thing 13 DONE!

admit better bit blog code comments continued delicious dianne done educational embedding facebook fancy felt flower found friend fun getting heard help hopefully http mashup mention mr munch nelson net perhaps pm posted problem share sites skip start sunday things think trouble tv video view watching week widget work writing

created at TagCrowd.com

I think the tagging in this thing would be very helpful when using other computers to find your favorite websites. With a site like delicious you can keep all of your favorite websites in one spot. As far as the tag cloud I think it is neat but not sure how I would use it with first graders. I suppose if I had a class blog I could do something like this for the parents with important words from subject areas we are learning about. Maybe I could have the children respond to a book we read in class by giving me words that make them think of part of the story and then I could create the tag cloud. I must admit I don't really understand what the purpose is except it looks neat and adds a creative flair to my blog.

Thing 14

http://delicious.com/ct_lady_di

Here is the link to my delicious account. I think once I get better at figuring this out I can see where it will come in handy with coworkers. We will be able to share sites that we found to be helpful. We could mention it at lunch time and then when we have the time check out the bookmarked site that our friend mentioned. Right now I don't have many sites to add but will work on it.

I did skip over Thing 13 as I am having trouble with the java code again. So I will go back to that thing later in the week.

thing 12 continued

I was a bit nervous doing thing 11. I wasn't sure if it would work or not since I had so much trouble with the mashup and embedding that code. I felt so good once I found my two items and put them in without any trouble. Both worked the first time. So yes, I am getting much better at embedding code into my Blog. I am also pleased that my blog is getting a bit more exciting. I remember looking at Mr. Skip's when I first started and he had all the fancy things. Now I am getting fancy too.

I still don't really understand why teens today are so into the social networking. I know my niece was down visiting back in Dec. and I was amazed at how much time she spent on line with Facebook. I guess they just like to be in contact all the time and enjoy sharing every little thing that they do. The only thing I have liked is that I am spending time doing this instead of perhaps watching TV. If I was watching TV I would want to be munching. I find as I work on the computer, I don't get the urge to munch. So maybe I should start doing more on my blog, with Facebook, etc and then I can loose weight. I do have to admit that it has been fun and I am impressed with what is out there.

Thing 12

Get a Voki now!

Thing 8 done?!?

back to thing 8 hopefully

http://metaatem.net/words/flowers

Thing 11

I posted several comments to my friend's blogs. I do think commenting is important because otherwise it feels like you are just writing stuff and no one is out there. I know I was thrilled when I first heard from you last week. I finally felt like my writing was being read by someone who cares. I loved the positive feedback. I should have commented on Mr. Skip's blog and perhaps I would have heard back from him over the weekend about my problem. As my friends do more things I can see commenting on them as we learn together.

Thing 10 continued

Well, we are back where we were with thing 8. I cannot get the video downloaded. I think it is the same problem as the mash up thing. I noticed that on the lower left of the blog there is a small circle that rotates and it says processing video but it never seems to finish. I waited 30 minutes and still nothing. What am I doing wrong on this part? HELP!!!!!

Thing 10

Here is the life cycle video of the butterfly (I hope)

Thing 9

Well, my faith was restored in my computer ability. I was able to complete this Thing. Still no luck on posting my mash up from thing 8 though so I wanted to go ahead while I was in the mood.

I have heard about this thing but haven't really checked it out until now. It is rather neat finding all these videos. Maybe I can cut down on my cable bill. There sure was lots of stuff to keep one occupied.

I did enjoy viewing a few science videos. We do life cycle of plants, butterflies and frogs in first grade. I could upload these video files and with ZamZar save them onto my SmartBoard. I am taking SmartBoard tomorrow for staff development and hopefully will have time to put some of these videos to use.

I do agree that the teacher would have to be very careful in previewing the entire video first to make sure all is okay. I think it has great applications for the classroom. I am excited.

I left a comment on the site of the life cycle of the butterfly. It will be interesting to see if I hear back from the person. Fun stuff for sure.

Thing 8 cont.

Okay I am confused and getting frustrated. My husband and I have both been trying to put my memory game on my blog. We are having major problems. What are we doing wrong? I get the url address but my game doesn't come through. Hmmm this one is hard

http://www.pimpampum.net/memry/enter.php

Thing 8

http://www.pimpampum.net/memry/enter.php

Here is a link for a memory game. This would be fun for 1st graders on the smartboard.

These are cool sites. I am having fun. Not sure if I attached this one correctly though

Thing 7

After a busy day outside I took a break and added some pictures of the yard from last year. I did learn that you have to use the correct computer. I used the laptop sitting outside and all the photos weren't there. I asked my husband where the good ones were later on and they are on our main computer. Well, I did find these.

What I couldn't figure out how to do was add text to the photos. I ended up doing another posting to write my reflections.

I think this would come in handy at school for sharing photos with parents. Just not sure what the rules would be for pictures of the class on a blog. Outside of school it is great for sharing photos with family and friends.

Thing 7

Thing 6

Wow! I am feeling proud and happy at my new skill. Still not sure exactly how I did it but I got the picture. This is neat! I have to practice a lot more but it is amazing to think that any picture I might need for a lesson I can find it on line. Wow again. I remember my first few years of teaching I used the National Geographic magazine to find some many photos for my lessons. Boy, is that method outdated. I am assuming now that I have a smartboard in my class I can upload these photos onto that. Amazing.

