Thing #17: Delicious
Wow! I cannot believe what a good idea Delicious.com is! It makes surfing through resources so each and convenient and cuts browsing time in half. I will definitely be using this application and I really hope that my future coworkers use it as well. I can just imagine how helpful it would be to use a veteran teacher's bookmarks to locate useful materials.
Because I will be an English teacher, I will have to teach a lesson on allegories. Honestly, I am not as familiar with allegories as I should be, so I could go to my bookmarking site and find a lesson on allegories. Or, I could go to my coworkers' page and look through their tags on English subjects. I would be able to easily find any resource that I need. My only concern is that I have never heard of social bookmarking before. Thus, I wonder if any of my future coworkers will be using this application.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Thing #16: Igoogle
Thing #16: Igoogle
For this exercise, I chose to create a start page using Igoogle. I chose this application because Google has proven to be the easiest and fastest method to do most technological things on the Internet. I chose well, because it took me 30 seconds to create a start page that contained soooo many of my personal interests. Of course, it will take a little longer to tweak it to be just the way I want it, but it was incredibly fast. I will definitely be using it as my homepage.
Online calenders are so useful because you can insert dates of important things, such as meetings, classes, etc. I am not sure that I would use it because I have a written planner that I consult every day. I would most likely forget to insert my important dates or to check the online calender. However, for business people, I could imagine how beneficial it would be.
I really like the to-do list because you can write a comprehensive list of things that you need to accomplish. Because I am a Type A personality, I like to be organized and have everything I need to accomplish written down. However, I prefer a hand written copy of my to do list in my planner that I consult every day. Sometimes technology cannot replace the old-fashioned hard copy.
I would definitely recommend using a start page. Sometimes you get on the computer and have a million things that you need to access in one sitting. Using your homepage, or start page, you can customize it to include all of your most frequently used applications and web pages. Therefore, all of your information is accessible in one page.
For this exercise, I chose to create a start page using Igoogle. I chose this application because Google has proven to be the easiest and fastest method to do most technological things on the Internet. I chose well, because it took me 30 seconds to create a start page that contained soooo many of my personal interests. Of course, it will take a little longer to tweak it to be just the way I want it, but it was incredibly fast. I will definitely be using it as my homepage.
Online calenders are so useful because you can insert dates of important things, such as meetings, classes, etc. I am not sure that I would use it because I have a written planner that I consult every day. I would most likely forget to insert my important dates or to check the online calender. However, for business people, I could imagine how beneficial it would be.
I really like the to-do list because you can write a comprehensive list of things that you need to accomplish. Because I am a Type A personality, I like to be organized and have everything I need to accomplish written down. However, I prefer a hand written copy of my to do list in my planner that I consult every day. Sometimes technology cannot replace the old-fashioned hard copy.
I would definitely recommend using a start page. Sometimes you get on the computer and have a million things that you need to access in one sitting. Using your homepage, or start page, you can customize it to include all of your most frequently used applications and web pages. Therefore, all of your information is accessible in one page.
Thing #15: Wikis
Thing #15: Wikis
Wikis are a really inventive way for individuals to create a community of learning. By being able to alter, add, correct, or edit information on a given topic, people can collaboratively create a world of knowledge. However, there is a major drawback. Because anyone can edit an entry on a Wiki, it seems very likely that individuals other than professionals can add faulty information, thus decreasing the reliability and validity of the source.
When I was trying to edit and add to the Sandbox, I was very confused. I am not going to lie. It was confusing because I had to create a login and then edit someone else's post. In all honesty, I am not even sure if I did it correctly.
Because Wikis are awfully confusing to someone who has not had any training in using them, I probably would not utilize them in my classroom. It would take too long to train my students in how to use it. However, they are great ideas for professionals who wish to share information on given subjects around the world.
Wikis are a really inventive way for individuals to create a community of learning. By being able to alter, add, correct, or edit information on a given topic, people can collaboratively create a world of knowledge. However, there is a major drawback. Because anyone can edit an entry on a Wiki, it seems very likely that individuals other than professionals can add faulty information, thus decreasing the reliability and validity of the source.
When I was trying to edit and add to the Sandbox, I was very confused. I am not going to lie. It was confusing because I had to create a login and then edit someone else's post. In all honesty, I am not even sure if I did it correctly.
