Thing 6

Well....that was a earful. I'm not really sure I even understood most of that information. I never really gave much thought to copyrights regarding technology usage in the classroom. I guess I thought copyrights pertained to making photocopies of textbooks and worksheets, as well as watching videos in the classroom. I also thought that everything we used in the classroom had to be bought or sited.

Until today I never even heard of Fair Use. Since I am now totally confused as to what I can and can't use I think that all teachers should become aware of the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use. It is important that teachers now what is acceptable and unacceptable. I think that anyone who used media in the classroom should be well informed in this area. I know one thing, whatever tools I do use, I will find out if it is legal.

Thing 5: Blossoming

My creation
Originally uploaded by candiski

What a great activity! I could play around with my pictures for hours.....and I already have. Mashups would be a great tool in the classroom, whether it is used as a getting to know you activity, add to a piece of writing, or create unique gifts for parents. I think students of any age would have a great time playing around with their pictures.....what a fantastic way to spark creativity.I can also see if complimenting my classroom newsletters throughout the year or altering various lesson plans (such as vocabulary games).

Au Sable River

Au Sable River
Originally uploaded by nasunto

This is the view I woke up to every morning of my honeymoon. My husband and I had the choice of spending money on a honeymoon or going simple and using the money towards school.....we chose to go simple. However, I don't really think it matters where you go on a honeymoon as long as your there together. :)

Anyway, in the craziness and chaos of the wedding day I totally forgot to pack my camera. We have absolutely no pictures to remember our fabulous week on this beautiful river in Michigan. Since our assignment was to explore flickr I decided to see how many pictures I could find of the Au Sable River (most people haven't a clue of where it even is). So, I'm busy searching and I stumble on this wonderful photograph. It amazes me at how well it captures the beauty and peacefulness we experienced every day of our trip.

Until this class I had never even heard of flickr. What a great way for people to share pictures with others; whether it be sharing with friends or someone with a common interest. I'm eager to explore and learn more about this site.

Thing 3-Life Long Learning

The hardest and easiest of the Life Long Learning Habits. I've always considered my self a life long learner. I enjoy learning new things to the fullest....learning is an incredible journey that can take you anywhere.

I would have to say that PLAY would be the easiest of the learning habits for me. I love to play whether its playing dress up with my 20 month old daughter, rollerbladding with my husband, bowling on the wii with friend or, using my software to create digital scrapbooking pages. I believe that play is a powerful and important tool in a child's development, as well as an adult. I think when you use play to learn something new it takes the pressure off of being perfect. You are free to try new tools and if you make a mistake, all the better. How else will we learn? For me personally, I feel that when I play around with new technology I am more likely to try new things. If I make a mistake I count it as a learning experience and use it to my advantage. I've learned, I improve, and then I try again.

I would have to say that CREATE MY OWN LEARNING TOOLBOX would be the hardest habit for me. I have learned lots about the internet and can navigate myself on web pretty well. However its the tools that go with it that are hard to keep organized. With all the technology out there it is easy to know a little about a lot of things. I have a tendency to know "enough" to get by but not enough to do well. AND, there are plenty of tools that I have heard about but really not very little. I hope that this class will help me to organize the tools that I have, help me to use the tools I know a little about more effectively and then definately add to my toolbox.

23 Things-Thing 2

Hmmmmm....what makes a good blog? For me that's easy: colorful, pictures, an occasional video, easy to read and the ability to make comments. A number of my friends have blogs and I have one through my Shutterfly account. I am most interested in these personal blogs. I am drawn to my friends' blogs that keep their site update. I enjoy learning about what is new and exciting in their family and making a connection through my comments and conversations.

I have found that blogs are a much easier, less complicating way to self publish. A person can write and edit their blog at any time from virtually anywhere. I like that I can add update once a day or once a week. I have found that a person can add as much detail to their blog (making it more complex) or keep it nice and simple.

As far as blogs enhancing websites....definately. They cost nothing and are easy to use. They also allow people to comment on your site and offer positive or (sometimes) negative feedback.

23 Things-The First Thing

Wow! After reading A Day in the Life of Web 2.0 I realize how much more technology can be used in the classroom; not just as a tool for students, but parents as well. Up to this point I've used speaker/mics, power points, overhead projectors, leap pads, computer game and educational internet sites in the classroom. Never, in my wildest dreams did I think of using a classroom blog as a way to communicate with parents and include them in my classroom. It is my hope that this course will show me how I can effectively use a blog in the classroom. I am also hoping that it with show me other tools and resources that I can you use to help educate my young students. Some many students come to school, never having the privilege and advantage of technology. It is my job as their teacher to prepare them for the future.....a future that includes technology in every aspect of their lives.