BP6_2010012_Link to my comment on Drew McSherry's blog post

Click HERE to view my comment on Drew McSherry's blog post.

BP5_2010012_Web2.0_T2-Bookr

Click the following link to access my book:
A Book About Me by Sarah H.
Create your own at http://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/index.php

In my Flickr lesson ideas assignment, I suggested having students use Flickr pictures to create an autobiography using Bookr. I decided to try it myself. I usually teach younger grades, so my example is very basic and simple. However, this idea can be used for any age group and for any subject area.

Bookr is a fantastic tool that is very simple and easy to use. Starting with the cover page, you simply add text. With the search engine you can find pictures according to the tag words you enter. You can add as many pages as you desire. When you find the photo you want, you click on it and it is automatically inserted into the book.

After it is completed, the book can then be published. Dr. Hanaway even suggested making it a gift for parents. This gave me another idea to have students also do a biography on someone they know. They can learn how to prepare questions, interview someone, document what was said, and piece it all together. This would also teach social skills. Not only will students learn those things, but they will also learn more about the people in their own life. This could also be used as a gift. The site allows you to insert email addresses of those who you want to receive the book. This would make a great gift for Mother’s day, Father’s Day, etc. There are so many ways to use this tool.

I hope you find this tool useful. Please feel free to insert your own ideas of how to use this tool in education. I would love to hear them.

BP4_2010011_RSS Feeds

Photo by Mirjami Manninen and retrieved at http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/10/28/feed-me-animals-a-free-rss-feed-icon-set/

My Top 5 Sites:

The Mobile Learner

I subscribed to this feed because I believe it will give me ideas on how to teach using handheld devices. It will benefit my profession by keeping me updated on the newest technological tools for the classrooms.

BYU Center For Teaching & Learning-Technology Tips

I subscribed to this feed because I can always use tips on how to improve my technological skills. It will benefit my profession by giving me step-by-step instructions once a month to ensure I am making the most out of using technology in the classroom.

Edutopia-What Works in Public Education

I subscribed to this feed because I have always enjoyed reading articles from edutopia. It will benefit my profession by providing me with excellent information about K-12 programs.

Education Week American Education News Site of Record

I subscribed to this feed to become more aware of news in education. It will benefit my profession by opening my mind up to what is going on around me in hopes that I can make necessary changes in my classroom for student success.

U.S Department of Education

I subscribed to this feed because I feel the information will enlighten my mind and understanding of current education issues today. It will benefit my profession by simply educating me on well-known educational topics.

BP3_2010011_Web 2.0 T1-Storybird

Please click the following link to access my storybook: http://storybird.com/books/if-you-give-a-mouse-a-doughnut/

Deciding on a web tool:

After looking through numerous Web2.0 tools, I kept coming back to one that I so eagerly wanted to explore. I was hesitant to use it for my blog because two of my wonderful classmates, Stacie and Abbie, already posted their wonderful examples and insights on the tool. However, I figured this was something I also wanted to learn and implement in my own teaching experiences for the future. After being inspired by Stacie’s and Abbie’s stories, I decided to learn more about the tool and how it can be used to benefit students.

Using the tool:

After watching the amazing tutorial, I became a HUGE fan of www.storybird.com. I signed up and created a storybook right away! Wonderful illustrations are provided to simply drag and drop onto the pages. Inserting text was as simple as inserting text on any given word document. Adding another page was as easy as a click of a button. Everything is kept so basic and simple so even a new user can smoothly create their own storybook without any frustrations or emotional outbursts directed at the computer or the program.

Educational uses:

I have only taught younger elementary school children. Although this tool could be used for a wide range of grade levels, my ideas derive from the experience I have had working with younger children. Many of the students I have taught are still learning basic reading and writing skills. This tool is great because it provides illustrations for students to be creative and write their ideas. I would use this as a tool for students to either individually or collaboratively write stories. Some of those stories may be focused on certain grammatical concepts being taught depending on the unit. For example, if we were learning about punctuation marks, I would teach students the basic concepts of how to use periods, exclamation marks, and question marks appropriately. Then, I would allow them to demonstrate their understanding of such concepts by creating a story that includes those punctuation marks. I think this would be a great way to encourage students to become not only writers but also actual publishers of their own work.

In addition, students can also use the tool as a reading library. Many stories are reviewed and published for public display. I would allow students to view and comment on the stories. I think this would boost students’ confidence and encourage them to evaluate, reflect, and respond.

With these ideas, I hope to help students improve in their reading and writing abilities. But most importantly, I hope to help them feel confident in the work they are producing.

BP2_2010011_Educational Uses for Blogs

Picture retrieved from www.pics4learning.com

I say, “OH MY WORD!!!” My friend responds, “Try Excel.” ☺ It is apparent, that even humor is now evolving from the technological terms present in a technologically advanced world we live in. More specifically, with blogs and wikis, writing has taken on an entirely new avenue. Teachers are consistently changing lesson plans and ideas to fit the various needs and interests of students. Many have used wikis and blogs for instruction in the classroom “to engage students in digital discussions and to create a workplace for collaborative projects” (Flierl and Fowler, 2007).

Blogs and Wikis are great tools to use for educational settings especially since many students are already familiar with how to use them. According to a recent study, approximately 85 percent of youths ages 12-17 use some form of electronic personal communication on a regular basis (Pascopella and Richardson, 2009). Before blogs, publishing any written content was the end of the writing process. With blogs, the process becomes much more than just a one-way communication from teacher to student, but a way to connect and interact with others on a continuous basis.

Adrian Miles, a senior lecturer at RMIT University and consulter on new media and education, suggested using blogs for:
• Encouraging and supporting reflective and process-based learning
• Nurturing peer support and collaboration
• Providing a record of achievement
• Assisting in idea creation
• Developing multiliteracies that allow students to participate in contemporary information ecologies as creators, rather than as passive consumers (Miles, 2006)

In the future, I plan on using blogs as a way of communication and collaboration between students. With limitations on time or students who hesitate to express ideas, blogs are great ways to allow students the opportunity to create, express ideas, and build strong and positive relationships with peers. Whether I have students contribute to a blog on their thoughts of a class book we are currently reading, or a reflection blog for students to write ideas for teacher improvement, I feel creating blogs can be a great tool if used appropriately and purposefully.

References

Flierl, R., & Fowler, H. (2007). Educational uses of blogs and wikis. Phi Delta Kappan, 89(3), C3. 1. Retrieved from Education Research Complete Database.

Miles, A. (2006). Blogs in media education: A beginning. Screen Education, (43). 66.

Pascopella, A., Richardson, W. (2009). The new writing pedagogy. District Administrators 45(10/11). 46.

BP1_2010011_iGoogleScreenShots

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