My Favorite Web2.0 Tools

1. Web2.0 is basically a space in which all of your documents, personal applications, pictures, programs etc. can be accessed online. Rather than relying on these tools being available on your personal computer, you can access any of your files, documents, etc. at any time through Web2.0, or cloud computing. No longer do you need to worry about a computer crash, because everything you need is online!

2. TinyURL.com: this website hosts a handy little devise that can condense those pesky, long URLs (website addresses) into short, functional URLs. This is helpful in the long run because an individual isn't bombarded with a long, daunting URL. Instead, it is deliver nice, neat, and short, and allows your viewer to click quickly and efficiently.

3. Voice thread: A very cool devise that can accommodate any type of individual. If you have a Power-Point, or slide-show, that you need to present to a group, you can record your voice and add it to the presentation. I could see this as being especially helpful for some students who have problems with public speaking. Voice thread would allow a teacher to assess that student's ability in this manner. Using this tool could help a shy public speaker eventually become more confident with public speaking.

Spreadsheet mania!

Here is our spreadsheet


Hello everyone! Here is my brief explanation of Google Sheets:
Google Spreadsheet - has all the bells and whistles of the popular spreadsheet programs, but is accessible by multiple users at the same time.  It also allows all users to access the most recent version so there is no confusion as to if the user has the most recent copy. In addition, users can create a document to present pertinent data in a variety of forms--whether this be though a bar graph, pie chart, map, picture, or other, Google Spreadsheet offers users many options in which to present their information to groups of people.
 
How it might improve productivity and enhance learning:

• The group can work together without having to be in the same place
• Can use as a to-do list for multiple people; each person signs in and determines what still needs to be done
• Could use for agendas in meetings, in which each member of the meeting puts a topic they want addressed into the agenda, which makes the meeting go faster since everyone can do it at the same time instead of going around one by one
• Group members can chat  and communicate ideas together while working. Also, if members are not working together, comments can be left on the spreadsheet for members to look at later
• Data, pictures, graphs, and a variety of information can be presented in this user-friendly program. With having all of these handy tools available in one location, information can be presented in an aesthetic fashion (whether this be in a classroom, during a meeting, etc.)

My learning curve and how I contributed to the group:
I feel that my group worked very well together. When I first signed into our documents and spreadsheet, Denise had provided an excellent scaffolding in which to work off of. After adding to the definition of a spreadsheet in Google Docs, and including some additional bullets on how Sheets can enhance learning, I began to play with the spreadsheet document I had created. I learned how to create a pie chart (which I dedicated to how many hours each person slept), and added some pictures, drawings and text for flair. Betsy joined me later and she eventually figured out how to use the Gadget tool, which assisted me with. It was fun talking back and forth with her, and screwing up together, so that we could eventually learn how to do it the right way. I enjoyed seeing the additions that James had made the next morning as well...we had had a difficult time figuring out how to make our graph specific to the list of activities we were tracking. Overall, I had a wonderful group experience!

Post #2

 
I'm very interested in the aspect of using a blog to foster a community environment within my classroom. While I really enjoy the idea of classroom discussion, some students are initially shy when it comes to speaking face-to-face and a blog would allow these students to express themselves electronically. Not only could the students learn more about each other, but if each of my students had a functioning blog it would provide me with the opportunity to learn more about my students and their individual traits. 


There are many things I want to consider, however, before deciding upon the usage of blogs in my classroom. The students would need to be a maturity level in which they were able to use the blog appropriately and for classroom purposes only, so I would need to have an in-depth discussion about the purpose of the blog and how everyone is expected to respect the opinions of each student. 

After giving my students an orientation on how to use the classroom blog appropriately, I could see myself using the blog for the following:

1. Online discussions on recent chapters read in assigned books
2. Student questions for me
3. A forum where students can ask questions of each other
4. An area where students can post projects and respond to one another's work
5. A place where I can post the classroom assignments and expectations
6. Group project work, including communication through online interactions
7. Much more!

I like the idea of posting assignments online and having students do communicate outside of the in-class interactions. The time spent in class is so limited, so this gives students the chance to think about topics before discussing them in person. Also, I feel that the aspect of communicating with one another online would appeal to many students and could encourage them to be more excited about becoming involved with assignments. Many students already spend a lot of time online, so I feel that it would be a natural experience for them to complete assignments through a blog once in a while instead of always bringing written work to class. 


As a future Literature/Language Arts teacher, I want to emphasize the importance of my students keeping a "writer's journal." Now, these "free writes" could be done within the class, but it's exciting to think about the possibilities that a blog can provide. Some students struggle with writing on the spot, so completing "free writes" on their blog about thoughts about what we are learning in class could be a very effective method to involve all students I work with. Free writes are very effective in helping create the "community environment" that I am so concerned with, as we can all learn more about one another through writing.


~Marta

Post #1

Hi , everyone :) Well, this is my return to blogging. I used to keep a blog years ago, when I was an undergrad, and I also kept a travel blog while I was living abroad for a year in Japan. I'm happy to return to the blogging world!


I guess I'll just start with the beginning: I was raised in Monmouth, Oregon, but was born in Salem on February 11th, 1985. I've traveled a bit in the past, but have ended up in Monmouth again so that I'm can save money while I attend Willamette. Even though I was raised in Monmouth, I don't mind being back in my hometown because it's a chance to be near my family again, which I really enjoy. 


I live in a small (and I mean small) apartment with my husband of 2.5 years, Cody, and my cat, Hunter. My friends have told me that if I were to be any animal that I would be a cat, which makes sense because they one of my favorite creatures. What describes a cat-person, you might ask? I would say that it depends on the cat and the person, but I'd like to attribute my personality to the independent, but loving, nature of a cat and the sociable and exuberant nature of a person.


When I'm not focusing school, I love to spend my free time watching (and discussing) movies, spending time with my friends and family, reading, hiking, camping, snowboarding, listening to music, swimming, traveling, going wine tasting...my list of interests could go on and on, I suppose. Something interesting that I've discovered about myself is that I consistently love trying and learning about new things. I find it difficult to showcase myself in a blog because it's kind of like talking to myself; I suppose it's easier for me to talk to people and share stories in order to get to know each other. I've been out of the "blog community" for some time now, so it may take some time for me to get used to the nature of writing blogs on a regular basis. 


My ideal position as an educator would be teaching 10th or 11th graders English/Language arts and writing. I used to be completely against teaching middle school, but since entering this program I've been interested in discovering my capabilities as a middle school teacher as well. 


Oh! One last thing people may want to know about me is that I love to spontaneously sing and dance, and will do so if the right moment requires it, so I hope you aren't shocked or appalled if you ever have to witness this! 


Until next time :)


~Marta