Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Thing #7 Google Tools

I don't see myself using Google alerts. It just is too specific and I really do not have any particular concept that I am attached to enough to want regular updates. I think I am more of a generalist and will stick to CNN.com and other major websites to get the news I am interested in. The calendar could be useful if I had kids with busy schedules to put on the "Family calendar" or perhaps I could use it in the fall to help plan projects, tests and quizzes on a forum my parents could easily access.

The two applications I have played the most on and enjoy are Google Scholar and Google Earth. I love checking in on the geography of a region we are discussing. Also, at the middle school level, many students have the false belief that people in other countries are really different than U.S. citizens. Getting to zoom to street level allows them to see people in street clothes, malls, cars and other everyday things. It can also be fun though to zoom to rural settings and see their reactions.

Google scholar is a great application for the classroom. I used it frequently while completing my master's degree. I like that it can be used on research projects for the students. It is a great filter for where they are getting information from. Not to mention that since it is "google" some students think it is "cooler" than other scholarly filters and online libraries.

Thing #6 Mashups

This is an interesting idea. I can easily see how many of these applications work so well together. I looked at Travature.com and think this is a great tool for vacation planning, research and reporting back. Similarly, Flickr Color Pickr is a fun tool also. I could really see myself using this tool to find photos that I would want to match a color scheme in a room. But, back to the classroom. Since I teach Spanish, I could easily see having my students do research projects using travature to research Spanish speaking countries from around the world and have them plan trips, explore local cultural events, geography and view images of the local architecture and people. This would be a wonderful major grade, but would also provide an opportunity for the students to directly use technology in the classroom.

Thing #5 Flickr

I really like this website!! I am (very much) a novice photographer, but what great works to look at! There are many resources available for me personally as well as to use in my classroom. Teaching a language allows me to open up the minds of the kids to the culture and what better way than with photos and images of what we are talking about! (ok, the best way is to actually experience the culture by being there, but photos are not a bad way to provide evidence of what we are discussing in class.)

I look forward to using this site in the fall! (and the tags make this so much easier to use than just a random google image search)

Thing #3 Setting up a blog...

Setting up a blog was fairly easy. But I have to admit I had a little difficulty exporting my Avatar. Making the avatar reminded me of paper dolls. I guess thats what they really are....the paper dolls of the 21st century. Now if I could just figure out what to write...

As for other blogs, I have looked at several and find them to be great jumping points and inspirational for my own posts. I look forward to looking at more as we continue the 23 thing process.

Thing #2, 7 1/2 Habits

The easiest habit for me is setting goals. While I may have to change and modify them with time, I always set them. I have always been goal driven and look to the future. On the other hand, it is difficult for me to make getting to the goals fun. I find it really difficult to "play" to make the process as much of the experience as the accomplishment.

It is my hope that as I continue as a "lifelong learner" I will remember to play and enjoy working toward my goals. I want to step back and play, have fun and develop as a person.