When exploring Go2Web2.0, I found ToonDoo which is a free website that allows children to make their own cartoons or books. This website is user-friendly. When creating a book or cartoon, all you have to do is click on the options you want and drag them to the template. I believe that children would be able to get the hang of this tool really quick. What I really liked about the website is not only does it have a lot of options to use, but you are able to add your own as well. This will allow kids to make it even more personal. Another great feature is that after your project is completed you can publish it so others can see or you can keep it private. The only thing I do not like about this app is that sometimes it can take a little too long to load the pages or images, but what then again, what website doesn't have its issues.
This tool would be useful in the classroom or library setting in that it allows children to be creative. ToonDoo could be used within the classroom to make projects or presentations for whatever content area you are teaching. The apps and resources seem to be endless. As teachers we need to use all these resources to our advantage and make learning experiences more fun so that children stay motivated to learn. It all starts with us.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Thing 5
The term "School 2.0" to me means that we have a wide range or resources and technology at hand. Schools used to teach from the standard textbook and whatever other printed materials the teachers could get ahold of. Today, in the 21st century we have the internet, but not just the same internet we had when it was developed. Today we have a more diverse and sophisticated internet. There are many more resources available. School 2.0 allows us as teachers to host distance learning classes, write blogs, use youtube clips, and download useful software/programs. Technology is here to stay and for most students is a huge part of their lives both in and out of the classroom. We as teachers need to use this to our advantage. Many of times I have seen children in classrooms using SMARTboards and interactive programs to learn and understand the material being taught.
What does School 2.0 mean for schools in the future? It means that our students will not only be reading from textbooks, but using online interactive tools to understand and communicate with others. Classrooms are incorporating all types of technology; from SMARTboards and iPads, to iclickers and smart phones. For those schools who are not embracing the technology, soon in the future they will have no choice but to. Businesses everywhere are using all different types of technology in order to communicate and promote their business. In order for our future generations to take care of us when we get old, we have to to take care of them now.
What does School 2.0 mean for schools in the future? It means that our students will not only be reading from textbooks, but using online interactive tools to understand and communicate with others. Classrooms are incorporating all types of technology; from SMARTboards and iPads, to iclickers and smart phones. For those schools who are not embracing the technology, soon in the future they will have no choice but to. Businesses everywhere are using all different types of technology in order to communicate and promote their business. In order for our future generations to take care of us when we get old, we have to to take care of them now.
Thing 4
Commenting on someone's blog provides them feedback; this allows them both positive and negative criticism. I believe that commenting provides a sense of community and interaction because it allows many different people to express their opinion and views on a particular topic/issue. Commenting allows everyone to see others points of view and to consider their opinion/knowledge in the future. The blogger needs to establish a safe commenting zone that allows everyone to be involved. This brings everyone closer together because they know they can express their opinion and it will be respected.
After reading a few articles about commenting on others blogs, I found it important to keep in mind that some bloggers respond to comments posted through private email. This allows for a more personal relationship between the reader and writer. Also, I think it is important to write a meaningful comment in response to what someone has posted on their blog. Just writing things like "nice post", "I agree", and "wow I didn't know that" are unacceptable comments. The writer has put the time into writing the post, now as reader, put the time into reading and commenting back.
I chose to read and comment on two blogs that pertain to my career field of elementary education and my love for social studies. These blogs are: http://4theloveofteaching.blogspot.com and
http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com. As far as commenting on student blogs, I chose to comment on students from another class to see what they had to say. Those blogs include: Amanda Hensley, Debra Tolladay, Lorraine Houliston, Callie Davis, and Laura Cooper. I chose to comment on these individuals because they were from a different section and I was not able to get to know them in class, so this was a good way to get to know them. Also, I commented on these particular ones because I found what they had to say was interesting.
After reading a few articles about commenting on others blogs, I found it important to keep in mind that some bloggers respond to comments posted through private email. This allows for a more personal relationship between the reader and writer. Also, I think it is important to write a meaningful comment in response to what someone has posted on their blog. Just writing things like "nice post", "I agree", and "wow I didn't know that" are unacceptable comments. The writer has put the time into writing the post, now as reader, put the time into reading and commenting back.
I chose to read and comment on two blogs that pertain to my career field of elementary education and my love for social studies. These blogs are: http://4theloveofteaching.blogspot.com and
http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com. As far as commenting on student blogs, I chose to comment on students from another class to see what they had to say. Those blogs include: Amanda Hensley, Debra Tolladay, Lorraine Houliston, Callie Davis, and Laura Cooper. I chose to comment on these individuals because they were from a different section and I was not able to get to know them in class, so this was a good way to get to know them. Also, I commented on these particular ones because I found what they had to say was interesting.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Thing 3
After doing this blog, I think that a blog can be a useful classroom tool, maybe not so much for the students, but for the parents. When I become a teacher and have my own classroom, I believe that a blog would be a useful tool to communicate to parents on what is going on in the classroom. At the end of every week I would post a summary of the week's activities and, if appropriate, post pictures of the activities or experiments we did. This blog would allow parents and other family members that are not able to be with their student, access to inside the classroom. This blog would give them a chance to find out what their student is actually doing, not just the short version they get from their kids.
I think another useful way to use this blog inside the classroom is to post homework assignments. This way if a child forgets their homework or tells their parents they don't have any when in fact they do, get it done. Parents can make sure their child's homework is completed on time and correctly.
Also, I would be able to post online resource links within the blog for students and parents to use at home.
I think another useful way to use this blog inside the classroom is to post homework assignments. This way if a child forgets their homework or tells their parents they don't have any when in fact they do, get it done. Parents can make sure their child's homework is completed on time and correctly.
Also, I would be able to post online resource links within the blog for students and parents to use at home.
Thing 2
Before this blog, I had never written or even seen a blog. Of course through TV shows and other sources of media I have heard about blogs, but never had the interest in following or writing one.
When setting up the name of my blog, I wanted everyone to know that this was my first attempt at anything like this and that if it doesn't turn out very good that they know why :) Deciding on my posting name was easy... I wanted everyone to know who I was, so I used my real name.
Setting up the blog was a lot easier than I initially thought it would be. My teacher had me terrified about this blogging assignment, but after doing it, it turns out it's a lot simpler than I had a imagined.
I am a pretty simple person and my avatar reflects exactly who I am, well sort of. These cartoon-like characters always make us look a little... "funny". I'm pretty sure that my head isn't that big in real life, but hey maybe it will make me look smarter on this blog.
When setting up the name of my blog, I wanted everyone to know that this was my first attempt at anything like this and that if it doesn't turn out very good that they know why :) Deciding on my posting name was easy... I wanted everyone to know who I was, so I used my real name.
Setting up the blog was a lot easier than I initially thought it would be. My teacher had me terrified about this blogging assignment, but after doing it, it turns out it's a lot simpler than I had a imagined.
I am a pretty simple person and my avatar reflects exactly who I am, well sort of. These cartoon-like characters always make us look a little... "funny". I'm pretty sure that my head isn't that big in real life, but hey maybe it will make me look smarter on this blog.
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