Week Three RSS Reflections Part 2

1. What did you learn? I learned how to add a widget so that folks can add my blog to their iGoogle or other reader. I enjoyed finding new blogs to add to my own iGoogle page.
   
2. How will you use what you have learned? Using iGoogle will help to stay informed and updated in a quick glance format. The blogs that I subscribe to will help me gather new ideas that I can suggest to other educators and develop lessons.
   
3. How did you feel about this tool? I'm already a fan!
   
4. What do you not want to forget about this tool? That they are a great way to keep updated on many different blogs in a quick and easy format.
   
5. How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role? I will be able to gather new, fun, and innovative ways of integrating technology lessons for teachers and for myself as an ITS.
   
6. Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role? It would be a great way for older elementary students to stay updated on several different blogs that they use in their classroom. Maybe even a blog with a class in another part of the country or the world.
   
7. What questions do you still have about this tool? None at this point. Some might come up as I use it more!
   

Week Three Reflections Part 1

a. What RSS reader did you chose and why?
I chose the Google Reader. More specifically, I use iGoogle. I've been using iGoogle for quite a while now and find it easy to use and a quick glance place where I can see all of the items, blogs, news, email.
b. What “non-classmate” blogs did you subscribe to?
I subscribed to Promethean Planet ActivEducator blog--great ideas for using the interactive white boards, iLearn Technology--great online activity suggestions, and Ahead of the Curve--a blog about new ideas and uses for technology and web 2.0.
c. What made you choose those blogs?
I chose these blogs because I'm interested in the topics that are posted on them.

Week 2 Reflection

I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the structure of a blog. All of the different editable areas can be moved around and manipulated to keep things organized the way I would like. I intend to use my blog as a way to reflect on ideas and learn from those to be a better educator and thinker. I believe that my blog can be a way for folks that I interact with to learn from each other through exchanging ideas and suggesting online resources to make the student's experience with technology better all the time. I know as I write and reflect I will learn more about blogging, the benefits of it, and new ways of communication.

A Purpose

My intention for this blog is to reflect on technology education: both my own and the students that I come in contact with. I hope that by writing I will be able to improve my own understanding and benefit from others input into whatever 'musings' I may write. I have always found writing to be a great way to sort my head out and to be able to have an online record will also be a benefit in keeping track of any resources that I might reflect on and use.

Learning from reflecting

I enjoyed exploring some blogs this week. I liked the Principal who was able to use it as a recap of staff meetings…what a great way for staff to be able to ‘remember’ what happened or get caught up if they missed out. I also really liked the Journey blog. I liked the layout of it and the way that she suggested new ideas.

1. http://www.magnoliaisd.org/education/components/board/default.php?sectiondetailid=1012& I found a blog by a 1st Grade teacher who uses blogging with her class. All the students use fake/fun names to protect their identities and the teacher expects more from them as their spelling/typing skills develop. The teacher even skyped a class in Germany and they all blog each other after their meeting! Very cool.
2. http://timothymckean.com/ The author of this blog happens to be my brother-in-law…but I really like reading his blog because he finds online resources and will discuss his opinions of them. He teaches a lot of video production so there are some great tips and ideas for that also.

I would like to learn more about how to develop an effective blog. One that is organized and user-friendly. Not cluttered, like some that I have seen. I also would like to find my ‘blog muse’. My inspiration for blogging. I’ve been throwing around ideas for the name of my blog…considering FLUFF or STUFF. I’ll reveal what that stands for later! Ha!