Friday, August 6, 2010

Thing #11.5

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Again I loved being able to have this opportunity to work from home at my own pace. Some of the things I stopped and used longer because I was able to incorporate the ideas into the curriculum. Some of the things did not fit because they were not age appropriate for the grade level I teach. I like having my notebook right next to my computer to take notes in how I will adapt in the classroom. (The instant learn and use connections)

I had seen Wordle before, but was able to think of practical uses. I also love jing and how easy it is to use!


2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

One of the things I always fear is getting left behind with technology. There are so many tools and applications to use that it is difficult to keep up. One of my goals is to stay current where children are so they can be educated both in the classroom and out. In knowing the vocabulary they "speak" and understanding the tools they are using I feel I am reaching that goal. I love that SBISD provides library2play, because they take the time to bring attention to the important tools while providing the resources in an easy researched type feel.


3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I do like that the 11.5 things were shorter to complete. (23 things was brutially long, but just as good) Although I shouldn't be, I continue to be amazed at how teachers are using everyday tools within education.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

Some of the tools with 11.5 things seem to be better geared towards upper grades, so that makes it more difficult to apply all of them. I would love to see more pictures or discussion boards with teachers having applied them in the classroom. As always it was so fun playing !!!!

Thing # 11 Digital Citizenship

Below are elements of digital citizenship listed from the website listed. It is interesting to think
that not all of the elements overlap into our daily lives, but at some time or other we come in contact with them all. One of the suggested readings reminds us that proper digital citizenship does not just happen. It is just like character education or classroom citizenship, it must be taught. In the article it also talked about how the teaching can not just happen once for it to be absorbed and then used correctly everytime by students. As the technology rapidly grows, the importance for teaching digital citizenship is only enhanced.

http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
1. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.
2. Digital Communication: electronic exchange of information.
3. Digital Literacy:process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology.
4. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society.
5. Digital Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods.
6. Digital Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds
7. Digital Rights & Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.
8.Digital Health & Wellness:physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
9. Digital Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

Thing #10 teaching with second life

This thing has left me on the fence, I'm not sure if I am totally convinced that "pretending" to live in another life is good for children. I agree that we all grew up pretending and that stimulates the imagination, but Second life gives children images in which to pretend. I was completely sold against the idea, but wanted to give it a chance so kept searching. When I found the educational side of second life, I found myself seeing the value of using it in the classroom. After clicking on the link and seeing all of the environments to visit I thought it might be just the thing I had been looking for in connecting with a scientist. That's when I unconvinced myself again...why would I settle for showing my kids a location what is virtual when we can connect with the real location and people? The times I have used Skpye and videoconferencing to connect with places like the Grand Canyon have left the students with the same feeling. I feel like Second life "cheats" us out of the real experience. I do agree it has it's place, but not in place of the real thing.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Thing # 9 Slideshare

Slideshare is a good tool for students to use when making a presentation. It seems the software is easy for students to use, so they will not struggle when putting a presentation together. By putting their presentation on slideshare, students then have access to it anywhere there is internet. Although this is a great tool I am not sure this "thing" needs a whole post, so I have a hard time expressing more about how to use it.