Week 5 and social networking

RE: the article

I was not surprised that 96% of students have used some sort of social networking. What I found interesting was that 60% have discussions on education. But when I think about the scenario it would be so much easier to get help or have discussions on a topic. The student can get input from more than one peer. With that in mind I can see setting up a classroom homework page so that students could have discussions. They only drawback to that would be that all students would have to have a facebook account. I wonder if there is some way to get around that?

Thoughts on Facebook

I have had a Facebook account for over a year. I must admit I really enjoy it. It is amazing how many people I have connected with since joining Facebook. I am now in contact with so many friends from my past. Many that I often wondered where they were or what they were doing. Yesterday my best friend from Salem State found me on Facebook. We graduated together in 1974. I have been looking for her for years. I can't wait to get together in person. I have also had many students catch up with me. I have been teaching for 32 years and one of my students of 31 years ago found me on Facebook. I taught for 16 years in West Virginia and I amazed at the number of students I have connected with. It is so exciting to see what kind of people they have grown up to be.

I will agree that too much information can be shared on Facebook. I think you need to use your head. How much information do you want out there for the world to see. I also get tired of the constant game updating. Thank goodness Facebook allows you to block most of that. I really don't care if someone needs a cow or has built a cabin. I'll admit I was hooked to Farmville for a while but realized it was taking up too much of my time. I am sure I will enjoy facebook for a while to come.

Thoughts on Twitter

I have not explored Twitter. It is just too much information overload for me. I can't image following a person to that extent. My son follows many friends as well as different public individuals. Maybe sometime in the future I'll change my mind.

Poster (Week 4 continued)

My husband past away this past April 25th. We were on an awesome vacation in Atlantic City and NYC with my son and his roommate. My son lives in NYC. I have such wonderful memories. He had a heart attack our last night in NYC. I feel I need to share and hope everyone will understand. We were married for 34 years and he was my soul mate.

I chose the poster application and I like how it came out. I can definitely see using this in class. My only complaint is you have to give emails for so much of this. How could you use it in class? Or am I signing up for things and I don't have too? It is amazing how easy so many of the applications are.

Week 4 and Flickr

When You Get Caught Between the Moon and New York City
Originally uploaded by Tony the Misfit

New York City is my favorite place to visit. My son lives in Queens so I go visit as often as I can. His skyline view from the roof of his apartment is beautiful! This photo was titled "When Your Caught Between the Moon and New York City". It was taken from the top of Rockefeller Center by Tony the Misfit. The phrase "I Love New York" expresses my feelings.

Week 3 and Wikis

It is half way through July! Where has the summer gone? I loved the simple video about Wikis. I have worked with them before but never really understood why I would want to use them. The video helped to make Wikis clearer for me. I explored many of the sample Wikis. (It can be addicting.) As others have said, I loved the fourth grade Wiki. It is such a simple but effective use of the media. The teacher and children were able to share their work with parents and others. I would like to try a Wiki like that in the fall. I am the computer teacher and librarian at my school. My children create projects in computer class and I would love to share their work with their parents. Secondly, I usually have a calendar posted so that teachers may sign up for the lab. They come to the lab, check out the schedule and sign up for available times. Posting a schedule on a Wiki will make accessing the calendar so much easier. Finally, I can see using a Wiki for teachers to share ideas. I must admit that teachers collaborating face to face would be much more productive. Yet I can imagine sharing face to face ideas on a Wiki for all to see.

I would like to address my thoughts on Wikipedia. It seems Wikipedia is the first site that come out when you search for information. I constantly stress to the children that it can be used for initial information but not for their entire research. I explain that anyone can add information to this Wiki and it might not be reliable. Getting children to move beyond this site has been a challenge.

Another Computer Summer

This is my first blog. I'm not sure why I would use a blog. I think it shares more information about me on the Internet than is necessary. Why would it be an interest to someone else unless it was family or friends? My son has a video blog and he uses it to let his family and friends know what he is doing in his theater life. It helps keep track of what he is doing and where he is going. Is that why I would continue with a blog? I really don't think I have anyone who would want to follow a blog. I will consider using a blog in my teaching but I need to figure out why? I am open to suggestions.