Changes to Browser and Blogging

        
         Yesterday, while working in Mozilla, just putting the finishing touches on my eportfolio, my adobe plug-in on my Wix link crashed-- this meant that no matter what computer I used--even Joe & Emily's in Chicago-- I could not access my website and finish the final project. With Joe's help and a repair link the website was resurrected.
        So here I am today working on my blog and Google pops up with an invitation to use Google Chrome-- I had gotten this invite before but ignored it because  I am happy with Mozilla-- however, today was different. Today it said "CRASH PROOF" with an icon of an adobe flash plug in-- the very one that had failed yesterday-it probably said the very same thing before, however I had no clue what it meant or how valuable it was-- Today they had  my interest! Google explained they deal with each page individually which protects against crashing-- so I downloaded it immediately--I feel safer already. It loads faster and has a crisp minimalist look-- I thought it would take some getting use to but I am already very happy with it.
        Google has a feature  Blog This! where with one click the contents of a web page can be copied to your blog. -- I found this on almost the last day of class! We are at the finish line for EDU 2500 but hopefully the starting line of my use of Technology. I am going to start another blog-- one of fun things to share. I have enjoyed this Blog

Whew!

Today I did my class presentation for my eportfolio ~ a day early.
Nice to have it done.  If you would like to see it just scroll to the bottom of my blog.I am pleased with it.  I feel I accomplished my goal of a professional look-- even using Wix instead of Wordpress

Our class is very helpful. There is good synergy. It is nice to have a cohort where everyone appreciates learning.  People who desire to be teachers are pretty wonderful people!

Wix VS. Wordpress

     Today in class we saw student presentations of e-portfolios. They were very nice with each depicting their personal style. It was decided that Wordpress.com was a better format for a professional looking eportfolio and that Wix.com is best for commercial websites.
     After hours on Wordpress I switched to Wix. My goal was a professional crisp easy to read eporfolio ~ even though I choose Wix-- we'll see Wednesday when I present!

• Here are some websites to learn more 

WIX

http://www.wix.com/steve4president/steve

•http://www.wix.com/rmsflash/rshaddix

•http://www.wix.com/dixiedoc/teched2010

•Watch the video on wix.com

WORDPRESS  

A WebQuest HOW TO  on Wordpress

http://candruswebquest.wordpress.com

Podcasting

I  often share NASAcast ~  My favorite podcast ~ NASA sends a video teaching and showing what to look for in the sky for the month! I have always loved Astronomy-- what I would have given to have this podcast as a child! (~Okay I was still impressed by color television and three channels.)  It will be fun to share Astronomy in this way in the classroom. Show the students what to look for and have the podcast on the classroom website so that parents can participate with their child. Astronomy is a fun family hobby.

To branch out from science and the news, I added some Literature-- keep myself rounded, I have enjoyed the Poem of the Day Podcast. It is Enriching.

I have enjoyed my subscription to Teacher Podcasts, 60 second science podcast and several current News broadcasts.  Like RSS feeds they update themselves which is such a plus in this hectic world to not have to think to go update and see what the latest is-- it comes to me.

Photo Sharing ~Picasa, flick'r, Photobucket

Today was my third day trying out different photo programs. I created accounts with Flick'r and Photobucket. Gave them both a spin. Then I went to Picasa. I was surprised to find I already had a Picasa account. When I logged on to open a Picassa account with my email there were photo albums ~ ones that my grown children had emailed to me ~ wedding photos, when Emily received her Masters degree ~ a family trip ~ I felt at home ~ So I added a few photo albums of my own. One thing I like about Picasa is it can be accessed through Google-- keeps things simple for me. Doing the photos has been enjoyable.
Here are some other photo sharing  sites:

• http://www.flickr.com/
• http://www.photobucket.com/
• http://www.webshot.com/
• http://www.picasa.com/
• http://www.walgreens.com/
• http://www.slide.com/

Using Forms in Google Docs

Google Docs can be SO" helpful for group projects, contributions or editing. to expand on the usefulness ~Here is a video on using forms in Google Docs

Audacity

Today I "attended" UEN's class on Audacity. It is a free easy to use audio editing program. good for both PC and Mac.It can be Downloaded at http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Audacity Teacher Ideas

Make-up work for absentees
Mini-lessons for students who need remediation
Songs that emphasize skills or rules that need to be remembered
Short stories for struggling readers
Short segments for a Voki*

