I never get tired of watching this video. I think it is one of those that might touch somebody each time it is played. Hopefully, we are the ones helping to close this gap...
The Best Free and Paid Blender Courses
11 months ago
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards List
So much information in one place! I am very impressed with the Web 2.0 Awards List; I feel like I can keep exploring this one until this year's winners come up and then spend the year discovering the new ones...
I have already said before how much I liked Delicious; to me this is really a great help since all your favorite sites are organized and available from anywhere. I was surprised to see Pandora on the list. This is one of my personal favorites. You can create a free account and listen to uninterrupted music of your choice.
For school, I can see the usefulness of many of these sites. I liked the mapping sites like Wayfaring and Google Earth. Google docs can be use as a collaborative tool as well as PBWorks and Wikispaces.
I can see students being very motivated to create project products using tools like Flikr and Picasa.
I have already said before how much I liked Delicious; to me this is really a great help since all your favorite sites are organized and available from anywhere. I was surprised to see Pandora on the list. This is one of my personal favorites. You can create a free account and listen to uninterrupted music of your choice.
For school, I can see the usefulness of many of these sites. I liked the mapping sites like Wayfaring and Google Earth. Google docs can be use as a collaborative tool as well as PBWorks and Wikispaces.
I can see students being very motivated to create project products using tools like Flikr and Picasa.
Thing #18 Online Productivity Tools
I had used Google Docs before to collaborate with others while taking a class and it is a great tool to have for free. Open Office was interesting to explore. I really liked the templates available and how you can contribute to the site with your own templates.
Advantages: Collaboration, accessibility and easy to use
Disadvantages: Not being accessible from inside district, having to be online with the danger of losing your data
Advantages: Collaboration, accessibility and easy to use
Disadvantages: Not being accessible from inside district, having to be online with the danger of losing your data
Thing #17 Rollyo
Thing #16 Wikis
I am actually participating in a "wiki camp" at the same time I am playing with blogs. I think the two go "hand in hand." I will have at least two different uses for wikis:
1. With other teachers
2. With students
Being a technology specialist, my job revolves around troubleshooting daily tech problems and providing teachers with the opportunity to incorporate technology into everyday learning. I could create a wiki to target both of these areas. The wiki could have pages that will include:
Tech troubleshooting resources
Tech resources for teachers
Tech lesson ideas (divided into content areas and grade levels)
With my students, I could create units in which they will be getting information from the wiki, and then editing and adding to it.
1. With other teachers
2. With students
Being a technology specialist, my job revolves around troubleshooting daily tech problems and providing teachers with the opportunity to incorporate technology into everyday learning. I could create a wiki to target both of these areas. The wiki could have pages that will include:
Tech troubleshooting resources
Tech resources for teachers
Tech lesson ideas (divided into content areas and grade levels)
With my students, I could create units in which they will be getting information from the wiki, and then editing and adding to it.
Thing #15 Library 2.0
Reading the different perspectives from The OCLC Newsletter about the library 2.0 just affirmed my opinion; when change is happening, we have a duty to be pioneers. With the shift of the traditional library to a web 2.0 library, librarians have to embrace this new way of exchanging information. I think this blog is a great place to start. We are not only being exposed to the latest tools available, but are also getting an incredible sense of awareness about how the way learning is happening in today's world.
Thing #14 Technorati
The Technorati experience was interesting. I do believe this is a site for "advance" bloggers. I had to watch their video to understand how to navigate their site and even after that, I was not able to find blogs that I would follow.
I did claim my blog (that was cool), and I added their "favorite" button to the bottom of my blog. Their widget tool was not available...I will try again later; I feel like I need to spend some more time in Technorati, but now that my blog is there, I know i will.
I did claim my blog (that was cool), and I added their "favorite" button to the bottom of my blog. Their widget tool was not available...I will try again later; I feel like I need to spend some more time in Technorati, but now that my blog is there, I know i will.
Thing #13 Tagging and Delicious
I absolutely LOVE Delicious...How come I didn't know about this before? I have many people ask these questions all the time "How do I save my favorites when switching computers," "Can I access my favorites from another computer?"
It looks like social bookmaking is the answer!
It looks like social bookmaking is the answer!
Thing #12 Creating a Community Through Commenting
This are the two points I found most important about Thing #12 :
1. Think about what you are going to comment; there is a real person behind the blog. This is specially important if you use blogs in the classroom. It is OK to have an opinion, but criticising should always be constructive. After all, we choose what we read...
