Thing #2 - Thoughts about Web 2.0

Web 2.0 technologies and tools help teachers give students more skills and abilities which helps facilitate the student by instilling a high value in the working environment.  

Is it the end or only the beginning?

I’ve learned many things along my journey, some of which I will explore further and implement in my classroom, while there are others that I probably will not utilize at this point in time.  However, the program has opened my eyes to the plethora of technology available to aid teachers in the classroom.  Technology is the future of education and the more we explore and understand, the more we can offer our students.  While I teach special education students, and they are somewhat limited in their understanding, I am amazed at the innovative web tools that are easy and extremely user friendly.  Honestly, I will probably not blog regularly, but now that I do know how, I can blog when I need advice, ideas or direction.  Flickr is a great picture source and a tool that will be extremely helpful in my classroom situation.  Visual aids are priceless in my classroom. 

I would recommend this course to any and all teachers.  The web is an invaluable tool. 

Thing #22 - Explore social networking in education

The social network I perused is called "Classroom 2.0."  I even signed up.  This is an impressive website that I can use in the classroom not only to help facilitate learning, but also as a reward.  Of course, I need to check into all of the nuances of the website.  There are forums to help with foreign language, history, and even connect with other educators.  The activities are engaging and intriguing at many different levels.  

Thing #7b - Google Reader Revisited

What makes a good school? What a powerful question.  The article I viewed was How Much Special Education is a good Thing? I have been in special education for eight years now and I have numerous tools that have benefited the education of the students I teach. In the article I reviewed, the writer talks about many ways to reduce the special education population. You can review the article by clicking on the link above.  One of the best tools a teacher can have is an active parent.  The writer of this article is an active parent of his special needs child.  Every teacher wants and hopes for active parents.  When I have active parents, I have always had better students (behavior, grades, etc.).  Active parents make a tremendous difference.

Thing #21 - Try Twitter

For my 8th grade computers and careers class I can use this as a way for students tell me when assignments are complete and to have the students follow somebody or something of interest. I'm thinking that the shortened script writing will help the student be more engaging. At this time, I'm not sure where this could go. My thinking is I get the students accounts at school but after that the student would only be able to connect at the school.  But for a general education class this would be a great way for teachers and students to stay connected about assignments and questions about a topic.

Thing #20 - Google Docs

When we began the school year last year at A. C. New, we had a lesson plan template that was adopted from Google Docs.  However, since  I teach six different subjects and each of my student's has a seperate IEP, I was unable to take advantage of the Google Docs lesson plan.  I had to design my own template, which is on my compter at school. 

Thing #19 - Voicethread

I find that this type of engagement in learning can be a very useful tool in my classroom.  The students hear the information from another voice source and the information becomes more relevant. I like using this tool as an option or a bellringer in my classroom.