Wikis

What is a wiki? A wiki is a page or collection of webpages that allows anyone who accesses it to add or modify the existing content. A good example of this is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia. But how reliable is this? Before reseaching on Wikipedia, one must realize that anyone can access it and change the information. However, WIkipedia does have an editorial board to control the information posted. This is a must because anyone, anywhere can post non-sense all over the internet.

Considering I am a first grade teacher, I feel like wikis would be benefical to use with other teachers to collarborate about any subject area or theme. You could easily send information concerning the topic of study and attach links with it. Wikis could also be benefical in the writing process and giving feedback. We created a wiki the other night in class. I was surprised at how easy it was to create. Check out my wiki below!

http://wikis.rcoe.appstate.edu/RE5532/index.php/Jessica_Nelson

Overstream

I created an overstream on my favorite childhood book, The Giving Tree. I read this book each year at the beginning of the school year when introducing myself. I explain that it is my favorite book because of the giving and sharing involved between the tree and the boy. Sometimes I reread this book when we are studying the character trait of caring. I thought this book would also fit the season we are in, the season of giving. I found the video on YouTube and once uploaded, I overstreamed it. Click on the link below to view my overstream, The Giving Tree.


I can't wait to share this with my first grade class!

Podcasts and Gabcast

What is a podcast? If you would have asked me thirty minutes ago, my answer would have been "I have no clue!" Now, I know after doing some research and having the chance to make one. A podcast is audio broadcasting. It allows anyone to distribute content on the web through a phone recording.

I realized that many teachers use podcasting when introducing and reviewing concepts from class, giving step by step instructions and talking with pen-pals from all over the world. The ideas are endless! I also realized that I have used podcasts before...through MP3's on my I-Pod. I guess I never knew the technological name of what I was actually doing.

I created a podcast on Gabcast for my first graders. We have started learning how to tell time on the hour and half-hour. I created three short episodes and reviewed the difference between an analog and digital clock, the different hands on a clock - hour and minute, as well as how to tell time on the hour. I plan on expanding this Gabcast with more mini lessons on time. I feel like my kids will really benefit from Gabcast. Once my kids and I feel more comfortable with my recordings, I would like to start allowing my kids to use this as part of a peer-tutoring program. My kids could record readings or other topics of interest to help their peers learn in a different setting.

Check out my podcasts!

Gabcast! Miss N's 1st Grade #1




Gabcast! Miss N's 1st Grade #2




Gabcast! Miss N's 1st Grade #3

Our Class Video

Digital Photo Album

I created a digital photo album of my first graders at the Lewisville Fire Department. We went on this field trip to learn more about fire safety.

I really enjoyed making a digital album and I look forward to making more in the near future.

Click on the link below and check out my digital album. Enjoy!

http://voicethread.com/#q.b241418.i0.k0

Digital Texts

Digital texts can anything from electronic books, online publications or digital libraries. There are advantages and disadvantages to digital texts. E-books save money on printing ink and can contain pictures, recordings and videos. It can have abridged materials like summaries, graphic organizers and so on. With our technological advanced society, digital texts are becoming more popular. On the other hand, a student would not be given the opportunity to experience holding a book, smelling the pages and enjoying the full experience of a book in hand. I think an environment with a balanced mixture of e-books and books on a book shelf would give children an opportunity to see and understand both types of literacy and technology.

I created two digital texts through Tar Heel Reader. One is on frogs (since my classroom theme is frogs) and the other book is about school. Check them out! Click on the links below...enjoy!

http://tarheelreader.org/2008/10/20/frogs-frogs-frogs/
http://tarheelreader.org/2008/10/20/what-is-a-school/

Facebook vs. MySpace

The talk of the country lately....Facebook vs. MySpace. Both have pros and cons, but isn't that with anything in life?! So what is all the fuss about? Why do so much people join each website? What is this craze? Well for me, these websites are about social networking and keeping in touch with family. I have a military family who live both in and out of the States and it is a great way to keep in touch with them. My uncles and cousins have MySpace, so we are able to send messages and view each other's pictures for free. It is much cheaper than using the telephone and it's a quick line of communication considering we check it on a daily basis.

My friend originally created my Facebook account after college. It was more or less created as a joke. However, when I realized how many of my friends were actually members of Facebook, I updated my account and created it to be all about me. It was nice to view my friend's friends because then I could connect with these college friends again. I still use it for that reason today....4 years later. Facebook is a good connection with friends from all walks of life and allows me to stay informed and updated on their lives.

I created a MySpace account about a year ago. At that time, I dated someone who was in the military and was about to be deployed. He was already a MySpace user and I promised to join to keep the communication lines open. It was a great way to keep in touch when he was so many miles away. Again, like Facebook, I reconnected with old high school and college friends. I found new features on this website and I personalized my page with a background and music.

Between the two, I do not have a preference on which one I like more. There are different qualities that I like about each one. I like that Facebook seems more private and secure. However, I like MySpace for the music that can be uploaded and the personalization features. To this day, I use Facebook and MySpace on a daily basis. However, I do not think I would ever use this form of technology in my class. I feel like it is too much for a classroom of first graders. I do not feel that these websites are appropriate for that age.