Thing #12

I loved the Google tools!  In fact, I had a beautiful vision about what to use to Google Calendars for.  Every year, I plan out schedules for many people right before registration.  Now, with Google Calendars, I will be able to make schedules so much easier and I'll be able to send them out.  Also, this is great for different groups (such as an honor society) to share a general calendar with all members.  I also enjoyed exploring iGoogle.  It is so nice to be able to open your browser and have all of these different topics and applications available in one click.  Ver impressive, to say the least.






https://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=QDEvczRu7ZyUuIdaqDtuCg

Thing #11

I feel like a traditionalist, but I love Google Reader.  I I just typed the subject that I was looking for (such as Book, Literature, or Cooking), and it showed me so many options and possibilities!  It was definitely easier to understand and navigate compared to other cites.  I visit a few others.  Technorati was another world!  I felt like I was lost in Mall of America-too much!  Topix was better, but not nearly as simple as it should be. So, still all-in-all, I'm a Google girl at heart.

Thing #10

I love RSS and Newsreaders!  I think this is the best thing since Google!  I always hated having to open 400 tabs to check the things I wanted to see.  This is an excellent way of being able to connect different mediums of information.  This will be great for me in my career life because it will help me be able to see ALL of the updated websites, blogs, and other pages.  This will help me stay up-to-date on new education legislation, possible lessons, and other important news.  It is also a great way to stay in communication with other educators.

Thing #9

I found these sights fun!  However, I was shocked that some were "charging" for these services.  I felt as if these services were minimal compared to other sites that we have browsed in this class.  The process of creating the image through the generator was relatively easy.  You simply chose the desired picture (in my case, smiley face!), then you type the text you wish to appear.  These could be useful for a teacher because it allows you to create cute/funny pictures while using them to explain or inform.

This image was created at http://www.happyfacegenerator.com/.

Thing #8

I thought the Spell with Flickr was amazing!  The fact that you could change the picture of a letter by clicking it-outstanding!  Also, the Flickr Colr Pickr was very cool.  It is just so interesting that through all of the photos on Flickr, these websites can produce ones which you need.  This could be used for personal and educational reasons.  An example would be: if a class were doing an activity to learn how to summarize a story or sentence, the teacher could have each student come up with a one-word summary of how a character was feeling in the story.  The students could then use "Spell with Flickr".   I think the idea of Photo Sharing is great.  I know my grandmother loves that she can easily access different sites and be able to see pictures of her grandchildren all over-and for that, photo sharing  is wonderful!

Thing #7

Flickr was interesting, to say the least.  There were so many pictures!  I was fascinated that I could type in an obscure word or phrase and the search engine would find an insane amount of images!  This just shows how much the website has grown and how often it is used.  I searched very "typical" subjects at first, such as "flowers".  Naturally, pictures of flowers came up-and there were so many pictures to go through!  Then I decided to try something a little more difficult to capture on film.  I then searched "sunshine".  The results that showed up were so interesting.  Many of them pertained to the idea of sunshine; however, many had few things to do with sunshine.  The most interesting one I found was of a cat (maybe it's named Sunshine?).  Overall, I found Flickr very interesting.

Thing #6

I look on www.etsy.com.  This website was so interesting!  Yes, it is a form of shopping; however, it is nearly al homemade things.  It offers a unique outlet to shopping and shows the artistic ability of others in the country and even the world.  Though it seems unlikely, this website could be extremely useful to educators for all grade levels.  Etsy shows different vendors who create just about anything you want.  When first looking at the website, I assumed the only educational use would be out of an art classroom.  However, after further investigation I proved myself wrong!  Though this is a shopping cite, educators could use ideas for different activities in their classroom.  Making different things in a lesson addresses kinesthetic and visual learners; therefore, a hands-on activity would be extremely useful!

