CED0535 week 5

This week we created a classroom site.  I began mine as the new school year began, but this assignment forced me to finish it.  As I created mine, I had to keep in mind “how much information will I realistically be able to keep current?”  There are so many possibilities with a classroom website, but I also believe you can start something with good intentions and then it just becomes too much, which then leads to it being left unattended to.  Our district moved over to gmail last year, so I’ll be able to realistically use this site. 

We also explored additional web 2.0 tools.  I wrote about Draw.to and Twistynoodle.  Draw.to is a doodling site.  On this site you can create a picture and then publish it.  It can be sent to various programs.  Twistynoodle is a site where you can find coloring pages and worksheets and then customize them.  No more cutting and pasting.    

CED0535 week 4

This week was about podcasting.  Podcasting isn’t a new concept to me because I had previously created some.  However, screencasting on the Internet was.  In the past I used Garageband on my Mac and downloaded the podcast into iTunes.  It’s easy, but so was using Screenr.  In screenr I created a screencast using the same States of Matter test I had already created in Garageband to compare the two programs.  I really like Screenr.com.  It’s very easy to use.  Garageband is just as user friendly, but then I have to download it into iTunes.  I didn’t have to do that with screenr.com.  With screenr you get a box that is easy to manipulate around what you would like shown, click on audio, and record.  It’s easy to pause so that you are able to insert another image.  Once it’s done, click on publish and you’re done.  It does take a while to publish.  You are given a 5 minute time limit, but it does show the time used so you know how long your screencast is.

I like the idea of screencasts.  I have a challenging group this year.  If I were to create a screencast.  It could play for the students and I could walk around and see if they are understanding or following along.   I also like the idea of students creating screencasts.  They could read their own work or it could be used to check their fluency.  Screenr is a program I’ll use again.

CED0535 week 3

This week we learned about RSS Feeds.  RSS Feeds are easy to use and easy to subscribe to.  I have already set up 7, and can see using this in the future.  I will be able to subscribe to resources, blogs, periodicals that will provide me with specific information.  I’m still in the market for a camera.  I’ve spent a lot of time researching information.  Now with RSS feeds I can subscribe to key words and have the information appear in my public reader.  I think this will really cut down on my research time.  It will provide me with information and resources I might not have located on my own, without RSS feeds.

Currently my students don’t have access to email, but there is talk of it coming.  Once they have email they will be able to set up a public reader.  I can see them subscribing to RSS feeds for research projects.  In doing so, they can spend less time looking up information and more time reading through information.  This will provide them with an opportunity for a more quantitative research project.