KML

I don't know if I am making this assignment harder than it needs to be but it seems very complicated and I'm not sure if what I did was correct. I've been working/changing/rechanging things on the spreadsheet for about 3 days. When I published it - it was really neat to see the globe rotate and zoom in on my placemarks but I'm not sure that is what the assignment was for?? I also noticed when it zoomed in a lot of my placemarks landed in the ocean! I need to revamp my placemarks to be more precise!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pSNEQSH_-YaHUfTvf6tS5AQ

Google Map

Google Maps is a great tool to use in the classroom - you can mark all the places you've studied throughout the year, mark where important people were born or died, mark historic sites and so much more! I enjoyed this assignment very much and plan to continue to update my map :) For some reason I haven't figured out how to link my map to my blog - but the address is below if you want to cut and paste it!


http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116961652604303731204.0004633b4db406223d9f2&ll=51.944265,-52.734375&spn=51.482747,145.019531&z=3

Image Capture

I found the Image Capture assignment really interesting. I didn't know that it was possible to crop and edit an image to what you want it to be. I found lots of images through Google that I could use in my classroom and then I edited them in paint. I could use these cropped images to create worksheets, tests, flashcards, study guides or most likely I would use it on the mimio board (interactive white board) with my students. I found my image using google and then edited it in paint (which took quite a long time) and then saved it in my google docs as a jpeg file so that I could link it easily to my blog.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgfnxd9n_6g2srw3hk

Desktop Graphic

Creating a graphic was a little difficult for me because I was confused on what exactly to create. I use a lot of Venn Diagrams with my students to compare and contrast, bar graphs and pie graphs to show data collected, and KWL charts - but I wasn't sure if that was what the assignment called for. I wanted to create something that I could use with my students now - since they have been sharing this experience with me so far. I looked at several (hundred) online graphic sites and found a lot of cool things I could use to make my assignments more exciting. Like "fire words" that I could use with my volcanoe unit and interactive spinners to use on probability problems. If I had the time I could actually incorporate graphics into every lesson! I think graphics could make learning more exciting for students, give them a better visual, and I think help make learning more interesting to them. I would love to see students incorporate graphics - it would show if they truly understand what is being taught "a picture is worth a thousand words" :)

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgfnxd9n_2gvfbcshq

Reading: Edgar Dale's Cone of Learning

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgfnxd9n_1hm2p2nhg&hl=en

FTP

I spent several hours last night working on my FTP assignment - but haven't quite figured it out yet. I believe my Explorer 7 is preventing me from opening my FTP, but I could be mistaken?? I will continue to work on it and LEARN to figure out these technological glitches :) After much work and consulting... I think I finally posted to my FTP sight... I need more practice with this!

www2.fairmontstate.edu/users/jmorris/jdiary.doc

Resume

My resume is a work-in-progress. I will continue updating it as I go along. I was surprised at how easy it was to upload a template, attach it in GoogleDocs and make it my own. This is a very efficient way to send a resume online or to burn it to a thumb-drive or disk. I think an employer would be impressed if you handed them a thumb-drive or gave them a web address to view your resume. I'm learning a lot!

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgfnxd9n_0rdxjrzfw

Who Are You??

I truly enjoyed making my "Who Are You?" video! Photo Story is an awesome technological advancement :) It was a lot of fun looking through my old pictures and creating a story of my life. I added music and a voice-over which made a huge difference in the quality of the video. This would be an excellent way for my students to tell me about themselves or for me to introduce myself to them at the beginning of the year. I will definitely use this!

Creating My First Blog

I am currently working my way around my new BLOG and have learned a lot of new and exciting things about the web! I was able to create a profile (I plan to add a picture tonight) and to post a few blogs about the assignments I am completing. I still need to find out how to add "gadgets" so that I can add my links list. I will do more research and hopefully have it under control by tomorrow!

Skype

I really enjoyed Skyping today! I had my 3rd grade class Skpe Professor Pierce's class and it was very exciting for my students to all say hello to his college students and vice versa. I am planning on borrowing our schools camera so that we can see and hear who we are talking to! When I first tried this assignment I did not have a microphone... I kept trying to talk into my computers speakers (without success). Now that I have a microphone and have navigated through Skype's sight I feel confident that I will use this with my students... I would love to have "Skype" Pals instead of Pen Pals. Now that would be GREAT!

Gmail assignment

I was very successful in completing the Gmail assignment (which was a boost to my self-esteem) and am very excited about it! I am planning on letting my aol account go and switching to Gmail for all my email :)

When I started this class I thought it would be simple... I have always considered myself technologically sound and up to date with the latest and greatest gadgets, but boy was I mistaken! It took me the first week to figure out blackboard vista/the syllabus/course assignments/and how to get to all of the information I needed just to get started! I am a public school teacher - and I also tutor - so this will be a challenge for me ... but I have always loved a challenge :)