Tool #5

Tagging and Social Bookmarking

I've used online bookmarking websites for student use on projects and research. I find del.icio.us easy to use to bookmark websites and discover new ones. When searching for online resources, tagging is an excellent resource to use to narrow down websites and resources.

I chose two websites that I would use as a librarian. I used the tags librarian and teacher. What I really enjoy about del.icio.us is the ability to add more tags when searching, which helps to really narrow down the search and websites.

Techlearning

KidsRead

I joined diigo.com and plan on exploring it later.

Tool #4

I've used Google Docs in several of my library science courses. I really like using their documents for the simple fact that it allows more than one person to collaborate on a project or paper. For one of our group projects, we used Google Docs to create a webquest that we could use every year and share with others.

Here is the link to the webquest:
https://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddgknjqm_0gfjfq487

I have used Google Reader to subscribe to blogs that I read often but I don't find it that useful for me. If I read certain blogs daily, I immediately go to those blogs to stay up to date on their postings.

As far as using Google docs in the classroom, as the video and other testimonies state, it's a great way to allow students to collaborate together on projects and papers not only at school but anywhere. I see the potential for students to interact with others across the world and it can allow teachers to give students instant feedback on their work.

Tool #3

I see several different uses for image generators and mashups in the classroom. It provides students with a different and creative way to process their thinking and show examples of what they have learned. I believe students would be extremely creative using some of these tools. They can be used across the curriculum.

Tool #2

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?

Participating in online community is a great way to further your knowledge and education. Interacting with your peers through blogs, wikis and other online communities is one way to grow professionally and stay updated on new technology and fresh ideas.

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?

Only comment on things and blogs that you make a connection with, leave them a meaningful comment, don't comment for the simple fact of commenting.

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments?

I haven't commented on any blogs yet, buts as I continue working through these tools I will take the time to comment on others...as long as I have something meaningful to say

Tool #1

Blogger isn't new to me. I used it to create my blog for 23things and another technology course I took for my master's program. I find it useful to keep track of things I've learned and want to share with others. There are several blogs that I read created by friends to document their travels, families and new adventures.

As far as using it in the classroom, it's a great way to share all things that are happening in your classroom. I could see using it to let parents know about upcoming events, homework, the curriculum and spotlight students. Students could use it to share things they learning with other students and learn new technology.