Tool #4

I really like Google Apps because I can access it anytime and anywhere. This is a great way to collaboratively work with other teachers in your district or even your own team. I can see my team and I using this to edit and work on news notes or other grade level material where all our input is necessary. I have already incorporated Google docs onto my room back in December. I was very excited about using it, but wasn't sure how it would work. It worked wonderfully after we got pasted the internet issues. The kiddos sent their writing project to me via email. I haven't edited yet, but I am looking forward to using the editing tools.

Tool #3

1. The sites I find most helpful are teacher tube, discovery education, you tube, and pbs.

2. This video is from pbs. I actually used pbs today in my class to teach them more about the dust bowl of the 30's after reading a Bluebonnet nomination Barn Stormer. Here is a video about habitats and environments of whales. 

Watch the full episode. See more Ocean Adventures.

 I found another really good one for science- Kilauea, on Hawaii's Big Island, is the world's most active volcano. I am trying to embed it, we shall see if it works. If not, it was under the topic Exploring Science. Volcano videos are great for teaching land formations, constructions and destruction of land, along with the rock cycle. I am very excited about watching this video with my students. I know they will love it!
Introduction
if you right click on the word Introduction it will take you to the website. Not sure why html code isn't working

3. I don't know that I learned that much about copyright and such because I didn't run into any issues of copyright with the videos I embedded.

4. I can see using the drop box in order to post copies of instructions in case students lose their hard copy they could go to the drop box and get another copy. Also it would be a good way to archive news notes for parents to access. I downloaded public stalagtite and stalagmite pictures from picasa. It is a great way show the class pictures on a topic, but also you could save pictures there for the students to use in projects or to use to analyze and apply concepts.

Tool #2

I think it is very important to establish an on-line community especially if you rely on blogging and learning via the web. It is a great way to get new ideas and establish new friendships due to common interest. I enjoyed seeing other colleague's blogs and commenting on them. I also like their comments on my blog because the comments help me to improve my blog and learning. You definitely put yourself out there to criticism especially if someone doesn't like what you say. So it is a bit scary thinking that others and rip you apart if they don't like your posts, but that is a risk you take.  I think blogging is impersonal versus having a face to face discussion, but if I want to discuss something with my team I would do it face to face. If I want to just put something out there then I post it on the web. The blog or website that I want to visit and read more of is... it seems pretty good.
http://ifbeesarefew.blogspot.com/

Tool #1

This was fairly easy, however I couldn't get the VOKI to talk until after I added it to my blog.