Tool #5

On the delicious networking site, I used bookmarking with tags for easy access. I really enjoy math; therefore, it is one of my favorite subjects to teach. Math fact cafe is a resource that I will be using to help strugglers in math. Here, they will be able to work on different math activities to build number sense and math stamina. This resource is called: http://www.matfactcafe.com/.

The second bookmark was a site of TAKS-like practice for my students. On http://teacherszine.tripod.com/Teacherszine/TAKS_Attack.html, students can use many of the resources to help them understand and practice high-stakes test material that they are responsible for meeting standards in.

The tags I used were "math" and "TAKS." These helped me organize my information and making my resources readily available; particularly, for students to visit.


Social bookmarking is a great source for sharing information amongst students. This can serve as a place where every single blog in the classroom can be accessed. If one student is tracking their information on "rainforest preservation" for example, another pupil researching "exotic animals" can use the links and blogs that may help them in their sccafolding for information efforts.

Tool #4

Briefly discuss how you think these 2 Google tools will aid you in your particular classroom or benefit your students in their learning process.



Google docs allowed me to create a powerpoint presentation on the "Love and Logic" workshop that I attended. I shared it with some people who currently have blogs available. Creating these presentations is a good way for students to write and edit documents in their "teams" for example. It is a great tool for students to edit with flexibility, yet virtually continue working on a given project without the time constrainsts of the school day.



Google reader is a superb resource for students to use and store important published information that they may need or desire. Reader will allow students to research and keep archives that I may have them report on. Reader is another way to keep information flowing for our student's knowledge and resource. Here, they can also share this information with others.

Tool #3

3. Briefly explain how these samples would be used and how they might add to the learning process in your classroom.

Students can hunt for pictures and other artifacts concerning the subject at hand. They can post them in their blogs by allowing followers and visitors to comment on them. This "artifact walk-thru" can be extended into a writing activity. The final writing of their artifact finding can be published!

Tool #3

I created this wordle with content-rich vocabulary so that students can do a scavenger-hunt activity, where they would find as many vocabulary words relating to the subject at hand. Students can also create their own wordles with "hidden" content-vocabulary to see who can find the most words relating to the subject we are studying.

Tool #2

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments?

1. Thornwood Music-commented on journaling idea.
2. Music is Elementary-commented on informed community events and student creativity.


3. rge technology-commented on "empowering creativity."
4. One "Apple" Daily-commented on the use of blogging across the core subjects for students.
5. Amy's House-commented on her idea of having student interact with peers "outside the classroom walls."
   

Tool #2

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?
Interacting with comments left- this advice stood out the most for me because it shows the readers/visitors to your blog that you value what they comment on. In other words, they will not feel ignored. If they get a welcoming feeling in your blog or topic, they are more likely to revisit your blog. Once more visitors get this feeling, they'll start interacting with each other; thereby, creating a community of inquirers within your blog. This is an area that I definitely liked because I want my students to really interact and comment/share on the learning that is taking place in their blogs!

Tool #2

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?
Building an online education community is an excellent way to stay abreast of the local and international educational events that affect educators and students alike. Through the building of these networks, we can share and receive new insights and developments that make the educational realm even stronger. By participating in a personal learning network (PLN), I can really gain new and rejuvenating ideas from others. Not only will I be able to share the successes that have served my students, but I can also use innovative strategies that I learn as I participate in this learning network. It is definitely a win-win situation!