So why did I pick this one photo? I am excited about spring and I just spent the afternoon raking out some garden beds. All those little flowers are just starting to stick out their heads looking for more sunshine. I cannot wait for the weekend so I can get down and dirty in the garden.

Spring Flower

Spring Flower, originally uploaded by Tactus68.

spring is but two days away. Yeah

Thing 5

Questions I have on RSS. How will I use it in class? How will I use it in my personal life?

I checked out the three blogs and added them to my folders. I did like the free things for teachers site. I always love to find a bargain. I did see some interesting worksheets and projects that I could use in my first grade class. I am not sure yet how I would use this outside of school but as far as school goes I think I can use blogs for ideas for the class. I remember when I first started teaching I would often head up to the teacher store to get ideas for my class and workbooks. Now I suppose I can just go on line and look or even post a blog and ask if anyone knows about what I am looking for. That is good for me but I guess bad for all the teacher stores.

I have to figure out how to add a picture to my blog like Mr. Skip did. I like his cute little character. I also know I need to spend a lot more time checking things out. I guess like all things we take it in small steps and we get there. It is interesting and at least now I have a better idea of what a blog is and how to find and use them.

Thing 4

How does one handle information overload and how will RSS help with organizing the information?

I guess this is my number one concern. How does one keep up with all the information. I have a hard enough time checking emails. When does one find the time to check Facebook, add blogs and respond to postings. I guess the RSS system will keep the blog postings all on one site but you still have to read them all. When does everything else get done? Does this just add to the teacher's already busy day? I still have lots of questions regarding all of this. It seems to be very time consuming.

I did put Mr. Skip's blog on my account and will add others as they join. I know Mrs. CLancy is doing the 23 things.

Thing 3: Blogging for Educational uses

1. How does a blog improve teaching and learning? I think blogging can help a teacher in several ways. I can see it being used more with the older children but think it can still be used in the lower grades.It can be used as a tool for communicating with parents. Instead of sending notes home with the students and hoping the notes make it home you can post a blog. Parents then can blog back and you know they get the info. Many times when we send home notes you never know for sure if the parents get them or not. It can be used as an interactive way of keeping parents informed about what is happening in class. As a teacher, I can use it to communicate with other teachers and to ask for feedback on situations I might have in my class. Of course, I would have to be careful I assume with mentioning names of students. I don't know if I could refer to my students in name on a blog or not. If a blog is out there for all to see is that a problem? Not sure.

2. How do I feel about blogging students and colleagues. I don't think I would have a problem with it. I do email parents often and will check my school email in the evening and on weekends. That said the problem with that is you never leave work behind. Parents email you and expect an answer back even if the school day is over. I guess if you don't mind spending the time it is a good way to have parents feel like they can be in contact with the teacher at any time. But should we have to be that accessible?

3. Concerns about blogging: I guess my biggest concern is that anyone can read what you post. At least with email you know it is only going to that one person but then I guess they too could share it with others. I think you have to use common sense and blog only general information. Any real issues still would need to be dealt with in person or with a phone call. Also, as I am sitting home today taking care of my husband who just had surgery, I am wondering who in wilton is reading this and wondering if I am doing this during school time instead of teaching? What happens if I am home sick one day with the flu and want to blog? Would the powers that be know that I am blogging and if I am well enough to blog am I well enough to teach? I don't know. Just wondering

As far as using a blog in my personal life I could have really appreciated this technology while I was teaching overseas about 20 years ago. It would have been so easy to stay in touch with family and friends. I think email, blogging and facebook are great things to have to keep people in touch who live far away. I remember waiting for mail and hoping I would get a letter from my family. Blogging would have been great because I could have set up my blog and my friends could have felt like they were right there in Japan with me. I guess that is progress.

Thing 2

Here are my reflections so far:

1. Why am I doing this? Not sure except I do think it is a way of the future. I need to know more about the sources of communication that are now out there. I do feel like there is soooo much I don't know when it comes to computers. I tend to let my husband deal with any problems I run into and that is not like me. I need to know more so I can do things on my own. I am also doing this for the CEUs. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Learn about the internet and get CEUs from the comfort of my house. That is kind of neat.

2. What do I want to learn? I want to learn about Twitter, blogging, podding and all those other things that I really have no idea what they are or what I do with them.

3. New insights: I think all of this technology takes time. I find with just keeping up with my two email accounts takes enough time. I am on Facebook and must admit I hardly ever check that. Now with blogging my fear is that I will be spending too much time on the computer. I like to be up and doing things not sitting. I would rather go out with friends and chat as compared to emailing and blogging what is new. But I guess on the plus side by blogging or posting on Facebook everybody knows what you are doing and what you are up too. which leads to the next thought.

4. Writing on the Internet: I have to admit that I think it is strange to just have stuff out there that anyone can read. I think you have to be very careful and think before you post things. Even just what I have written I am assuming anyone from Wilton who is doing the same project can read my thoughts along with probably lots of other people.

Now, I think I am done with Thing 2. What I am not sure of is does someone tell me I am done, do I assume I am done and move onto Thing 3?

So I guess with that I am signing off.

My first blog

Well, I guess now I can say I know how to blog. My poor husband is getting over kidney surgery and I am learning how to blog. Doesn't seem fair but it is something to pass the time with.

That is all for now.