Because Wikis are awfully confusing to someone who has not had any training in using them, I probably would not utilize them in my classroom. It would take too long to train my students in how to use it. However, they are great ideas for professionals who wish to share information on given subjects around the world.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thing #14: Flowcharts and Mindmaps
Thing #14: Flowcharts and Mindmaps
If anyone has been reading my blogs, they know that I am going to be an English teacher. With that being said, I chose to create a mindmap of the 6-Trait Writing Process for my students. The first site that I chose to use was Bubbl.us, which was a site that allows you to create mindmaps. I love this site! You can create so many different things for your students. You can give them completed mindmaps for a unit or a lesson, which will aid in differentiated learning. You could also make out blank mindmaps that the students must fill out during the lesson. I have attached my mindmap below.
I also used the Gliffy site to create a flowchart. I used the same content for the flowchart as I did for the mindmap. I really liked both tools. The only real difference that I noticed between mindmaps and flowcharts is that a mindmap is a map of ideas and signifies that they are related. A flowchart, on the other hand, indicates the direction of the relationship. Students could use the flowchart to show how the relationship between ideas travel, and would be a great tool for science teachers.
If anyone has been reading my blogs, they know that I am going to be an English teacher. With that being said, I chose to create a mindmap of the 6-Trait Writing Process for my students. The first site that I chose to use was Bubbl.us, which was a site that allows you to create mindmaps. I love this site! You can create so many different things for your students. You can give them completed mindmaps for a unit or a lesson, which will aid in differentiated learning. You could also make out blank mindmaps that the students must fill out during the lesson. I have attached my mindmap below.
Thing #13: Zoho and Google Docs
Thing #13: Zoho and Google Docs
Hello all! So, I just finished exploring Zoho and Zoho Writer. I have to say, I think that Zoho is pretty neat, although it seems very similar to Microsoft Word. After exploring the site, I realized that the major advantage of Zoho is that is easily accessible from any computer because it is web-based. As long as you can sign in to your account, you can access your documents. Similarly, it is compatible with all different versions of a software, whereas Word is sometimes not compatible with older versions of the same software.
After I finished exploring Zoho, I went to Google Docs and created a drawing. I have never used the drawing tool, and I think it is such a great tool! It was easy to navigate, and would be a great tool to make comics for the students. Located below is the drawing I created.
Hello all! So, I just finished exploring Zoho and Zoho Writer. I have to say, I think that Zoho is pretty neat, although it seems very similar to Microsoft Word. After exploring the site, I realized that the major advantage of Zoho is that is easily accessible from any computer because it is web-based. As long as you can sign in to your account, you can access your documents. Similarly, it is compatible with all different versions of a software, whereas Word is sometimes not compatible with older versions of the same software.
After I finished exploring Zoho, I went to Google Docs and created a drawing. I have never used the drawing tool, and I think it is such a great tool! It was easy to navigate, and would be a great tool to make comics for the students. Located below is the drawing I created.
Google Docs is a great way for students to work collaboratively. If they are assigned a group essay or a group presentation, they could use Google Docs to share information. Since it is web-based, the document can be shared and accessed by any group member. This will allow greater opportunities for collaborative work in the classroom, as well as open doors in the English classroom.
I could have my students compose essays on Google Docs and place them in Editing and Revising teams. Each student could upload their essay and their team members could offer suggestions for revision and editing.
Of the two sites, I prefer Google Docs because it offers such a wide variety of tools. If I want to blog, I can go to Google; if I want to make a drawing or a presentation, I can go to Google; if I want to get email alerts, I can go to Google. It is such a well-rounded site that I prefer it to Zoho.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thing #12: Google's Devices
Thing #12: Google's Devices
Let me just start by stating that I had no idea that Google offered so many different tools! I was overwhelmed by all of the neat applications that were available for free through Google. I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to learn about all of these tools.
I began by exploring Google Alerts. I thought it sounded extremely useful and found that it was extraordinarily easy to set up. All I did was go to Google Alerts and type in a subject that I am interested in. I could narrow the results by choosing to get alerts from blogs only or websites only. I could also choose if I wanted to get alerts daily, weekly, or monthly. I chose to get weekly alerts about any article that has to do with education. So, I will receive an email with links to different websites, blogs, and other media sources that contain references to education. Right after I set up my alerts, I received my first email. I have to say, it sure will cut down on the time it would have taken to search for and locate pertinent articles.
The educational uses are incredible. Since I am going to be an English teacher, I could receive alerts about when a blogger uploads new English lesson plans. Similarly, I could get alerts about news articles referring to Common Core Standards or No Child Left Behind. If I were a History teacher, I could get updated news on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The possibilities are endless.
I also chose to use the Google Translate tool. Since there was no link that I could provide for readers to access what I translated, I will post a few different translations below.
