Tool #3

This tool was so fun! I had to finally stop myself from creating images and adding more gadgets to my blog! I hope that my enjoyment of these tools is contagious and my students can enjoy this all as much as I have. I think any time you add a personal element by allowing them to use pictures of themselves or their friends and family, then you have their interest. Also, I think it would be great to use these different sites to allow them to create a project about something they are learning in the classroom. For example, I am thinking that in science they could take pictures of weathering and erosion around the playground/school and then create a mosaic of the pictures. Another thing is that they could use Wordle to create a brainstorm of different nouns or verbs or adjectives as a prewriting activity. The sky's the limit for how creative they can be!

Tool #2

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN? I love the thought of building an online education community. I just worry that some people may be left behind that are either confused or stuck at certain points in this process. Once everyone is on the same page and familiar with everything (with all the kinks worked out!), I think this could be a valuable experience and way to share ideas.

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice? I am so guilty of being a "lurker"!!! I have often been a reader and taker of information on blogs and online communities, but have rarely left any feedback or posted my questions. I agree that often I am just lazy and when a site requires that you create an account just to leave a comment, I say forget it! Now that I have this account with blogger and my own blog I think I will be more inclined to leave comments on other blogger accounts. I like the point about asking questions in my own posts to invite comments from others. I also like the advice to interact with the comments left. I know I always like when I read blogs and I see that the blogger answers questions left by those posting comments. I think if readers see that the author is answering questions and interacting with his or her readers, then people are more inclined to comment.

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments? (you may need to come back and add this information later by editing this post.) Sylvia Alaniz, Marie Casamayor, Nancy Jackson, Maureen Martinez, Doreen Ryan

Tool #1

I just created my blog! I think I'll play around with the colors later. I really like being able to learn as I go by doing things on my own at my own pace. Last summer I took a course on blogging in the classroom during Teacher U and regret to say I never fully used it on a regular basis in my classes. I think this is the push I need to fully integrate a classroom blog.

It was fun to create my Voki, too! I know it's something my students will really enjoy doing.