Thing #9 Getting lined up

I enjoyed reading from The Cool Cat Teacher blog. I like the idea of the Circle of the Wise. With such limited time, I agree that it is important to spend that time wisely reading information that is valuable. Reading from the edublog was a valuable use of my time; I learned about the Second Life webworld and looked at some of the award winning blogs.
I found that Bloglines was the easiest for me to use. I typed in "careers" as a search, and I received informational links on aptitude tests, resume writing tips, job searches, and choosing a career. When we work on the career unit in class, I can see where these links could be helpful. I found that Topix and Syndic were not as easy to use; they required more steps and did not provide the type of links I was looking for. I was not too impressed with Technorati, but I have read positive comments about it, so I will go back and give it another try. I like the idea of adding links from those bloggers you know and trust. I have looked at some of those sites/blogs, and I see the benefit of fanning out from my "wise circle." I appreciate the time and effort other teachers and librarians have put into placing valuable links on their blogs. Getting lined up takes time and a discriminating eye. I am connected to a few lines for now and plan to go back and line up some more links later.

Thing #8 A Feast

I like RSS Readers because they can save so much time and frustration when I am searching for information. There is information available for which I was not aware I could even search. RSS feeds can help students with research or current events projects. I look forward to using this tool to find more information that I will use to develop better units for my English classes. I am excited about the possiblity that I could add dimensions to my stale lessons, fleshing them out with more indepth information or ideas. Not sure yet what this will look like, but I am always on the lookout for current articles to include in a literature unit to connect to the fiction and help students further explore a theme. RSS Readers would be a powerful library tool to help students locate information in a more efficient way. The term Lifelong Learner has taken on a whole new meaning. It will take a lifetime to read and learn just a fraction of the ideas and information available through this amazing tool.
I have set up my google reader and subscribed to a variety of sites. I look forward to helping myself to a daily feast of information and ideas. Let the feast begin!

Thing #7 Great Google!

I feel amazed at how many tools are available through Google. It is fun to receive my daily Google alerts, and I have filled in my Calendar for the month. I can see many class applications of these tools. Our team usually prints out monthly calendars for our students with major assignments, etc. on them. The Google calendar would allow us to update these calendars and make them available to students who have misplaced their copy or do not have it with them, or to parents who want to know what is going on. We could place links on our school webpages for some of these tools. The google alert would be especially helpful during a research unit, so students could access the most current information about their topics. I plan to take some time later and explore more of the tools like google earth and google calendar Team Edition. So many tools . . . not nearly enough time to use them all. Oh, I almost forgot, I have to go check on my daily google alert. I wonder what Harrison Ford is up to today . . . .

Thing #6 Trading Card Travel

So many toys, so little time! The trading card, mosaic, and puzzle maker are my favorites so far. I will definitely go back and play some more. What a great way to actively enjoy favorite photos!

I can imagine many classroom applications. The trading card I designed is a writing assignment. Important ideas and assignments could be presented on a trading card to get students' attention.

Mosaics and puzzles could contain words along with photos to teach a concept or show students sentence or story structures; teach sequencing or connections.

I feel so inspired by these great technology tools. My next goal is to create a mosaic representing the main story line of a summer reading novel to use in the fall. However, since it is only the beginning of summer, I think I will go work my beach puzzle and sip some tea.

BJ

Thing #5 Flickr Fun

I had fun with the Flickr photos. I loved browsing through the

groups and choosing favorites. I felt delighted when I realized I could review my favorites in a slide show. As I searched for favorites, I realized something about myself. My favorite photos are those that I can imagine myself stepping into. They are usually nature scenes at the beach, by a river, or on a path in the woods--anywhere I would enjoy being.

I can see many possibilities for using Flickr photos with students. Students could choose favorites and present a slide show accompanied by a written explanation of their choices; they could create a fictional story about the photos; they could also use context clues in the photos to give character traits or setting details and suggest plot possibilities. Writing figurative language about the photos would be another creative application. Students could also upload their own photos from group projects. Flickr definitely got my creative juices flowing. I may begin working on lesson plans in June--imagine that! But right now, I am going to imagine myself into one of my favorite photos--feel free to do the same. Enjoy.

BJ at the beach

Thing #4 Ready to play

Registered and ready to play. The only thing holding me back is not being home this week to spend time on the playground. I am participating in an externship all week. It is a great experience, and I have been talking to people who know that blogs, flickr, and google are not terms for things grubby kids do, but great tools that are used in the business world. We must expose our students to as much technology as possible, so they will not be left behind. We must equip them with these tools as they get ready to enter the work force, or they will be standing empty-handed in the unemployment line. Technology is truly their future. We must also arm ourselves with an arsenal of ability, or we will be shot down by our lack of knowledge and proficiency. Lifelong learning--it is not a luxury--it is a necessity.

Thing #3 B Great Ideas

The other thing I enjoyed about beginning my blog is looking at bloggers before me. It is helpful to read questions, ideas, and successes from other bloggers. I especially enjoy all of the creative names, and I like looking at the interesting avatars. I feel inspired by all of the inquiring minds who have gathered here to learn and share experiences. I hope I will be able to share some nuggets of knowledge and interesting experiences that will help and inspire others.

BJ