23 Things #4

I see many ways I could use Picasa Web Albums in my classroom. Next week, for example, my class is cooking a big Thanksgiving Dinner. Monday we are going to the store and the rest of the week we are making food. In Friday I bring ny grill to school and we cook a big 28 lb turkey on the charcoal grill. Friday all the students parents come to eat lunch with them. All the while we do this I am snapping many pictures of all the activities. They could go in a photo album for parents to see right away. I have photo releases but I would like to know if others have taken pictures of students and created albums online - is there any issues?
Another way is just following curriculum. All the different units we cover in Social Studies alone: Native Americans, Early Explorers, Central America, etc. I could have albums with pictures I use with these units ready to go and with easy access.
I am stepping way out of my technologically impaired box.

23 Things #3

The hardest habit for me is "accepting responsibility for your own actions." The reason I have put this in parenthesis is because it is not a hard habit for myself but as a special education teacher it is a hard habit to get my students to understand. They always are quick to blame someone else for why they are not learning. It is either their mother or their friend or little Johnny sitting across the room that is why they did not do it or why they do not get it. Even though it was written in their planner they forgot to do their homework or Mom did not put it in my backpack. It is such a hard habit to teach to someone. Any suggestions?

The easiest for me is keeping the end result in mind. I always look to the goal or finished product as I am doing something. Most of our staff also do this with our students. When they assign something there usually is a rubric that explains what they am looking for and how many points it will be worth. Everyone knows what is expected.

23 Things #2

My feeling on WEB 2.0 is WOW! How quickly you can receive information by using the technology given. It scares me sometimes with students because you never know where some of them are going. It is great for teaching as long as you have access and it can be closely monitored. I feel it is great for students but they still need to know some of the old fashioned ways of learning. Sometimes things are too easy now. A good and effective combination of both would be great.

23 things #2

I feel a good blog first has to catch your eye. The layout and color is important to attract attention. This could get more readers. A blog also should contain usable information that others can share and respond to. For example a small business could be advertising and possibly get some business or find others in the same line of work to share helpful information with.

Blogs could help my existing school website because it would get information to parents much faster. It also would save time for the teacher. Instead of sending individual emails one blog can be read by all. Parents could respond to things quicker and even get other parents feedback. (That may or may not be a good thing). This only will help, however, if enough people have internet use at home.

I feel blogs are an easier way to self publish. Not only will it be read by many but the feedback of what you publish would be given by many. This would only make you become a better writer.