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(Image taken from Laura Sawyer's Blog @

http://teachingtransformed-lms.blogspot.com/)

Here is the link to my comment on Laura's blog:

http://teachingtransformed-lms.blogspot.com/

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(Image taken from Sanna Okacha's Blog @ http://sanaaokacha.blogspot.com/)

Here is the link to my comment on Sanna's blog: http://sanaaokacha.blogspot.com/

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http://www.dimdim.com/

The Web 2.0 tool that I explored is called Dimdim. Dimdim is a free and easy way to host your own web meetings. I set up a registration very quickly and I was immediately able to invite others to join me in a meeting. There are many different things Dimdim allows you to do. You are able to easily share documents, web pages, presentations, and whiteboards. Dimdim also has voice and video so you can meet face to face and listen and view presentations.

I decided to try Dimdim with my second grade partner. After I registered I simply clicked on START (with a big red button) meeting now and I was able to invite my grade partner to join me in a meeting. I had to type in her email address and then all she had to do was open her email and accept the invite. If I didn’t email her, I could have just gave her the URL so she could join me. Neither of us had to install anything at all. While experimenting in our meeting I simply uploaded a graph I had created for her. We could both view the graph on the screen and we could use the tools on the side to circle or mark up anything. We don’t have microphones or cameras on our computers, but we were able to chat quickly on the side by typing a message and hitting send (on the right hand side). I was the host, so only I was able to upload things to share. However, with the click of a button, I could make her the host and she could share as well. The meetings are timed, so you know how long your meetings last. When your meeting is complete, you can review everything discussed at your meeting.

You can also schedule a Dimdim event and invite participants early. When you log in to your account on that day, you will have a schedule present. Just click on the meeting scheduled that you want to attend and Dimdim will take you there. Dimdim is a great way to collaborate and communicate for everyone.

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(Image taken from Jacysn's blog @ http://jacvize.blogspot.com)

Here is the link to my comment on Jacsyn's post:

http://jacvize.blogspot.com

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(Image taken from Jen's Blog @ http://www.jscioscio.blogspot.com)

Here is the link to my comment on Jen's Blog:

http://www.jscioscio.blogspot.com

BP5_2010042_Web2.0Tool2CreateAGraph

Create A Graph
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/

I chose to introduce “Create a Graph" from the “Kids' Zone: Learning with NCES” website. This website and Web 2.0 tool was created for kids. I have actually just started using this Web 2.0 tool and I wish I found it earlier. Last week I shared this tool with my colleagues at a faculty meeting. I was able to demonstrate the program and each teacher created a graph step by step. The graph below shows my students' scores. The great thing about this graph is the use of colors. You can clearly see that student scores either increased or stayed the same. The green vertical line is from their pre common formative assessment on writing a summary and the purple vertical line displays their score on the post common formative assessment on writing a summary. This was a great way for me to present my data at a Data Team meeting. Representatives from each grade level were able to hang up their graphs. We then could observe them and see which students made progress and which students did not. Having graphs really helped because it made our data analysis time quicker and smoother. Then we came up with teaching strategies to implement to help students who were not meeting benchmark.

This program is very easy to use. You can create five different kinds of graphs or charts. You can create a graph or chart using bar graphs, line graphs, area graphs, pie graphs, or XY graphs. There is even a "create a graph tutorial" to help you get started. Once you decide which type of graph you want to create you then choose the direction, shape, and style. Next, there are tabs on the right of the page that will take you through each step. Once you are finished with the design, you enter your data. You can label your graph and you can compare up to six groups.

Once all your data is entered you can add labels. This is my favorite part. "Create a Graph" calculates all of your percentages for you. I was very excited to put my calculator away. Once you finished all the steps you can then preview (then make changes if necessary), save, and print your graph. I downloaded all of my graphs into a PDF. You can save your graphs and email it to yourself in case you have to make any changes.

Students can also use "Create a Graph." This is a great way to bring more technology into your classroom.

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One Web 2.0 tool that I could use in my second grade classroom is SchoolWAX TV. This Web 2.0 classroom resource can be found at http://schoolwaxtv.com/. SchoolWAX TV gives students, educators, and parents a place that allows the sharing of educational videos for K-12 in a pleasurable learning environment. The website is full of educator approved videos that anyone can learn from. Teachers are able to incorporate the newest elearning methods into their classrooms and curriculum. Teachers can also collaborate and connect with other educators or colleagues to share lesson plans and ideas.
There are tabs at the top of the SchoolWAX TV homepage. The tabs include elementary school, middle school, secondary school, educators, student projects, and sponsor videos. I clicked on elementary school and found countless authentic videos that I would use in my current classroom. I could easily give my students the opportunity to meet different authors like Jerry Spinelli, Bruce Degen, Eve Bunting, Mark Teague, and Betsy Lewin for free. My class just read “Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type.” It would have been great to show Betsy Lewin’s “meet the author” video to my class. The video is Betsy Lewin describing her childhood and the different things in her life that inspired her to become an author. The videos include animations and presents educational content in a way that is extremely engaging to all learners. Below is a snapshot of Betsy Lewin’s video.



