Wow! I never realized, until now, that Wikipedia has developed from a wiki where anyone can edit and save information to share. Amazing, this Web 2.0 stuff... If I were still in a teaching position, I would definitely start a wiki for my students to share their ideas, collaborate, or even use as a study hall as Cool Cat Teacher did. I think that's great because kids LOVE computers and will spend an inordinate amount of time working/playing on one. How cool is it that they would actually be learning all at the same time?
I visited the Holocaust Wiki, Code Blue, Dr. Reich's Chemistry wiki,and Schools in the Past during my discovery exercise and found them all to be quite different. One thing I noticed immediately was the initial presentation/appearance. I personally liked the format of the Code Blue and found it to be very interesting. I liked how it provided links that allowed me to venture off in another direction. I read a lot of interesting facts about sun damage and the skin's ability to repair itself. If I were a student....I would love having a teacher/class that used a wiki to share ideas and information.
I think I'll try a wiki the next time my friends and I plan our girls weekend! How easy that would be to organize our outing. We wouldn't have to try and return phone calls or text msgs. or e-mails!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thing #7
I am really enjoying following my adopted blogs! Points of view and writing styles are interesting to me...In fact, as a result of reading one of my adopted blogs, I've actually started being more conscious of being "green" (thanks to Green and Giddy)! I gathered all the recyclable products used at our Super Bowl party rather than throwing them in the trash :-)
I am so excited that I'm actually ahead of schedule right now! I've found that I've already been completing activities when they weren't yet required and using the techniques you're teaching us but not knowing what they were called :-) I feeling a little more confident!!!
I am so excited that I'm actually ahead of schedule right now! I've found that I've already been completing activities when they weren't yet required and using the techniques you're teaching us but not knowing what they were called :-) I feeling a little more confident!!!
Thing #6
I really enjoy finding all the blogs, both educational and fun, that interest me. I like the way the the Google Reader will keep up with the sites I select. I also think it is fun to hook up with two fellow blogspotters. Some of the sites that I found interesting in the educational part are: supportblogging.com and twitter.com. I also really like being able to follow fun sites like: www.astrology.com and www.weather.com I do wonder how to remove a blog if I added it and don't want it anymore?
Thing #5
I really liked this website (because I love working out and learning ways to improve my health) and will recommend it to my friends or anyone who is interested in beginning a new lifestyle. Be sure to look at the archives because you just might find something to peak your interest! and improve your life! tryingfitness.com. Another blogsite I've found that appears to be fairly new but full of good information is fulltiltfatloss.com.
I now (since I've learned how!!!!) am following this particular blog as well as some others. I'm excited about learning all these new tricks on the computer :-) These sites help pick me up when I'm feeling like skipping a workout and often make me want to slip into my running shoes and get outside to breath some fresh air..... getting my heart rate up makes me feel alive!
I now (since I've learned how!!!!) am following this particular blog as well as some others. I'm excited about learning all these new tricks on the computer :-) These sites help pick me up when I'm feeling like skipping a workout and often make me want to slip into my running shoes and get outside to breath some fresh air..... getting my heart rate up makes me feel alive!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thing # 4 Response to Exploratory Blog Reading
I really enjoyed reading the blogs I chose and I have to say.... this blogging thing is starting to grow on me. I found it refreshing to read different perspectives and purposes in the blogs.
*What do I notice about the genre of blog writing in general?
Blogging allows one to express their thoughts and insights, can be conversational yet very informative, can even link one with others feeling or experiencing similar things.
* How is blog reading different from other types of reading? How is it similar?
Well, good thing I chose to watch Mark's Edtech Blog: Is this SSR 2.0? because it answers this question perfectly! Even student who wouldn't cozy up with a book liked reading when they were allowed to read blogs! I guess being able to choose what they want to read and having some freedom to explore other people's thoughts makes reading more fun. It's reading all the same!
*How is blog writing different from other types of writing? How is it similar?
From what I see and read, blogging is a looser structure than formal writing...kind of like texting. I believe it's o.k. to use text language or whatever you choose as long as you communicate your intent. And as I learned in reading Students 2.0: Teaching Brevity, one doesn't always have to write a lot.... a lot can be said for choosing your words wisely! Very interesting blog from the eyes of a 14 year old. We can learn so much from kids!!! Similarities I noticed were that blogging generally has a purpose in mind just like any other type of writing.
*How does commenting contribute to the writing and meaning-making?
I think commenting promotes thinking. Others can bring insight to what you've written or read. Others can link us up (beam me up Scotty!) to other fascinating places, articles, sites, people, etc.
Is there a "blogging literacy?" How does blogging affect the way we read and write?
*How can blogging facilitate learning?
Like I stated in my earlier post... clicking on links takes me on adventures I never knew existed!
