Final Podcast 2 Read aloud, "Balto, the Dog Who Saved Nome"

https://c1.livetext.com/folder/7132087/XfQWIWuA_Balto.mp4

Final Podcast Spelling Practice Test Week 1

https://c1.livetext.com/folder/7132087/Aq3yaDfV_spelling_week_1.mp4

Video Final Pronouns

Teachertube video pick

I watched many videos on TeacherTube. I found several that I thought would be useful to use in class or during computer lab. I chose to post a video on Jamestown Settlements. I created a website for a previous class for 5th grade history. The site was to enrich students' learning on American Early Colonies. This video was perfect so I added the link on my website.
Other videos that I enjoyed were on grammar and math. The fundamentals are important for student's to master. If they are having difficulty in a particular area, I can see having a student watch a video or two during computer lab or at home to help reinforce teaching at school.

Final 2 minute video

Podcast

After sifting through the different podcasts available through iTunes, I came across this one. Science Made Fun has hundreds of podcasts on every science topic I could think of. Each one was interesting to listen to and provided detailed information on each topic. I can see easily using this during class as a listening activity, center activity or in computer lab to enrich a science topic.
There were a few things I didn't like. One frustration was finding a decent, free educational podcast at first. Not being familiar with iTunes, it took me awhile to fumble around with the program and search engine. Further within the topic of educational podcasts, finding one that I felt was reputible was at first challenging. I do have a fear that teachers/students may rely on these types of sources for information and not verify the information is accurate. Does iTunes check each podcast for legitimacy and accuracy? Could I get on there and say that Mercury is a moon and mislead thousands of people?
I can see the benefits of podcasts in the classroom but would verify all information before presenting it to the class.
Other educational podcasts were PBS and Dragonfly.
A helpful website I found is http://epnweb.org/. It explains thoroughly what a podcast is and offers links to educational podcasts.

Photostory Review

In order to view my Photostory review you will need to click on the bottom tab for older posts due to my opinion post on the assignment as well.
Please email me if there is a problem. Thanks. Deborah

Photostory project

I have to say this was the toughest assignment! Reviewing the article was easy, but using Photostory to do it. I created my slides in PowerPoint and then saved each slide as a JPEG. Then imported those into Photostory. Saving it as a wmv file for me caused issues at first when I added it to the blog and I had to redo the entire assignment. Did anyone else experience this type of frustration? Was there and easier way to do it?
I used photostory in my last class and loved the program for that, but this yikes! I am glad it is done and hope it turned out ok!
Thanks for reading my rant!

Article Review-Addicted to Violence

EDUC 552

Beginning a new semester. Excited to get started!
Thought for the day-Life is not about riding out the storm and waiting for it to pass, but it is about learning to dance in the rain!
Hope the day holds time to dance for you!

Wiki Page

Finished my Wiki Page. I think! Check it out. Bubbl.us is a simple web tool students can use for a variety of reasons. I loved it! It was so easy. Finally, something that didn't take hours to figure out how to use! I think any grade level could use this tool. Also, students with handwriting issues could really benefit from being able to put their notes on a web like this. The fact that it can be done as a group and then emailed home adds an extra bonus! It took me maybe ten minutes for my 5th grader to complete the chart once we had read the chapter together. I hope you enjoy!
As for the Wiki Page. I want more direction. Once I figured out by the hunt and peck method, it was easy to do and would have taken less time. For example, trial and error on adding my link to the side bar! Ask me if you all need help!
Smile!

Creating the calendar

I created a calendar on the assign a day website. I still don't know how to upload it to my website yet. I will have to figure that one out yet. Instruction or advice would be great on that if anyone knows how to do it.

Several of us had issues with the Prezi presentation. I think the concept of the tool is great! I can see students using it in the classroom for maps, posters or chart or diagrams. Points of talking. It was time consuming to learn the process and some things are still glitchy with it. I kept it in my website as the presentation for a couple of reasons. One, I wanted to show a "new" way of doing presentations and also to gain feedback from my peers. Secondly, I found it simple to upload and add text where needed. I see the benefits for students. Kids these days are amazing! Who knows they may come up with something amazing and teach me a thing or two.

I am considering the cohort program through Peru. Not sure yet, but it does sound good on paper. IF any of you have more information on that one, I am all ears.
Thanks! 13*F in Nebraska tonight! coooold!

