Tool #5 Tagging and Social Bookmarking

As a quick reference and a management tool for favorite sites, tagging and bookmarking information is pivotal for sharing within a PLN. I started first with Delicious, but decided to use Diigo instead, only because I'm trying to stay within Google as much as possible. After watching the video which compares both, Diigo seemed slightly more advanced and from my little experience, the Google account is managed more efficiently than Yahoo.

Some of my favorite sites are listed under Favorites; educational themes, tagged Habitats under Living/Nonliving, and Sum dog, online math games, tagged puzzles with an example under Puzzle Maze. For educators, I'm new to the techniques given in Love & Logic, but feel it's important to update our management skills in order to stay current with many of the growing social issues in our classrooms today.

Tool #4 Cool Tools for Sharing Information

It's too cool that Google Docs has a common place for my grade level team to update the weekly newsletter! This eliminates redundancy from consolidating multiple emails onto a master template. It will be ideal for input on homework assignments, recording minutes, and updating various templates. I sent a household To Do List for my husband and son, and promptly received their edited version, Wish List! Very efficient wouldn't you say?

IGoogle homepage is a central location for displaying my personal choice of apps: Gmail, calendar, to do list, weather, news, etc. The Google Reader keeps track of blogs I'm following, and students will easily be able to access sites I want them to visit, by using Reader.

Tool #3 Image Generators and Mashups

Wordle, Word It Out, and Big Huge Labs, are kid-friendly and appropriate for the primary grades. Requiring more time to create and setting words to an image, ImageChef, or Bubblr. Comic Strip Generator seemed less appropriate for younger students, but Spell with Flickr and Flickriver are two sites worth experimenting with and using in the classroom.

Comments:

http://iTeach@mwe.com/

http://mwetransitioncampusblogspot.com/

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http://fairyprincipal.blogspot/.com/

http://Problogger/How to stay focused.com/

Tool #2 Building a PLN & Commenting

Wil Richardson did a nice job of outlining the importance of creating a personal learning network in the classroom. Blogging between students, teachers, and parents is an avenue for posting ideas and exchanging information through comments.

When offering suggestions or opinions via comments, some advice seemed to follow the golden rule of treating others the way we would like to be treated. Even more obvious but still nice to know, comments with questions are likely to encourage more feedback or responses. Also, you're more likely to receive comments, if you post comments to others. What an ideal format for teaching some of the most basic essentials in life!

www.mwepurplemartins.blogspot.com

Tool #1 Just the Beginning

It's official, I have a blog! Yes, it's a feeling of accomplishment and really wasn't too difficult to set up. The avatar took me more time than it should have only because I did a little experimenting with using my own voice recording. That was pretty amusing!

Using a blog will be a great way to involve my students while integrating technology in the classroom. Blogs can be used for communicating between teachers, students, and parents regarding assignment updates and questions as well as sharing past events and upcoming activities. I look forward to having the tools as a means for involving others in sharing and exchanging more information and ideas.