Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..

Here is another youtube video that made me think Where are we going?  Kids and adults are relying on technology so much. Is it too much?

Reflecting

I have been doing a lot of reflection in this class about technology.   Most of my reflections take place while I am teaching.  Ideas will just hit me in the moment.  Things like “I can use a Prezi for this”etc.   Before I completed my class assignment on Prezi, I was playing with it and made one for my class.  Click here if you want to check it out!  It was my first one and I was so proud of it.  I showed it to my class and they liked it too.  I don’t think they thought it was as impressive as I did.  I think that they are starting to expect technology.  It is part of their world and always has been.   They are hungry for it.  They want more.  They have a “no fear attitude” when using technology.  This leads me to my next reflection or “Aha” moment.

I was walking with my class back from swimming lessons and I was having a chat with one particular boy.  He was chatting about the weeds and how tall they grow.  He was asking me a million questions that I didn’t have the answers to.  I said “Those are great questions. Where could you find the answers?”  He responded by saying “I just go on the www and type in words and I learn everything.”  We continued to have a conversation about his Internet habits and I was shocked.  Here was a little boy in grade 2 that had all the freedom in the world to use the Internet but he didn’t know anything about it.  Who is teaching kids what is real and not real on the Internet?  Who is teaching kids how to be safe on the Internet.  Geesh, I’m their teacher!  I guess I better!   It just so happens that we are doing a unit on safety this month.  We have talked about fire safety, water safety, home safety, stranger safety, sun safety, and bike safety.  Now it is time for Internet safety.  Perfect topic for a Webquest!!!  Luckily my group is easygoing and they agreed to it!

Today I had a discussion with my class about their Internet habits.  Where do they go on they Internet?  How much time do they spend on the Internet?  Where are their parents when they are on the Internet?   Some answers surprised me.  Some answers made me laugh.  Some answers shocked me and some answers scared me.   I asked them to share their Internet habits with others and I made a Voicethread to share with you. This is as real as it gets!  I wanted to tell them what to say but I didn’t.  I wanted them to tell me that they went to the Regina Public Library website and put books on hold.  I wanted them to tell me they looked at the school website.  I wanted them to tell me all the wonderful things they did on the internet.  I got some of that but then I also got the “I chat with random strangers on the Internet.”   This is grade 2.  Yikes.  I am looking forward to finishing this Webquest so that I can share it with my students before they move on to the next grade.   The kids loved helping me and helping others with this Voicethread.  They know that it is part of a bigger picture and we will use it in our Webquest.

You must check out our Voicethread!

Adding a video

This video really made me think about what we are teaching kids today.  I thought it was a powerful video so I decided to add it to my blog.

Prezi

I just finished my first Prezi and I am very excited to share this information with everyone!!  I think Prezi is a fantastic tool both in and out of the classroom.

Taking A Class Online

This is my first online class.  What an interesting concept.  I like that I can do my homework when it is convenient for me.  Doing the Xtranormal group project has been a learning experience.  Trying to get four people all on the same page and discussing how to do things online is something that I have never experienced.   I think that if we were in a classroom setting it may be easier to communicate.  I like that we have people in our class from many different locations.   Just like everything, there are pros to taking an online class and there are also cons.    I am definitely learning and growing with all of the experiences this class is bringing.

Playing Around…

So I have been busy playing around with all the different themes.  I noticed that some of you have been busy doing this too.  I enjoy looking at all the themes wordpress has to offer.  Right now I am working with a grass theme.  I think instead of calling my blog “Working With The Web” it should now include something that has to do with “growing”.  Any suggestions?  Too bad I can’t offer Stephen’s bonus points to you!

Blogs

I love looking at all of my classmates blogs.  The set up and designs are all very unique.  I feel like I should be blogging but I haven’t had an AHA moment as to what I should say!  I have a lot of thoughts but it feels strange to be sharing them  with anyone and everyone.  At least with facebook I have control over who can see things.  With blogging I feel like I don’t have control over who reads it but I do have control over what I share.   Just keeping it simple right now!

Blog

I’m creating this blog for an online class that I am taking called The Nature of Online Education.  I will be learning about many useful tools that I can use in the classroom including blogs.  Stay tuned!