2. The blogger doesn't always have to answer to all the comments. This really depends on who the blog is presented. For example, this is the first time I am blogging so mainly I am learning and documenting my learning along the way. If people read the blog and want to leave a comment that's fine, but essentially it is not the goal for this blog to create discussions. When I read Drape's Takes blog, I can see how he is creating those discussions by trying to provoke opinions in the readers.
5 Blogs in the Library2Play Library:
Becky's 23
It's Always Pink
Nan's Notes
Learning In Motion 2
Librarian in the Middle
1. Think about what you are going to comment; there is a real person behind the blog. This is specially important if you use blogs in the classroom. It is OK to have an opinion, but criticising should always be constructive. After all, we choose what we read...
2. The blogger doesn't always have to answer to all the comments. This really depends on who the blog is presented. For example, this is the first time I am blogging so mainly I am learning and documenting my learning along the way. If people read the blog and want to leave a comment that's fine, but essentially it is not the goal for this blog to create discussions. When I read Drape's Takes blog, I can see how he is creating those discussions by trying to provoke opinions in the readers.
5 Blogs in the Library2Play Library:
Becky's 23
It's Always Pink
Nan's Notes
Learning In Motion 2
Librarian in the Middle
2 Blogs in of personal interest:
LibraryThing
Thinking About Learning
Thing #11 The LibraryThing
I truly enjoyed using Library Thing. I can see the great use of this tool for librarians; there are many discussions going on and nice groups to follow. I can see myself using the Library Thing in two ways. Personally, I can see what other readers are recommending when it comes to books I am interested in, as well as make my own recommendations. I love reading historical fiction...
Another one of my interest is science and technology, which is more related to my job. I found groups that are specifically for people interested in instructional technology, the history of technology and groups for teachers of science.
Check out my list of books on the right side bar!
Another one of my interest is science and technology, which is more related to my job. I found groups that are specifically for people interested in instructional technology, the history of technology and groups for teachers of science.
Check out my list of books on the right side bar!
Thing #10 Image Generator
I used Image Chef to create the image displayed since I am familiar with it and it is not blocked in my district. I was also able to go to some of the other image generators and play for a while. In Dumpr, I really enjoyed putting my face into a Rubik's Cube. I discovered Wordle after creating the image to the left using Image Chef. Wordle does the same thing, but in fewer steps. I was not able to get into Glogster or the Trading Card Maker, but I will sure try it from home.
Thing # 9 Library Related Blogs and News Feeds
Which Search tool was the easiest for you?
Reading "The Cool Cat Teacher Blog" was very useful, not only the information she provides, but also some of the blogs she follows served as a good guide for a beginner like me. I also searched for some blogs using Google Blog Search.
Which was more confusing?
There are so many things available that it is very easy to get "lost" within the information.
What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels? Or what kind of unusual ones did you find?
I found a social network called Classroom 2.0, where teachers interested in web 2.0 technologies collaborate and exchange ideas. I also liked a blog called "Thinking About Learning."
Reading "The Cool Cat Teacher Blog" was very useful, not only the information she provides, but also some of the blogs she follows served as a good guide for a beginner like me. I also searched for some blogs using Google Blog Search.
Which was more confusing?
There are so many things available that it is very easy to get "lost" within the information.
What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels? Or what kind of unusual ones did you find?
I found a social network called Classroom 2.0, where teachers interested in web 2.0 technologies collaborate and exchange ideas. I also liked a blog called "Thinking About Learning."
Thing #8 RSS Feeds and Readers
Some many things to learn..I had a good experience learning about RSS and Readers. The tutorial for Google Reader was very easy to understand. I selected Google Reader because this way I can use the "share" function and post what I am reading to my blog (look on the right side) under my Shared Items. I see this tool as a time saver; in education, we are always looking on the web for news, lesson ideas, freebies, etc...
By using this readers, we are helping others save time. When using Shared Items, these could be customized to an topic, content area, geographical region and so much more.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thing #7 Cool Google Tools
I am very familiar with Google Tools and they are COOL. I do use Picasa to edit and play with my pictures; I edited the picture with my girls from Thing #6 using Picasa. Unfortunately, like many things, Picasa is blocked from my district.
Google Earth is a great tool to use in the classroom. If you are teaching your students about volcanoes for example, take them to see Arenal, an active volcano in Costa Rica.
