Thinkfinity

We had the opportunity to really explore the Thinkfinity website and what it has to offer and all I can say is, "Wow!" There were so many areas to investigate, it was amazing. The first we went to was the main page. I liked the way the main page looks, where everything is laid out for us nicely. We were able to take each section, starting with ArtsEdge and really look to see how it was laid out. I liked the easy way I could narrow my search by content and arts subject. I could look to see what was applicable to my situation. The icons were nicely laid out, to help determine the kind of media we could access. There were some storytelling aspects here I could use, especially the one of comparing the Cinderella fairy tale versions.

The Thinkfinity website I really liked was read-write-think, because I noticed right away a lesson on Snowflake Bently. I had just pulled snow books, as well as Snowflake Bently, getting ready to make lesson plans using both, and there was a lesson plan for me to look at! The timing was perfect. I'm getting some ideas from their lesson, and will be adapting part of it. I use the book for introducing biographies to the third graders. I found some links to other websites that led me to a biography on William Bently, as well as making a virtual snowflake. I'd probably have the students make their own with paper and scissors, and then hang them up, but would direct the students to the site so they could make a virtual snowflake, cutting out the paper and seeing the result before they made any actual cuttings out of their own paper.

When we checked the EconEdLink, I was amazed at the ease at which we got into the lesson and creating our own graph based on what we would opt to purchase. What a great way to teach students about supply and demand. The lesson on the dogs was great! The children I have come to the library constantly check out the dog books. They would really like to see this website just for the pictures of the dogs, let alone learning about the way a kennel works. I could see them going home and using this website for fun. This would also be a good website for students doing an animal report on dogs.

The Xpeditions website is great for geography lessons. All the sites were easy to narrow down the lessons because I was able to sort them by grade level as well as title, or even standard. The atlas featue was great. This could be used for teaching longitude and latitude, which is a difficult concept for some elementary students to grasp. I like that I could download any map to use with the students.

I liked the calendar options on many of the sites, but the read-think-write had actual photographs of authors. The standards for all the curricular areas are also right there, so it's easy to know you're meeting the ones you need to meet. Searching for lessons on each site was easy, and the wealth of information available is impressive. It'll be really easy for me to go to the lessons and find information on any type of lesson I need in the future, especially when it's free! I plan on sharing this website with other teachers so they can also have the benefit of another great resource.

The internet scavenger hunt had all of us in competition for being the first ones done. I wasn't first, but came away with the knowledge that kids are naturally competitive and turning learning into a "game" like a scavenger hunt is more appealing to them than sitting and listening to a lecture. They are contributing to their own learning.

Multiple Applications

This week we had the opportunity to explore a database, choose a lesson, and discuss the lesson in Google.docs. I chose to look at the database, www.webquest.org which included a lesson on integrating the history of computers into a persuasive PowerPoint presentation at the end, students convincing others that computers are necessary. I hadn't seen that one before. The database hosts a lot of lessons at various grade levels, as well as subjects. There's even a way one can create a web quest using the website, as well. It's a powerful learning tool. I liked the easy access to the plans, searching by subjects which one is looking to integrate. The students had a definite task to do, and learned about the history of computers, their inventors, and would be able to perform the task as well. It looks to be a great lesson I could use to integrate the history of technology and build a purpose for learning, as well as creating a creative persuasive speech. It hits a few of the curricular areas, such as persuasive speeches, as well as the history element of computers.
I had a few problems saving in Google.docs this week, but once I was directed to change from Internet Explorer to FireFox, (thank you, Jim), the saving went well. I also learned to save my pictures to the desktop before inserting an image into Google.docs. I'm so used to copying and pasting, I'd forgotten I needed a different way for the web. Katie A. kindly helped me there. Inserting the columns was easy, until I previewed it and saw it didn't save the outline. That was frustrating. I'm thinking that's a downfall of Google.docs, where it doesn't automatically transfer the form.
I enjoyed the "recipe" analogy puzzle activity we did in class. What a great way to get us to think about how technology is an integral part of our curriculum. I liked the "heat" analogy, as well as the secret ingredient. I think we need to do more collaboration of this type as a staff, in our schools. We don't get enough of the discussion on a topic at some of our meetings, and this pointed out a great way to integrate ideas. I also enjoyed learning the firecracker!! It reminds me we need to incorporate humor into our lessons, as when we enjoy what we're doing and can laugh, we have an easier time learning. Students, too.

