Google Reader Assignment

http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://www.techlearning.com/rss/all.xml

http://mediaspecialistsguide.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://feeds.feedburner.com/itm

http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/blogger_rss.xml

http://www.weblogg-ed.com/xml/rss.xml

http://edubeacon.com/?feed=rss2

These are the seven additional feeds that I suscribed to on my Google Reader acccount. My favorite blog was the Media Specialists Guide. I am all about having and finding resources for my classroom, especially being a first year teacher. I wish I would have found out about this site prior to now, but I do realize that it is better late than never. My favorite article was "Tools I'd Like My Future Principal To Consider: Twitter" This article was found on The Fischbowl blog. I really like this article because my eyes were opened to the usefulness of a social media outlet, such as Twitter, being used in the classroom. The author basically wants his future principal to consider the grand idea of having students as being able to communicate information about their schools with people within the school, such as peers and administration. The author also suggested having the principal keep an active account. I think that would be extremely useful when students can't communicate with their principals, but this would require an increase in teaching of digital citizenship. This was a wonderful assignment and looking up other educational resources via Google Reader was insightful to me because I have never used it before, and it is convenient having all of my resources in one place.

Social Bookmarking

After saving all of my websites to Delicious, I ended up forgetting my account information and had to register for Diigo and complete this assignment all within the course of two days. However, I am not distraught in the least bit because I was able to find resources and websites that I could use to accompany what I am currently teaching in my classroom. These websites can also be used to introduce material to students in a completely different format than what they are used to. I appreciate the fact of how social bookmarks can be shared among others. Something simple as clicking on a tag links one into worlds of websites that one could have known even existed. I have learned so much from this assignment. I also look forward to making sure others can see the effectiveness in using social bookmarks to keep various sites. Even though starting over was stressful, it gave me an opportunity to find additional sites that I knew would be beneficial to myself and others.


Social BookMark Link: http://www.diigo.com/user/dosscuwa

Digital Citizenship

-Why is it important to be a good digital citizen? What value does a good digital reputation have?

It is important to be a good digital citizen because it is a positive aspect and it encourages one to present themselves in  the best light, even behind the computer screen. Digital citizenship promomtes using technology safely,responsibly, critically, and allows them to positively contribute to the digital society. A good digital reputation is one that upholds values instilled in that of a positive  person. These characteristics include, but are not limited to composed, positive, and ability to network in a positive way. Some people use the internet as a place to vent, promote negative behaviors, and destroy others. In the new technology age, bullying via email and social networking has caused for deaths and depression in those that have been affected by those behaviors. It  is important to be a good digital citizen because employers look to individuals' social networking accounts and determine if this person is suitable for their place of business.  A digital reputation should be upheld to the same standards we would want ourselves to be displayed outwardly.

Week 4: P. 201, Number 1

On the thinkport website listed in the textbook, the link for student materials opens into a website that gives teachers various options to create worksheets to suit the needs of the students. This website would be an effective tool to use in my class, because the assignments can be suited to be differentiated for various students' needs. I often struggle with knowing if the assignments and assessments I give prove to enrich the gifted learner or provide remediation for the lower learner. Using this website to create assignments would ensure that each learners' needs are met individually.

I would also use the Hirshhorn Museum Art Interactive. This site allows for students to interactively view specific pieces of art in the museum and create an artistic piece.  I would use this website to accompany a lesson that studies ancient artifacts, tied in with narratives and have students create their own artistic piece to correspond with their narrative.

Software Reviews- Page 105-Roblyer

Upon entering the evalutech website, I was presented with a white screen stating that it was a test page. I assume this to be an indication of an inoperative website. Education World has resources strictly for teachers and those that extend beyond the classroom.  Education World offers professional development, technology, administrators, and a what's new feature, among other links and resources. Superkids appears to have a lot of resources and is more user-friendly. Superkids has apps that can be downloaded on computers and cellphones. This is a nice feature, considering everyone does not have internet and can access downloaded resources offline. California Learning Resource Network has a plethora of resources and features free websites on its homepage. It also has online conferences, online course review, and electronic learning resources among other useful links and resources.

All of the websites presented vast amounts of titles, but I think that Superkids and Education World has the most. Education world is most recently updated.  SuperKids had reviews submitted by site visitors or members, but each reviewer (whether parent, teacher, or kid) has to follow specific criteria in posting a review. After reading research and information about evalutech, it seems to be one that I would use to learn about software that I would be interested in considering for my students. I would possibly use superkids.com, because I think that students can easily relate to something other students their age find similarities in enjoying.

Assignment 2

1. Do you think these tips are relevant to the classroom? Why?


2. How could using mediums such as Skype and "game-like" websites be used for classroom purposes without being abused?

3. How would you apply these tips in your own classroom?

About Me

Hi, My name is Carol L. Doss. I am from West Point, MS. I am currently in my first year of teaching, and I am truly enjoying myself thus far. I teach eighth grade. I would have never considered teaching middle school, but now I am sure that there is nowhere else that I would rather be. I am the youngest of six children. I graduated from West Point High School in 2006. I also graduated from Mississippi State University in December 2010. This is currently my first year in the Masters program at UWA, and it has been a pleasing experience. I look forward to learning as much as there is to be attained and applying the information to my current practices, as well as future.