If All of my Classes Did This

“If All of my Classes Did This” by Wendy Wolfe

In this podcast presentation were ideas and examples of how various internet tools could be applied to the classroom and learning. Some of the programs Ms. Wolfe discussed were ToonZoon, ReadWriteThink cartoon creator, Gliffy, Zoho, Gcast, Scrapebook and VoiceThread.

A few of these programs would be exciting to use with some of the upper elementary students. I’m looking forward to experimenting with some of these. Our school has begun using Professional Learning Teams, I’m on the Technology team. Some of the suggested online programs discussed here would be great to bring to these meetings. Because I’m not clear on what to use these with, bringing them into this small group who is excited about learning and using new technology. Then collaborating with them on project might be a good avenue for me to travel.

As always, student privacy and safety is a concern. Some of the sites mentioned would need to accessed through a classroom account. Some sites were more flexible than others having numerous ways to publish. Multiple student collaboration on Gliffy or Google docs site could be monitored.

The programs that I am most interested in experimenting with are ToonZoo and ReadWriteThink Cartoon Creator. Everyone has a story to tell and I think using the cartoon creators would be a fun and creative way of doing this. With the thought bubble feature this could also be incorporated into an illustrator study and his use with thought bubbles.

Using these online resources opens the world to our students and teachers. Web 2.0 gives us learning a lot of new tools to use in the classroom.

Learn to Blog, Blog to Learn

Wow! There is a massive amount of information in the webcast “Learn to Blog, Blog to Learn by Anne Davis. Even when using the “beginners” pages Anne provided, I was overwhelmed with information. Anne has definitely put a lot of time and effort into this endeavor and it shows! The introductory webquest had great insight and information to be used with students. This can be used with beginners and experienced students in the world of blogging. The examples of student work will be helpful when setting up and introducing our own school blog.

I’m thinking of using a class blog to have the students discuss books that have been highlighted for our student elected state book award called Maud Hart Lovelace. Initially I am planning to start with 4^th & 5^th grade students for this book discussion. Then collaborating with one or more media specialists in the district, open this up so the students from other schools will have the opportunity to talk about the books from this preselected list using the blog.

Being that I have little experience with blogs and students, I will be curious to see how eager or comfortable the students will be in putting their work out on the page for others to see. I’m also interested in the student’s reaction to others’ responses. Some of the features within Blogmeister that I especially appreciate are that it gives the teacher control over every word that is written, the teacher can make the post public or private and the teacher also approves all comments and posts. Another feature that teachers will be pleased with is that student email addresses do not have to be used.

The intent of using a blog in the classroom for me is to have the students use this as a springboard to reflect up what they are learning. I would also hope this is another way to for them to grow to be good citizens and accepting of others and their opinions.

Me Blog – No Way

“Me Blog – No Way” by John Pearce

The format of this presentation I liked a lot. Each of his points was presented first with using a voki (imitating a person we all recognized from our schools) and then an explanation and hints for each of the points of interest and concerns expressed. The presenter discussed many concerns about blogs that are constantly expressed by educators.

I agree with John that our means of communication is changing and we owe it to our students to become involved and participants. Two things that motive students are the use of technology and the chance to communicate with one another. Blogging combines both of these activities for our students and can be channeled into an educational activity.

I would like to begin blogging with students. The presenter hit the nail on the head when he stated that some people’s reluctance to blogging with students (mine) is because of the safety factor. The suggestion to bring the principal, leadership team, coworkers and parents on board are going to be key factors in the success of the student blogging. And he also suggested some elementary leaders might think that this activity is more for the secondary level. This also was something that was in the back of my mind. But then again, in elementary school we already teach internet safety and bullying. Rules and prodical for blogging would be an extension of this. I intend on having students blog about books they have read. This will be an extension of a reading and writing projects.

Students are already using forms of blogs such as ClubPenguin in the elementary school. If we as elementary teacher wait to include blogging in our teaching we are missing a chance to reach and motivate many of our students using tools that are right at our fingertips.

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The Why’s and Wherefores

“The Why’s and Wherefores” by Brian Crosby

With this webcast, Mr. Crosby has shown his audience that free internet based tools such as Flickr, Skyp, video conferencing, wiki pages, blogging can be incorporated into elementary classroom work to change the look of 21st century learning. Through example, Mr. Crosby shared ideas of projects he had used with his classes.I especially appreciated the classroom examples shown with each of the internet tools explained. Incorporating these motivational tools into writing, social studies, science and especially community service lessons are great lessons for both teacher and students.

