Thing #12

I am continually amazed by Google. There are so many things possible because of this popular search engine. For this assignment, I chose the Google Alerts tool and the Google Plus Photo tool. I set up the alert in order to keep updated on certain blogs that center around the topics I find interesting. I am so busy in my daily life and I need a little help when it comes to updates and such. Although I might use it for a personal use more often, I can also see how beneficial it would be to use in the classroom. I want to be able to teach about the Iditarod Race in Alaska and this would be a wonderful way to stay current with the racers and sled teams. The second tool I chose was the Google Plus Photo tool. I love sharing photos I have taken with others. It is very important to me. I also like the idea of sharing pictures of classroom activities and field trips with the parents of my students. This is a great tool to help me do just that. If you want to see a few pics of some of the activities that I did with a great group of students in Christian County, KY, please feel free to click the link below.

Three Little Pig Unit 

Thing #11

This blog world is still so foreign to me but I slowly think I am getting the hang of it. I now know what to look for and what some of the acronyms stand for. I found using the Google Blog search much easier than any of the other tools listed. I guess that is on part to me being used to Google and comfortable with it. Technorati was a bit more difficult for me to navigate.

I found several feeds that will be useful to me in my own home. The coolest one I found is a blog from Mother Earth News that is informative and has inspired me to raise my own chickens. I found it interesting and fun. Now I have to convince the hubby. You can view it at http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/chicken-economics.aspx#axzz2hMhCriIc.

In addition, I found a blog for a new teacher who just starting teaching in the Alaskan bush. Her unique perspective of being both new to the community and to the job was fascinating to read about. You can find her blog at http://www.liveteachalaska.com/.

All in all this was an eye-opening assignment and it definitely opened my eyes to some of the amazing blogs online.

Thing #10

I think I should start by saying that I am not a very computer literate person. This course is a bit scary for me to say the least. I always thought that RSS must stand for something overly complicated computer gibberish and then I read Dr. Wall's definition. I had to laugh. Could it really be that easy?  I love the idea of not having to constantly look for updates on sites and having all the new information on one page for me to look at. It was a bit mind-blowing to say the least. I am a busy woman who works full time; is taking four graduate courses; and still have to do my favorite job of being a good mom to my three rug rats. Having the Feedly page will help me to save some time and help me to stay up to date on the things I enjoy the most. 

As a future educator, I can see how teachers could use this tool to keep current on new trends in education.I can see how a teacher presenting an integrated unit could use these RSS updates to help the students track any changes or updates to information. 

Thing #9

This was an interesting task. I was a little worried when I clicked on some of these image generating sites asked me to download software. My husband has really scared me when it comes to downloading anything onto my computer. However, I can see how this would be a fun thing to use.I can see me using this in some inappropriate humor with my husband and close friends. I also can see how you could use these image generators in presentations. Both of these photos were completed using the Foto Trix website.

Thing #8

Dr. Wall was correct in warning us that this activity could become addictive. This was a such a fun task. I can see how it can be used in my classroom and at home. I could use mashups when opening a lesson and to also change things up during a lesson. Students could use this tool to type up sight words in a unique way. There are so many applications for this tool in my home as well. I could use this tool in making art for our walls and creating personalized Christmas cards too. I have said before that I am not afraid to post my pictures online but I am very careful of what I put out in the public domain.

Thing #7

Fantastic Flickr!

I have had a Flickr account for years. I used it to share pictures with family and friends around the world. I also used it as a photo scrapbook during our travels while in Europe. However, I never thought of its application in the classroom until this assignment. I can see how my students could use a Flickr account to share about themselves with the class. I can also see how a Flickr based assignment would be interesting to students during an integrated unit.

For this task, I chose a photo that is near and dear to my heart. This past spring, the kids and I participated in our first 5K race. It was a Color Run event and it was absolutely amazing. Although we did not win any prizes for speed, we all finished the race together and got a pic at the finish line to prove it. We are looking forward to doing this race every year from now one.

I do know that many people have concerns over the privacy issue when it comes to posting pictures online. I choose to be responsible when posting anything online. I also have chosen not to live in fear when it comes to putting my pictures out for the world to see. Thankfully, I am not a celebrity and I do not seek out the spotlight so my pictures would probably not ever be targeted.

Thing #6

Wow!  This task was really difficult because there is so much out there to look out. Talk about a light bulb moment. I found myself getting overwhelmed and after 20 minutes or so I had to go wash some dishes just help my brain from going 90 miles an hour.

When the dust settled, I decided on a very practical and useful tool for me to explore. The site's name is Smore. It is a site for creating flyers and newsletters. I can see how this site will be very useful to me as a classroom teacher. I know firsthand that teachers are constantly sending information home and this site would enable me to create something that is information packed as well as appealing to look at. The best part is that it is absolutely free. There are thousands of templates to choose from. You can also save your work for use at a later date.