InTyme: Feel the Power(Point)

Feel the Power(Point) is a multimedia unit created by Gayle Flengte, a fourth grade teacher at Perryville Elementary School in Perryville, Missouri. I viewed this lesson as it fell under the presearch option of Information Processing skills, of which I teach. I was impressed with all the work she put into her activities with the students. Ms. Flengte had them research a state and incorporate their findings into PowerPoint. Her main focus was on the technology skills of learning the PowerPoint program, and incorporated standards from many curricular areas along with her unit. She started by giving them a rubric, which was an excellent idea, as it let the students know right away what requirements were to be met. The information presented in the videos went through every aspect of what an integrated lesson plan looks and feels like. There were standards met in Social Studies, English Language Arts, and National Technology Standards. Teacher Standards were also mentioned and told the viewer which ones were met. Ms. Flengte demonstrated her knowledge of technology, student characteristics, and curriculum as she led her students through the activity. Teacher behavior was also assessed through her classroom management style. I noticed the Missouri standards have different terminology, and research skills fell under the English/Language Arts curricular area, instead of the Technology and Information Standards we have in Wisconsin. If I were to use this lesson, I'd also incorporate discussions involving plagiarism, teach Boolean Internet searching skills, as well as why and how to cite sources. I noticed those items were missing throughout her lessons. I liked her idea of students creating PowerPoint presentations as a motivator in learning the material. This lesson could be adapted at the third grade level, as they study the various states and their symbols. It could be adapted at the fourth grade level, studying Wisconsin, and focusing on the immigrant research students are already doing. I found this lesson very motivating and useful! I was amazed at the wealth of information given in the materials presented, complete with previewing and post viewing questions at every standard level presented within the lesson.

Dabbling with Dabble

This week we experimented with Dabble, a free database. It was frustrating, as the directions were confusing. I had a difficult time getting into the program, as it kicked me out a couple of times. After investigating the features of Dabble, we were allowed to create our own database, and I found the program much easier to understand and use by creating one of my own. I started a database of family names, email addresses, addresses, and birth dates. I have a lot of family members, nieces and nephews, so I could sort by birth date, and get the current ones. I use a database in the library all the time, sorting books by their call numbers to pull from the shelves; creating lists of overdue books by students; using the call number option to see which subject areas are used the most, for ordering purposes, etc. One thing I do is create a database of categories of books for students to visually search. These categories are sometimes requested by the teacher, usually book genres students are required to check out. Others are there because students always look for various types of animal information. I put these categories in the visual search area, along with a picture, as it's easy for the younger students to search by images, rather than keying in words. Dabble was interesting to use.

Spreadsheets

This past week we took a look at Google.doc spreadsheets in the class. I use Excel to create my library schedule of when classes come in for library class as well as check out times. I have it scheduled in 15 minute intervals. It's easy for me to update, and that happens a lot during the first quarter! I liked the review we were given. I'd taken a class years ago, and it's amazing what you forget when you don't use it often. I could see the applications for creating a library spreadsheet for each area of the Common School Fund monies. For those of you wondering what that is, a set amount is given to each school based upon the third Friday in September enrollments, and this money is given for the purchase of school library books, newspapers, magazines, computer software, audio-visual materials, and reference materials. Each one has its own budget code. A spreadsheet set up for each code, using the "subtraction" feature, would let me know how much money was spent, and a total of what is left to spend.
Another use would be to keep track of circulation statistics; how many classrooms came in per week as opposed to what's been signed up to come. Almost always there's more classes coming in than what's assigned.
I was a little frustrated in setting up the sum feature in Google.spreadsheets, through my own fault. I consistently wanted to click on the row containing the data, rather than the empty row, to enter the formula. Once I got it right, it went smoothly.
I liked the magic square idea, but again, was getting frustrated finding the "magic" number! With a little help, it went faster. I can see where people can get addicted to playing with it. We're all competitive and like to think we're smart enough to figure it out!

Search Engine Clusty, and notes on Word Processing

This past week we've been able to write in Google.docs, using the word processing feature to write about the search engine Clusty.com I used for the first time, and I really like using it. I like it so much I shared it first with a kindergarten teacher, then talked about it with other staff members who then requested I share the site with them. So I emailed it to them. I'm going to ask them about their use of it in the future. (Part of my role of being a librarian is the sharing of information, and I use email to share - a lot!)