SchoolWAX TV can also be used to assist children with their homework. For example, there are videos that show step-by-step instructions to solve different math equations. Here is a screenshot of a “Notepad Tutor” showing how to do two-digit subtraction with regrouping. I recently had a parent contact me for help with this skill. I could have used this Web 2.0 tool to assist them at home. Students can watch videos to receive help with their homework, reinforce the skills taught in class, and enjoy themselves at the same time.



It is easy to use SchoolWAX TV in your classroom because you do not have to set up an account or worry about your students exploring the site. All of the videos on this site are safe for students to watch. Each video is pre-screened and approved before showing up on the site. Students can also upload and share their own videos with other students and schools all over the world. Parents can also stay involved in their child’s education by going onto SchoolWAX TV and watching their child’s videos or by assisting them with their homework. I am definitely going to use SchoolWAX TV in my second grade classroom.
You should check it out too. http://schoolwaxtv.com/

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I feel that blogging is a great instrument for students and teachers. Blogging is a form of writing where personal expression is allowed and authentic writing takes place. You are able to display your own work to a greater audience very simply. Students who are able to blog will feel like they are writing for a greater purpose. They know that others will be reading their blogs, and not just their teachers. While researching educational uses for blogs I came across an article on Edutopia’s website that made me realize I should be using blogs in my classroom. Jim Moulton (2008) wrote the article, “Blogs, Blogs Everywhere: Does Everyone Need an Internet Journal?” and he stated that, “Writing is a reflective process, and the creation of content you're going to share causes you to work hard to make your thinking clear. An audience creates anxiety, and appropriate levels of anxiety support our best efforts. And the best writing calls for our best thinking” (para. 6). This statement really got me thinking. In my classroom, students tend to speed through the writing process. They make sure all parts of their narrative writing diamond are displayed in their stories, but don’t take the time to worry about entertaining their audience or proofreading their work. Then I thought about the word audience. Their audience isn’t an audience. I am the only one (or an occasional classmate) reading their papers, journal entries, and written responses. If I were to have students’ blog their different writing pieces, I think they would put forth their best efforts and really try their best to entertain their audience.

I then thought about how my students perceive myself as a writer. I have never expressed to them that I do like to write or that I do write. Then I began to think about not only students’ blogging, but teachers as well. Moulton (2008) gave the example of teachers not considering themselves as writers. I thought about this statement and would have to agree. When do teachers write? Teachers write lesson plans, comments on student work, objectives, etc. Is this writing? Moulton (2008) stated, “Who do we want helping young people become better writers -- a writer, or a nonwriter?” (para. 10). If I blogged with my students in the classroom and allowed them to read my blogs I know they would be inspired to write authentic blogs as well. I never thought about this. My students enjoy when I read with them during silent sustained reading time. They like to sit near me, use a bookmark like me, and read chapter books like me. It would be the same if I were to write with them and to share my writing with them as well. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Also, I don’t only have to write blogs with my students or for my students to read. I can use blogs to connect with other educators and to share my ideas, thoughts, or feelings. Blogging is a great way to reflect and to stay connected.

Reference:
Moulton, J. (2008). Blogs, blogs everywhere: does everyone need an internet journal. Retrieved April 3, 2010, from http://www.edutopia.org/blogging-purpose

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The first subscription I joined is “Improving Public Schools and Education,” by Edutopia. The Edutopia website is http://www.edutopia.org/. I was introduced to Edutopia in my first Full Sail University course. I have been using this website ever since for research, resources, and to gain knowledge on different educational topics. I am able to learn a great deal of information from the different blog posts from teachers, administrators, school improvement coaches, and parents. I am a second grade teacher so the material covered is relevant and benefits my profession.

Next, I chose to join “Teacher Magazine: News and Information for Teacher Leaders.” The website is http://www.edweek.org/tm/index.html. I just came across this website recently as I began to hunt for K-6 job openings. This website allows you to browse job openings in any area. Due to budget cuts and being a non-tenured teacher, there is a chance I will not be resigning a contract at the school I am currently working at. This website offers advice and solutions.

The third subscription I joined is “TeacherTube: Teach the World.” The TeacherTube website is http://www.teachertube.com/members/myHome.php. I became a member of TeacherTube right away because I was very interested to view the videos the website contained. There are many videos that I can use in my classroom. I came across a great video called “Did You Know.” Karl Fisch created this video. This video really got me thinking and I can’t wait to share it with my colleagues. You can check it out here: http://www.teachertube.com/members/viewVideo.php?video_id=118&title=Did_You_Know___by_Karl_Fisch.

Another subscription I joined is the “U.S. Department of Education” website at http://www.ed.gov/. This website is wonderful for teachers. You can listen to speeches, videos, read newsletters, and stay updated with current events and everything pertaining to education. This website is a great resource for teachers to use.

Lastly, I subscribed to “PBS Teachers. Learning. Now” that was written and produced by Andy Carvin. The website can be located at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/. This is a web blog that explores technology in the classroom. There is a tab for K-2 Resources with separate tabs for all subject areas. There are teacher discussions and ways that you can incorporate technology into the classroom.

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