Wow, is an understatement when it comes to the variety of social networking places on the Internet. To be able to connect in so many ways, through blogs, wiki's, bookmarking, RSS feeds, and with so many sites available to do it all with. It is a bit overwhelming. There's a word I am getting a lot use from lately. I know to just take it slow and use what I can with my classes. But I want to use it all!
If the day was 32 hours long and I only required 4 hours of sleep that might be feasible, but it isn't and I can't. Gathering information and sharing it with my students is very rewarding. However, not possible due to the amount of information I am gathering and I only get to see my students once a week for 45 minutes. But what I am able to pass on to them is beneficial to their growth and I must focus in the good in that.
We were introduced to Ning at the beginning of this program and I am impressed with the ease of use for the classroom. However I find it would probably work best in higher education. I can see it's potential in the jr. high as well. The social bookmarking sites also can make research much easier for students 7-12th grade and I think at least introducing this information to my jr. high kids will be time well spent. But I can't see how I would have the time to monitor a ning site along with all the other sites I have set up right now.
More lessons to write!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Class Wiki
Having the opportunity to look at other wikis and blogs has helped me to decide to stay with what I am already use to. Too many of a good thing can be a bad thing. I already have 3 wikis so adding another is going to be a challenge, but one I am prepared to take. Since the 7th and 8th graders already are using wikis and blogs in their classes I think I will create mine for the 6th grade. I have a strong feeling the 6th grade teacher will be open to that and may even incorporate it into her own curriculum.
I will explore my options on how to use the wiki that will best work for both the students and myself. Opening another forum for them to write is my main goal. Any time I can get them to use a keyboard and computer for educational purposed is a step in the right directions. I think keeping it basic in the beginning is the best. The wiki can grow as the students become accustom to using it. They are still actually 5th graders and I need to keep that in mind as I create this new avenue for creativity.
I will explore my options on how to use the wiki that will best work for both the students and myself. Opening another forum for them to write is my main goal. Any time I can get them to use a keyboard and computer for educational purposed is a step in the right directions. I think keeping it basic in the beginning is the best. The wiki can grow as the students become accustom to using it. They are still actually 5th graders and I need to keep that in mind as I create this new avenue for creativity.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wikis, Blogs, and Education
I was going to title this "wikis, blogs, and kids" but my main focus with the wiki in the beginning of this school year is to encourage our faculty to start using the computer, particularly the Internet more. So I created a staff wiki. I know, I am only asking for abuse but I have got to keep trying. Our communication (or more appropriately- lack of) over the past few years as a staff has just about crippled our school. I am hopeful that by having a one stop for all things discussed and decided we will be better informed of the happenings at STAA. One can dream right?
Last night's class touched on some old and some new. The Technorati website hosting all the really cool free stuff is just one example of how far technology has come and if we can get our educators to use all these fun toys, think of the motivation we will provide for our students. They love all the creative avenues technology has to offer. At the end of last school year I introduced my students to HTML, which is actually old technology, but they loved learning how to write computer language and to program so that the computer could respond to the language. They are so eager to try it again. It makes my job so much fun. I just wish I could get all the faculty on board and use these inventive tools for collaboration, integration, and education.
I do see that some of our Jr high teachers plan to use blogging in their classes and more teachers are hosting websites for their classrooms. I want them to become comfortable with the wiki as that is more of a communication tool between home and school and the students can do the editing. The possibilities and ease in the classroom with a wiki are endless. As I stated in class I am embarking on trying to get moodle running on my server at school. I know it will be a work in progress all year, but in the end I know it will all be worth it. So much to do, so much to learn, so much to teach!
I have 3 wiki's and think by the end of the week I will have a 4th. It gets a bit much to keep track of. One of my wiki's is for my family-the big one. Every year I plan a huge camping trip up at our cabin for about 70 of our closest siblings and their families. This year was a piece of cake as everything was posted on the wiki and we did not have 100 emails to decipher.
Keeping the lines of communication open in education is very important and the new tools on the Internet have greatly improved those lines. It is imperative that educators get on board with the information age and use technology in their courses every day.
Last night's class touched on some old and some new. The Technorati website hosting all the really cool free stuff is just one example of how far technology has come and if we can get our educators to use all these fun toys, think of the motivation we will provide for our students. They love all the creative avenues technology has to offer. At the end of last school year I introduced my students to HTML, which is actually old technology, but they loved learning how to write computer language and to program so that the computer could respond to the language. They are so eager to try it again. It makes my job so much fun. I just wish I could get all the faculty on board and use these inventive tools for collaboration, integration, and education.
I do see that some of our Jr high teachers plan to use blogging in their classes and more teachers are hosting websites for their classrooms. I want them to become comfortable with the wiki as that is more of a communication tool between home and school and the students can do the editing. The possibilities and ease in the classroom with a wiki are endless. As I stated in class I am embarking on trying to get moodle running on my server at school. I know it will be a work in progress all year, but in the end I know it will all be worth it. So much to do, so much to learn, so much to teach!
I have 3 wiki's and think by the end of the week I will have a 4th. It gets a bit much to keep track of. One of my wiki's is for my family-the big one. Every year I plan a huge camping trip up at our cabin for about 70 of our closest siblings and their families. This year was a piece of cake as everything was posted on the wiki and we did not have 100 emails to decipher.
Keeping the lines of communication open in education is very important and the new tools on the Internet have greatly improved those lines. It is imperative that educators get on board with the information age and use technology in their courses every day.
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