Final Project: How I plan to use my blog.

This course has given me the opportunity to create a blog and has provided me with a lot of great information on how to upload items, attach links, etc.  I have learned a lot from this class and I am sad to already be done.  I feel there is so much more I would like to continue on learning when it comes to technology and blogging.  But,  I have learned A LOT over the past couple of months!  I definitely will be continuing on using my blog.  I plan to use my blog by posting informational resources to refer back to in the future.  I feel as Pre-Service Teachers, we learn a lot and do a lot of great activities and are provided with amazing teacher-student friendly resources to keep.  With all of the activities and lesson plans I have done so far in my college career, it sometimes hard to keep all of the materials.  Papers are easy to store but when you have lessons/activities that were or are big projects I feel it would be easier to take pictures of the activity and post it on my blog.  This way, when I feel ready to "get rid of" the un-needed materials I can and will have it saved on my blog for when I am teaching in the classroom.  Feel free to steal my idea! Keep in mind that when posting the activity on your blog to post step for step on how you created it and what it is used for.  That way you won't forget what you did and if someone should stop by your blog they too can use your idea's.  After all, isn't that what our teacher motto is?  "Beg, Steal, and Barrow" from other teachers?  This is how I plan to use my blog.  As the next couple of semesters go by I hope to have a great blog that is shared with others!

Creating a "Cube"

I have created a cube on a bio of George Washington.  It was brief only because I only wanted to get the hang of making a cube.  I really like this site, I think it would be a valuable resource for the classroom.  The idea's on creating a cube are endless.  There are so many ways you can fit this into your lessons.  I liked how easy it was to use also that it allows you to print out your cube.  The cube is printed to where you can actually assemble it together after into a cube.  Neat site!

Digital Story

My digital story is called "The Mermaid Who Made Friends With The Pirate".  After testing each digital story site out I decided to used http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/storymaker/embed.cfm  It was the easiest and more story like out of all of the other ones.  I like how it walks you through creating your story as well as giving you idea's.  Definitely something I would use in the classroom.  I think students would have a blast with this! 

Khan Academy

      I liked how this website offers a sign in for teachers, students, and parents.  Also, I like how this website provides a record of your progress.  Again, another website providing valuable resources, videos, and skill working.  What I did not like about this website was how slow it was when I was searching through it.  Also, it offers lessons and help in certain subjects but leaning more towards math.  I would like to see other subjects.  Lastly, I did not like the making of a profile.  In order to “personalize” your profile you need to earn points? 

https://www.khanacademy.org

Curriki

      In my opinion, Curriki’s website was not easy to navigate.  Also, I think it is more teacher-related then student.  Also, Curriki seems to be more suitable for older grade levels.  However, the website does provide a few educational and useful resources.

http://www.curriki.org

       Both websites are valuable resources as teachers to “bookmark” for the future.  I would most definitely use Khan Academy in my classroom, especially because of the progress keeping and being able to view and look back on the progress the students has made.  Also, Parents and families of the student involvement is important and this website allows that to happen.

Is Your "Digital Footprint" Clean?

      It is important to teach students that everything they post and share, on the Internet is not private but public for the world to see. People can take your image(s) and information shared on the Internet and can turn it into a negative situation.  Nothing is Safe about the Internet, and it is up to them as individuals to make the decision to choose what they want to share.  It is up to you to make your Internet or "digital footsteps" a positive experience.  Along with that I would like to share an activity that I would have my students do before the actual assignment.  I will give each student a small piece of paper and have him or her write a “secret” on it.  Then, I will have them erase it.  You will see that it doesn’t erase completely.  I will explain to the class how it's important to be aware of what we post or share on the Internet.  Just like that piece of paper, it doesn't get erased completely even if you delete it. I think this is a great activity and a will be a nice introduction to Internet safety lesson.

For this lesson I would recommend it for older grades, although social media and Internet use is becoming more common in younger people today.  For the lesson on Internet Safety, I came up with having the students search their names on “Google”.  After finding items on Google about them specifically, whether it be pictures or information, I will give each student a “Digital Foot” copy to cut out, print the information they have found about themselves over the internet, and glue it on their “Digital Foot”.  If students do not have anything on the Internet about themselves that come up, they can cut out and glue the “My Digital Foot is clean!” banner on to their Digital Foot.  This is an activity that will help students understand the importance of what they share on the Internet.  Also, remember to share with the student’s that using the Internet is not always a negative thing.  The Internet can have a positive affect as long as they allow it to.

Below I have two documents you can download and use for this activity.  Enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByMebUFJBfWqeDFHOVVfYjloSmM/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByMebUFJBfWqd3A2aWgtSmNWVHM/view?usp=sharing