Thing #12- Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Wow! I had so much fun playing around with these! The ones I thought would be most helpful in the classroom room included Gliffy and Timeglider. I thought Gliffy was cool because you can create webs and maps. This website would be really helpful to create thinking maps. I also liked Timeglider because its an easy way to create a professional, interactive timeline. This would be great when working on Social Studies projects or even as a prewriting activity. Overall, I think there are so many possibilities to use these tools in the classroom and I am excited to try them!

Thing #11- Online Generators

I had a lot of fun playing around with the online generators. I think they are a great way to add character to your blogs/blog posts and could be used in the classroom in many ways. I think students would enjoy using these and they would add a lot to any project using Web 2.0. Some of the online generators were difficult to use, while some were very user-friendly. I definitely think you would have to have to play around and find ones that would be best for students to use. Here is one I made using Spell with Flickr:

Thing #10- Rainforest Slideshow

My slideshow is compiled of pictures from tropical rainforests. I found all the pictures on Flickr by browsing Creative Commons images. I made my video on Animoto, which is a site that creates free thirty-second videos using uploaded images and music from your computer.

Photo Credits:

Rainforest by leithcote
Rain Forest Catepillar by julieflinestone
Nature's True Beauty by faeryboots
Tracy's Favorite Creature by eyesplash mikul
Brown Throated Three-Toed Sloth-Panama by flickrfavorites
Red Eyed Tree Frog by flickrfavorites
Cacoa Tree by flickrfavorites
Boa-Constrictor-in-the-Rainforest-South-America-1 by flickrfavorites
Rhinoceros Beetle by flickrfavorites
Deforestation by flickrfavorites
Bromeliads by flickrfavorites
The Rosy Periwinkle Plant by flickrfavorites
Logging is Destroying by flickrfavorites

Thing #10- Rainforest Slideshow

Thing #9- Exploring Flickr

I have used Flickr before to find images for picture cards to use in my classroom but have never taken the time to create an account and explore all the possibilities Flickr has to offer in the classroom. I particularly liked how you can browse Creative Commons images because it allows you to only search content that is fair use in the classroom.

I decided to search for images relating to tropical rainforests. Each year in third grade, we study rainforests in correlation with our life science FOSS kit and Earth Day. This is one of my favorite units because the kids are so engaged and excited to learn and I always enjoy incorporating the theme throughout the day. I was able to find so many amazing rainforest images on Flickr. This adorable image of my favorite rainforest animal, the three-toed sloth, was uploaded by flickrfavorites.

I never realized all the educational uses for Flickr in the classroom. My favorite idea was about teaching vocabulary using Flickr where students search images on Flickr to find pictures associated with their vocabulary words. Students can find pictures tagged to their words, create slideshows, and post them on their class blogs. I also really liked the idea of giving them words similar in meaning and then having students find pictures of the words to discover the difference; such as toddle, wander, stroll, stride, march, etc. What an engaging way for students to learn vocabulary through exploration.

Thing #8- Creative Commons

I had never heard of Creative Commons before this lesson and never honestly even noticed the "CC" written on web material. I think it is a great way to allow people to share, create, and expand their knowledge. I personally use downloaded images and audio and video clips all the time in my classroom. It it nice to know that there is a legal and fair way to share information on the web. I think CC will impact the way students learn and create by allowing them to use certain web content in class projects that they might not otherwise not be able to use. The only potential I can think of for using CC is there might be a chance someone completely uses the material in the same way without actually using it to create something original. Overall I think CC is a great way of sharing web content and enhancing the freedoms for students and teachers in the classroom.

Thing #7- Commenting

I have really enjoyed receiving the few comments I've had so far- and I have to admit I got a little bit giddy when I got my first one! I also have enjoyed reading the blogs/comments my coworkers have written. I think commenting is an essential part of the blogging community because it creates conversation and keeps the writing interactive. I read on several blogs that receiving comments is what motivates them to continue blogging. I think just knowing that someone took the time to read what you wrote makes you feel like the effort was worthwhile. I can expect that students will feel this way too, which hopefully will help motivate them! I think that blogging/commenting in the classroom will allow students to have more academic interaction with their peers and encourage them to take ownership in their writing. I also think that blogging will help students "write with an audience in mind" which is an important part of the writing process. I know my third graders will need plenty of modeling and practice with this, but hopefully it will be a valuable learning experience. I look forward to being able to read my student's blogs next year and hopefully get some good conversation going!