For those of you who haven't looked at it, I'd recommend you do so. After you've searched your topic, it arranges it in categories, letting you choose the category that fits your needs. It also allows you to set your own preferences. By that I mean you can determine how many searches you want per page, language, and adult preferences. Since it's a meta-crawler search engine, it also searches Google, Ask, Yahoo, Gigablast, and many, many others. I could retrieve what I wanted in no time at all. This is an educational search, and doesn't allow advertising through them. One has to go through Ask to see if they can add any advertising. They don't allow any commercialization, which is great, and neither do they track its users. They just want you to search. You can access the web, images, gov, shopping, etc., and set your own preferences for display. You can choose what language you want to search in, with the exception of Chinese. I noticed they're adding more, but they still haven't added Chinese, which was interesting to note. They also don't censor their information. You can turn on/off adult preferences, though. They also don't edit or screen the sites, articles, images, etc., which are linked to their site. If you haven't tried this one, by all means do!



When I used the web based word program with Google.docs, I liked the fact anyone can use it on the web. Any student has no excuse for not having a word program at home. Their problem might be not having a computer, or Internet access. That problem can be solved by going to the local public library, where there is free access. The program allowed me to do all of the same things I do in the Word program, as well as post comments, link it back to students, and connect links to other web sites. It also has a formatting font and paragraph feature, spell check, insert a video, image, and lets me preview before publishing. I can also email it to anyone I want. This feature of adding comments to papers, letting students have feedback before they print, can make a difference in the life of a tree!

I have students use their keyboarding skills in the library when searching for information. They can keep their notes in notepad or in word, and they write their citations in word, with my help. I also help them find Internet sources, books, periodicals, etc, with the help of the computer, so students need to know how to input the information, via a keyboard. Students also use the word processing program to write, file, store, retrieve, edit and revise their information for their reports. They use spell check as well, being informed that spell check is not the "final" answer, depending on the context of the sentence. Students also use the image insert menu, whether it's for scanned pictures, clip art, or images found on the web. I also copy some websites on Word, and post them in the common drive or on the library home page, for students to access for research.

CEdu510 Reflections Log

Today we learned about the many ways to use different graphic programs for free on the internet. I tried Mr. Potato head. It's all right for students who don't know how to draw faces. You can click and drag, resize, and add different colors, but it doesn't fill in. The program was too limiting in color, free style, didn't have many options to choose from.
The next I tried was Jackson Pollock. This one I really didn't like because I couldn't control the shapes, size, or even color! It was a free flowing blob at times, and when I clicked the mouse changed to a new color. I like to have a little more control over the mouse!! It's good for an art teacher, showing students how Jackson Pollock pictures could be made. It could also be used by some to get out their frustrations, or feel they can make art, without having to draw.
The third one I tried was Cumulative Draw. This would be a good program for designing a library, kitchen, or whenever a furniture layout was needed. This would be good for architects, as the shapes are preset. Students might like this one, because they can create perfect circles, squares, triangles, etc. Some art styles might require the use of shapes, and this program would lend itself to that feature.
The fourth program I tried was Sketchcast. This program would be good for someone trying to explain a concept while they're drawing it. The tools aren't very friendly to work with, and I found it hard to work with. Coaches might like to use it, as well as a teacher who had a student miss an important concept because of absenteeism. It's great for missed "Chalk talks" on the blackboard, especially when the visual is important to present the concept.
The program, Comic Sketch was interesting. The tools aren't the easiest to figure out how to use. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't put words in my picture. I felt like I had to create a comic. This tool would be great to create a graphic novel, if only it didn't have the limitation of text put on it.

Queeky let me have more control over my art. It reminded me of the Linkway program, with its ability to create and resize a shape, as well as choose colors I wanted. The limitation was it hadn't a text feature added to it. That would've been nice.

My Drawings had an easier menu to work with, and would let me undo as much as I wanted. There were many colors to choos from, it was an easy format to work with. It hadn't any preset shapes, which would've made it nicer to work with, especially with younger kids.
The one I liked the best was Art Pad. I had a little more control over what I could do, as well as add text, in the font and size that I wanted. This was the best, even though when I sent the picture to myself, the resulting text appeared hand drawn, not put into the text format I had chosen. I liked that it went step-by-step, as that let me know what I did at each moment. If a student had posted their "drawing" for me to observe, I could see where a mistake might've been made. This would be great in math, posting problems and watching the student solve it. Right away I'd know if the person grasped the concept, or where a mistake was made. I could then replay the program to the student and discuss what the student was thnking at the time, letting me get a handle on their thinking. This would be a little time-consuming, and the student would have to be familiar with the program and stay on task. It would also be great to promote graphic art.