Week 5

I feel I am accomplishing a lot this week. I still need to convert my Prezi into Googledocs due to the errors with Prezi. If someone has used it and can offer advice that would be great, but for now, I am moving on. Also, looked into the next courses for the degree this week. I am considering doing the Cohort accelerated program. Have any of you done that or tried it? I am interested in the scholarship that they are offerring and the 19 month finishline looks great! Hope all of you are enjoying the weather wherever you are! Cold, windy and still snowing here in Nebraska! Spring! I can't wait!

Thoughts

I have learned so much during this class. Some frustrating moments but with positive outcomes. This is how our students feel learning long division or reading their history assignments. I hope they too see the rewards of their efforts. It takes perseverence to accomplish any goal.
Please take a look at my presentation on my website. I use the Prezi.com website. I had to google tutorials and videos on YouTube.com, but it was a fun project. There are still some quirks with it. The video will lock up if skipped. Unlike a PPT presentation, you have to go through the whole stream without interrupting it. A downfall of the Prezi. However, my kids loved it. I showed them and they are now trying to create their own. We also thought to use this site for Father's Day. Each kid creating a section about their dad. Kids could do this for those holidays or special moments in school or to celebrate their birthday! Another option to "All about Me" that many of us do with our students. Also, check out the Wordle site. Another fun and visually stimulating site to use with students writing!
Enjoy your day!

Sending out an S.O.S!

I used Google docs to send the link of my WS-Scavenger Hunt. I was expecting it to be a link ON the side bar...not the whole worksheet! I guess that was a mistake. Any suggestions?
Also, I have been trying to get my WS to simply open as a next page on my website instead of opening it as an attachment. I have tried several methods.
If you go to my website and click on the worksheet tabs you will see what I mean. There are two PDFs of it and one link to google docs.
I am all ears if anyone has a method to make this work properly!

Thank you!

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt-The New World

 

Use www.google.com to complete this scavenger hunt.  Write down your answer and the URL or website address where you found the answer.  Always check two sites to make sure your answer is correct as some websites have incorrect information.

 

1. What was the main reason for Europeans to leave their homeland and settle in North America?

Answer:

URL:

 

2. What did the Pilgrims bring with them on the ships across the Atlantic Ocean?

Answer:

URL:

 

3. Where did the Pilgrims finally land their ship?

Answer:

URL:

 

4.  What was the name of the first permanent settlement in America and when was it established?

Answer:

URL:

 

5. Who was Captain John Smith?  Why was he chosen?

Answer:

URL:

 

6. What were some of the problems the colonists faced living in Jamestown?

Answer:

URL:

 

7.  Who was Pocahontas and why was she important to the colonists?

Answer:

URL:

 

8.  Who was Chief Powhatan?

Answer:

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9. Africans were brought to America as __________________servants, trading labor for shelter and eventually freedom.  This is how many of the colonists first came to the New World.

Answer:

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10.  Describe the Puritans and who taught them to farm?

Answer:

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Comment on Websites

There are many great websites on the Internet that will help teachers in the classroom, but what I find frustrating is that so many of them require an account to use their services. The Teachnology website was easy, clean and free to use without an account! The website was easy to navigate through and had a clear layout. Two things that a busy classroom teacher needs. The rubrics were great! While generica and broad, in a pinch could be a quick help when needed.
Some of the websites I found were old and the links didn't work anymore. The URL addresses can change quickly. It is important for us to update our list regularly.
Enjoy the day...gray skies, cold, dreary...what's not to love! There is snow on the ground and the day is perfect for seeing animals in their natural habitats! All a matter of perspective.

Learning something new!

Moving right along with my new website and blog! I can't say it is fun yet but it is definitely an experience I wouldn't trade. Sometimes we are given things to do in our lives that challenge us to our very core, but what would life be without it? We would all suffer from unbearable ennui! At one point, I thought this task completely impossible, but I have an indomitable spirit and a love of learning that pushed me forward! The sense of accomplishment is great! So my advice for today--try something new!

Tah Dah!!! and just under eight hours!

Perseverance! I started setting up this blog as part of my class, Using the Internet. At first like a mule, I drug my feet. I had NO idea what I was doing! After MUCH trial and error, a few shout outs, and I finally got the hang of it! I hope this is a valuable tool for me to use this semester. If nothing else, I learned something. Wait, I learned A LOT! Have a good night.