I have enjoyed reading many things from my google reader, however, I must admit sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of feeds that are there.  I especially enjoyed this one regarding some web-sites that this teacher had recommended to help reinforce the money concept.  Since I teach  money and help students learn to count money, I found several of these websites some that I will add to my favorites at school for my students to use. This one in particular, by the US Mint, was fun.

Thing 11

I enjoyed looking at flicker and it was really interesting to see all that is available out there.  I think having access to so many photos will be an asset to teaching. 

Photo by Altus

http://www.flickr.com/photos/altus/2304394018/

Thing 10

The creative commons is a wonderful idea.  I know our media specialist is always helping us better understand copyrights involving print media, but this area of technology opens up many other copyright issues.  I am so happy to know this exists.  I do like to look at other teacher’s powerpoints and gain ideas and knowledge from those. 

I must admit that I have never actually noticed the cc on web sites or images, but it is probably there and I haven’t noticed it.

I do hope this gets easier for me.  Now that I am getting the hang of RSS feeds, I think I like it.  I guess it is like anything new….it takes getting used to.

I was glad to find some “fun” RSS feeds.  I know I will love the recipes from Famiy Fun that I found.  I may get a little side-tracked from classwork reading the new recipes and ideas.

I loved Dy-dan’s idea of math basketball.  I can’t wait to use that with my students.  They love when we play spelling baseball (same basic concept), so I am sure they will enjoy math basketball also.

I read this information regarding classrooms and new teacher information.  Even though I have been teaching 8 years, it is a good reminder of some of the basics of classroom management, etc.

Reading several of the blogs was very interesting.  I especially enjoyed Is this SSR 2.0?  I loved what the teacher commented about allowing his students to read blogs during the quiet reading time.  What a wonderful use of time and technology. 

I also loved the information about assigning homework in Why I don’t assign homework.  I was glad to see an educator at the high school level feel strongly about not assigning homework for completely different reasons than I have for not assigning homework.  I think he is correct when he states that your driven, high achievers will do the homework, but your students who struggle will not to it for obvious reasons.

 Because I teach first grade, I feel my students need time to play, socialize and spend time with their family when they get home.  I feel I work them very hard while they are at school and want them to build relationships when they get home.  Homework in my classroom consists of a time of reading a story to their parents (after they have practiced at school with me).  That way, hopefully it is a short time of celebration for the student and the parent.  It also gives my student who may be struggling a time to review the story with their parents.

I am excited about the “things” we will be learning about in Web 2.0.  I was amazed at the information in the video regarding teacher blogs and the use of those to help students and communicate.  I look forward to setting up my blog site and hope to increase my knowledge in the coming weeks regarding blogging.  The use of this will help me in my own learning process and hopefully engage my students and parents after this course is over.

The habit that I find most challenging in this course is to view my problems as challenges.  It is just my nature to become frustrated, especially in the area of technology, and to view my problems as problems, not a challenge to overcome.  I hope to change that mentality as I become more proficient at the skills we are learning and pass this thought of viewing any problem as simply a challenge to my students.

The habit I find easiest as a lifelong learner is to accept responsibility for my own learning.  I have always been one to try to figure out things on my own and am very driven to succeed in what I begin. 

The most important habit for me as I work through this course will be to play.  Sometimes I get caught up in the “task” and forget to enjoy it along the way.  I want to become more comfortable and confident and begin to play and enjoy the possibilities that technology and our Web 2.0 class will open up.