Today I worked on my presentsation for class. I took a look at the presentation tools and decided to use google.docs after downloading Firefox on my computer and using Empressr to start creating a mini biography. I didn't like the backgrounds they had to offer. I felt the tools were in an odd place to use, and cumbersome. I searched for the Help menu, didn't find it anywhere. It was a little frustrating to work with. Even the images took time to upload and then insert. Google.docs was much easier to work with, change the fonts, and insert pictures.
When I looked at SPresent, I wasn't sure I'd like it. The web-based feature is nice. If you're going to upload your own pictures, though, they must be in .jpg format and the size is limited. There are some nice animated pictures, and one can include some of those, they're limited in scope, however. The fonts used are few: Arial, Courier New, Times New Roman, and Verdana. That's it. I couldn't center with a button, either. Everything is preset to the left. I can see where people on the go, out in the business world would use this, as it can be used at any place, since it is web based. In fact, all the ones I looked are are.
Zoho wasn't too friendly, either. It had limited preset designs. I could upload from my pictures, but if I didn't delete after I entered it, the image was too easy to reinsert a second time. It was really hard to delete items. I also had a hard time adjusting the font size. Google.docs was much friendlier to work with.

Reflections

Hi,
I'm a librarian at 2 schools, Meadow View and Summit Elementary in Oconomowoc, WI. Today I'm learning how to make a blog, using blogger.com., as well as how to make a wiki. It's pretty cool.

Currently I'm working on my Masters of Education in Instructional Technology. I'm learning about many new things on the internet, such as google notebook, google calendar, wiki's, blogging, and how to share information. We're learning and discussing many things about the educational aspect of blogging. The information presented is awesome!

The class started out with an introduction to the internet and world wide web. We learned about the various web browsers, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Flock, and Safari. We created a pbwiki, which is free, and shared our information with our instructor. I had trouble saving on my home computer, so I called my instructor and he very kindly showed me over eluminate, where to find Active X on my computer and enable it. Otherwise, none of my changes would have stayed.

When we were given the assignment about the comparisons of web browsers, I spent three evenings until 11:00, searching for information. I learned about the various different web browsers when looking at each site, and then went to wikipedia for information! Wikepedia is amazing in what it has to offer. I should have looked there first. Almost all the information I wanted was there about the comparisons of web browsers. I used it as a check on what I already had done. I did look at each web browser, though, to get a feeling about what each one is like. I have Internet Explorer at home, which I'm used to. When I took a look at Foxfire, I liked that one better.

The class was told we'd be merging as small groups, so we formed groups and met to work on the History of the Internet Webquest. I really liked the way the webquest was laid out. We had four questions to research, so we met on Monday, October 15 at Summit, and decided what question each of us would like to do and what presentation design format we'd like to have Then we each worked on our question, researching and putting our parts together. We emailed each other throughout the week, working out sources cited questions. I had everyone email me their presentation and put it together.

We also learned how to use google and create calendars as well as notebooks. There are so many things google has to offer, it's a wonder more people don't use it! I created 2 calendars, one for school and one for birthdays. I liked the fact that the birthday calendar lets me continue the birthdate for as many years as I want it to go. It really helps! Now I have them for as long as I and the persons are living. I can add, delete, and edit this calendar, as well as link it to other areas. I can share it with whomever I want, so they can see what's up, too.

The notebook feature in Google is equally as nice. I like that I can cut and paste websites, make annotations, or paste information in there as well. Saves time in writing down information. Very useful for students, too. The education applications would be great for webquests, class notes, projects.

Another aspect of Google is the Blogger.com area, where anyone can create a free blog! It's amazing how easy it is to do. This is a great place to keep a journal, and it can be shared, or not.
I wasn't sure I'd like to do one, but I'm catching on.

We learned about searching via boolean searh strategies, which is something I start teaching with fourth graders. They learn the basics ones: and, or, not, and how to combine them in their searching. I had them use those three so far in subject seaching our library database. The fifth and sixth graders are reintroduced to the terms when they're doing research. I add the brackets, quotation marks and plus sign to their searching strategies, as they will be doing more extensive research on the internet than the fourth graders. It's not an easy concept for them or even for some adults!

All in all, it's been a very enlightening course to take.