WEEK 3: RSS Reflections

1. What did you learn? WOW! Considering that I didn't know what RSS was, I feel like I have a great understanding of it now! I loved the videos that were given to us to watch because I have to hear, watch and do in order to really "catch" what needs to be done.
2. How will you use what you have learned? I will use it to follow a lot of different blogs that I check constantly as well as search for educational ones too. Already I have found a couple that I know I will be using information from in the classroom!
3. How did you feel about this tool? It is extremely useful AND not scary at all! I hope to be able to reach out to my parents through updates and hopefully they will follow me on my blog and get updates about things in the classroom quickly.
4. What do you not want to forget about this tool? I want to remember to check it often so that I can use it as a time saver.
5. How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role? Already I feel as if it can be used to share and gather ideas for the classroom.
6. Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role? I would like to encourage my students to blog and be able to follow them on their blog.
7. What questions do you still have about this tool? At this time none, but I'm sure I will come up with some as my use progresses!

RSS Choices

a. What RSS reader did you chose and why?

I chose igoogle. Between igoogle and google reader, I just simply liked it best. I like the format and it seemed relatively easy to navigate. I didn't even look at the readers that were for the more adventurous because with this being the first time I had even heard of RSS, I wasn't feeling too adventurous.

b. What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to?

I subscribed to:

eledblog.com

classantics.com

iteachautism.com

techhintz.blogspot.com

c. What made you chose those blogs?

I chose the first 2 because they are based on elementary ideas in the classroom. At first glance, they both caught my eye. One is an open dialogue forum, and one appears to be more "helpful hints".

The autism blog is due to a student that I know will be in my class this year. He is autistic, and this blog looked like it would really help me out in giving me some good information for his success. The technology blog is for 2 reasons, one it has some great information that I felt I could use in the class and share with my team, and two, I know Angie and thought it would be fun to track her blog!

Basic Blogging Week 2 Reflection

1. What did you learn?

I would have to say everything! I had no idea how to start a blog, much less even begin to think about using one in the classroom. Now, I can't wait to get my students started with responses to various topics!

2. How will you use what you have learned?

I will be using my blog for book group responses as well as various question/research response forums.

3. How did you feel about starting a blog?

I was incredibly anxious about starting and am still uncomfortable with diving into next weeks assignment. Thus, the reason I have procrastinated in getting this done.

4. What is one of the focuses you want to remember when you update your blog?

I want it to remain very simple to navigate since I will be reaching out to students of varying computer (and I imagine blogging) knowledge.

5. How can this be used in the classroom or your educational role?

I am still trying to solidify exactly what my responses will look like with my students. I have some idea, but nothing definite.

6. Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?

Absolutely! I think that blogging can be a very powerful tool in the classroom!

7. What questions do you still have about blogging?

I question myself on the ability to continue blogging although I truly want to. I am also still questioning the best way to implement this in the classroom!

is it me?!?! What do you think?

Humor in the blogging scene!

The two blogs that I chose were chosen because they both make me laugh out loud. I have been following them both for awhile.

http://www.mademelaugh.com–This is a blog of clean jokes, pictures, games etc. You can’t look at it without finding something to smile about.

http://itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com–This blog is a teacher who does, “real” classroom events in her blog. You know the kind of things that truly happen in the classroom, but you only hear about them from your other teacher friends! One of her most recent posts was about fighting the urge to buy school supplies while in an office supply store. I could truly relate due to the fact that I had just spent my next pay check at Target on supplies for my classroom!

Hmmm...Why should I blog????

I hope to gain confidence in blogging, so that I can better communicate with my parents and students. I would really like to make my blog interactive so that I can post items and the students respond directly to me with their knowledge. This way they will see others responses, build on them and learn from them. Hopefully this will help buid on conversations from through the day at school as well as start new topics of conversation between students. I want it to be a safe enviroment for those "less outgoing" students who may not typically share as much in the classroom. I hope to have at least one blogging opportunity for the student each week.

My classroom is very lay back and fun, yet some very intense learning goes on. I hope that is carried on in our blog!