Thing 5 Reflections

Wikis are pretty cool and look like a great way to keep kids engaged but I'm not sure how it works in a classroom with 2 computers. I guess that's where computer labs come in handy or some collaboration with our technology teacher. Here are the observations I made while checking out Wikis.
I'm not sure that enjoy is the word I would use to describe wikis. They were quite impressive. Wikis in Plain English made them look so much simpler. The ones I looked out appeared to be pretty complicated.

Blogs vs. Wikis
It seems to me that blogs are more about people giving opinions and others adding their opinions. No one's words are changed or edited in a comment. They are more personal. A wiki, on the other hand, seems to be more about knowledge and people sharing what they know or think they know.

Wikis could be a beneficial tool. I am always looking for ways to engage my students and this certainly falls in that category. It gives everyone involved a way to share and gain information. Using established wikis gives students another place to find information.

I liked Mrs. Ibrahim's 2nd Grade wiki. It was closer to something a third grade class may do and therefore, I could relate to it more. I liked the Global Climate Change wiki. It was well done. I don't know if I would say I disliked any of them.

I have used Wikipedia a few times with my class to find information or see a picture of something. It often has excellent links to the topic we are discussing. I do have concerns about the fact that people can add things that might be more personal opinion than fact. My class has not used Wikipedia as a tool without me guiding them through it. We usually use library books or encyclopedias so I guess I would say that I'm cautious about using Wikipedia without other sources.

That's my word on wikis. I like the idea of them for vocabulary "word walls" and decomposing numbers. I think the kids would have fun with that.

Gina

Thing 4 Reflections

Well, I managed to save 2 pictures on my Flickr account and then saved them to a file so I could put them on this blog. I see a lot potential for fun with this. I am a little concerned with picking pictures that I can actually copy onto my blog. The commoms is where I got the golf picture but all seem to be old as the hills. I didn't know anything about the Creative Commons License. Good to know. Where do you find more up to date pictures that you are allowed to use that you might want to use in a lesson? I am not not very techno savvy so this might be something I would learn to use more efficiently with a human being nearby that can guide me more.

I had tons of fun with Image Chef. I could use this in class with pictures I or the kids take. We could certainly make some slide shows that might be a finished product for a project or unit.

I chose the golf picture on Flickr because my husband and I have recently taken up golf and we play a lot in the summer. It seemed appropriate. Flickr was fairly easy once I reread your instructions a few times but I'm always a little unsure about public or private. When you choose private and they ask for email and password is the password you give the one for your Flickr account?

Anyway, I could spend a lot of time playing with this but, alas, I have other things to do. I looked at Spell with Flickr. It was fun, too, but I didn't like the way the words got broken up.

By the way, the picture of Sam that looks like he's in doggie jail is one I saved to Flickr then saved in a folder.

All in all, this is a tool that would keep the kids engaged and be fun. Now, when............

Gina

Sam's not the only one having fun

This is a fun thing to do in High Rolls, New Mexico on a summer day. CHERRY PICKING!!



In the picture with me in it, I'm picking black cherries which will be good for snacking. I snacked while I picked, too. DELICIOUS :)













These cherries are Mt. Ranier(?) cherries and they will be used in a cherry pie when visitors come.
Have good day! Gina

Thing 3 reflections

Hello and hope everyone is having a great summer. Here are my thoughts on thing 3.

I have had no experience with social media. The idea of it makes me feel exposed. I have no real interest in communicating this way.

I imagine social media sights might make it easier for some to communicate. Although, I worry about the implication of that. When you lose voice tone and facial expressions it is difficult to know what someone means sometimes. I suppose this form of communication may make some people more careful about what they say but, on the other hand, may free other people to be uninhibited without regard to those reading what they write.

I'm not sure what effect face book, twitter, etc. will have on how students learn. As a third grade teacher, I can't imagine managing that. Who will monitor what students are doing on these sights? What impact would this have on the school legally? Who is responsible for what students may say or do? As seen in some of the videos I watched, I could see how at a high school or college level you may get increased involvement which would lead to more learning. At the third grade level I need more convincing.

So, there you have it. I look forward to checking out some of the topics coming up as they seem more like things I would feel comfortable using.

Gina

Thing 2 Reflections

Well,

I just watched the videos dealing with Thing 2. I felt many emotions while doing this. Below is a list. I will not lie-my initial reaction was kind of negative.
inadequate
frustrated
bound by tests
emotionally manipulated (all those sad, bored children)
resigned
overwhelmed
interested
excited
hopeful
scared

That gives you some idea of how I feel. By the way, I don't know what a wiki is. Should I feel bad about that?

Quite honestly, I'm not sure where we will find the time. I realize it's a matter of reorganizing the way we do things but until I have done this whole course and mulled over some ideas I can't tell you how I will use this. I feel certain, however, that it is inescapable, and I'm sure I'll be good with it when I get a real feeling for how I can utilize it.
GS

Sam's Golf Ball Adventure

THE TARGET

THE CAPTURE

THE REWARD+A TREAT

This was a great day. Gary, Gina, and I had so much fun. We found 22 golf balls. Now I need a nap. I'm worn out and lovin' every minute of it. Sam

Notes on Thing 1

I am participating in "8 Things" partly because I could fulfill my comp day requirement while vacationing and partly because I'm trying to be braver about technology. I was surprised at how easy it was to get going. Although my dog, Sam, will be posting some comments, I realize this is mainly for communication purposes during this course. It was so easy to add a picture. I'm not sure exactly how I will choose to use this nifty tool but I am open to suggestions. Third graders love reading about themselves and seeing pictures of themselves. Anyway, I hope this is what you were looking for, and Sam will be posting again soon. I'm sure his reflections will be more interesting than mine.
Gina S.

Lazy Days

Well folks,
My owners brought me to this fantastic mountain. The air is cool and it smells great out here. The only problem is that instead of walking me in this glorious environment Gina is on the computer and Gary is ripping the walls out of bathtub enclosure. I'm bored!!! I guess I"ll get back to my nap.

Sam