Web 2.0 Promo

Here is a screencast that I created to promote the Web 2.0 tool "Create A Graph." I plan to use this program to allow my students to create their own reading fluency graphs. Then I will be able to share the graphs with parents at conference time to show their child's growth in the area of reading fluency.

Click here to view the screencast.

Collaboration Using Web 2.0 Tools

Right now the idea of collaborating with others on-line is a little overwhelming to me. I feel like the best way for me to do this would be to find a couple sites to join and then work from there. I know that there are so many possibilities out there to learn from other teachers, but I think that if I try to do to much at first, I won't be able to keep up. I will just need to start slowly. I am beginning to think of how to allow my students time to work collaboratively while also infusing websites or technology of some sort. I am really interested in the idea of having my students create podcasts. I need to learn as much as I can about them and also find out how I will make them available to others to view. We will see how this goes! It should be a great learning experience for me!

Web 2.0 Product

I am so proud of how this classes is making me step out of my comfort zone and take some risks when it comes to using technology. I found a great Web 2.0 tool called Create A Graph. I was excited to discover this site that actually will allow my students to be able to create their own Reading Fluency Graphs to show their growth each quarter. I will be happy to get rid of the paper/pencil graphs that I have used in the past. I think that by having my students create graphs on-line will be very exciting and motivating for them.

After I found this great tool, I really stepped out on a limb and used Screen Toaster to promote this site. It was so great how Screen Toaster recorded my voice and showed exactly what I was doing on my laptop at the same time. Screen Toaster is a very user friendly site and I was able to create my screencast in just a few easy steps.

Virtual Field Trip Slideshow

One of my favorite units that I cover with my 2nd graders is Garbology. The subject is exciting and motivating for my students and they are always excited to learn about recycling and ways to help with reducing the amount of garbage. Some years, we are able to find the funding to take a trip to the local Lincoln Landfill to allow students to see the amount of waste that happens right here in our hometown. This may not always be possible -- because of funding, bus availability and other issues. I have created a Garbology Power Point that I will be able to show my 2nd graders and allow them to experience the way a landfill and recycling site work. I hope that this virtual field trip will allow them to learn about the same issues, from our classroom.

Trying out Animoto

I decided to see how easy it is to create a video clip using Animoto. This video is a personal one from our family trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. Now I have started thinking about videos I could create with my students.

Graphic Sites

I spent some time tonight looking through sites that may be useful when I am looking for clip art to add to a newsletter, reminder note, or possibly when I am creating a power point or some other creation to share with my students next year. Two sites that I think will be ones that I will visit often are:

Teacher Files.com and Discovery Education Clip Art

Digital Media Creation

I spent some time this evening looking through different programs that allow you to make your own videos, slideshows, etc. I can think of tons of ways to use these for my own personal use, like Animoto but is still thinking about ways to use these with my students. I know next year there is going to be a big focus on Vocabulary words that connect to our reading themes. I am wondering if my students would be able to create a video to help them learn and understand the meanings of the words. I will have to think more on this.