Tool 5

Some of the kids in my class recently made a Stupeflix video for a science project we were working on, so I decided to try this for one of my Tool #5 requirements.  These videos are fun and easy to make.  I just uploaded some pictures I had on my computer, but I know it's also easy to use ones you find online.  Add music, set your times and you are done!  Biggest limitation is the under 60 seconds requirement to keep it free. Plus, I'm not seeing how I could embed this, but I know we did in December...  a little more research is obviously required!  Ok, I found it, whew!  See video below.





Here's a link to my classroom blog...

The FlyBer Blog

Tool 4

I will admit that just a year or so ago I was very hesitant to embrace Google Docs.  I was happy to use the  Microsoft Suite on my computer and saw no real need or purpose to try anything new.  What a difference a year can make, now I find myself a little (or a lot!) annoyed when people use email to do things that better tools exist for, like sign up sheets for parties. I now use Google Docs on a regular basis, and so do my students.  We've used documents, spreadsheets, presentations and drawings all quite recently in class and to communicate with my colleagues.  I've used forms a few times, but need to remember that it is really easy to use to create and to embed!

Tool 3

I love Creative Commons, http://search.creativecommons.org/, what an incredible tool!

Here is a video I could use in my public speaking class:

And a picture found using Creative Commons' search feature (url is located above).

Portrait of Augustin Louis Cauchy (1789-1857): Mathematician, Physicist, and Astonomer.  (Image from the Smithsonian Institution)

Tool 2

I've just completed the requirements for Tool #2.  I like Google Reader and have subscribed to a number of blogs that I would love to find time to keep up with; maybe this will help.  One of my favorite places to go to read about education is The New York Times.  I've included the link below, it always has a lot of great information and ideas.  Sometimes I love what they have to say and sometimes it's really upsetting!  Good stuff that gets you thinking either way.

New York Times Education News

I am still up in the air on how I feel about posting comments online.  It's a little strange to put yourself out there in a world where what you post is all others will know about you.  In conversations with your colleagues, you have plenty of other experiences and interactions for them to form their opinions about you - posting comments is a bit more of a one shot deal.  It is important to take the time to think about what you want to say and the best way to say it!  Hmmmmm, my mother would tell me I should do that before I speak, too!

Tool 1

This is my first post on my new blog, and my first post of 2012.  I created an avatar on Voki and added it, very, very easy.  The kids could spend forever playing with their avatars!  This is not my first blog, and I haven't run into any issues with the creation/editing process yet, fingers crossed!