Thing #5

I find it very interesting what Teaching and Learning had to say about Web 2.0.  They listed how overall, it was a good thing for our society as w hole.  Instead of viewing the negative aspects, they focused on how the interenet and the usage of the interent can benefit students.  However, the authors made a valid point.  If we want a positive affect from Web 2.0 then Educators must fully accept it.  Some educators refuse to move from the time of engraving stone tablets-but it is time to change.  We have to get in board with Web 2.0 if we want students to see the education inside of it.  The Horizon Report (2008) looks to Web 2.0's furute in society.  It was so interesting how the report layed out the effects of "four to five years".  The predictions which were made were correct.  We are currently living in their predictions and relying on social networking as a form of bussiness, social work, relationships, and education.  Using social networking sites is now more common than ever!

Schools will now need to focus on how to reach and approach the students.  As studies show, the internet and all it entails has becomes an essential role in students' lives.  We should treat the Web 2.0 as an ally, not an enemy.  I feel as if educators often shy away fromt he ideas of branching out to use "risky" things, such as the internet.  However, if that is the vessle that will keep your students interested, then it is the route to go.

Thing #4

Commenting is great tool for people to communicate.  People's lives are busy with everyday activities; therefore, commenting on their ideas allows you to put an input at their convenience.  In "Cool Cat Teacher Blog," she discusses the importance of commenting and how to properly do so.  I think an excellent tip she gives is that when you comment, you should leave some information about yourself and your blog.  It is important so that if the blogger saw your comment as useful, they could look to your blog later for assistance.  Also, she speaks about the power of words in commenting.  This is very important for all to realize that words can hurt very deeply.  There are proper ways to get your emotion out; therefore, your comment should be thoughtful. In our class, I view April Bumpus' Blog, Kara Wyatt's "My Blog Spot," Jared Sexton's "23 Things," Bliss' "Journey with Bliss," and "Ashlee Boyd's 23 Things".  I chose to view these because they all discussed the similar topic of using digital images in a classroom.  This subject is very interesting to me-but that's for another blog!  I also commented on "Ms_Teacher: The Hectic Life of a Wife, Mother, and Middle School Teacher".  I found her experiences and stories very compelling.  Lastly, I commented on the blog "Cooking From Scratch," simply because I love cooking from scratch!  I commented on a post about homemade bread (which looks delicious!)

Thing #3

Registering the blog seemed like an activity needed only for Education 3040; however, registering individual blogs hold a lasting effect.  Teachers need to be able o rely on each other to further education in our students.  Since we are all future teacher candidates, we need to get in the practice of assisting one another, especially when pertaining to education.  Teachers need to communicate with each other, parents, and students in order to ensure an effective teaching environment.  Teachers need to be able to communicate with parents in order to explain upcoming lessons or any event where parents could get involved.  Blogs are also great for students so that they can see lessons or homework whenever they need.  If a student is absent for whatever reason, a Blog is a helpful as reference source for the students.  Teachers can use the blog with one another when displaying great ideas, great lessons, or classroom activities. 

Thing #2

For whatever reason, creating a blog was difficult to me!  Of course, I am not computer savvy like many people; however, I didn't think I would have too much trouble.  This may sound crazy, but I don't do well with simple things, such as the iPhone.  I would much rather have a Blackberry or some other phone!  The blog may have been difficult, but I am actually enjoying blogging.  It is weird how different it feels to be able to convey thoughts or ideas to anyone on the internet.  This is crazy!  My avatar fits me very nicely.  I am pure Irish, which one should be able to tell from my physical characteristics (red hair, freckles, green eyes, the works).  It seemed only fitting that my avatar wear a sweater because cld weather is my absolute favorite.  I enjoy the summer and the heat, but I love bundling up in blankets and sweaters!  There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting by a fire, reading a good book.  So my avatar fits me well.

Thing #1

Out of the 7 and a half habits, one seemed to be the easiest to me.  Number seven a half, "Play!" seemed like common sense to me.  I've always been told "If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life", which reminded me so much of this rule!  If one just goes through the monotony of working, eating, sleeping, then are you really living your life to it's full potential?  The most difficult thing I found was habit number 3 "Viewing Problems as Challenges".  Though I would like to say that I do this all the time, I don't.  It is easier to "give up"; however, "giving up" is not nearly as rewarding as finishing something through.  I like the concept of seeing problems as challenged because it means that you still see the "light at the end of the tunnel".