Thing 9

I loved the Curriki site and have included a blurb to explain it much better than I could. "Curriki is more than your average website; we're a community of educators, learners and committed education experts who are working together to create quality materials that will benefit teachers and students around the world.
Curriki is an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of 'curriculum' and 'wiki' which is the technology we're using to make education universally accessible."

I found a lesson that might work for the study of weather in first grade.
http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_NortelLearniT/HowDoestheWeatherChange


As well as an explanation of what a wiki is. How simplistic but so easy to understand.


Okay back to my mission....
How do you see teaching and learning changing as a result of Web 2.0? As we have all learned since starting this project we all need to teach to the "new student". A student who needs to know how to collaborate and access information instantaneously as it will change every second. Teachers are no longer the dispenser of knowledge and students are no longer the passive sieves that we, or at least, I used to be. I envision a lot of online courses in the future and perhaps a time when students don't go to school every day but perhaps meet once or twice a week for sharing.


What opportunities do you see emerging? I see opportunities for more sharing with other students in other states and countries. I envision learning a language from a teacher in Russia - real time. I envision lap tops built into desks, IPODS and cell phones on every "what to bring to school list."

What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources? Every college student who is in an education program should have instruction on copyright laws and citing of information. Students in schools should be taught from kindergarten on up the importance of giving credit in whatever format media specialists feel they can handle. I think Newington has done a great job in creating a scaffolding curriculum for our students. Now we need to make sure every staff member and student is aware of the content and how to use the content. Teachers in classrooms need to support the require "these rules" not just the computer teachers and media specialist. We need to work together on this just as the vertical teams work in the "major" disciplines.

As far as the use of Wikis... we need to have students respect what others post and we need to have teachers make sure what is posted is accurate and of a good quality. I loved the wiki "Spice it up a Notch" for Nutmeg books but found sometimes the quality of the posts and comments contained grammatical errors as well as lacking substance. It's a great tool but we need to as we do with all of our tools, use it well.

Thing 8

Although this video is a few years old I found it had relevant information and the points made were "right on" - in my humble opinion. The use of cell phones and Ipods is something that has been talked about for the past few years. Many districts have embraced the concept especially for podcasting. At Middletown High School a social studies teacher uploads files to his students every class period and downloads their work the next day by using his docking station. Wouldn't the environmentalists love that - save those trees! And to use cell phones as a student response system... move over clickers!! Or search the web right from your desk instead of having to go to the lab or library! Talk about teachable moments! I know it is still a question of access for all but I'm sure we could find a way to provide for those students that didn't have the economic means.

Pay Attention

Thing 7

I like You Tube for its variety of offerings and shortness (???word) of clips. This makes it easy to use in a class period. It underscores the question "Why not use technology that students love to teach more effectively?" Teacher Tube and School Tube are similar in nature. Another site to check out is Hulu. Although this one needs to be used with much preparation as it contains TV shows and some videos. You will find current shows as well as educational based ones. In closing we should also not forget Discovery Education as a source for videos for our students. The new version has improved the ease of use and added many more features. Students can be assigned to watch clips and animations and comment on line thus completing the work at home or at least out of class. Also take a look at Teacher Domain - a wealth of clips for education. Access to You Tube is the same everywhere in the district - teachers yes - students no.

Thing 6
I enjoyed the Big Huge Labs. I was able to set up an educator's account for free and thought it would be fun to register the kids and have them create a magazine cover for themselves or for a character from a book they read. Issues would be access and appropriateness of content.

Thing 5
I chose this image because I was feeling sad at the time I was looking and decided I needed a reminder of a good friend. I found the picture peaceful. I think it would be a beautiful place to be at.

Thing 4

What service did you choose? I have used both Netvibes and IGoogle. Why? I have decided to use IGOOGLE as it allows me access to several RSS feeds and other google applications.

What are some of the items you included on your custom homepage? I have feeds to several technology magazines and blogs as well as the standard driving directions, weather, and to do list.

What kind of widgets or links could you add to your homepage that would enhance instruction?I would probably add some feeds that connect to response systems and SMartboards so that I might learn some more tips to share with teachers.

Thing 4 - IGoogle home page

What service did you choose? I have used both Net vibes and I google. Why? I have used IGoogle as my home page for awhile now as it integrates well with my other google services and allows for good RSS feeds.

What are some of the items you included on your custom homepage? I have feeds to several technology magazines and blogs as well as the standard weather, driving directions

What kind of widgets or links could you add to your homepage that would enhance instruction? I would add links to educational portals, sites that discuss use of Smartboards, and sites that provided tutorials or information on Office 2010.