Some of the stuff on the bus was cool, and I can see it as a classroom staple in the future. Some of the tools it offers are great for math, assessing prior knowledge and quizzing. I like the ominous benefits of it.
I can't imagine how much one of those systems cost. I can't even afford a 13 inch TV, never mind a gigantic flat screen monitor thing. I would definitely use it in my classroom if it was free! I wonder how I would feel about the projector lights in my eyes all day...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
More of what I like
I like the webquest sites. Its a great idea to make these sites as lesson plans. Its nice to have everything you need on one site, its simplifies the web experience, especially for younger kids.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Here are some things in my brain.
I'm gonna start with the positive, so don't don't fret, because laughter will eventually ensue.
I really like Google Docs. I think it kicks some serious hides. I love how I don't really have to talk to anyone. That is great. What is also great is that no one has to really talk to me either. We just simply do our own work, press the "share" button, or whatever it's called, and into the abyss it goes. Wonderful idea, and it's actually something useful. Stress and communication free group work. No scheduling times to meet, no driving, simply amazing. I am also rather fond of the little link that shows you how to use software I've had for years and still cant figure out. Excel come to mind. But now instead of Mr. Paperclip pretending he's gonna help me, I can just go and get what I need to know. Cool.
OK, this is what else is on the brain. I don't think I can honestly stand anymore acronyms, or stupid made-up words like dweezil, doodah, tweener, nooogle, boooglem, gedangah, and you get the idea. Imagine talking like this when you were a kid. People would tell you to stop blabbing gibberish. (gibberish is an awesome, "real" word you know) I just want to point out that spellcheck is OK with the word "doodah." Weird. Times are changing.
I also am having trouble keeping track of all these made-up word accounts. I don't like to have to "sign in" every time I go to a site. It's really annoying. I have to use the mouse, and then switch to typing, and back and forth the whole time I'm interneting. I think it's cool that google (I refuse to capitalize this made up word) somehow knows when you log into gmail, and remembers that you have already logged in, so you don't have to keep doing it a million times as long as you're on a google owned site, or whatever it is.
Someone should respond. It's getting lonely out here in the abyss.
I really like Google Docs. I think it kicks some serious hides. I love how I don't really have to talk to anyone. That is great. What is also great is that no one has to really talk to me either. We just simply do our own work, press the "share" button, or whatever it's called, and into the abyss it goes. Wonderful idea, and it's actually something useful. Stress and communication free group work. No scheduling times to meet, no driving, simply amazing. I am also rather fond of the little link that shows you how to use software I've had for years and still cant figure out. Excel come to mind. But now instead of Mr. Paperclip pretending he's gonna help me, I can just go and get what I need to know. Cool.
OK, this is what else is on the brain. I don't think I can honestly stand anymore acronyms, or stupid made-up words like dweezil, doodah, tweener, nooogle, boooglem, gedangah, and you get the idea. Imagine talking like this when you were a kid. People would tell you to stop blabbing gibberish. (gibberish is an awesome, "real" word you know) I just want to point out that spellcheck is OK with the word "doodah." Weird. Times are changing.
I also am having trouble keeping track of all these made-up word accounts. I don't like to have to "sign in" every time I go to a site. It's really annoying. I have to use the mouse, and then switch to typing, and back and forth the whole time I'm interneting. I think it's cool that google (I refuse to capitalize this made up word) somehow knows when you log into gmail, and remembers that you have already logged in, so you don't have to keep doing it a million times as long as you're on a google owned site, or whatever it is.
Someone should respond. It's getting lonely out here in the abyss.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ed Tech Tools
As a substitute teacher, I find there are many on-line resources that are helpful to keep students off Facebook and non-cerebral games, and on to doing more enlightened things. The biggest problem with computers and Subs is that students will tell you: " But she let's us play games!" And I bet he or she does, but it's certainly not the games students find.
One day I saw several nasty little seventh graders playing the stupidest, most disgusting and revolting game, of possibly all time. It consisted of a faceless, featureless body handing by the wrists from chains. The students then, most likely utilizing their human body knowledge gleaned from biology class, decide from an assortment of weapons and torture devices to inflict damage to this bleak swinging body. Chainsaws rip arms off and blood rushes out at the screen like a scene in "The Shinning." Highly educational. Another student, a girl, caught a glimpse and recoiled in horror. That was how I discovered it, and I immediately intervened.
However, there actually is useful stuff on the Internet to keep students busy, and some that can even feed people. The website freerice.com is a site where students can pick an area for questioning, anything from math to geography, for example, and if they get the questions right, the earn several grains of rice that the company sponsors. Get enough questions right, and it's possible to actually feed people, and I find that much more intuitive that feeding people sharp weapons.
One day I saw several nasty little seventh graders playing the stupidest, most disgusting and revolting game, of possibly all time. It consisted of a faceless, featureless body handing by the wrists from chains. The students then, most likely utilizing their human body knowledge gleaned from biology class, decide from an assortment of weapons and torture devices to inflict damage to this bleak swinging body. Chainsaws rip arms off and blood rushes out at the screen like a scene in "The Shinning." Highly educational. Another student, a girl, caught a glimpse and recoiled in horror. That was how I discovered it, and I immediately intervened.
However, there actually is useful stuff on the Internet to keep students busy, and some that can even feed people. The website freerice.com is a site where students can pick an area for questioning, anything from math to geography, for example, and if they get the questions right, the earn several grains of rice that the company sponsors. Get enough questions right, and it's possible to actually feed people, and I find that much more intuitive that feeding people sharp weapons.
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