Librarything
This was a pretty cool site. First, I am not a big reader, but I can see how this would be a great site for those who do a lot of reading. I know my wife and mom are both big readers. They both have specific authors that they like and trade books all the time. My wife usually goes to the local library to check out her books.
I know it really takes a specific book to grab me and pull me in. But if I can find some books similar to what I like to read, that would be great. I like that it provides you with more options in the reading you want to do and you don't have to guess or get lucky finding a book. One author that I enjoyed reading (Dr. George Sheehan) I only knew of a few books he had written. When I did a search on him, I found all kinds of things on him. He writes mainly about running (back surgery ended my jogging career) but you can get some insight on the mental aspect of running and what it takes to run a marathon and just jogging. I would definitely recommend, Going the Distance: One Man's Journey to the End of His Life, it is sad, but a great book.
I enjoyed looking at the Zeitgeist tab section on the site. There was so much information you could look through. Authors, reviewed books, top books, and much more. I thought that was great.
The talk tab was neat to. I enjoyed the collaboration that goes on. You can get a feel for a book from a variety of people.
Overall, I thought this was a very helpful website. I can see this being used by teachers, friends, colleagues, and anyone else who is passionate about reading. I will tell my wife and mom about it for sure.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Thing 7a
Google Reader
I just Don't Like Technology
This was a situation in which I have to deal with every year. The blog talks about a teacher who doesn't want to use technology at all. She doesn't use computers, interactive whiteboards, or even a cell phone. So, what do you do with a teacher like this?
I can understand some teachers fears of coming to the lab or using something new, but they have to remember we need to give every child an opportunity to learn in a variety of settings. You can reel in or capture a student using technology. Once they get a bite of it and is successful, they will work for you.
Teachers can be and are overwhelmed by the demands that are put on them today. So, I tell our teachers to start out slow. Find something you would like to do and start making that a routine every year for your students. Gradually, you can start to use other types of technology. But the key is to give it a try.
In the blog it gave a great example about going to the doctor. Don't you want him/her to stay up on the new technologies out there to help them better diagnose a problem. I would say yes.
I just Don't Like Technology
This was a situation in which I have to deal with every year. The blog talks about a teacher who doesn't want to use technology at all. She doesn't use computers, interactive whiteboards, or even a cell phone. So, what do you do with a teacher like this?
I can understand some teachers fears of coming to the lab or using something new, but they have to remember we need to give every child an opportunity to learn in a variety of settings. You can reel in or capture a student using technology. Once they get a bite of it and is successful, they will work for you.
Teachers can be and are overwhelmed by the demands that are put on them today. So, I tell our teachers to start out slow. Find something you would like to do and start making that a routine every year for your students. Gradually, you can start to use other types of technology. But the key is to give it a try.
In the blog it gave a great example about going to the doctor. Don't you want him/her to stay up on the new technologies out there to help them better diagnose a problem. I would say yes.
Thing #14
Wordle
This toy for generating "word clouds" as they put is it neat tool. I think this would be a great thing to use in class. However, I did read in the news on a Wordle blog how this could be used in an inappropriate way. Wouldn't you know that. You have a great tool that can be used in a positive way, but it only takes one to use it negatively. The blog posting was about blocking certain sites on Wordle, but you would have access to their front page which will never posted anything inappropriate for classrooms.
What could you use this tool for? Well, we are working on technology terms for our 8th graders. I could create a cloud and print them out. I could do one large could for all the terms of the 6 weeks, or break it down every 2 weeks. They would have the terms with them and could mark them off after they have been discussed and learned.
You could use this in a science class. Create a cloud with terms from space travel. Student would have to put those terms in order of importance if something happen and had to survive or until you are rescued. You could have them in groups so that collaboration is taking place and problem solving is being discussed. It would be great.
This would also be good for an English class. You could create a cloud of punctuation rules for students to look for when they type or write a paper. This would be something they would keep all year to refer back to.
You could create a cloud for strategies for taking a test. This could help students who stress out when TAKS comes around or remind them of things they can do to help them take the test.
I could go on and on. This is a great tool. I will definitely use this and share this with my colleagues.
