Week 10 Thoughts on Another Computer Summer

I have to admit that things did not go the way I planned for my lesson. I really wanted to use Google Maps and/or Google Earth to have my 3rd graders create a walking tour of downtown Beverly which would go along with their study of communities. I could not keep it simple enough for 3rd graders. Also, I use the scroll wheel constantly and when I wanted to move around the map I automatically used it without thinking. Needless to say it changed the size of the map. I just wanted to SCREAM. Oh wait I think I did! LOL !The lesson I created will be for older children to begin with. I want to use Google Earth and Maps with my classes this year. When I introduce something new into my curriculum I usually start with older grades and move it down year by year depending on the success I have with the previous grade level. I will try this with fifth grade first. I will continued to work with Google Maps myself until I figure it out! (and stop using the scroll wheel)

I have really enjoyed this class. I was aware of many of these Web 2.0 tools but never took the time to explore them. I set up a de-li-cious account a while back but never used it. Now that it is on my toolbar I use it all the time. I fell in love with Google Earth/Maps. There are endless possibilities with these application both in education and personal. Google Docs was another awesome discovery. Again I knew it existed but never took the time to explore them. I had to laugh because when I went into my Google Docs account I had a number of documents saved there that I didn't even know existed. I have all sorts of plans to use Google Docs. I am going to set up a Google Account for each computer in my lab. Thus the children will be able to sign into that account to use Google Earth, Maps, Docs or whatever. They will not need to have an email . Last night I discovered Google History. I was trying to remember a website I had used and didn't put on de-li-cious. To my surprise I found it on Google History. This application keeps track of where you have been on the Internet. My History went back to March.

I want to thank everyone in this class. I felt like we were all working in classroom to share thoughts and ideas. It was nice to work with you from the comfort of my air conditioned den. Barbara, thanks to you as well. I will admit I procrastinated at times because we have had such a beautiful summer. The way you set up this class allowed me to work on my time although sometimes I had to push myself. LOL! I have taken a Web 2.0 class with you at the high school. I learned so much more with this class. I did more exploring because I had assignments to work on. Have a good school year everyone. I hope to work with you again in an online class..