Book Discussion Wiki

http://www.google.com/

As Krysta and I work together on our digital story, we learned that we are both reading Charlotte's Web to our classes.  We had talked about creating a Wiki for our classes to gain experience with using a Wiki.  My class has a Wiki with their MAPPs pals and they love to post comments and different ideas to it, but why not create another one with their Symmetry buddies.  We've been pleased with their collaboration and how they interact with one another.  Watching them guide each other has been wonderful.  I see many of my former students take on a leadership role as they help my students extend their learning.  In the coming weeks, after we  complete our Digital Story, be on the lookout for the Charlotte's Web Wiki!  : >)

My Tagxedo

Cool Tagxedo

I was trying out the Tagxedo website that Rubi shared with us. My Tagxedo has to do with my blog.  Check out how many Web 2.0 words there are:)  I can think of so many ways to use this tool.  My class loves word clouds and Wordles, so I know this will be a hit.  I couldn't figure out how to embed the image into my blog though.  Any words of advise???  I'm hoping to use this site with my class this week, but would like to be able to share their work....PLEASE HELP!!!

My Class Wiki with MAPPs

Wiki, Wiki, Wiki

This is a Wiki that my class is working on with their friendship school.  This MAPPs Wiki was created for our MAPPs Program.  We were adding to it this week.  We had fun discussing our visits with each other.  If you don't know about MAPPs I blogged about it earlier...check it out!  It's a great program and I'm loving the collaboration with another school.  Here are some pictures of my class working in the computer lab this week on our Wiki.  They love to post!!!

Screencasting in the Classroom

Screencasting

I think this is a great video on Screencasting and how to utilize it in as a tool to engage students in the 21st century classrooms.  I have found that many students in my class are visual learners.  Screencast can meet this need to meet the expectations to differientate for all types of learners.

I recommend watching this video....



What do you think? I can see myself using screencasting.  However, I just started doing a Wiki with my class, so I'll probably wait until they have the hang adding to their Wiki for a few weeks before introducing another tool.

Google Reader

Using Google Reader

Image credit - www.google.com/

I have no idea if I'm using Google Reader as it is intended.  I wasn't even sure I subscribed. I ended up doing a Google search for Google Reader.  Once logged in I was able to do a quick search and found specific blog postings.  Then I realized that I had been using it all along:) I can see why this would be useful if you want to blog about a specific topic or refer back to a previous blog.   How are you using Google Reader?  I hope to learn more on how to utilize Google Reader more effectively.

Image credit - Norman-Wright-Jr-Blog

My First Voki

Mrs. Klock...the Voki Rookie

Here is a link to the Mrs. Klock Voki I created.  I'm sure as I learn more about the use of Voki's I'll be able to embed into my instruction.  I have a strong feeling that my students would love to create their own Voki's.   This is a keeper!  I got carried away choosing clothing, hair styles, and my voice. 

 How funny, I chose pink because it is Spring you know:)  Yeah, Spring!!!!

 

Maybe we can all create a Voki for our Wiki on a specific topic?  

We can use it to discuss anything.  Any ideas?
Kinda creepy how her eyes follow you.

Interactive Treasure Hunting Game

Ning, Computer Exchange

Please check this Youtube video out and let me know what you think. What age range would this App be geared towards?  Does anyone know if there is a PC version?

While I was viewing some of the postings on the Computer Exchange Ning forum I came upon an interesting submission by Keyosha Olive.  Thanks Keyosha Olive!!! Treasue Kai  is an App that is based on a series of books written by Karen Robertson.  I plan to try out the game with my class...if I can get access to an ipad.  I'm not sure if there's a PC version. For now I asked my 9 year old daughter if she was interested in trying it out, and she said 'yes'.  The game is interactive and does allow for plenty of reading. It seems thrilling, and I have several students in mind when I say...Yes, I think it'll be a big hit!
 Have you used this App?