This toy for generating "word clouds" as they put is it neat tool. I think this would be a great thing to use in class. However, I did read in the news on a Wordle blog how this could be used in an inappropriate way. Wouldn't you know that. You have a great tool that can be used in a positive way, but it only takes one to use it negatively. The blog posting was about blocking certain sites on Wordle, but you would have access to their front page which will never posted anything inappropriate for classrooms.
What could you use this tool for? Well, we are working on technology terms for our 8th graders. I could create a cloud and print them out. I could do one large could for all the terms of the 6 weeks, or break it down every 2 weeks. They would have the terms with them and could mark them off after they have been discussed and learned.
You could use this in a science class. Create a cloud with terms from space travel. Student would have to put those terms in order of importance if something happen and had to survive or until you are rescued. You could have them in groups so that collaboration is taking place and problem solving is being discussed. It would be great.
This would also be good for an English class. You could create a cloud of punctuation rules for students to look for when they type or write a paper. This would be something they would keep all year to refer back to.
You could create a cloud for strategies for taking a test. This could help students who stress out when TAKS comes around or remind them of things they can do to help them take the test.
I could go on and on. This is a great tool. I will definitely use this and share this with my colleagues.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thing # 13
Online Image Generators
Trading Cards
Image Chef
O.k. this thing was addictive. I played around on a couple of these generators. I used a golf photo I had and wanted to see what I could do with it. This was a lot of fun not to mention
several things you could do.
I wanted to try the Flickr Color Pickr but didn't figure that one out. I thought you could do some cool things with it. You could use that in a science class. You could get students imagination working with it.
I also tried Comic Strip but I couldn't' figure out how to save it. I was able to put my face on a Blackberry phone. I wanted to save it, but like I said, didn't figure it out.
I will definitely go back and play around with
Trading Cards
Image Chef
O.k. this thing was addictive. I played around on a couple of these generators. I used a golf photo I had and wanted to see what I could do with it. This was a lot of fun not to mention
several things you could do.
I wanted to try the Flickr Color Pickr but didn't figure that one out. I thought you could do some cool things with it. You could use that in a science class. You could get students imagination working with it.
I also tried Comic Strip but I couldn't' figure out how to save it. I was able to put my face on a Blackberry phone. I wanted to save it, but like I said, didn't figure it out.
I will definitely go back and play around with
Thing #12
Create a Slideshow
From Furry Creek Golfing
by Grantsviews
What is Microsoft made golf balls?
by Kevitivity
Jupiter Golf Course
By captainkimo
I enjoy the game of golf, if you couldn't tell by the name of my blog, so I looked through a couple of pages to find these. There are some really awesome courses and golf holes out there. This is one thing I really like. I want to do this kind of activity with our students. I think this is right up their alley-action, audio, motion, and they can creative it. I want to use Animoto for sure. I want students to not only create it, but to be able to collaborate and be active with it would be excellent. I think the students would think it is cool and be active in it.
From Furry Creek Golfing
by Grantsviews
What is Microsoft made golf balls?
by Kevitivity
Jupiter Golf Course
By captainkimo
I enjoy the game of golf, if you couldn't tell by the name of my blog, so I looked through a couple of pages to find these. There are some really awesome courses and golf holes out there. This is one thing I really like. I want to do this kind of activity with our students. I think this is right up their alley-action, audio, motion, and they can creative it. I want to use Animoto for sure. I want students to not only create it, but to be able to collaborate and be active with it would be excellent. I think the students would think it is cool and be active in it.
Thing # 11
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=jupiter+golf+course&m=text
by captainkimo (hide)
I enjoyed the Flickr experience. It has a lot more to offer than just posting pictures. I always thought it was like any other digital hosting site (photobucket, ImageShack, VillagePhotos). The make stuff section was really cool. I would like to make a book, cards, calendars, and print out some of my own photos. I try to do things similar to that through iPhoto or our local Walgreens or CVS. I like the map idea as well. I think that really adds to any photo and you can come home and map out your trip. I would like to play more on this site to use it more and take advantage of it to use both professionally and personally.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thing #10
Creative Commons
I have never noticed CC on a website. I did learn about them in my Intel class I took this summer. I never new anything like this was out on the net. Likemost teachers out there, I used several images, movies or audio on a powerpoint. I think it is a great idea. So many of
our students and many others around the district google to get their images. If not there, maybe they use yahoo images or some other search engine site. I know lots of teachers require their students to do projects some time during the year. This would be a great place for them to get their images or maybe share some of their own. I am sure Copyright laws have had a hard time keeping up with the all the things on the net including music, photos, and movies. That is a tough situation. I guess a draw back on CC is not being able to develop it more. You know someone could always add to it.
