BP4_2009121_Web 2.0 Tool 1_Ekoloko

The web 2.0 tool that I chose is called Ekoloko, which is described as “…an educational, virtual community where kids discover the world, virtual and real, through fun games and quests, while absorbing the values, knowledge and skills that will help them become more responsible and involved individuals”on the Web 2.0 link given us by FSO. Children who go on this site can go with their parents and create their username and password.

When I used this site, I bypassed the registration and decided to play where I created an avatar-like character. I know that kids would enjoy making the avatar. Any site that allows children to learn eco-friendly things while having fun is a good site to use. As global warming becomes more into the mainstream news, it is imperative for younger children to become eco-friendly. I liked this site for that purpose. The music on this site can easily engage a younger child and it seemed enjoyable for anyone.

I would use this web tool in my classroom (once I have one) as a way to educate my students about the earth, global warming, and about what it means to go ‘green’. I would allow each child time to create an avatar and then allow playtime with this site. I would then have the children write about what they are learning on the site and about what they feel going ‘green’ means. I would have them also write about what they and their families can do to be more eco-friendly at home. I can incorporate the children’s writings into a blog that can be shared with other classes or schools.

http://play.ekoloko.com/ekoloko/index.html

BP2_2009121_Google Reader

RSS feeds provide a way for me to keep up with certain websites as they change and are updated. The information from these sites can often help me keep up with different interests that I have.

I often keep up with culinary websites because of my interest in the culinary and hospitality industry, in which I have my first degree. Though I am not using this knowledge and talent as a hobby, I like to keep my pulse on what is happening.

Another interest of mine is in the human services and mental health industry as my second degree is in this field. This field is what brought my interest back to education after so long. For me, both are related. I want to reach students and turn their focuses permanently on education and learning. I had an excellent second grade teacher and I have always wanted to give back. I also would like to help teenagers, especially ones that are young parents or are about to become parents.

As teaching is the field I am next going into I have RSS feeds to different sites on Google Reader. I have chosen five (5) to highlight that will help me on my journey towards education though each one I am following has an importance to me.

Lynda.com because there are many tutorials there on different software titles that I am becoming familiar with on my new Macbook. As I am unfamiliar with all I can do with my Mac, this site has truly been helpful to me. I intend on using it more than I have.

Five checkpoints to brain-based learning because the theory of brain-based learning has really impacted me. I have always thought that people learned differently and I love the idea that eventually I can structure my class lessons toward the way someone learns rather than a general curriculum.

The 7 stage brain-based learning lesson planning because this site provides ideas for lessons and lesson planning using the brain-based learning theory/approach.

Teaching tools because this site provides different tools I can use as a teacher and on my journey to becoming one. Articles include information on tests I must take as a teacher as well as lessons for my students.

Teaching and learning on the web because as I am learning on the web, this site provides tools that highlight learning on the web and articles about schools that use the web as well for lessons and learning.

I also follow certain blogs my classmates have done as well. Some of them are really geniuses in my opinion and have a lot of information I can learn from.

BP1_2009121_iGoogleScreenShots

BP3_2009121_Educational Uses For Blogs

So my first blog assignment is supposed to cover my research on educational uses for blogs/blogging. Well, this is a topic I already know much about. I have been blogging for 5 years now and I have also used many a blog trying to learn how to do things like make ringtones for my iPhone or learn to do a ScreenFlow video. Blogs are so simple and easy to do and create a great way to pass along information to someone about things they want to learn. I like reading blogs that show me how to do a task in a step-by-step approach. Blogging can be better than instructional/tutorial videos because you are reading the steps and can look back easier than having to rewind a video.

Teachers/instructors can easily impart information to their students through the use of blogs. Students can share information with each other and the instructor through their own blogs or comments left in response on classmate or teacher blogs. Blogging can be interactive and for me, the act of blogging is somewhat the online education I received for my bachelors program. We had to use forums and it was like much Q & A, where we had to respond to posts we saw there. It was like a huge blog. Blogging creates discussions that can be about anything. Teachers can base their blogs on any given topic and a student can easily open up more topics just by the response he or she gives.

A lot of the websites I saw about educational uses for blogs were about what a teacher can do with his or her blog and how to engage the student. I, honestly, believe that we have been doing that all along...haven't we?

Day 1...Set Up

Okay, so I just created this blog site for class and I didn't want an empty blog so I thought to create one. Let me say that I look forward to this class because I am learning more software and tools I can one day use in a classroom and that I can use for my personal life. I like this idea as I now have a great idea for a non-profit organization that I will not forget about. Will take some more thought and research on how to get it off the ground but hey, that is how everyone does it. I look forward to this course being better than the last one and I hope to learn a whole lot here. Onward!