So that's what the highlighted text means within the blog!!! Links to new information! I appreciate the learning experience of linking (finding permalink and how to do it!). Thank you! I already learning so much :-)
*What do I notice about the genre of blog writing in general?
Blogging allows one to express their thoughts and insights, can be conversational yet very informative, can even link one with others feeling or experiencing similar things.
* How is blog reading different from other types of reading? How is it similar?
Well, good thing I chose to watch Mark's Edtech Blog: Is this SSR 2.0? because it answers this question perfectly! Even student who wouldn't cozy up with a book liked reading when they were allowed to read blogs! I guess being able to choose what they want to read and having some freedom to explore other people's thoughts makes reading more fun. It's reading all the same!
*How is blog writing different from other types of writing? How is it similar?
From what I see and read, blogging is a looser structure than formal writing...kind of like texting. I believe it's o.k. to use text language or whatever you choose as long as you communicate your intent. And as I learned in reading Students 2.0: Teaching Brevity, one doesn't always have to write a lot.... a lot can be said for choosing your words wisely! Very interesting blog from the eyes of a 14 year old. We can learn so much from kids!!! Similarities I noticed were that blogging generally has a purpose in mind just like any other type of writing.
*How does commenting contribute to the writing and meaning-making?
I think commenting promotes thinking. Others can bring insight to what you've written or read. Others can link us up (beam me up Scotty!) to other fascinating places, articles, sites, people, etc.
Is there a "blogging literacy?" How does blogging affect the way we read and write?
*How can blogging facilitate learning?
Like I stated in my earlier post... clicking on links takes me on adventures I never knew existed!
So that's what the highlighted text means within the blog!!! Links to new information! I appreciate the learning experience of linking (finding permalink and how to do it!). Thank you! I already learning so much :-)
Thing # 2 - Thougts about Web 2.0
Wow! The Machine is Us/ing Us was fast! I never had any idea that all those characters mean something. I had already seen Shift Happens and was amazed both times at the facts and the rate of growth of technology. I wonder what life will be like for my children 10 years from now? I truly believe that technology can be a wonderful tool for learning, linking people all over the world and opening up an endless vault of knowledge. A Vision of K-12 Students Today made me think about how technology can reach kids who wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable or even be able to compose a traditional report or paper and allow/provide them the opportunity to express themselves in so many ways! To be honest, though, I wonder if we will eventually lose the "human" aspect of communication. In my opinion, there's something to be said in seeing someone's eyes when communicating and taking social cues from a person's inflection and body language. We lose all that when blogging, texting, instant messaging, etc.
Where will our privacy go if everything we search, say, compose, etc. is out there for all the world to see? Like the song says, "I miss Mayberry..." I know... that's not 21st century thinking but sometimes it's exactly how I feel. It seems we have so much on our plates and life just keeps expecting us to move faster and add more things to do in order to keep up.
On a more professional note... I love using technology in my working world. It has made life much easier and more efficient. This year was the first time I took an on-line course and expanding my learning pathways. I search the web all the time and am carried on adventures by clicking on links.... Digital learning is the new way of life. I must get on board I suppose. My kids know no other way of life. In this computer/technology age, I find our possibilities for learning, endless.
Where will our privacy go if everything we search, say, compose, etc. is out there for all the world to see? Like the song says, "I miss Mayberry..." I know... that's not 21st century thinking but sometimes it's exactly how I feel. It seems we have so much on our plates and life just keeps expecting us to move faster and add more things to do in order to keep up.
On a more professional note... I love using technology in my working world. It has made life much easier and more efficient. This year was the first time I took an on-line course and expanding my learning pathways. I search the web all the time and am carried on adventures by clicking on links.... Digital learning is the new way of life. I must get on board I suppose. My kids know no other way of life. In this computer/technology age, I find our possibilities for learning, endless.
Thing # 1 Reflections on Lifelong Learning
Thing #1: Reflecting on 71/2 Habits of Effective Lifelong Learners.....
I found the video very informative and was actually glad to find that I practice lifelong learning in ways I didn't even realize! I I tried to come up with a reasonable goal but not knowing what opportunities I will have made it a challenge to determine what I wanted to learn. I think the most challenging thing for me will be overcoming challenges. I get very frustrated when technology glitches occur! The easiest thing will be accepting responsibility for my learning. I enjoy learning new things. The most important habit while working through this course? Using technology to my advantage :-) In this fast-paced world, efficiency is a must!
I found the video very informative and was actually glad to find that I practice lifelong learning in ways I didn't even realize! I I tried to come up with a reasonable goal but not knowing what opportunities I will have made it a challenge to determine what I wanted to learn. I think the most challenging thing for me will be overcoming challenges. I get very frustrated when technology glitches occur! The easiest thing will be accepting responsibility for my learning. I enjoy learning new things. The most important habit while working through this course? Using technology to my advantage :-) In this fast-paced world, efficiency is a must!
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