Thing8

Wow! The possibilities are endless! I have tried to use various software programs to make things, but get frustrated at the limitations and the fact that you must have that software program to use it. The things to make are great personalized presents! It's all pretty time-consuming, but for a non-artistic person (as in drawing/crafts), I feel empowered to create! I tried all the links out, but didn't really like the last one - the website's appearance wasn't appealing. I shared the Spell with FlickR website with my step-mom, who immediately used it and put it on her website. I can envision myself spending way too much time doing this! Is there a way to professionally print what you make (to give as gifts or even sell at street festivals)? Never mind - just saw it on Big Huge Labs website.

Thing 7

Neat! It was so easy - I guess my other computer was a dinosaur when I tried to do it last year. I love using new technology! This will be used much in my life outside school. As for my classroom, I could search pictures for certain topics and save it on Flickr, then access it at school. I would still have to figure out a way for students to access it - maybe create a Powerpoint for it. Will have to play around with that.

Thing 6

I can't wait to use Flickr. I tried to do it on my old computer last year, and couldn't get it to work. It is a great fear of mine to lose pictures forever, so I back them up on different discs or flash drives, but have duplicates everywhere and it is very disorganized and I can't easily access them. This will be much better!

Thing 5

Had a little difficulty with this thing. I couldn't get some of the things to work, so had to review the videos and make some modifications. Had some fun playing around with blogs and organizing them. Seems like a neat thing to use. Am still a little confused with the difference between blogs and posts.

Thing 4

This looks pretty neat. I go to shopping forums almost every day to check out the deals of the day. Now I will check to see if I can subscribe to them. This could be dangerous:) I also want to find out if there is some kind of "educational tip of the day". There is so much information out there that I get discouraged when looking for information and finding a long article to read. A shorter bit of information would be great for me or the summarizations that Bloglines give would be helpful.

Thing 3

Found some great resources from the blogs listed. Now how to keep track of all these neat websites?

I think it would be nice to use a blog for a new way I am using for teaching reading - The Daily 5/CAFE. A blog can be like an online diary and for other teachers who are using or thinking of using this method, it could be a valuable resource. Proteacher.net has a section on their website to post ideas/comments, but a blog would provide more of a taste of troubleshooting needed and how well the method is working. Not sure if I would want to have it "out there" for parents to look, critique and be worried if/when problems would arise.

Thing 2

Cool. I use coupon websites all the time that are blogs. I just thought they were called "forums" since that was the title on the website. I guess I am already a little experienced at this:)

Thing 1

Interesting video. I teach 2nd grade, so I'm not sure how much of it applies. I know that my students come to me with a lot of tv watched and video games played, but at their age, they really haven't logged in that much computer use or have used cell phones and i-pods that much. I certainly could use the computer to teach more in the classroom. I'm looking forward to getting some new, easy to use ideas to help engage them and prepare them for the future.

As for the article, neat idea to see how everyone could be inter-linked and how engaged/creative the students could be, but podcasts of classrooms going to parents and administration seem a little "big brother" watching.