I have used Google Docs to collaborate with others while taking classes.
For the purpose of Thing #7, I played with iGoogle for a while. iGoogle lets you customize your page layout. There are many themes and beautiful colors to add to your page. You can add or delete things that interest you from your iGoogle page. I also set up my Google Calendar; I really like the fact that you can synchronize it with other exiting calendars as Microsoft Outlook.
Finally, I created some Google Alerts. I can see how this tool can be very useful for super busy people like me. Instead of having to look for news on information I am interested on, this tool allows me to tell Google what I want to be informed about.
Google Earth is a great tool to use in the classroom. If you are teaching your students about volcanoes for example, take them to see Arenal, an active volcano in Costa Rica.
I have used Google Docs to collaborate with others while taking classes.
For the purpose of Thing #7, I played with iGoogle for a while. iGoogle lets you customize your page layout. There are many themes and beautiful colors to add to your page. You can add or delete things that interest you from your iGoogle page. I also set up my Google Calendar; I really like the fact that you can synchronize it with other exiting calendars as Microsoft Outlook.
Finally, I created some Google Alerts. I can see how this tool can be very useful for super busy people like me. Instead of having to look for news on information I am interested on, this tool allows me to tell Google what I want to be informed about.
Thing #6 Mashups and Third Party Sites
"Everything I LOVE"
Because one of the challenges I encounter at work is motivating teachers to "create" by using technology, I think this will really be a great tool to inspire that curiosity on them.
By creating something meaningful, I can motivate both staff and students to take risks.
I loved creating the mosaic! It took me a while to realize that you do have to have some pictures ready before you start working on it. You can use pictures stored in your computer or you might choose to create a group of pictures in Flickr and upload from there. This is just one little sample, but Mosaic Maker has many other ways to create cool visual like this one.
Flickr Tools will definitely be a great tool to use in learning. Students could use them to summarize books, research projects, history & science projects...and so much more!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thing #5 Flickr
I have seen Flickr before, but never used it...
I choose this image while looking for something in Spain, where I am from. This is a beautiful picture; it makes me think about patience, perseverance and creativity.
Thing #3 Avatars
Creating my Avatar was FUN!
Directions were easy to follow when creating both the Avatar and the Blog. I like the dynamics of both, being able to change them occasionally so that I can keep my Blog interesting to others.
I have not looked at other participants avatars and blogs, but that is my next step!
Directions were easy to follow when creating both the Avatar and the Blog. I like the dynamics of both, being able to change them occasionally so that I can keep my Blog interesting to others.
I have not looked at other participants avatars and blogs, but that is my next step!
Thing #2 Pointers from Life Long Learners
7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Life Long Learners
The difference between being a learner and a long life learner is that the learner "learns" because he/she has to. The long life learner has a continuous desire to learn; his/her mind is always searching for new knowledge and they can't stand the notion that there are new, emerging ways of learning and not be a part of it.
I am,a life long learner...
The EASIEST habit from the 7 1/2 list is #6, using technology for your advantage. Technology is a part of my everyday life personally and professionally. I use Facebook to communicate with family and friends and twitter to keep me up to date with things I like to know. At school, we use technology for everything: lesson planning, grades, communication, professional development classes, etc. I could not imagine my world without the advantage of technology.
The HARDEST habit for me to follow will be habit #1, begin with the end in mind. I can begin thinking what I want the end product to be, but often I come to realize that what I wanted when I started is different from what I achieved. Or, I might achieve what I wanted to begin with, but the route to get there was not the one I planned for.
The difference between being a learner and a long life learner is that the learner "learns" because he/she has to. The long life learner has a continuous desire to learn; his/her mind is always searching for new knowledge and they can't stand the notion that there are new, emerging ways of learning and not be a part of it.
I am,a life long learner...
The EASIEST habit from the 7 1/2 list is #6, using technology for your advantage. Technology is a part of my everyday life personally and professionally. I use Facebook to communicate with family and friends and twitter to keep me up to date with things I like to know. At school, we use technology for everything: lesson planning, grades, communication, professional development classes, etc. I could not imagine my world without the advantage of technology.
The HARDEST habit for me to follow will be habit #1, begin with the end in mind. I can begin thinking what I want the end product to be, but often I come to realize that what I wanted when I started is different from what I achieved. Or, I might achieve what I wanted to begin with, but the route to get there was not the one I planned for.
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