Module 1 - Assignment 7 - Bunn - Dropbox

I've been using Dropbox for a long time now, so this was a fairly easy one to use, except for having tech support having to reinstall the actual software on my newer laptop - anyone else find it contradictory that we are encouraged to use as many technological resources as possible, but aren't allowed to add even a smiley face without tech support? But I digress. We have used Dropbox for Technology enhanced curriculum and questions, and I have used it with my VASS grant and program so I know it fairly well, but I still needed the push to remember to use it with my classes instead of just out of administrative habit.

I wrote a grant a year ago trying to get flash drives for students to be able to save information and then bring it to school for printing. While most of the grant was funded, that part was cut off. I can see using Dropbox as a short term fix (though it still doesn't help those students with no internet access at home), but at least they can use it in class without all of the headaches. And if I want them to create a digital project, they don't need a flash drive - they can save it all on Dropbox and I can grab it later.

My iPad pulled in Dropbox just fine - except that I forgot that most of the files it pulled in I can't edit and re-save to Dropbox on the iPad :) Still - I can see them which is helpful. As long as I remember that limitation, I will be great :)

Module 1 - Assignment 5 - Google Docs - hmmmm

So before I begin, allow me to say that I have experience using Google Docs for school work and for administrative scheduling, and while I am familiar with that aspect of it, I would be lying if I said I enjoyed using it for those purposes. :) My experience has primarily been limited to the "Word processing" portion of it, and so I was very excited to listen to and learn about the many other options available. As soon as I saw the spreadsheet during our first session, and then heard the tutorial, I immediately set one up for my National Honor Society students to fill in. We have a terrible time finding common time for meetings, so I decided to have them all sign up for a G-mail, and then fill in their information on the spreadsheet I created. I then posted a Google Doc announcing our upcoming events and asking for feedback.

As much as I thought this was a great idea, they have been slow to adopt. When I watched the video about the Collaborative writing exercise, I think I see why. While the exercise she was doing was great, I saw a lot of students talking one on one to each other, changing things only after talking to each other, and only a few people making edits. To me, the concept was wonderful, but their implementation sort of missed the strength of the program. I would rather separate them and see how well they communicated and worked together. That is the value of the program and its importance in the marketplace. They might as well have all been in a group and one person taking notes. I like her idea, I just don't think she was challenging them enough.

I intend to make my NHS students amend their present Constitution via Google Docs, outside of meeting time. Since it's not a class I don't need to worry about a grade, but it will be valuable to see how they handle it. They need to join together to create something we all can use - and since it will affect all, they better get involved.

Module 1 - assignment 4 - Bunn - Spppoookkkyyy Pinterest

I have been using Pinterest to collect ideas for Halloween. I am a Halloween nut, and I love the decorations, the recipes, and even the history of it. I also love the concept of Dia de Muertos - the Day of the Dead. I grow orange marigolds every year just to sprinkle a path to my door, and my NHS students will be making about 150 sugar skulls for the Spanish classes at Magna Vista to decorate as they explore the holiday.

You have already seen an example of my finds below with my pumpkin puking Guacamole, but I have some other ideas I can't wait to use. Pinterest is a great way to find this and I like being able to specifically focus on other people's boards who have already collected some great resources. I have made a few mistakes pinning pictures that lead to a general website instead of the focused content, but I am learning.

