BP7_20091102_Reflective Media Asset

Edmodo!

BP6_20091102_Flickr

Flickr - Lesson plans hmmmm


I searched through the Internets and managed to find a few interesting Flickr lesson plans but none that I truly wanted to do with my class. I happened to run across one about disabled students that gave me some inspiration check it out here. I wasn't particularly inspired by the content or the subject matter. My interest was peaked by the use of these seemingly abstract photos to teach a subject. I see how I you could use photos to reinforce a lesson.

My Lesson Plan...In Short form:


I plan on using Flickr in this manner I will create an account for the class and allow the children to upload images to the account and create photo sets. I will of course have to instruct them as to how this is to be accomplished.

The students will be charged with finding pictures on the Internet or taking some photos of their own that will capture and/or reinforce some mathematical quandary. An example of this would be a picture or photo of a ruler and the title could be 12 inches equals 1 foot.

This activity would be a group assignment and the children would be able to see each others work online and show it to their parents as well. I think this activity would be fun as well as educational.

The children would learn a new way to view mathematical problems and equations while finding new ways to learn about math.



Project H Design. (2008). Julie- math through art. Retrieved
November 8, 2009 from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/projecthdesign/sets/72157607641738699/

BP5_20091102_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools

I have researched this Web 2.0 tool for use with my third grade students. I feel it could be a great way to get them more involved in their own education. It is hard to get young children to really understand the importance of their grades. This applies to most of the students I teach even if their parents punish thm if they make bad grades, they still are not motivated to to do their best for themselves. If you work hard to avoid a punishment you will only work hard if you feel the punishment is waiting for you. I want my studnets to want to do well for their own benefit. I want them to treat this free education like one they are paying top dollar for. It is very true that most people don't value things that they don't earn. I see students everyday that view school as a place their parents make them go to and any day they don't have to come is a blessing.

I see Edmodo.com as a way to combat this feeling by creating a place on the web a little community like myspace or facebook just for us, my students and myself. We will be the only ones who can access the community which makes it safer to use than some other fully public online communities. I could post their homework and assignments here and they would have to log in the see them. I would allow them to log on at school. They could talk to their classmates just like on myspace and chat about class, homework or anything they like. I am hoping this social aspect would entice them to want to log on.

I could also use this tool to keep parents involved as they could see at a glance what is going on in class with their student. They could check to see if their child is completing their assignment or not and they could also read the messages I send to their child. I would send them messages that tell them how well they are doing; behaviorally, educationally and socially. I would base they social grade upon how much and who appropriately they interact with each other inside the community.


I feel this approach would be a lot of fun for my students. I believe I could create some real student interest.

Interest in their grades.

Interest in their school.

INTEREST IN THEIR SUCCESS!

BP4_20091101_iGoogle PLE

BP3_20091101_RSS Feeds

My RSS and Why...










Education Technology- I chose this feed because it simply talks about Technology and I love tech. I also love to read about new tech in education, so that I can stay on top of things.


Webblogg-ed- A new site for me but one that may come in handy durinf this course and beyond as it deals with blogging in education.


Web Apps on Go2Web20- I choose this feed for obvious reasons Go2Web2.0 is an amazing site and I feel in love with it the first time I saw it. This feed is important in order to keep myself in the know with the latest 2.0 apps.


Broward Education- This one is the simplest choice- I work in Broward County so many of the articles here really hit home with me anf provide me with a good picture of education in my town.


FeedMyApp- Another great tool that I can use to get my fill of web 2.0 apps and widgets.

BP2_20091101_Getting Started

I really don't have any clue were this day will go. I don't know how a blog can benefit me or my students educationally. I don't blog. I thought aboput starting one a while ago but I just have too much to do to sit down and blog something meaningful. I guess this will have to change. truly it has already changed. I have been posting about my AR project however I have been using iWeb and I enjoy iWeb so this is strange opportunity I will either find myself in a very strange pickle or having a lot of fun. I tend to view new things as wonderful. I love new experiences however I have to find a way to see how this will help me. I searched the internet for some information on educational blogs that would give me some insight on how blogging in education could be beneficial to me or my students. I found a good article on a web sight about blogs. The author wrote, "Keeping a classroom blog will also help parents to be informed of what’s going on in the classroom. This, in turn, will lead to more parents taking active roles in their children’s education"(Adultlearn.com, 2009). I never thought of trying this not in my wildest of dreams. The author continued, "Write up a synopsis of what the class has been studying each month, or at the end of each term. Be sure to get parental permission before posting photos of students on your site. Photographs of in-class projects, science experiments, and the students working in groups will help parents to feel as though they are well-informed of their child’s daily routine"(Adultlearn.com, 2009). I can't say I am going to start blogging with my students tomorrow but it is a great idea and I can truly see how it would and could help me in my class. I think this would be a great way to involve your studnets parents and keep them involved in the goings on in the classroom which is important. Keeping students' parents involved in the education of the students is paramount. I feel that I could use this approach as a wy to also get feedback from parents on a more regular basis. As I am writing this I am becoming more and more convinced that this is a good idea. I may become a blogger, yet.

Adultlearn.com.(2009). Blogs in education. Retrieved Nov 1, 2009, from
http://www.adultlearn.com/blogs-education.html

There was darkness...

I will start by saying, first I am here to comment on all I choose to and will be silenced by none. I do not claim to be an expert but I am an expert on my opinion.