Thing 9: Databases & Search Tools

Doing this lesson has given me new options for elementary students to search the internet for information.
KidRex and SweetSearch & SweetSearch4Me were especially helpful for the younger crowd.
I found Scoopit to be a bit busy and got frustrated when trying to navigate the site.
Using KidRex was easy to navigate and was in short easy to read bits for younger students and so was SweetSearch4Me.
I feel that using these for younger students is a step in the right direction.  I have found in the past that just "googling" for information is overwhelming for younger students and it is refreshing that people are thinking about the younger generation.

Thing 5 Digital Storytelling

I used Xtranormal to create this short clip and it was a lot of fun.

Thing 4: Photo Sharing, Editing and Fun

I just love the different items for the months of the year

Thing #3: RSS

Here we go, I am jumping in and setting this up.  After doing a few of these "things" I find that they are interesting, probably would enrich my day, but find I can live without them.  There is so much information in these feeds that it is mind bogging and can easily be overwhelming.
I am setting up the Google Reader since I have a Google account and I am in the early stages of setting up a Netvibes page just to experience it.
I am really enjoying this course and all of the components and that it is self pace, but sometimes I need a reality check to keep up on things.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Thing #2 - Online Communities

Well, I am looking at the Twitter website and checking out the tweets, but I think that is about all I am comfortable doing at the moment.  I do have a Facebook page, but for some reason Twitter looks a little more complicated so not yet ready to dive in.
Will check out the recommended hashtags and different blogs.
The sun is shining for a change and it feels good.  Hope everyone has a great day!

Recharged and Ready to Go

Hope everyone is up and running again after the "Great" storm Sandy. I did not lose power, but did get a day off from school because they lost power. Lots of things happening at school  to get everyone up and running again.
Hope to move onto Topic 2 soon, it sounds interesting.

Blogging again

I'm sitting here watching it rain outside and thought I would share. I still need to figure out what to blog about because I feel I tend to chat about things in a random way and feel it should connect somehow, but am sure I will get the hang of it sometime.  hope others are enjoying this course, can't wait for part 2.

Blogging - day 3

well, I made it to day 3 and a 3rd post, yippee I am so proud of myself.  The sun is shining today and it is suppose to warm up which would be nice.
I keep thinking to myself - what do I write about and I think maybe about work or hobbies & such, really don't want to bore everyone.
I work in a high school computer lab.  I spent over 20 years at the elementary level and it is difficult to adjust to the age difference, but I am slowly getting the hang of it.  In fact I am seeing some of the students I had when they were young and short and now they are taller than me, but for the most part are still that young kid I loved when I was at Valley Elem.
At home I love to garden and getting new plants to grow is awesome especially the way the prices are at the store.  I grow violets and have gotten pretty good at keeping them alive for more than a year or so.
Well, better get back to my day job.  I must say I am enjoying this course and can't wait to see what comes next.

Blogging - take 2

I did not know how little I know about this blogging thing and that was motivation to give this course a whirl.  I am trying to understand how this works and I am sure it will get easier as I progress through the course.

Thing #1: Blogging

October 16th - I am just getting this up and running after being totally confused on how to create a name to get on to the blog.
I live in the  small town of Potter and work in a small school district in upsate New York.
I am in charge of the high school computer lab and also assist the staff with technology and enjoy going to work everyday.