Audacity Student Ideas

Make-up work for absentees
Mini-lessons for students who need remediation
Songs that emphasize skills or rules that need to be remembered
Short stories for struggling readers
Short segments for a Voki*

Here is a link to audio and images that the licensees are paid for and as Teachers we can use.

http://www.uen.org/general_learner/multimedia_resources.shtml

*Voki is an animation website where one can make an avatar person then add voice to it at audacity ~ I need to shcke out Voki

Blogs vs. Wikis

I joined this Wiki ~21st Century Skills

I have added another Wiki to my list  ~21st Century Skills.
This one is great -- it is fun with lots of resources. I will be able to continue learning about technology in the classroom by following this group sponsored by  a Middlesex School District in Townsend Massachusetts.
Speaking of Massachusetts --I have a spoof of the Kennedy vs Nixon debate. It surfaced on a `search out and learn trip` to YouTube. Before taking this class and learning about Blogs and Wikis, I would not have even been able to appreciate the political humor about information.

Blog Updates

Tonight I added wonderful widgets and gadgets to my blog. One for finding local schools, a link to Picasa, and a weather station. Hopefully my video bar will just play educational videos. I changed the filter on it.
I learned about Blinki's and added some including one for Autism Awareness. I was pleased to find a Delicious bookmark rollover. I also changed the background I was tempted to keep the patriotic themed one. I loved the design ~  but lets move on. Good things are ahead. This has been a fun night!

WebQuest~ Yes!

I just submitted my WebQuest! I have learned so much this last week. From ground zero to being able to complete a Power Point WebQuest.
Thanks to help from Sue Eyring, she will be a great teacher ~
and my many new friends at The Smith Computer Center.
I was so pleased to know that the employees there are very capable and happy to assist with any questions on a wide range of computer programs.
Learning is greatly enhanced with team work!

Peer Guidance

After eating breathing and sleeping WebQuest I am once again at point zero. There is so much background learning -- computer basics such as how to do a power point-- I have listened to several UEN classes on searching, emedia, Power Point. I have done countless rewrites. This is due Monday. Something has got to work for me to get it done. I wish we were meeting in the classroom Monday instead of Tuesday.
Monday online I will put out an SOS for some peer guidance.

Bookmarking

Delicious.com is a wonderful bookmark tool.  As I have been working on  my Webquest  it has been very easy to add websites to Delicious for bookmarking. After my Webquest is done I will look forward to working on  my Delicious site to learn more about organization. I like the fact that I will be able to have my bookmarks in one place regardless of the browser or what computer I use. I appreciate the fact that it is easy as a click to add a bookmark to my Delicious site. That one click provides me with go anywhere memory This is a very handy tool.

WebQuest

It is amazing how many ways there are to get side tracked looking for web resources. I took time out and read about searching and how to improve searches. The resources we have been given are a big help. Dr. Dolittle will be the theme of my animal WebQuest.

Widgets

Today I added a Widget to my blog!
I found a website I really enjoy
Edutopia.org
I was going to add it to the website list and thought
Hey! Maybe they offer an RSS feed
Better yet they offer a widget.
Hows that for tech hierarchy?
I have been enjoying this Widget Go ahead scroll on it! There is even a button where you can copy the script to paste into your own website and blog.

Now back to learning about webquest. I have subscribed to questgarden and believe the regular subscription rate to be very reasonable. Making a web quest will be a new adventure.

Project Based Learning

I’ve been watching videos and reading about Project Based Learning.
PBL really fits my style and values.

Some of the benefits of Project Based Learning are:
~ Increased motivation and engagement in studies
~Learning that results in Hands on student directed activity where students demonstrate what they have learned
~ It puts kids in a position where they use the knowledge they get.
~Hands on projects learn from own experience.
~Help students understand apply and retain what they are learning.
~ Develops skills such as
Critical thinking
Communications
Collaboration

What more could a Teacher ask for?

Here is a link to a video that shows 5 year olds in PBL activities

http://www.edutopia.org/beginning-journey-five-year-olds-drive-their-own-pbl-projects

Reflecting on Life

Today I submitted my resume. Writing a resume is an exercise in review. Reviewing past education, work experience, volunteer experience. I was looking for a link between teaching and my previous experience. It is good to look forward and see what will be added to my life (resume) between now and when I am applying for a teaching position.

WiKiS ~ WOW

What are Wikis? (What I Know Is)
Wikis are web pages that can be edited, by anyone
They can be used to support all areas of the curriculum.
They would add a fun dimension to any classroom.
“WIKI ~an opportunity to involve students more directly in the intellectual work of the world.”

