Post 12

I wanted to add this widget on the side (permanently?) so that it was always visible, not just in a post...but I can't seem to figure it out. Will keep trying!
I don't have a FB account. I think facebook is a good tool for keeping in touch with people, and for sharing information, but I don't think it should be a requirement for life. While I can see the positive benefits, I also see the potential for harm, especially for young people who don't fully understand the consequences of their actions. I think online social communities are popular with kids because it is at their fingertips. They don't have to wait for the opportunity for a personal conversation-they can send their message at any time. Good and bad, I think.

Post 10

ok-ran into a little problem. couldn't use keepvid.com-and to be honest, because I could insert the video so easily the other way, I gave up.
Will still share the video clip, though, because I like it!

I could use this more.

Another One! Alliteration

As promised:

Fun Video

From They Might Be Giants ABCs.  This is the song my kids loved listening to in the car together...not one I used in enrichment, I'll include one of those as well.  (like a pro?)

Thing 9

What do you like or dislike about YouTube? Did you find videos that would be useful for teaching and learning? Is YouTube restricted in your building?
Youtube-I have used it before in my classroom, so it is not restricted.  I have a fun CD by They Might Be Giants, and used clips from the DVD that I found on youtube for enrichment lessons.  The kids found them entertaining, I think.  You do run the risk of something inappropriate, which is never good.  It can be engaging, and I know there are many teachers that have and use some good videos.  I know Pete is trying to get people to share resources in one spot for all to utilize, so maybe this can be a subgroup? 
Personal Note-watched some laughing baby videos with my kids-made up for my earlier frustration when they needed my attention and I was trudging through this...
(it's now 2:39-been at this for awhile)

Thing 8

Used Big Huge labs-Motivator to create this.  Just used one of my favorite pictures, although even that was hard, as I have soooo many.  I liked this tool.  With the possibilities, though, how could it be anything but time consuming!!  I would also say it was fun-especially for personal use.  For work, I'm not sure-I like the idea of motivational pictures, but privacy and copyright comes up again.  And really, I'm not sure where I would find the time to do some of this.

Thing 7

Think of ways you may be able to use Flickr in the classroom or in your work and share your ideas. What issues might you face?


Perhaps it could be used to provide a visual prompt for journal writing, to show students actual examples of landforms, geographical features, and in science to provide images of animals, plant life, and other areas of study.  I think the copyright issue might make it frustrating and more time consuming.

Thing 6

Night Sky.  I chose this picture, because the stars and I are getting more familiar with each other this year...I get a good look at some beautiful constelations as I head off to work in the AM, and we downloaded a fun app on my daughter's ipod touch for identifying things in the night sky.  Breathtaking.  A good friend has a flickr account, and you can find some cute pics of my family...so I am familiar with flickr.  The most difficult thing I found was finding images that weren't copyright protected.  That made it a big frustrating. 

Thing 5

. Reflect - Blog Prompts for Thing 5RSS can be a difficult concept for some to grasp right away - what questions do you have? It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of blogs out there - how do you handle information overload and how do you think RSS might help with that? Find anything in your searching that you'd recommend to others?

Alrighty then.  Was supposed to check out other blogs.  Started with my fellow coworkers and was impressed and motivated to continue on with this-thanks!  I agree with others that feel there isn't enough time in the day to go out searching, as it could go on endlessly.  Less is more, so I will try to utilize a few and hope for good results.  I did find a post about good apps, not that I have a smart phone/ipad-but my kid does, so I can borrow hers, right?! 

Thing 3

Checked out settings and figured out how I could have deleted previous mistake on previous blog...so moving forward!  I think adding a classroom blog, which was what I tried to do last year, is a good thing, and having access to other blogs will make it a little less daunting, I think, as it isn't all about recreating the wheel...using good ideas/links that are already out there is a good thing.

Thing 4

Added the blogs and already feel overwhelmed about keeping up with them.  I really do.  Any suggestions for that?  There are more, I am sure that would be grade level, content specific that I should add, right?  I am not sure who I am asking, but I hope you answer.  All three methods worked for me, with the help of the tutorials. 
Of course, adding personal blogs about my own interests would also be nice, but really...when does it end?  Will I be the woman checking her smart phone at red lights to see if someone has a great dinner idea?  valentine idea for the kids?  coupons? 

Thing 1 & 2

A.  I created a blog last (?) year.  There was an error in the name and I could not change it.  Extreme Frustration
B.  Had a temp account for some reason, because I had to register in the past, probably in a hurry, and could not remember passwords, etc.
C.  Spent last hour trying to delete one, create another, manage kids (am at home now, so doing my other job, too)  FrustrationX100.
D.  Watched video for Thing 1.  I understand the power of technology.  I agree that kids have access to technology.  I don't think it is the magic answer.  MY kids, and the kids of people I know, don't sent 200,000 text messages.  They use google/ask.com, but not to gain greater insight into anything...they could find the answers in their text book.  They don't spend all of their time in front of TVs and computers.  Maybe we should require all students to have music lessons, as there is research that proves that that increases problem solving ability, creative thinking, etc.  Not sure I want my own kid to be required to send in text messages and respond to emails yet-but that's just me.
E.  I look forward to learning about Podcasts.