My Diigo

http://www.google.com/

         I am a newbie when it comes to Diigo, but I am finding it useful.  I've bookmarked several sites that are used regularly in my class, such as Spelling City, ixl, and Thinkfinity.  There are also sites listed that I use regularly such as Superteacher worksheets and the Harcourt Reading site.  I like the organized way to save regularly visited sites, and using the highlighter option.  Sometimes I forget that I am able to save sites that I like to my Diigo, I guess the more I use it the more I will remember that I can.  It is a work in progress.  I've begun to save useful sites for the Digital Story Krysta and I are doing together on Symmetry.  It's a great way for her to gain access to sites I found and can quickly see the portion I found useful because I highlighted within the site.  I am not sure what to do with the post-it option.  Has anyone used this feature?  How would I use it and what have you used it for?  
                                             Here is the link to my Diigo.

This is a great link on how to use Diigo in the classroom.  It is more for older learners, but I found it interesting.  I embedded it from Youtube.  What do you think?  Have you introduced Diigo to your students?

Skype with Aviva

https://twitter.com/#!/Grade1

           We seemed to more comfortable as a class Skyping and asking another teacher questions as opposed to a well known author.  Aviva shared many wonderful insights on how she incorporates technology into her grade 1/2 classroom.  I enjoyed listening to her students describe the tools they like to use and how it helps them learn.   It was interesting that both girls blog from home.  None of my third graders know how to blog yet!!  One of the questions asked was the demographics of the community which Aviva comes from.  I was not surprised to hear it was a wealthy community.  They have the funding for the most up to date technology and are fortunate enough to have the resources available to provide her students with various forms of technology.  It reminded me of a book I was assigned to read in undergraduate school titled,  Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol.  The book takes you on a journey into several public schools across the country.  To quote the summary of the book, "Kozol believes that children from poor families are cheated out of a future by grossly underequipped, understaffed and underfunded schools in U.S. inner cities and less affluent suburbs." 

http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Inequalities-Children-Americas-Schools/dp/0060974990 

What do you think can be done to ensure that students from impoverished communities get the same advantages technology wise as those students from wealthy districts? 

        The school I am working in is in between the middle income and the extremely poor.  We are incredibly underfunded, underequipped, and understaffed.  However, I do believe we are headed in the right direction.  If not by choice by necessity.  With the new standards, comes an increased demand on the rigor of instruction.  The switch from skill based to inquiry based learning was evident in Aviva's class.  I appreciate the comment that Aviva made that technology is just one tool they can use in her class.  They choose.  They have they control.  If the tool takes more than 5 minutes to explain than it's not for her.  Who has the time to explain each resource to each student.  Differientiation becomes easier because students control how they learn.  The teacher provides the objective and the goal, the students select the tool in which to reach the goal.  Awesome!!!

https://www.google.com/

        During my internship with SJC at Smith School of Science, Math and Technology I learned great ways to use technology as a tool.  Smith School is a Magnet school that had Livestreaming and ceiling mounted projectors in which to show all types of videos and lessons.  They had drawing tablets and Smartboards.  This was 5 years ago, I can only imagine where they are now with technology.  I wouldn't be surprised if students had handhelds in each class.  Unfortunately, if I don't use the tool enough after I have lessons I forget how to use the tool.  I have been to so many workshops and seminars and because I don't have the tools to use in my school I forget how. 

Wikispaces Tutorial

         Wikispace Video

         When I watched the Wikispace tutorial video on how to change the look and feel of a Wiki I learned that the organizer of the Wiki has many options. They can change settings easily so all users can have a single wiki look.  The site wide theme & colors would look the same.  For younger users this may be helpful because the continuity would make it easier to navigate.  I like how organizers can adjust the setting to allow the freedom to choose color and theme.   It is a reflection of the wiki creator.  Teachers that teach multiple classes like Middle School or High School teachers may find organizing Wikis by their look & feel helpful.  I would love each student to be able to create a personalized Wiki.  Any chance you can get a student to take ownership of their learning, they put more effort into each project and lesson. What are your thoughts about using a unified look and feel of a wiki to organize or create consistency for students? or Should students be allowed to create their own look and feel?