The Aha moment for me in the video podcast was the realization that with Flickr the class and I can share digital photos taken for class projects without me distributing these into individual folders for student access. This will be a great time saving resource for me to use with many lessons.

Also using blogs for writing projects and students comments is also another great way to teach internet ethics and safety. Student book reviews blogged onto a classroom page can be used as a learning and promotional device in the media center. Being that many of these tools are free make them even more amenable.

Oodles of Googles

Sharon Betts discusses how students can use a google account to organize their online materials for a report. This podcast gets me excited to delve deeper into my own Google account. There are so many items to try using a Google account. In the presentation, Sharon navigated in Google using the Notebook, History and Docs options. She demonstrated how to add pictures, cut and paste from the history and clip and collect information as she surfed the web. She organized her picture, text and sources from the notebook page.

The feature that I am most impressed with in Google docs is the sharing opportunity. With this option students can collaborate using this online file. There are different levels that allow the option to share work through adding, editing and/or viewing levels. Both students and teachers will find this feature beneficial when collaborating on projects.

Options that were new to me in this podcast were the presentation mode available. Google docs has a slide show option available to directly publish work online. There is also an feature for feedback and reflection on work completed. Files may also be archived in Google docs ad discussion groups take place here.

The biggest benefit I see in using Google docs, notebook, history and other features in the ability to easily extend collaboration with others at your network. It is convenient to use, participants can be from near or far, the format is similar to other familiar word processing and slide show programs, it’s free and accessible to anyone with internet access.

Holding a Mirror to Our Professional Practice

Keynote #5 “Holding a Mirror to Our Professional Practice” by Derek Wenmoth

Derek very cleverly used the analogy of a mirror reflection as to how we as educators need to reflect upon our practices used in the classroom and the value of reflecting being so important. All too often we are too busy with lesson plans, grades, testing, etc. to take time to look at our own teaching practice. Getting feedback from others, forum sharing, diarying the learning journey through blogging, collaborating, subscribing and reading professional journals are all means to gain new insight.

Time seems to be the biggest factor as to why so many professionals let this go by the wayside. As shown at the end of this podcast, through a grant, selected teachers were awarded a one year sabbatical to share ideas with colleges and coworkers. Their comments on the benefits of this endeavor stated that this opportunity gave them time to think about their practices and share with others, collaborate with others, personal growth in relating with others and see what other schools are doing. All of these things seem to revolve around taking time (which is so precious) to do this for yourself and your teaching practices.

The presenter also posed the question, “ What have you been doing to reflect on your current practices in the classroom?” Some of the suggestions given were opportunities that are readily available and doable without seeming to be overwhelming time consumers. These included: soliciting mentors that provide you with feedback, subscribe to professional reading journals (online or print), join a community of practice either online or face to face, subscribe to RSS feed, present at workshops. If a person would start with a few of these ideas and be diligent in staying with it the benefits would be great and the time factor less of an issue.

Almost all teachers realize the importance of self reflection and self study. The challenge is taking the time and finding the right tools that best suit the individual.Holding a Mirror

Step by Step Building a Web 2.0 Classroom

Step by Step Building a Web 2.0 Classroom by Drew Murphy

This was an excellent presentation and very informative. Mr. Murphy’s information was fun and informational. The combination of video, pictures, word processing and web shots instructed and demonstrated the 2.0 tools for the classroom.

By dividing the presentation in to the 10 basic and essential skills needed, I can picture how this information could be broken down and used in staff development mini sessions. Mr. Murphy began the presentation with explaining why or what benefits Web 2.0 can offer teachers. All of his reasons would pique most teacher’s interest. However, saving teachers time would be at the top of this list. This in itself would interest most although I do think a lot would still be skeptical of some of the technology. Several other points made were: these tools enhance class interaction, provide effective and relevant lesson options and can make teaching more rewarding. Another point that he did make was that it would take additional teacher time to initially learn how to incorporate these so they are implemented in meaningful ways.

One of the points and suggestions made in this podcast was not assume your learners know how to do some basic steps when using the web tools. Show learners how to use shortcuts when using simple commands like cut and pasting. Another point made is how abstract these functions and skills may appear to concrete learners. Tabbing and windowing were examples used for this.

