Thing #6

Web 2.0 Awarded Site

http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

I explored Google Earth. I like how the site allows the user to find almost any location on earth and zoom in on it in real time or in the past. The site is useful because it gives people a visual to places that they may not be able to visit in real life. This could be used in schools to show students famous landmarks or areas of the world they may be studying. It will help them have a better understanding of what they are learning if they could see it using Google Earth.

Thing #5

School 2.0

The article I read, "Web 2.0: A Guide for Educators" gave good reasons for using more technology in the classroom. Teaching involves being adaptable. Teachers and schools should be as up to date as possible in this constant changing and growing world. The video, "Understanding Web 2.0" was also informative, but it could have been a little more "flashy" being a video on current technology in the classroom. (Just a thought).

To me, School 2.0 definitely means an opportunity for growth and advancement in education. Schools in the future will have endless possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning styles. However, with this great power comes great responsibility. It will be important to not let technology conquer us or distract us from our primary goals.

Thing #4

Importance of Commenting

Commenting is important because it gives feedback to others about whatever they are writing about. Comments can be a way to constructively criticize work or ideas from peers/colleagues which could help them in the long run. Also, commenting lets friends and family know you are reading their posts and that you are interested in what they have to say.

Thing #3

Using Blogs in the Classroom

It would be a good idea to have my students use blogs. This would be a great way for them to communicate outside of the classroom as a way for them to help each other with assignments.

I will also post my class schedule, expectations, assignments, PowerPoint notes, and other information for my students to access at anytime in or outside of school.

Students will also have the chance to blog about different journal assignments each day.  Each quarter I will read through the students' blogs and give them a grade.

Thing #2

Creating My Blog and Avatar. 

• How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?

I decided to use my real name on blogger to keep things simple. My real name makes it easier for people to get to my blog because less time is spent searching through a sea of cute names and symbols. I have no intention of posting anything personal so I think it will be okay to have my real name out here on the internet.

• What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?

It was actually easy creating my blog. The layout was pretty basic, so that made it easy for me to navigate around the website.  At first I was confused when deciding on a template because I was using a Firefox browser and under the "Design" tab and then "Choose Template" it was empty and I had no background options or anything. I tried a different browser on my Mac (Safari) and was able to get it working from there.

• How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?

I tried to make my avatar reflect me as best as I could. It may not look exactly like me, but I wanted it to resemble me rather than someone completely different.  I am me and it is as simple as that. :)

Thing #1

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Effective Lifelong Learners Video

This video gave me good information on habits of effective learners. I liked that the beginning of the video stated the definition of a lifelong learner and talked in-depth of the good habits this type of learner possesses.

The easiest habit for me (and probably most) is 7 1/2. Who doesn't enjoy playing and being curious? Applying this already established habit to effective learning should be a cinch.

The fourth habit mentioned will probably be the most challenging out of the 7 1/2 for me to obtain. I have the tools and ability to be an effective learner, but I do not always have the confidence in myself. Having low to medium confidence has always been a characteristic of mine. It is rare for me to feel completely confident about myself and my abilities all the time. I make many mistakes, and only recently have I started to view them as learning opportunities. Hopefully I can make a habit of having confidence in myself as an effective learner as I grow and learn in life.