Web 2.0 -- There's something for everyone!

 www.space-matters.info
What property of H2O makes this possible?

    This week's assignment was to explore other web 2.0 applications. I explored and I explored, and I'm amazed at how much is out there for whomever wants to use it.  There are applications for every career field, hobby, etc.  If you need something there is something that can be utilized in some capacity.

 I signed up and explored Ediscio-- an online web 2.0 flashcard tool.  Ediscio can be customized however you want it.  You can decide who can see the contents (flashcars), who can invite other users and    who can edit the cards.  I decided that my students would see the contents, and not the general public. I want to be the person who invites users - only my students will be able to study with the cards and my students will also be able to edit the cards.  The cards can be organized by topic, date, etc. so that they are easy to organize and retrieve. This will provide convenience for my students because most of them don't like carrying books, but will readily utilize technology to research and study.  I believe the hardest part of this will be inviting all of my students via the email to use this tool.  I'll have to study it more to see if there are other options.

I'm allowing my students to edit because I want them to finish making the cards.  I put key terms and questions on the cards.  Their job will be to put the answers on the cards and study them.  These will be a wonderful tool to help them study for Friday quizzes.

I really like that I have the ability to add pictures and MP3 files to the cards.  These can be used for hints to the questions and to help them memorize the terminology.

~Hope~

Chatting on Twitter

Well.... I was nervous, confused, and didn't have an idea about how to do what I was supposed to be doing.  BUT, I did it.  I finally participated in my 1st Twitter Chat; I say 1st because I plan on participating in more.
I chatted with other teaching professionals via #edchat.  The subject, which I thought was going to be something else, centered around student poverty and how it affects education.  Now, I'm usually not a very talkative person, unless of course I really have some input.  I didn't get to speak (chat) like I was expecting, not because I didn't have anything to say, but because it's such a fast paced environment for a novice like myself.  I was reading the post of others, and when I finally figured out how to respond there would be 75 new tweets.  I kept looking at the formatting for how others had their tweets to make sure I was doing things correctly.  I responded and then looked for someone to respond to me.  Then again, I would realize there were 150 new tweets for me to read.  Very fast paced environment, very fast.
Finally, I had a conversation going, and felt like I was getting the hang of it.  However, that person only responded to me once.
I enjoyed reading the post of others.  I really enjoyed the fact that educator's (those that were chatting) obviously love their profession.  It sounds like they really work hard to level the playing field for those who are less fortunate.  That was really comforting and encouraging to me. 
In the very near future, I will be participating in a chat again.  I can't give up, I will get chatting down to an art.
I'm loving Twitter.  I'm amazed at how many resources I've secured just in a short amount of time.

~Sutton4Science~  

Social Networks!

This week has been full of exploration.  I've joined a total of four new social networks.  Well, only three this week.  I'm now a member of two different Nings:  iPads in Education and Smart Board Revolution.  I picked these two Nings because they both may/will offer me assistance with technology applications in my classroom.  I have a Smart Board, but have become accustomed to using it the same way day in and day out.  I want to do more creative, hands-on type activities with and for my students.  I believe collaborating with professionals who do this on a daily basis will help me build upon what I've already been doing.  I definitely wanted to be part of the iPads in Education Ning because my Science Department Leader has just purchased iPads for us to use in the classroom.  I don't own an iPad, so I will be needing assistance (other than the manual) with using it to enhance learning in the classroom.  I've already posted a question:  Does iPad have an app for digital books?  I'm helping my principal put together a professional development library, and would like to have digital books as part of the library.

I also joined edWeb.  The platform is somewhat like Facebook.  It's used to connect with colleagues in education, create professional learning communities, collaborate on goals and initiatives,
provides support for new teachers, and provides ways to practice 21st century skills. 

I'm loving my wealth of web 2.0 resources, and I can't wait to begin to reap the harvest of belonging to these social networks.  I have to say the Pinterest is my favorite.  I love Pinning things and putting them on my board.  It's a great organizational tool that allows me to share what I have found, and to explore and borrow what others have found!

Well, I'm off to learn more.  Until next time...

         Hope
~Sutton4Science~

Networked Classrooms

This is been a very long and busy week.  I'm still learning about twitter, but I'm struggling with tweeting five times per week.  Five times???  What is so difficult about that? 

Networked classrooms have advantages and disadvantages.  A benefit of a networked classroom is that it allows for collaborative Learning.   I always say that two brains are better than one brain.  In this situation students are learning from and teaching one another. This provides multiple opportunities for students to inquire and take initiative for their own education. Networked classrooms address the learning needs of all learners because it requires students to think for themselves, ask questions, and set out to discover the answer. The content isn't watered down or altered because it meets students where they are academically and builds from that point.

Starting a networked classroom is not as difficult as I thought.  First, I obtained permission my my principal.  I have been tweeting about and researching the networked classroom for ideas. My first tool is relying on my PLN for information.  There are a great deal of tools available for the science class.  This week, we are using Skype to speak to other teams about robotics and STEM activities. 


~Sutton4Science~

OH MY! I'm Tweeting!

     Well, this week has brought about some significant changes.  I vowed NEVER to Tweet!  What am I doing?  Tweeting!  It's actually not as bad as I thought.  I even have a TweetDeck. I think the biggest problem is going to be trying to remember to tweet a minimum of five times per week.  For those who wish to follow me on my exciting excursion on Twitter you can find me: @hd_sutton.

     The purpose of my Twitter project is to create a PLN.  If you remember, I discussed PLN's in last week's blog.  My PLN will be a global network with teachers, administrators, and other individuals who have the same interest as me.  Creating this PLN will allow opportunities for me to share information, resources and collaborate with the intent of becoming a better professional.  Here is a link to an article that I found very interesting and helpful.  It describes Twitter as a means of gaining professional development and also gives a few tips on how to get the most out of Twitter.  http://www.edutopia.org/twitter-professional-development-technology-microblogging

Another great site that I found is one that provides a wealth of information about how to incorporate technology in the science classroom. 

Also, I'm horrible with acronyms and the such. So, I looked for and found a Twitter Dictionary to help me understand Twitter-cabulary. 

~Sutton4Science~ 

Personal Learning Networks- Chapters 1-3 Reflection

The title of the text is, "Personal Learning Networks:  Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education.  The authors give us great insight into the importance of technology in education.  They compare this technological surge to the Industrial Revolution Age.  Educators, students, and society must become more aware of what's occurring and take an active effort in getting on board with the 21st century skill-set.  The authors remind educators that if a change in teaching (incorporating technology) doesn't occur, then we are going to be left behind.  They continue, in chapter 2, to give strategies to help educators can create their own Personal Learning Networks.  Having and utilizing networked classrooms via technology provides many opportunities to collaborate with other teachers and classes.

I completely agree with the authors in that transforming the classroom is not simply something that is done during a class period and forgotten about, but that it will take time and a great deal of effort.  It requires input and cooperation from the teachers, students, and administration.  It is suggested that creating PLN's will help to advance technology and prepare students for the ever changing global society.

Until next time,

Sutton4Science

365 Project

http://365project.org/