Web 2.0 Applications

  Glogster  

This is going to be an excellent tool for me and for my students. What a fun and interactive way to share information. I think students will enjoy creating a Glogster Poster way more than writing a a traditional report on paper. The fourth graders I am student teaching would welcome a chance to use this kind of technology. They love to work on the computer. I am looking forward to using a Glogster Poster on my blog to share information with the parents which will be much more effective than trying to get notes home through the students. 

  Delicious  

Overall, this is a great website but it was frustrating to set up. Like the directions warned, my set-up window looked nothing like the example. After many attempts, I finally got it to work. Then I actually began to appreciate this website. I can see how using it will save time when looking for new resources. I love having access to useful websites listed by other teachers. 


Here's my link to Delicious... http://delicious.com/staustin03

  Google Docs  

I'm looking forward to using Google Docs. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to sit in on some basic training at my school. As a student teacher, I didn't have access to a computer during the training, but I got a nice introduction to how Arlington ISD plans to utilize Google Docs now and into the future. We learned how lesson plans can be developed as a team effort in real time instead of passing around paper copies for team members to add to and correct. There are so many ways to use Google Docs. This assignment allowed me to actually work with it. I know that Google Docs will eventually be something we use everyday. I plan to keep practicing with it so I don't get left behind!


This is my Google Docs link...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uiVEZyCIToDPl53Kw3QmunEfLYyiMxs5WCHsSDBE9_Y/edit#heading=h.493cpzt9uc1w

  Google Reader  

What a great idea! I like having quick access to the websites I go to the most. It's a lot like email in that the stories are listed with the first few words, and I can decide whether I want to expand it to read the whole thing. Setting up the account and adding websites was simple. Almost too easy. I found myself wanting to read the stories popping up as I was adding the websites. Now it will be easy to keep up. No longer will I have to click all over the Internet to find what I want. And it will be more convenient to follow my favorite bloggers. Having everything in one place will cut down on search time. I can see myself using Google Reader everyday. I'm also planning on exploring ways to use Google Reader to help me manage my students' projects.

 Wikis  

Easy to set up and easy to use. I can think of a lot of ways to use this website with students, teachers, parents, and friends. It would have been so much easier to plan the holiday party we just had in 4th grade with Wiki. Emails were flying all over the place. Many phone calls, too. Wikis might help convince parent volunteers that planning classroom events doesn't have to be so time-consuming. Next time, we will use Wiki and save ourselves time and headaches.
How fun and engaging would it be to use Wiki to do a class project?! Each student can add their own research and get feedback from fellow students and from me. I would like to see the use of Wikis become a regular part of our lessons and projects.

The link to my Wiki is... https://4thgradeholidayparty.wikispaces.com/home

Digital Photo Story - Photopeach 

My students are going to love using Photopeach. It is a pleasure to work with. Everything about it makes me eager to introduce it to them. The kids can use this website do individual as well as group projects. I really like how easy it is to add music. Just a few clicks and you're done. The photos move in and out to make the presentation even more interesting. I can't wait to see what the kids create with Photopeach!


And each year, the teachers and parents of the sixth graders put together a video commemorating the students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Photopeach would be perfect for this.

This is my Photopeach presentation...

Web 2.0 Tool - Xtranormal 

Oh my gosh I love this website! I had so much fun creating this video. For my first try, it isn't half bad! And it was so easy! My students will be able to write their own stories and then create a cartoon character to tell the stories to the class. They can control how the characters look, sound, and move. The possibilities are endless!

Here is the Xtranormal video I had so much fun making...

Just Another Day

 3 Blogs to Which I Have Posted 

Nancy's News
http://nancywinship.blogspot.com/p/tips-for-new-teachers.html?showComment=1357712815369



Teach Pray Love
http://teachprayandlove.blogspot.com/p/teaching-philosophy.html?showComment=1357713251938



On the Finer Points of Teaching Music...
http://wampuscatmusic.blogspot.com/p/tips-for-new-teachers.html?showComment=1357713807301