Glogster

Glogster is a tool that enables you to create collages using a variety of things including pictures and links.

TimeToast

This is my personal timeline I created using TimeToast.

Interact with my timeline here.

Wordle

I created this image using Wordle. Wordle is a unique and fun tool that enables you to make word collages like these with the click of a mouse. Your collage can contain any words and topics you have in mind. You can enter in the words you want to use yourself, or you can select a blog that you would like it to pull words from. I really enjoyed learning how to use this tool. I have seen these collages before but I never knew how to make them. I created the above collage from my photography blog. I think it will be useful when I advertise my business and products on Facebook and other places. I think when I do this again, I will enter in my own words so I don't have to delete a lot that don't make sense. When I have a classroom, I think I might use this as a "get to know each other" tool. I would let each kid enter in their name and words that describe them, each creating a unique "about me" wordle to share with the class.

Wonderful Wikis

The first week of class, we learned about Wikis and have been them using them rather extensively ever since. Wikis are free websites that can be created and edited by anyone. They can be made with an unlimited number of interconnected pages. I enjoyed being able to create my own space from scratch. I learned how to create links and take a screen shot picture to use on my Wiki pages. I think these are really useful skills. Next time I create a Wiki, I will try to add more aesthetic appeal and interest to it. After working with Wikis some, I wondered just how useful they might actually be to use with Elementary school kids. I could create a Wiki page for each letter of the alphabet, which might include pictures and words that relate to that letter. Kids can use this learn about the alphabet and how it relates to real words and items. In my classroom, I would probably use Wikis to add supplemental pictures and items about current topics we are studying. I plan to work with young children, so I think they would mostly have to just view pages and not actually make their own or edit them.

I thought of another idea I might use in a classroom. I thought I could make a generic account which all parents can access. On this Wiki I could create a classroom needs list and add items as my class needs them. Parents could delete items they plan to get, so I do not end up with duplicates. I'm not exactly sure this would work smoothly, but I thought it was a fun idea.

Website Evaluations

Last week we browsed the web for a site to evaluate. Websites must be thoroughly evaluated before they can be used within a school setting. I really thought some of the evaluative topics were irrelevant to my site because I chose a game website. To me, it really shouldn't matter who the author and publisher are as long as the games are fun, educational, and easy to use. I do think, however, it is important to evaluate websites used for information and referencing. You want your children to be viewing the correct information at all times. I believe website evaluations of some sort should be done with all sites before letting children access them in the classroom, just on a varying scale for different types of websites.

In my classroom, I think I would be sure to use website evaluations to ensure that my students are accessing safe and valid websites at all times. When I use this tool in the future, I think I would be less focused on some aspects of the process (like publisher, contact info, etc).



The website I found was ABCya.com. It has all sorts of games for grade K-5. The games are easily accessed by each grade level, so you can target important skills at each child's learning level. The games help teach skills such as math and language arts. I would definitely use this in my classroom as a fun supplement to instruction.