Thing 5b

I've enjoyed checking my Google reader and as you can imagine my CNN link was mostly about the death of Michael Jackson. I found it sobering and a gentle reminder that no matter our views on people their passing will always impact others.
Michael Jackson has no doubt left a lasting impression.

Thing 11

When I saw that I was going to have to create a slide show with my pictures from Flickr, I was overwhelmed. I didn't give myself enough credit and only chose 3 pictures. Once I got the process down, I realized I could have done more. I can't wait to take the pictures of my students I take over the year and create a slide show for the end of the year.
I wanted my slideshow to show all the different emotions children face today in an ever changing world of technology. The pictures from Flickr are a good example of that and the design of the iPhone was perfect to express the power of Web 2.0.

Sources:

Photo Sources:

1. Nicole's Emotions

2. YS Feelings and emotions DSCN2881

3. Happy Feelings

Thing 10

I was introduced to Flickr by my brother in-law. He lives in Florida and this is the only way I am able to see my nephews. I truly did not know the magnitude of Flickr before this class. I am so excited about the possibilities this opens for me in the classroom. Working with EBD students, we are constantly discussing our emotions and feelings and the proper way to handle them. I chose emotions/feelings as my topic when searching for pictures. The picture I have chosen to post in this blog is actually something I would like to do with my students. I love how it shows Nicole with many different emotions. You can enjoy others photos of Nicole at //www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/2535453766/

Thing 9

I thoroughly enjoyed this lesson on Creative Commons or CC. I use pictures a lot with my students who have autism. It's very hard to have a basic generic picture for them to look at, when I am trying to convey a specific task for them to complete. As wonderful as clip art, and even the program Boardmaker is, there are times I need to show them Fruit Loops cereal or Goldfish crackers. Every time I've found the images, I've had that little alarm go off inside wondering if I was doing something illegal. :) This was a very informative and helpful lesson.

Thing 7

I was amazed to see how diverse a wiki can actually be. Where simply counting objects as in Kindergarten Counting Book http://http//kcountingbook.wetpaint.com/ or as detailed as in Go West http://http//gowest.wikispaces.com/ a wiki can be whatever you need it to be depending on the students grade level. Teachers and students can work together to create a lesson, that will be of benefit not only to them, but to all the others who visit their sight as well. This was the case in the Thousand's Project wiki by Mr. Monson's class. http://http//monsonclassroom.wikispaces.com/ As other teacher's allowed their students to add to this ongoing list, not only did Mr. Monson's class benefit, but so did every one else.
The possibilities of using wikis in the classroom are endless. You have the ability to cater to simply your class and their needs, or to open yourself and your students up to others who want to offer their help and suggestions.
I enjoyed reading Wiki Wiki Teaching http://http//coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2005/12/wiki-wiki-teaching-art-of-using-wiki.html
and had to smile at the students squealing in the halls with excitement about working on this project. I love getting students to work when they think it's fun.

Thing 6

I love the concept and idea of Diigo! I can't begin to tell you how many times I have spent hours at home finding web sites for the classroom only to get to school the next day without my web addresses. Then you spend the good part of the morning trying to remember exactly what the address was only to never find it and then have to go another route. I did however feel Nicole's pain of tagging. I felt like my tags were beginning to all be the same. I'm sure as my sites increase, I will be able to differentiate a little better, but for right now, it seemed like everything I had should fall under "teaching resources" :)
My Diigo site is
http://http//www.diigo.com/profile/panelson

Thing 5A

Setting up my Google Reader was exciting and some what overwhelming. Within minutes of subscribing, I had several items to read. I never knew this type of reader was available. I love the fact that I can find things of interest and subscribe to them so I can see all the current updates and comments. I look forward to adding other subscriptions to my reader as I find them. My favorite subscription so far was Novel Tells Tales of of Special Education Classroom http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2009/06/30/novel-tells-tales-of-special-education-classroom.htm
I also enjoyed being able to subscribe to all the blogs of the participants in this class. It's been a lot easier and quicker to read their updates through my Google Reader than to try and go to each of their blogs.