I have never noticed CC on a website. I did learn about them in my Intel class I took this summer. I never new anything like this was out on the net. Likemost teachers out there, I used several images, movies or audio on a powerpoint. I think it is a great idea. So many of
our students and many others around the district google to get their images. If not there, maybe they use yahoo images or some other search engine site. I know lots of teachers require their students to do projects some time during the year. This would be a great place for them to get their images or maybe share some of their own. I am sure Copyright laws have had a hard time keeping up with the all the things on the net including music, photos, and movies. That is a tough situation. I guess a draw back on CC is not being able to develop it more. You know someone could always add to it.
Thing #9
Wiki
After working through the sandbox and doing my activities I can honestly say I will not being going back to a Wiki. I found the activity very frustrating. The main reason I feel this way was knowing this activity should not take to long to complete, but turned into days. My edit this page icon disappeared and took me a couple of hours to find it. Meanwhile, I didn't know if I missed something in the instructions so I had to go back and read them over and over. Awful.
I was really frustrated by the time I finished it. The bad thing, I was looking forward to this activity and learning about a Wiki. Now I am not so sure. I think the other thing that probably bothers me is that it is real simple. However, the I didn't find it to be that way.
Pargolfer
After working through the sandbox and doing my activities I can honestly say I will not being going back to a Wiki. I found the activity very frustrating. The main reason I feel this way was knowing this activity should not take to long to complete, but turned into days. My edit this page icon disappeared and took me a couple of hours to find it. Meanwhile, I didn't know if I missed something in the instructions so I had to go back and read them over and over. Awful.
I was really frustrated by the time I finished it. The bad thing, I was looking forward to this activity and learning about a Wiki. Now I am not so sure. I think the other thing that probably bothers me is that it is real simple. However, the I didn't find it to be that way.
Pargolfer
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thing # 8-Stretch
Wikipedia-West Texas State University
This site does seem pretty valid with the information on it. I grew up close to it and attended WT the first couple of years of my college career.
The other reason I picked this was to follow a friend of mine who is a professional basketball player/coach. I was to get to his site and it was up to date. As with professional athletes and coaches, they have to move sometimes. He did in the offseason, and the site made reference to it.
The site was give a 'B" on it quality scale which means there is no major issues with it, but does need some work on it. I enjoyed looking at the discussion tab, however, since WT is now part of the A&M system, it is assessed by them.
Looking at the history of the site was interesting too. I didn't know you could do these two things and more. I always wondered how people could update or change information on Wikipedia. Of course the only bad thing, is how legitimate is the information that is being put on it.
This site does seem pretty valid with the information on it. I grew up close to it and attended WT the first couple of years of my college career.
The other reason I picked this was to follow a friend of mine who is a professional basketball player/coach. I was to get to his site and it was up to date. As with professional athletes and coaches, they have to move sometimes. He did in the offseason, and the site made reference to it.
The site was give a 'B" on it quality scale which means there is no major issues with it, but does need some work on it. I enjoyed looking at the discussion tab, however, since WT is now part of the A&M system, it is assessed by them.
Looking at the history of the site was interesting too. I didn't know you could do these two things and more. I always wondered how people could update or change information on Wikipedia. Of course the only bad thing, is how legitimate is the information that is being put on it.
Thing #8
Wiki's
I enjoyed # 8's assignment. The Wiki's that I looked at were pretty cool. I do use Wikipedia at times, so it was neat to see how Wiki's can be used by teachers as part of their classroom.
Primary Math
This was a neat Wiki site in that it involved in educational lessons and the teacher used her students as part of the lesson. You know that students love being a part of the lesson. It is just like when I am cooking, my 6 years old wants to help me. It is the same concept. The lesson were good as well. Easy to follow and understand. I could see using this type of Wiki to help out with science and math concepts. Especially since we all struggle with those 2 subjects. A Wiki that comes to mind would be the High Five Bridges. You could create a Wiki about the types of bridges (science) and then include (math) how precise everything had to be measured and piece together to make it all work.
