Hi everyone,
This blog is about the blogs that I have been following through the semester. Before I start, I have to mention that I started this assignment by catching up on some of my fellow classmates' blogs, and I just want to say that I agree with Christine. I have become very frustrated with some of the information posted on these educational blogs. The time that I spend wading through the fluff is frustrating, but the quality information that I have uncovered is sure to help me in my future classroom
I have been following http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/, http://www.techfridge.com/, http://www.techsavvyed.net/?cat= . This week, they all seemed to be wrapped up with Google+. I'm not at all familiar with Google+. I looked at all of the blogs, and they all seem to say the same thing. Google+ is a good thing. They also say that some applications of the program are easier to follow than others. The one application that stuck out the most to me is the Digital Circles. The circle allow up to ten people to come together for group chats. While I was reading through the Tech Fridge blog, he gave an excellent example of how circles could be used. He described a meeting forum that issues invitations to different teachers so that they can come together to help each other out with anything from classroom instruction to lesson planning.
Some of the different applications offered by Google+ are Graduation work, student hangouts, curriculum topic, digital footprints and circles, mobile learning, organizing class circles, student study groups, students collaboration, online learning, staff meetings, school PR, and writing prompts.
The techsavvyed blog also talked about the tech tool Wordle. I picked Wordle as my new tech tool of the week to explore. So, I found this blog exciting. Wordle is an excellent program. He shared an example of how another educator used Wordle in his classroom. He had his students do a word-pair-share assignment. When the students finished, he uploaded every students comments into Wordle. This allowed the students to see what the entire class viewed as important. It also allowed him to see if there was any negative areas that still needed covered. This is an application of Wordle that I would have never thought of on my own.
As frustrating as some of the blogs can be, they still provide much in the way of professional growth. Unlike the blog I follow, I am not techsavvyed. These blogs as well as this class helps introduce me to new tech tools and provide me with insight into the limited number of tech tools that I already use.
It is me intentions to continue to follow these blogs as well as others long after this class is done. The knowledge gained will surly help me to become a better, more well-rounded educator.
I have been following http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/, http://www.techfridge.com/, http://www.techsavvyed.net/?cat= . This week, they all seemed to be wrapped up with Google+. I'm not at all familiar with Google+. I looked at all of the blogs, and they all seem to say the same thing. Google+ is a good thing. They also say that some applications of the program are easier to follow than others. The one application that stuck out the most to me is the Digital Circles. The circle allow up to ten people to come together for group chats. While I was reading through the Tech Fridge blog, he gave an excellent example of how circles could be used. He described a meeting forum that issues invitations to different teachers so that they can come together to help each other out with anything from classroom instruction to lesson planning.
Some of the different applications offered by Google+ are Graduation work, student hangouts, curriculum topic, digital footprints and circles, mobile learning, organizing class circles, student study groups, students collaboration, online learning, staff meetings, school PR, and writing prompts.
The techsavvyed blog also talked about the tech tool Wordle. I picked Wordle as my new tech tool of the week to explore. So, I found this blog exciting. Wordle is an excellent program. He shared an example of how another educator used Wordle in his classroom. He had his students do a word-pair-share assignment. When the students finished, he uploaded every students comments into Wordle. This allowed the students to see what the entire class viewed as important. It also allowed him to see if there was any negative areas that still needed covered. This is an application of Wordle that I would have never thought of on my own.
As frustrating as some of the blogs can be, they still provide much in the way of professional growth. Unlike the blog I follow, I am not techsavvyed. These blogs as well as this class helps introduce me to new tech tools and provide me with insight into the limited number of tech tools that I already use.
It is me intentions to continue to follow these blogs as well as others long after this class is done. The knowledge gained will surly help me to become a better, more well-rounded educator.
I love the idea of teachers coming together in a group chat and talking about their ideas and helping each other with lesson plans and activities. It's a great way to share ideas. Thanks for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing information from Cool Cat Teacher. I had not heard of this site before but thanks to you I started following it as well. I think that the website is a great resource for teachers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like that I'm mentioned in this posting! :) Also, I totally agree with you that there is some really great info out there to use in the classroom I think it's just hard to find!
ReplyDeleteGroup chats are brand new to me. The idea of getting together a group of people and carrying out business, even though everyone is in a different place seems exciting to me. And maybe a little overwhelming. I also get frustrated at times with all of the "extra" stuff found in these blogs. But when you do find something, it's like winning in a treasure hunt!!
ReplyDeleteI like how you brought up that the blogs can be frustrating at times (I couldn't agree more) but yet they still offer opportunities for professional growth. This class has helped me get out of my comfort zone, which will make me a better teacher in the long run. :) I've never considered myself tech-savvy, but now I am much more confident about exploring new technology. I'm glad to see others are benefitting from these experiences as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that blogs can be frustrating at times. I was very confused with some blogs especially some educators blogs because they post to much information that can't be read and understand in an hours or so. However, I do felt that after exploring some education blogs I felt that it is very beneficial.
ReplyDelete