Many great ideas for professional development were discussed and ideas to use in my own lessons will be shared with colleges and student learners alike. Web 2.0 in the classroom definitely brings teaching and learning to a new level.

Sustained Blogging in the Classroom

The podcast “Sustained Blogging in the Classroom” by Jeff Utecht gives one much food for thought. Being only in the infant stage of creating a classroom and professional blog for myself, it is beneficial to hear suggestions from others that have been blogging for a period of time.

The point in this podcast that I felt will be the most important for me is to prioritize blogging with the students and make it part of the daily schedule. If I am serious about having the students learn to blog and use this as part of their learning, I will need to make blogging not an add-on but part of the curriculum.

As suggested in the podcast, part of my time with classes with each class is spent with readalouds, checking out books and silent reading. I could make a change in the schedule and rather than time for silent reading each period, have students read and comment on the blogs. I also liked the suggestion of the students making their own personal learning network and each student could elect what they will be reading during this time. This network could be selected including suggestions by students.

Step to prepare the students for blogging was also suggested. The sequence suggested starting out by only having the students read other students blogs and comments first. The next step would be to have the students give comments to other student blogs. And then if comfortable, create their own. Many great tips were shared for sustaining blogging with students. Taking blogs from journals to conversations and sharing will be one big step forward.

The Collaborative ABC Movie Project

“The Collaborative ABC Movie Project: Using Technology to tell Stories” by Bonnie and Kevin Hodgson

Kevin and Bonnie have quite a story to tell. Their collective project brought together people from all over the world with the same interests. In putting together an ABC movie with each person producing a “page” for their part of the book they have brought together people and stories within stories. In addition to this they have created for this conference a web page with a multitude of information on how this was created and reflections from many of the participants.

Now, how do I take from this and apply it to my own student lessons? The idea of an ABC book is not new, but a digital book is. An idea for me that has developed because of this podcast is to have the students create an ABC book using this same concept only scaled down considerably. As they did with this project, letters would be assigned randomly to students and they would then be responsible to think of a word or words that are associated with their letter. At first rather than giving them choices I would start with short (15 sec) video about their letters. Suggestions would be to video themselves, pictures, claymations or anything that would highlight their particular letter. I might have the 5^th grade students make a video of how that letter applies to 1^th grade and then share this with 1^st grade.

With each of the webcasts viewed there is an overriding theme of collaboration, community, and interaction with others. You don’t need to know the people to collaborate with them as pointed out in this workshop. Getting involved in a networked community that shares the same interests and desires as you do is also an overriding theme for Web 2.0. I appreciate the willingness of others to share their ideas and knowledge.

Cell Phones as a Learning Tool

Wow! I didn’t realize a cell phone could do so many things until listening to Liz Kolb’s web cast about Cell Phones being used as learning tools. Not only did I not think of the many uses described here for the classroom but did not realize the vast amount of connections with the internet.

I will continue to learn more about cell phones and their resources. But I am not sold just yet on the idea of using them in an elementary classroom. First of all I don’t think many of our students have access to their own cell phone or even their parents for any length o time. In just the past few years we have been noticing that more of our population has internet access from their home. This has been changing. However, I still don’t believe the number of students at our school that have this available would warrant integration of this into the curriculum.

I think Liz is a very forward thinking person and eventually the cell phone will become a knowledge gathering tool in addition to a means of communication. Use of cell phones will create very enthusiastic learners. But until the cost of the phone, service and internet connection drop it is still a resource that many (especially elementary age students) do not have.

Personally I would like to try several of the resources on the web discussed. I found the audio recording and podcasting very interesting. This appears to be a very seamless way to create podcasts using software such as Gabcast, Gcast, Hipcast and Evoca. Once again, many of these tool are free on the web. Two other software programs that looked intriguing were PrivatePhone and Jangl for teachers who don’t want to give parents their private phone numbers. This is a convenience because it can be accessed by cell or land line and responded to by phone or email.

Some of the uses for in the classroom I feel are a little “out of the box” for most just yet. Rather than using cell phone to complete classroom projects, I would agree they will be used in the near future for things such as research and reference tools. Yahoo, Wikiipeida and Flickr are a few of the engines that are promoting this.

Nice work by Liz Kolb. She is very educated of cell phone and their capabilities. She is a forward thinker and an accomplished teacher of her topic.