English:
Hello. My name is Miranda and I am learning about technology. It is really hard!
Spanish:
Hola. Mi nombre es Miranda y estoy aprendiendo sobre la tecnología. Es muy duro!
French:
Bonjour. Mon nom est Miranda et j'apprends sur la technologie. Il est vraiment difficile!
German:
Hallo. Mein Name ist Miranda und ich bin über die Technik zu lernen. Es ist wirklich schwer!
Chinese:
您好！我的名字是米兰达和我正在学习有关技术。这是真的很难！
Once again, the educational uses are endless. If you are teaching a class that contains multiple ELL students, you could translate your syllabus or any notes to parents into their native tongue. It would potentially open up the avenue of communication between you and the parents.
Let me just start by stating that I had no idea that Google offered so many different tools! I was overwhelmed by all of the neat applications that were available for free through Google. I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to learn about all of these tools.
I began by exploring Google Alerts. I thought it sounded extremely useful and found that it was extraordinarily easy to set up. All I did was go to Google Alerts and type in a subject that I am interested in. I could narrow the results by choosing to get alerts from blogs only or websites only. I could also choose if I wanted to get alerts daily, weekly, or monthly. I chose to get weekly alerts about any article that has to do with education. So, I will receive an email with links to different websites, blogs, and other media sources that contain references to education. Right after I set up my alerts, I received my first email. I have to say, it sure will cut down on the time it would have taken to search for and locate pertinent articles.
The educational uses are incredible. Since I am going to be an English teacher, I could receive alerts about when a blogger uploads new English lesson plans. Similarly, I could get alerts about news articles referring to Common Core Standards or No Child Left Behind. If I were a History teacher, I could get updated news on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The possibilities are endless.
I also chose to use the Google Translate tool. Since there was no link that I could provide for readers to access what I translated, I will post a few different translations below.
English:
Hello. My name is Miranda and I am learning about technology. It is really hard!
Spanish:
Hola. Mi nombre es Miranda y estoy aprendiendo sobre la tecnología. Es muy duro!
French:
Bonjour. Mon nom est Miranda et j'apprends sur la technologie. Il est vraiment difficile!
German:
Hallo. Mein Name ist Miranda und ich bin über die Technik zu lernen. Es ist wirklich schwer!
Chinese:
您好！我的名字是米兰达和我正在学习有关技术。这是真的很难！
Once again, the educational uses are endless. If you are teaching a class that contains multiple ELL students, you could translate your syllabus or any notes to parents into their native tongue. It would potentially open up the avenue of communication between you and the parents.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thing #11: Searching for Blogs
Thing #11: Searching for Blogs
When searching for blogs, I found the Google Blog Search the easiest. I just went to Google Reader and clicked on "subscribe." Once the search bar came up, I just typed in the topic for the blog I was looking for and it brought up blogs that matched the criteria. It was incredibly easy and I was able to find my friends' blogs and some blogs with English lesson plans.
I also tried to use Topix.net and I got very confused. It almost seemed like a search engine and gave me results that linked me to different websites. I may have used it incorrectly, but I was very lost.
I found all kinds of neat blogs. One of my friends has a blog about cooking, so I was able to find that one. I also found my friend's blog about her bulldog, which is really funny to read. Aside from locating blogs of people that I know, I found a few sites that were tailored for English teachers. There was one that had all kinds of lesson plans available and another one had tips and tricks for the English classroom.
Like I stated earlier, I found the blogs through Google Reader. I clicked on "subscribe" and it allowed me to search for certain topics. I'm not sure if I searched for blogs correctly through the other venues, but Google Reader was effective.
When searching for blogs, I found the Google Blog Search the easiest. I just went to Google Reader and clicked on "subscribe." Once the search bar came up, I just typed in the topic for the blog I was looking for and it brought up blogs that matched the criteria. It was incredibly easy and I was able to find my friends' blogs and some blogs with English lesson plans.
I also tried to use Topix.net and I got very confused. It almost seemed like a search engine and gave me results that linked me to different websites. I may have used it incorrectly, but I was very lost.
I found all kinds of neat blogs. One of my friends has a blog about cooking, so I was able to find that one. I also found my friend's blog about her bulldog, which is really funny to read. Aside from locating blogs of people that I know, I found a few sites that were tailored for English teachers. There was one that had all kinds of lesson plans available and another one had tips and tricks for the English classroom.
Like I stated earlier, I found the blogs through Google Reader. I clicked on "subscribe" and it allowed me to search for certain topics. I'm not sure if I searched for blogs correctly through the other venues, but Google Reader was effective.
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