Story Problem

Create a Story Problem.

Question 4 You?

What are the different ways you have used a blog/wiki in your classroom? What would you most recommend using for a 4th grade classroom?

Ten Ways to Use Web 2.0 to Change the World

For our last "official" class post I decided to wrap it up with ten great ways to use web 2.0 to change the world. This article is similar to the Web 2.0 article I blogged about last week. However, I found this one to be more specific on ways to integrate technology. I also used this website to give me more ideas on training colleagues in using the tools that are available. I included several of these ideas into my mashup paper as ideas to spread the wealth of technology around to other teachers, schools, states, etc.
I like how the article pointed out that "there are a lot of things that you can do to refine what you are already doing, using Web 2.0 tools to push you closer to achieving your mission.The list provides ten ways you can use Web 2.0 to further your goals. I think of it as a progression" (Webb, 2008.)
The article is basically a summary of all the tools we used in our class EDU 595. It puts out easy ways to obtain information from others who share the same interests as you do.

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page5669.cfm

Growing 21st Century Teachers for 21st Century Classrooms

This article talks about ways administrators effectively promote the knowledge and skills for 21st Century teaching and learning. One interesting thing they mentioned was very similar to our conversation on Monday night; how most teachers have very limited time to be going off of the standards to promote the Web 2.0 technology. One educational leader decided to "reorganize their schedule to create an extra planning period in every school day. And after some experimentation, the faculty agreed to use the collaborative time for grade-level and subject area planning tied to the district’s new curriculum maps. Technology integration is a planning priority, supported by the expertise of a district specialist and the middle school’s most 21st Century-minded teachers." I thought allowing that time for professional development to be implemented within the school day is a great way to promote 21st Century tools. The article ended with great ideas for high technology expectations but with a lot of support from their educational leaders and administrators.

http://www.abpc21.org/21stcenturyteachers.html

HMS News November 24th- The First Thanksgiving

I went on to Teacher Tube to get ideas for my video podcast. I find one video that motivated me to do a Thanksgiving script with my students. The video podcast was done by middle school students who reacted the 1st Thanksgiving. You can find the video at: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2d24f3a861dc2b5727f2 . It had great video editing features that allowed students to be placed in different backgrounds. It really enhanced the video that was done by the students.

Video Podcast

Here are my students reciting the "ABC's of Thanksgiving" script. They had a great time participating and watching themselves live in a video broadcast. Seeing how easy this was to produce, we will even be able to enhance their weekly news audio podcasts to video podcasts. I was able to video them through imovie and transfer it to my podomatic account. It did take longer for it to be published with all of the video clips, and watching the video is a little choppy. However, I think students appreciated seeing themselves in action.

Here is the link to our video podcast: http://www.missluffy.podomatic.com/

Podcasting in the Elementary Classroom

This podcast blog shared the benefits of podcasting in the elementary classroom.  It explained how the real key to actually implementing technology into the classroom is to put it "into the hands of the students."  Being that my students do a weekly podcast of all the past and upcoming events in our classroom, I would have to agree.  My students love being part of hearing their voices played back through my website. Recapping the weekly concepts allows students to relate them to their everyday lives.  They seem to take ownership of curriculum.   It is a great opportunity for students to retell to others what they have learned in the classroom.  

To see more on podcasting in the Elementary Classroom click here.