Module 1 - assignment 2 - Bunn - Twitter is a challenge

It's hard to describe why Twitter is a challenge. I am usually on the web during the day, and it's such a short post, but I think my conflict has been that so far I am using Twitter only to post in this class. I have had a few chances to share some really fun and interesting activities going on my classes lately, and it becomes easier when others comment which motivates me to elaborate, but my mind doesn't think in short sentences. I'm afraid I'm one of those "novelists" who have trouble summarizing in such short sentences, and I want to post long, elaborating comments that are better suited for blogging or even Facebook. Still, it was fun announcing my field trip recently, and after reading the many ways to use Twitter, I think I have some cool ideas for using it with my classes. For one, I can certainly imagine Tweeting every night "Bunn says - are you studying your Biology?" just to remind them it is not a one-time deal in AP classes. I can also see tweeting single questions, "So, why is it important that Mitochondria and Chloroplasts also have DNA and ribosomes?"  just to keep their brains thinking. I believe I'm going to make that a priority next week.
   I confess I missed a day of tweeting. It was on the weekend and I was having a great time with my boys, and family, and just didn't feel like tweeting. While I really like technology, I also like my time away from it, and I forgot that I had to tweet that day. Hopefully I made up for it with multiple tweets the past few days :)  I think tweeting is interesting, and I want to try it out with my students, but I can honestly say I don't see it working into my personal life :)  

Module 1 - assignment 3 - Bunn - Delicious is delectable!

 I have been using Delicious a lot this week, a bookmarking application that allows you access from anywhere. I'm in a Plate Tectonics unit for my one Earth Science class, and I have been looking for both hands-on activities and animation/videos to demonstrate the many different ways the earth reacts. Delicious has been awesome for adding links from both home and at work without having to lug my computer home from work or email myself the different links. I have used several of the links I found, and have added tags to help separate them as "Volcanoes", "Plate Tectonics", "Earth Layers", "Earthquakes", and "Seafloor Spreading" so I can find them quickly. This has been important since I've also been adding links for AP Biology which have pushed the others to the bottom of the list. 

Excited but overwhelmed

I have been looking for a blog tool for so long, and never realized it was right here. I have started a blog for my AP Bio course and look forward to the possibilities. We will proceed accordingly. But of course I can't forget what I'm doing here. I know this isn't an assignment, but I wanted to mention I have enjoyed tweeting a bit, and more importantly, I am in love with Delicious :) I have used it a lot in the past few days :) I have also started a Google Docs with my National Honor Society students so we can work together even though they are booked into everything else :) I'm really pumped about all of this :) It's time to feel the rain!

Module 1 - assignment 1 - Bunn

I enjoyed reading the blogs and trying to imagine how I could use them. I teach Seniors who are very fluent in online communications with respect to their personal lives, but lack much savvy with using the technology for their future educational careers. These are still in the "donut hole" (borrowed from medicare) if you will - they didn't have the iPads the new middle schoolers have, but they have their smart phones. They can do online assignments, but are learning the responsibility required in order to make sure they have the assignments completed each week. Bringing them into this world will help them in their future as many colleges have already flipped the classroom or require online work.

I tried to set up a blog earlier this year for my students, but was unsuccessful due to internet issues. I hope this will allow me a space to get my students on board for their future expectations. I would like to use Blogger to increase daily feedback and questions. I have so many students who won't ask them in class, but I know they may be more comfortable asking in this type of forum. And it is a great way for me to provide reminders of assignments that some of my students seem to miss on a regular basis. I also like the ability to provide additional information for any areas they seemed confused about during the day. If there were a lot of confused looks, I can clarify those areas at the end of the day with a classroom blog :) I look forward to this, but I have a little trepidation that I make it worth their time. Here we go.

Pinterest is fun

Okay, so Pinterest has my attention now with this totally amazing food/decoration find :)

Definitely making this in the next few weeks! Thanks to Pin-it :)

Dropbox

 Dropbox ROCKS! I've used this with students before and it is very helpful. I like the versatility and the ability to store those files. I'm still more likely to copy and paste, but I appreciate the strength of its accessibility.

Delicious

Delicious is a social bookmarking site that has phenomenal potential for helping me. I can find these links from anywhere and create specialty tags to help sort my links and direct others to the links.

UVA first post

I am sitting in a UVA class on a Saturday. It started really badly but it's getting a little better, but the most fun I've had today is using Tagxedo to make an interesting graphic for my classes.