Here are some sites to check out:

http://primaryweb2.wikispaces.com/wikis
Mrs. Cassidy’s Grade 1/2 Dinosaur Wiki
http://room2-wiki6.wikispaces.com/
http://plantproject.wetpaint.com/page/Growing+Wheat

Wikis in Plain English

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Photo scavenger hunts are a great learning activity. We had to capture parallel lines, globe, circle, rectangle etc. I t was interesting how after a few minutes the world around me turned into shapes and patterns. I am looking forward to using this activity in the classroom. Digital cameras can be used to take photos of sets, colors, collections. Etc. I think this is something students will really enjoy. Watching slide shows of field trips or other class projects will be a nice summary and reinforcement of what the students learn.

Thank you IT guys!

I got my computer back today!
It is like coming home ~ so nice.
The Help Desk really is very helpful.

RSS Feeds~

We were taught about RSS Feeds (Really Simple Syndication) in class. To find some I just typed the subject along with "RSS Feed" in my google search box and a whole list of feeds appeared. It was fun visiting sites to see which ones to include on my blog. The thing I like about RSS Feeds is they bring the information to me ~ updated without me thinking about it.
While searching I realized I have been enjoying RSS Feeds for years-- they are the gadgets on my google homepage ~ I just didn't know what they were--

Computer Rx

The Help Desk is great!
Without them I would be paying Geek Squad or someone,
I guess their expertise is a benefit of being a student!
They are going to resurrect my computer. They said the smart board software didn't load correctly and caused problems. after trying all the 'simple" options they are now going to back up my files and set it back to factory settings--
It will take two days!
Thank goodness there are other computers available. ~ I may have to recreate my artifacts.
But this is all possible.
Life is good.

First Day of Class Online

I have heard stories of having class onlineand today it was my turn. I enjoyed it. There were some Tech difficulties but Dr. Davis calm attitude was reassuring that it was alright,
Even Bill Gates has tech problems.
Although I was on a borrowed computer, everything went fine from my end and I was able to watch and learn.
Today was a good example of how to handle problems in the classroom.
Good to know!

There is more to Technology than knowing how to use it!

SOS Saturday and the student Help Desk in the computer lab is closed. I need to learn how to do this stuff myself so that I am not stranded in the classroom. Do elementary schools have IT guys?
Thursday I received assistance on downloading programs-- Friday, after Help Desk hours - my computer crashed. This is something new for it. I researched online, on a borrowed computer and it was suggested that sometimes new software downloads can do this ~Who knew. When it gets up and running I 'll take the smart board download off

Dixie's website says the help desk is open on Saturdays ~ must not be updated with summer hours-- I need to wait until Monday at 9:00-- we have class online from 7-9--I am going to try a dry run for this different computer-- can I do this without Dr. Davis being in the class room -- we'll see if I can do a check solo.

I have been looking forward to doing my photo story homework. Downloading the software to this borrowed computer resulted in the same loop as it did on my computer Thursday. However, this time the help desk is not available to pull it out --I must be patient until Monday
The computers owner just asked me not to crash their computer-- perhaps borrowing is not the best idea!
Roll on Monday!

Today I became familiar with the Student Help Desk in the Computer lab
They are very helpful.
In a few clicks my video was working for the WAMBA classroom so I am ready for Monday morning--nice feeling on a Thursday~ okay a Thursday that has all the characteristics of a Friday.
While trying to download Photostory 3 last night it was in a repair loop-- that is now corrected.
I am currently waiting for the SmartBoard download-- it is taking a while so I am very glad I am doing it on Dixie's internet rather than my slower home internet. The Help Desk said it would take hours to down load at home.
In class we participated in a digital photo scavenger hunt. We documented squares, triangles and other math terms--soon I was seeing everything as a shape!
Next step to learn how to do a power point.

Second Day Practice Blogging

Today during class we are practicing blogging--
Thank goodness it has spell check.
Dr. Davis averaged our skills and readjusted our schedule
I am not alone in my lack of Tech knowledge
I am still wondering~ Why is this little graph called a Tech BADGE?
If I change the name of my blog what would it be?
Life is good

Aah Technology Here we go.
Today was my first day of EDU 2500
Technology for Educators and Electronic Portfolios
(Keeping in the spirit of it all I cut and paste the title right out of the catalog)
I have so much to learn-- and by looking at what this course offers I will be learning all the things I have been hearing about
-- such as blogging,
This is my first EDU class what a way to start.
Let the adventure begin