Ending our blogs

Working with our blogs has been very helpful in opening my eyes to the different uses of the Web 2.o tools. I think making us blog was a great way to get all of us thinking about different uses that would work in our primary classrooms. It has been a fun experience.

Great Ideas for First Grade.

After reading through all the blogs on podcasting I am feeling very motivated to jump in and give it a try. I love the idea of making a powerpoint and having them narrate the slides. I also think having them write stories and recording them reading would be fun for the students and parents. I am going to give this some thought over spring break and then try something out in my class.

First Grade Podcasts

After learning to use Audacity in class this past week I can see a few uses for podcasts in first grade. My students love listening to themselves read. Audacity is user friendly enough to allow them to work on their own. They could record themselves reading a passage and play it back to critique themselves. They could do interview with each other to work on their oral communication skills. I think recording a Mother's day or Father's day message for mom or dad would work. WOW..many possibilities!

Podcasting in First Grade Oh My!

Ok, I read chapter 8 in Richardson's book but I can't figure out how I would introduce first graders to the making of a podcast. Or for that matter what would I use it for? I am at a complete loss. Any ideas out there?

Video Use in the Classroom

I have been using my flip video camera with my first graders when they are reading. I let them watch themselves and they judge if they are reading with emphasis and stopping at punctuation. They are great at critiquing their own work. I also have used it to help them with presentations. They try and improve their delivery after seeing themselves. They also think it is fun!!!

Reading Response and Wikis

I decided to try to use a wiki with something already established in my classroom. We have a take home reading program where students take home a different book every week, In the past they have done a written book report and picture. I was going to try and have them write their book report on a wiki to share with other students. I am going to try and get it set up. Wish me luck!

Trouble in First Grade Paradise

I tried to post some student videos on a wiki this week and I failed!!! I have to use Blackboard and I could not figure it out. :) I called our tech person and he could not figure it out either. UAGHHHHH....I will be successful..I have sent an email to our special ed tech person hoping she can guide me through the process. Should it be this difficult????

Wiki-Wiki

I didn't know that wiki is the short form of the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki, which means quick.
Interesting..a quick and easy way to publish. I like the quote from the founder of Wikipedia."Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That's what we are doing." When you look at it like that the idea is quite overwhelming. Wow..our students have sooo much information at their fingertips. Our job as teachers will eventually become a informed guide to help our students make their way through all of the info out there. In the mean time, how do I make my first graders understand wikis???

I Went to a Blog Workshop

I went to a Blog Workshop offered by FCPS yesterday afternoon. It was geared for K-2. They told us our job was to introduce our young students to the "idea" of blogs. We use blackboard in FCPS and they showed us how to set up the blog for our young students to access. I set a a simple blog for my kids to try. I'm seeing if it works. I'll keep you posted.

We have read this before!

After reading the first three chapters of Will Richardson's book, I feel it is the same message in a different book. He wrote "students are "out there" using a wide variety of technologies that they are told they can't use when they come to school." He points out that the Web has the potential to radically change what we assume about teaching and learning. So true, how will we spread the word to our fellow teachers??? This is another tool we can offer our learners. Now to figure out a good way to implement it.

Very Interesting

That is a good idea Jen. I'm wondering how parents would react to the idea. I would have to give it some thought.

Realization

Ok, so I just realized that blogging is basically the same thing as having a facebook account. Again it is sad that I am always one step behind. Before using this in my classroom I would have to really weigh the benefits versus the learning curve for first graders. It may be a more useful tool in communicating with parents. I would have to give it some thought.

My first try at blogging..who would have ever guessed. Well, I just learned that BLOG is the abbreviation for WEB LOG. Is it sad that I didn't even know that? I just hope by learning to use a blog I will see the potential of this tool for teaching and learning in my classroom. Only time will tell. So, let the fun begin......:)