Schools in the Past
This Wiki was based on experiences. I thought this was a neat idea as well. Great collaboration and input from a variety of people/students. Very informative and students can at least get some kind of understanding of how schools were at one time. I would have like to seen some pictures, yearbooks, and fashion styles which could have added even more interest to the Wiki. You could even put a link to a quicktime video of some of the participants on your Wiki. With this Wiki, you could create a time table as you got information and added it to your
Wiki for students to see.
Thousands Projects
This too, was another good Wiki. The ideas they had were great. I like them having a project each month. The collaboration was brilliant as well. Getting schools from around the district and the state to participate added to the Wiki. I like this one because of the involvement. I think that can make an impact on students.
I could use a Wiki in my classroom to create ideas for teachers. Since I am not in a classroom any more, teachers are always asking me how to create a lesson for them, or how to use a certain type of technology equipment or software. It would be great for them to have a resource to go to so that they could get ideas and introduce their students to new software program or equipment.
I enjoyed # 8's assignment. The Wiki's that I looked at were pretty cool. I do use Wikipedia at times, so it was neat to see how Wiki's can be used by teachers as part of their classroom.
Primary Math
This was a neat Wiki site in that it involved in educational lessons and the teacher used her students as part of the lesson. You know that students love being a part of the lesson. It is just like when I am cooking, my 6 years old wants to help me. It is the same concept. The lesson were good as well. Easy to follow and understand. I could see using this type of Wiki to help out with science and math concepts. Especially since we all struggle with those 2 subjects. A Wiki that comes to mind would be the High Five Bridges. You could create a Wiki about the types of bridges (science) and then include (math) how precise everything had to be measured and piece together to make it all work.
Schools in the Past
This Wiki was based on experiences. I thought this was a neat idea as well. Great collaboration and input from a variety of people/students. Very informative and students can at least get some kind of understanding of how schools were at one time. I would have like to seen some pictures, yearbooks, and fashion styles which could have added even more interest to the Wiki. You could even put a link to a quicktime video of some of the participants on your Wiki. With this Wiki, you could create a time table as you got information and added it to your
Wiki for students to see.
Thousands Projects
This too, was another good Wiki. The ideas they had were great. I like them having a project each month. The collaboration was brilliant as well. Getting schools from around the district and the state to participate added to the Wiki. I like this one because of the involvement. I think that can make an impact on students.
I could use a Wiki in my classroom to create ideas for teachers. Since I am not in a classroom any more, teachers are always asking me how to create a lesson for them, or how to use a certain type of technology equipment or software. It would be great for them to have a resource to go to so that they could get ideas and introduce their students to new software program or equipment.
Things # 4
I found after reading my five blogs, I didn't realize how they could be so different. I found some blogs to be very educational and informative. While others, I felt, were very opinionated. I do understand that blogging can be base on opinions and not facts, but some blogs can try to persuade the reader on their particular content.
I like the blogs that were develop by students and teachers. Sharing experiences with each other created some positives comments. This also open up the door to getting people involved no matter what the grade level. Information that was not only important to students, but to parents as well.
(http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2007/09/an_open_letter_about_cyberbull.html)
http://students2oh.org/2007/12/16/teaching-brevity/
Blogs are very similar to books, newspapers, and magazines. Is there a difference between them and blogging? I don't know. Just like you have a good book, you could have a good blog. It all depends what you like I think. If you have a blog you like to read, you are going to go back to it. Whether for articles, or pictures, or other information, you prefer that over another one. I like blogs that I can relate to. I don't want to read one that is trying to persuade me or change what I believe in.
I do think that blogs can facilitate learning. Especially if it is teacher based, and or student based. Getting students involved and having them collaborate with each other is a great tool for a teacher for many reasons. It can be a motivational tool for students who may be bored or are computer learners, collaboration with students all across the world, and developing and exploring on their own blog.
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/mahlness/2007/02/is-this-ssr-20.html
http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/
One blog I took a look at was one in which it had good information on, but one that I would not go back to. I just felt the way it was set up was confusing and busy to me. Just like a good website, you want to feel comfortable getting around it in.
