Hmmm.....this is getting a little easier now. This tool took about 45 minutes.
The two tools I tried out were Google Docs and Skype.
In Google Docs, I created a "Form" survey to link to parents, so I can learn more about their child. Also, I shared the form with my teammates so that they may edit it and we can have one, universal form for the grade level.
Skype is a program I've used before. I would love to Skype with another class in a different part of our country. One of my teammates suggested using Skype to discuss weather patterns with another class. I think this would be a great way for our Kindergartners to make real-life connections to their learning. Also, I might like to try having my students Skype with their book buddy in 5th grade. They could "read" to their book buddy, and the 5th grader can share an appreciation with them.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tool 5
This tool took about 1.5 hours to complete???? I'm beginning to lose track of time! My suggestion for 11 tools would be to work on one tool a day. I'm feeling a little overloaded with info right now, but I'm trying my best!
Here is a link to a book I created in at http://www.mixbook.com/. I watched the You Tube tutorial that was a link on the Tool 5 page. Then, I just added a few pictures to see how it works. I think this would be a great program to use with Kindergartens. I would need to log on, but they can take classroom pictures and drag the photos to the book's page. It's very simple to do once you are logged on. Then, I can share the link and parents can view their child's classroom work! Take a look here.....
http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/education/first-day-of-school-5502209
Next, I tried Animoto because I know many "techy" educators use this site. I uploaded photos of my honeymoon in Hawaii to make a video. I wanted to upload a Hawaiian song to go with it, but my mentor suggested not to b/c of copyright rules. So, I just chose a song on Animoto. One of my biggest concerns with social networking is all the copyright laws/terms of use I have to agree to. I get very worried about breaking rules I may not realize/understand! Anyone else worried about this?
Check out my video below. Wish I could be there now....
Here is a link to a book I created in at http://www.mixbook.com/. I watched the You Tube tutorial that was a link on the Tool 5 page. Then, I just added a few pictures to see how it works. I think this would be a great program to use with Kindergartens. I would need to log on, but they can take classroom pictures and drag the photos to the book's page. It's very simple to do once you are logged on. Then, I can share the link and parents can view their child's classroom work! Take a look here.....
http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/education/first-day-of-school-5502209
Next, I tried Animoto because I know many "techy" educators use this site. I uploaded photos of my honeymoon in Hawaii to make a video. I wanted to upload a Hawaiian song to go with it, but my mentor suggested not to b/c of copyright rules. So, I just chose a song on Animoto. One of my biggest concerns with social networking is all the copyright laws/terms of use I have to agree to. I get very worried about breaking rules I may not realize/understand! Anyone else worried about this?
Check out my video below. Wish I could be there now....
Tool 4
This tool took me about 1 hour to finish. It was the "easiest" Tool for me so far because I feel comfortable uploading files and navigating toolbars.
I saved time on this tool by uploading a Word document that I had already created, into Google Docs. And by watching the "Forms" video and pausing every time the author showed me a step. Then, I would switch back to my form and perform the step, switch back to the video and watch until he showed the next step.
I really have trouble thinking of ways I can use this with Kindergarteners. Once again, I'm thinking about parent communication. I think using the "Forms" part of Google Docs would be great to get beginning of the year info from parents. I can just email them a link for a survey, rather than print out individual surveys for them to hand write. I hope this will work!!!
Tool 5.....I'm almost here!
I saved time on this tool by uploading a Word document that I had already created, into Google Docs. And by watching the "Forms" video and pausing every time the author showed me a step. Then, I would switch back to my form and perform the step, switch back to the video and watch until he showed the next step.
I really have trouble thinking of ways I can use this with Kindergarteners. Once again, I'm thinking about parent communication. I think using the "Forms" part of Google Docs would be great to get beginning of the year info from parents. I can just email them a link for a survey, rather than print out individual surveys for them to hand write. I hope this will work!!!
Tool 5.....I'm almost here!
Tool 3
Wow! This tool took about 1.5 hours to complete.
Pros: Using programs, such as Picasa, to share pictures on my blog. I think this would be a great way to share information with parents who are tech savvy. Cons: I had a lot of trouble copying a video to my blog. Actually, if you go to "share" and copy the html link, then you can post it to your blog by entering design mode and "Adding a Gadget". That's not so difficult. But, the videos I added were from Discovery Education, so it felt kind of pointless to add these videos to my blog, when I can just stream them. I think I'll use the video tool by taking videos in my classroom of student projects and posting them to my blog for parents. I'm thinking start simple!
I tried going to Blinkx, but the search engine there wasn't "primary grades" friendly. I could see how middle school and high school classrooms could find great videos here.
As for copyright laws, I learned that teachers can copy certain materials if they've added value or repurposed the material.
Pros: Using programs, such as Picasa, to share pictures on my blog. I think this would be a great way to share information with parents who are tech savvy. Cons: I had a lot of trouble copying a video to my blog. Actually, if you go to "share" and copy the html link, then you can post it to your blog by entering design mode and "Adding a Gadget". That's not so difficult. But, the videos I added were from Discovery Education, so it felt kind of pointless to add these videos to my blog, when I can just stream them. I think I'll use the video tool by taking videos in my classroom of student projects and posting them to my blog for parents. I'm thinking start simple!
I tried going to Blinkx, but the search engine there wasn't "primary grades" friendly. I could see how middle school and high school classrooms could find great videos here.
As for copyright laws, I learned that teachers can copy certain materials if they've added value or repurposed the material.
Field Day
Here is a picture from my Picasa account. I think blogging might be a great way to share information with parents. I could post pictures/student work onto my blog, and parents can read what we are doing in class!
Tool 2
Hey All!
I just finished Tool 2!! It was interesting reading my colleagues blogs since they are a few tools ahead of me. Their blogs have helped me figure out which programs to skip, to save time. Also, I shared some new ideas with a teammate for next year. I appreciate going to blogs and finding out how easy some of the tools are.
Years ago, I belonged to MySpace and enjoyed reading about friends, looking at pictures, staying in touch. My attitude about Facebook goes back and forth. I think social networking is a great way to share ideas, but I always fear about putting forth my ideas to the internet world. It causes me a little anxiety, but it's nice to see others I respect participating as well. I think I'll enjoy building a learning community, especially since I'll be a new Kindergarten teacher next year. I'll probably search for other K teachers in Spring Branch to read about their classroom ideas.
I just finished Tool 2!! It was interesting reading my colleagues blogs since they are a few tools ahead of me. Their blogs have helped me figure out which programs to skip, to save time. Also, I shared some new ideas with a teammate for next year. I appreciate going to blogs and finding out how easy some of the tools are.
Years ago, I belonged to MySpace and enjoyed reading about friends, looking at pictures, staying in touch. My attitude about Facebook goes back and forth. I think social networking is a great way to share ideas, but I always fear about putting forth my ideas to the internet world. It causes me a little anxiety, but it's nice to see others I respect participating as well. I think I'll enjoy building a learning community, especially since I'll be a new Kindergarten teacher next year. I'll probably search for other K teachers in Spring Branch to read about their classroom ideas.
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