Tool #8

For tool #8 I decided to use short video clips from "Beowulf" and "O Brother Where Art Thou". I found both the video clips on Hulu. I think this tool will also be helpful when the students are putting together projects and presentations for class.

I added the clips to my blog as a gadget. Honestly, I was quite amazed that I was able to actually figure out how to add them to my blog. Yay!! Success!!

Tool #6

In tool #6 I found that with developing a wiki the students will be able to collaborate with each other much easier. What came to mind with this tool was students working in groups from home, maybe after school or a night for homework. This will enable each student to add to the project or activity.
I looked through PBWorks and Wikispaces for Educators. Both appeared to have a wealth of information to share!

Tool #5

For tool #5 I joined Diigo. On that site I joined two educational groups, Diigo in Education and Classroom 2.0.

http://groups.diigo.com/group/diigoineducation

http://groups.diigo.com/group/classroom20

I also bookmarked a couple of sites that I think will be useful and fun...Wordle and EduDemic.

http://www.wordle.net/

http://edudemic.com/2010/06/teachers-helping-teachers-the-pln-road-map/

On the Diigo website I searched through the education tags to find good information and sites to browse. I think bookmarking all your favorites to one place on the internet will be very helpful and much easier to get to from whatever computer you're using!

Tool #4

Google Reader is great! I think the students will really like being able to follow sites without having to go to all different sites...just one with everything there!

I also liked the idea of Google Docs. Makes everything much more streamlined. I put together the summer reading list for my classes...9 & 12 and shared it with another teacher.

This is all very good learning information that the students will be able to take advantage of in the classroom!!

Tool #3

Hello!! Tool #3 was quite fun!! I am still playing with making a short video to add to my blog. I think the students will definitely get a kick out of using these tools. For English we can use the blog and add all sorts of interesting Wordles, Poetry Blenders, Word Mosaics, etc. pertaining to our current unit. I am certain these will add a new dimension to the students learning!

Make a word cloud - WordItOut

Wordle - Reading IS Fun!!

Wordle - Untitled: ""

Tool #2

1. I am excited to learn new things to further connect me with my students. These learning tools will help me stay current with new technology that my students are already proficient at using on a daily basis. I welcome the opportunity to learn about new technology and fun ways to implement it into my classroom!!

2. "So 1% of your blog’s users are actively engaging with your blog and the rest are at best occasional contributers."
I find it very interesting that few people that read blogs actually leave a comment, however after really giving it some thought, I am actually guilty of this too. So, in the future I will make a concerted effort to contribute when reading other blogs. :)

3. The blogs I am now following are: Shivani's Reflections, The 11 Tools of Arbuckle, Beth Bray's Blog, Onward and Upward Learning, Frogs, Chiuahuas & Good Times, and E1even Too1s.