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2007/01/spies-like-us.html
I like the blogs that were develop by students and teachers. Sharing experiences with each other created some positives comments. This also open up the door to getting people involved no matter what the grade level. Information that was not only important to students, but to parents as well.
(http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2007/09/an_open_letter_about_cyberbull.html)
http://students2oh.org/2007/12/16/teaching-brevity/
Blogs are very similar to books, newspapers, and magazines. Is there a difference between them and blogging? I don't know. Just like you have a good book, you could have a good blog. It all depends what you like I think. If you have a blog you like to read, you are going to go back to it. Whether for articles, or pictures, or other information, you prefer that over another one. I like blogs that I can relate to. I don't want to read one that is trying to persuade me or change what I believe in.
I do think that blogs can facilitate learning. Especially if it is teacher based, and or student based. Getting students involved and having them collaborate with each other is a great tool for a teacher for many reasons. It can be a motivational tool for students who may be bored or are computer learners, collaboration with students all across the world, and developing and exploring on their own blog.
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/mahlness/2007/02/is-this-ssr-20.html
http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/
One blog I took a look at was one in which it had good information on, but one that I would not go back to. I just felt the way it was set up was confusing and busy to me. Just like a good website, you want to feel comfortable getting around it in.
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2007/01/spies-like-us.html
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thing #7
Commenting on Blogs
I enjoyed learning the how to "comment" on a blog. I think it is important to know the proper procedure to comment on someone's blog. If you do it correctly, the owner of that blog can only take your comments in a constructive positive way. There are several way of doing this:
-have meaningful comments
-say thank you when you comment
-contribute to the discussion, people like to talk and listen
-don't ignore responses
I was watching a Real Sports episode the other night. They were talking about how the internet has taken away and close some of the most respected newspaper companies in America today. Frank DeFord, a great writer, made a good point about blogging and newspaper reporting. He said anyone can create a blog (which is true) and anyone can comment on it. However, with the newspaper, investigative reporting was the backbone of the story. Reporters had to do their work precisely to get the story right. It would take multiple sources and hard investigating. Creating a blog does that as well, but it can turn into a discussion based on one person. I thought it was very interesting the way he thought the internet has impacted print news today as well as blogs.
I enjoyed learning the how to "comment" on a blog. I think it is important to know the proper procedure to comment on someone's blog. If you do it correctly, the owner of that blog can only take your comments in a constructive positive way. There are several way of doing this:
-have meaningful comments
-say thank you when you comment
-contribute to the discussion, people like to talk and listen
-don't ignore responses
I was watching a Real Sports episode the other night. They were talking about how the internet has taken away and close some of the most respected newspaper companies in America today. Frank DeFord, a great writer, made a good point about blogging and newspaper reporting. He said anyone can create a blog (which is true) and anyone can comment on it. However, with the newspaper, investigative reporting was the backbone of the story. Reporters had to do their work precisely to get the story right. It would take multiple sources and hard investigating. Creating a blog does that as well, but it can turn into a discussion based on one person. I thought it was very interesting the way he thought the internet has impacted print news today as well as blogs.
Thing #6
I found the reader activity to be pretty neat. I like that you can scan through your readers and find information you like to read about or new items that catch your attention. I have several blogs that I like to follow, but I went to each and every one. This makes it so much easier. This site I found several years ago (http://askthetechies.com), is one I try to keep up to date on. It was part of Ohio University's tech program, but it has now gone private.
They do a great job a explaining software and hardware information. They talk about PC's and Mac's. When I decided to change our web site and use iWeb, Ask the Techies was a site I went for tutorials and instructions on how to set it up and use it. I even sent a email to them which they got back with me pretty quick. I thought it was pretty cool for them to take the time out and get back with me.
I also like that university students were part of the blog and website. They are usually on top of new technology that is out there.
They do a great job a explaining software and hardware information. They talk about PC's and Mac's. When I decided to change our web site and use iWeb, Ask the Techies was a site I went for tutorials and instructions on how to set it up and use it. I even sent a email to them which they got back with me pretty quick. I thought it was pretty cool for them to take the time out and get back with me.
I also like that university students were part of the blog and website. They are usually on top of new technology that is out there.
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