Thursday, August 5, 2010

I enjoyed the majority of the activities, some of them just weren't up my alley, but that is fine. I tried several things that I would never have tried before.

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I love Wordle, it will be a must in my class this year! Skye was really fun to learn how to use. I am now able to talk with my brother based at Camp Pendleton, CA face to face, so exciting! I look forward to using my new found knowledge of skype to use this year with my librarian!

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I don't know that it has change drastically changed my learning goals, but it has enhanced them. I have many more online tools now to add to my classroom especially when it comes to projects. There are so many ways to approach projects using the web and having fantastic outcomes.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I think all the posting about the different aps for the iTouches is a definite take-away. You can spend way too much time playing at the Aps store, so now I read others postings and get some more ideas of good aps for class. I know once I play with slideshare some more and get the hang of it, I it will be great. I wasn't able to get the hang of it when I posted, but I am working on it!

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I am not sure I have any ideas. I really like the format and the concepts it teaches. I give it 2 thumbs up!

11.5 Things #11

I think out of all of the 11.5 Things, #11 is of most importance and applicable at any age when using the internet/computer.Here is my list of 5 things I would discuss with my students as we start off the year in the library using the itouches and computers:

1.Safety- Stressing the importance of safety when using the web! Teaching and instilling in them that they should NEVER give out personal information to any website or person on the web. Do not get into talk with anyone you don't know either. My students of course are 5th graders, so this is of high importance for me to share with them.

2. Good resources- Helping them to identify what would be considered good resources. I would most likely give them a list of kid appropriate websites at the beginning of the year and we could add to the list as the year progressed. As they better with understanding what a good resource is, I would allow them to start looking for other resources to help their research or topic of study.

3. Etiquette- So many times and email or posting can come across the wrong way even though it was not meant to be ugly. Teaching students proper web etiquette will help them to be polite and not get into a situation where something posted hurt another students feelings. I think this would be the easiest to teach and share. No body wants their feelings hurt.

4.Proper citing- This is a must! I always stress to my students if you use something from a website then you must give proper credit to the source. I always have a sheet for them to look at in order to properly cite the source when we start to do research.

5. Cyber Bullying- This topic was discussed in our library, but also we pulled in our DARE Officer to address the issue. As we saw this past year on the news this has become a major problem for kids. So we stress to them to tell an adult immediately, don't let it get out of hand. If you feel you are being being bullied online then let an adult handle it. There is no reason for bullying online or in person.

As for my lesson, I would have the librarian co-teach it with me. Based on these five things, It would take about 5 weeks t complete. We would address each of the topics above using an online computer cartoon guy. I can't remember the website our librarian used, by the lessons were good. After each lesson we could have the students go and practice proper computer usage.

Monday, August 2, 2010

11.5 Things #10

Ok, the whole Second Life thing is creepy to me. I don't have any reason, except this class to have a second life. I found it very confusing. I lost my iris' for a minute and looked as though I was possessed, then I couldn't change my clothes. I really didn't care for the outfit I had on. I am not a fan of this particular activity. I find it very strange that you can become some one else. Why, does one enjoy this? I know people do it escape the real world, but I am particularly fond of my life in the real world and have no need to be someone I am not. Thumbs down to this one. It has no reason for being in the classroom. I didn't think it was easy to understand the directions and trying to figure out how I got to China where I didn't even speak Chinese was really weird. I have experienced it for a short time span and will not go back. However, I did like my name.. Scarlet Turquoise!