Bookr seems like a fun way to spice up a book talk, a presentation, or even introducing a new unit. Good find!
Thing #1- The Networked Student (11.5 Things)
Wow! What a lucky student! I want to be in that teacher's class!
If I want to be a "Network Sherpa" or a "student of Connectivism," I have a lot of learning ahead of me. I love that it's the teacher's role to teach the students how to build this network and to take advantage of learning opportunities. Sounds like fun for both the students and teacher. Much better than lectures and reading from a text book! And obviously much more relevant to learning and succeeding in the 21st century. I'd love to make this (or something like this) work in my class, so I'd better learn a lot in this 11.5 Things!
What a great lesson for students to take control of their own learning and to make new connections with others who will strengthen the learning process. It seems ridiculous that you can learn everything from the teacher. I certainly don't know everything, so my kids would be out of luck! Better instead to help facilitate their exploration and learning. And really, at the point that a student could create a virtual textbook of sorts, clearly that student has learned more than in the traditional class.
And, just as an added perk that I'll have to try, I love that I can hear lectures from the best professors from around the world. That's just cool! Maybe I'll go to Harvard tonight. :)
If I want to be a "Network Sherpa" or a "student of Connectivism," I have a lot of learning ahead of me. I love that it's the teacher's role to teach the students how to build this network and to take advantage of learning opportunities. Sounds like fun for both the students and teacher. Much better than lectures and reading from a text book! And obviously much more relevant to learning and succeeding in the 21st century. I'd love to make this (or something like this) work in my class, so I'd better learn a lot in this 11.5 Things!
What a great lesson for students to take control of their own learning and to make new connections with others who will strengthen the learning process. It seems ridiculous that you can learn everything from the teacher. I certainly don't know everything, so my kids would be out of luck! Better instead to help facilitate their exploration and learning. And really, at the point that a student could create a virtual textbook of sorts, clearly that student has learned more than in the traditional class.
And, just as an added perk that I'll have to try, I love that I can hear lectures from the best professors from around the world. That's just cool! Maybe I'll go to Harvard tonight. :)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thing #23: Summarize Your Thoughts About This Program
I've gotten so much out of 23 Things! I feel like I've spent much more than 18 hours on these projects, but I've learned a lot. I'm really excited about this experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
1. My favorite exercise was using the Image Generator. Fun and clever!
2. Although I thought I was relatively tech savvy, this program taught me that I have a lot to learn. Most of the 23 Things were new to me. Clearly, there is always more to learn! In order to keep up with the advancements in technology, I need to be a lifelong learner.
3. I had a difficult time with the podcasts and audio books. However, I'm impressed (and shocked!) that I learned the basics, and I'd like to continue playing with this.
4. Some things had TONS of explanation and help, but I felt like others were lacking support. Again, I was very overwhelmed by the podcasts and audio books, and I would have appreciated more help. Then again, I guess I could have asked for help by commenting on others' pages. Oh well.
5. Yes, I would definitely participate in a program like this in the future!
6. Gratifying
Thank you for this experience!
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