Tool #4

My team can benefit from using Google Docs. We can create, share, then edit the document without having to attach it to Eduphoria or a seperate email. We definitely could have benefited from Google Docs when constructiong our year long road map. Students can create powerpoints and other documents and then share with their group members to edit and revise. Also, I think it will be neat to use Google Video, so my students can upload their created videos, like how to solve a word problem!

Tool #3

I have found that Discovery Education is the most useful.  There is an abundance of great videos that you can use.  Also, you can search for full videos or segments.  Magic School Bus and Life videos are two of the many great types of videos available to stream in your class.  Youtube brings up a lot of homemade videos, so it is not as easy to search for appropriate videos to use in the classroom.  One great feature is you can easily create a video with your class and upload it to Youtube.  We utilized this last year while our ducklings were hatching.  Students were able to relive the experience from home and show their parents on our class blog.

This video shows great pictures of stages of the life cycles of a variety of animals.

 This is a great video explaining "What is a bird?" found on Discovery Education. I cannot embed this video without downloading it so it is hot linked.

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=B566FE3A-8B35-443D-A484-B5306E282C89&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Copyright and fair use allows teachers and students to use images, videos, etc. if they are using a secure location (not for all of the public to view) for the content.  This is new to me and great to know.

I downloaded Dropbox and found that it is a great program to hold all your files, pictures and videos.  Now my files (pictures, lesson plans, etc) on my home computer and work computer can be in one place.  I no longer have to email them to myself! :)  You can log on to dropbox from another computer and you can share pictures, videos and files with other people.  

Tool #2: Building Community in the Online Environment

One of my college professors always told us that teaching is about "beg, borrowing and stealing"!  What do we do with our teammates and other teacher friends...oh yes we say things like, "Do you have...", "Can I borrow...", "Oh, wow that's a great idea.  I want to do that!"  Well the blogging world has enabled teachers from around the world to share ideas and let us get a peak inside their classrooms.  I LOVE reading teacher blogs and seeing new and creative ideas.  Teaching is getting a makeover!

I enjoy using Google Reader as it makes following my favorite blogs easier.  I get to see their updates in one places instead of going to my long (and disorganized I must admit) list of bookmarks.  Diigo sounds intriguing as well.  Also, commenting on other blogs is a great way to connect with each other and let others know if you need to beg, borrow, or "steal" from them.  I like visiting blogs like The Inspired Apple, The Grade Two Zoo, and Simply 2nd Resources.  Of course good ole Pinterest.com is always a growing obsession and helps spread the word of fantastic ideas.

Bloggity Blog Experience

I have found this blogging experience easy so far.  I have been blogging for the past year and a half.  So, creating the blog and my fun voki avatar has been quick and painless.