3 Always Learning

Within this past week I was introduced to the website www.edmodo.com. The website is very similar to Facebook but intended for teachers. I think Edmodo is a great site. With it, I can set up a private page for each class I teach. With a password, each of my students parents will be able to see the page and feel safe about their child's privacy and protection. On the site I can post pictures of my students, updates for the parents, and anything else related to the classroom. I can even put up assignments. I can definitely see myself using this tool, I haven't found a negative about it yet!

While reading Teaching, Learning and the web, I came across a Blog section. I thought this was a great tool to use in the classroom with my students. At first when I came across this I figured the students I want to teach would be to young for a blog, but as I read the section I learned there are blogging sites like, Kidblog and Edublogs that are designed for elementary age students. I would have to go have a lesson about etiquette, protection, and maybe even set up a time where I could take all of my students to the school library so everyone has the tools needed to blog. It would be neat for elementary students to create this and be able to go back when they are older to see their work from youth.

Making a newsletter on Word is not as easy as it would seem. Dividing the page into columns, adding word art, pictures, everything I did to the newsletter somehow messed up the layout of the page. It was a fun learning assignment, just very finicky. Although it took a lot longer than I thought, I did gain some useful skills. I figured out how to divide the page into columns, and make a banner span the top of the page that faded color. This assignment will definitely come into use when I have my own classroom.

2 Twitter for Teaching

I have had to use Microsoft office ever since about 4th grade. All throughout Middle and High school I was expected to turn in hard copies of papers. I even used Microsoft in art classes when I was asked to print out pictures for inspiration on projects. My teachers would use Microsoft to print out assignments and worksheets for the class, and make PowerPoints for lectures. When I finally become a teacher I will be using Microsoft for similar uses, like making a syllabus and worksheets.

When I was in elementary school I was terrified of accidentally plagiarizing in projects, but it didn't even cross my mind that using a picture off of google fell into that. I just thought people uploaded pictures to the internet and google for other people to enjoy and use.As a teacher I will make sure all of the information I use does not cross the boundaries, and I will make sure my students do the same. 

I have been using social media for years and so I already had a twitter account before this assignment, but twitter is a great resource for networking and keeping up with the news. Depending on who you follow, the tweets you see will vary from current events, to hilarious videos, to just hearing about friends' days. Twitter can even be useful when I become a teacher. I can make a page for parents to follow me so I can post pictures of their kids, and even give them classroom updates! I know leaving the little ones for their first day of school can be hard for a new parent so this would be a great way to make them feel more comfortable!