Tool #4

I created a document with a teammate to plan our Humanitarian Expo. We started a list of countries that had natural disasters. We tried the chat feature and found it very helpful to collaborate without a face to face meeting. I have used Google Docs with students this year. They have sent me their pieces of writing & I have sent them documents as well. They hardest thing for them was typing in my long email address. As our time becomes more & more packed with meetings and an endless "to do" list I could definitely see sharing our nine week newsletter with teammates for editing and collaborating. This would eliminate yet another meeting after school. Next year I will continue to use Google Docs for publishing student writing and I hope to venture into using forms more.I created a survey at the beginning of the year to get to know my students. It was very easy to do and share. Students had no problems accessing the form. I wish I could have used forms more often. My goal was create assessments, but I just never got around to creating them.

Tool #3

YouTube and Teacher Tube are my go-to websites for finding videos to use in class. I like posting book trailers to get my kids hooked into a book. You Tube tends to offer more videos. I didn't like the commercials on Teacher Tube--which are new. I posted 2 examples of book trailers my students made. They worked with a partner...working in groups larger than 3 doesn't work too well.

I also posted a video of Grandma Moses that we watched in class after reading a TAKS passage about her my students had a lot of great questions, so I went straight to You Tube to find some information. It's awesome to have so much information so readily available.Who knew test prep could create such great curiosity.

I learned that as long as students are publishing in Google Apps at school for school related work almost everything is covered under copyright laws. I think giving credit for where images are from is something that I plan on working on next year. When searching for Images in Google I tell my students to click on "Advanced search," go to "Usage Rights," and click on labeled for reuse" I will also add freefoto to my list of image searches.

Finding Picasa's "remix allowed" was a little tricky at first, but after some navigation and exploration I figured it out. Basically the remix allowed allows users to manipulate and use the images without any copyright issues. I do like the share feature which would be helpful if you need images for an assignment and you don't want your students to just go out to Google Images or free foto. This allows you to preselect a selection of approved images.

Tool #2

After completing the above, share you thoughts about building and participating in an online community and participating in a PLN. What points stood out to you from the commenting advice? Were you able to apply any of the advice in your comments? How did you feel about sharing your thoughts publicly? Was it different than when you're sharing your successes/challenges with your teammate?

The "list of things to consider" are exactly what kids need to be taught to do when using blogs in the classroom. I would definitely shorten the list, but this list is a great tool to use when teaching. I have no problems sharing thoughts publicly ...especially among teachers. We are all here to collaborate and share wisdom.

Share the url or name of a website or social network that you plan to visit in the future. What does that site have to offer?

Tammy's Technology Tips for Teachers - If you join her mailing list you will be sent a tip a week. She has great easy ideas that can be used in the classroom immediately. She offers screenshots to help guide you when trying to use the tools yourself.

http://elearning-mesc.wikispaces.com/iPads+for+Learning -This wiki had a lot of great links/resources for using iPads in the classroom. I love how it's very easy to navigate through and easily organized.

The Educator's PLN -This site is VERY overwhelming to look at...so much information and text! Wow! I just went straight to the "Blogs" link at the top of the page...tons of great resources.

Wonderful Websites - I came across this which is awesome because all the links are in one place. I know I am going to be exploring some of these sites this summer.I've used some of the web 2.0 tools, but I am always on the look out for more.

I started using Google Reader when I took 11 1/2 Things or 23 Things and I love it because it is so easy to just look at all the blogs you follow for updates.

Tool #1

I didn't run into any major problems setting up my blog or voki. I forgot that the comments default is only registered users, so I needed to go back and allow anyone to comment to my blog. Also,when posting my Voki there is an option on voki to embed this to blogger, but it embeds it as a post...not gadget. It was very quick to fix. There many decisions to make...which background do I want my blog to have? Which voki character? Which voki background?Find the voki voice was amusing, but I finally found one that sounded almost human.

I have participated in 23 Things and 11 1/2 Things, so I am comfortable setting up a blog. I have used blogs with my students as well.