Thing #10

I have often wondered what the RSS feed notation on many web sites was. Now I know. It has made my web surfing much easier. I now I can follow my Tigers without having to go through three or four links to get to my latest on the Memphis Tigers. I also checked and located two good RSS links from the History Channel and Infoplease that can provide additional facts and data to enhance my students' learning expreriences. The Infoplease site provides historic events that occurred on a date in History. For example, in keeping with my World War II theme for the majority of my project and blogs, on March 17, 1942 Gen. Douglas MacAruthur was named Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific. This technology is not limited to History. Using a Google search, a teacher can find RSS feed on most any content area that will enhance the class. Just one more tool that will make it easier for me to assist my students in constructing their knowledge. Here is a link to my public page for March 17: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/15788222262437964876.

Thing #9

Well another valuable tool for creating some eye-catching visuals for students! I liked the image of the Benal tiger. Being a UofM graduate, I have to show some support for my beloved Tigers. These online image generators can be used in a number of ways. Like the one that I have generated here, they can be used to emphasize class rules, key items of a lesson, further enhance Power Point presentations, etc. I can also see myself using these to create online ads for our Cookin' Colonels to help drum up a little extra money. This is another tool that I can visualize using in both the classroom and for personal use.

The web site is http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/.

Thing #8

Originally uploaded by dudley.griffin

I have always wondered how this was done. Now I know. I think that I may order some puzzlse for the rest of the cooking team. Well at $40 a pop, maybe not. I love these guys but I did not take them to raise!

Thing #7

Okay, Dr. Wall has opened my eyes to a whole new vein of resources. As I enjoy video gaming for relaxation, I received Call of Duty: The World at War this past Christmas. One of the final levels is the battle at Shuri Castle on Okinawa. After completing the level, my curiosity was piqued. So I researched Shuri Castle. The battle at the castle during World War II left it completely destroyed for the fourth time in its long history. The Japanese government has completely restored the castle to its original dimensions and architecture. I have uploaded a photo of the restored courtyard taken by Mark Boucher in August, 2005. The link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/38489237/.

Thing #6

I chose to look at the award-winning sites. I did not realize that there were so many different resources available that covers everything from word-processing to genealogy to maps to primary source documents. Wow! I chose to look at one of the music winners Last.fm. In 2005 Neil Young taped a live show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The name of the video was Neil Young: Heart of Gold. I recorded it on my DVR and occasionally will watch it. There was one song that appears on the video that, like Neil when he first heard it, I have found to be one of those songs that you can't seem to get out of your head. I used the site to find the album on which it was recorded, Comes a Time. The name of the of the song is Four Strong Winds. The link to the source is http://www.last.fm/music/Neil+Young/Comes+a+Time. Many times we fail to associate music as a reflection of the events going on around us. For example, Woody Guthrie is an American folk singer whose songs reflected the times of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl days of the Plains states. This is a great tool to allow students to search out music that is associated with the events of our nation's history, as studying the culture of different eras is one of our State Standards.

Thing #5

In reviewing some of the articles regarding Web 2.0, it becomes even more apparent that our classrooms are shedding their traditional roles. One article indicates that the "Cartesian" philosophy of "I think, therefore I am" is being replaced with the social learning through the use of the internet, creating a "we participate, therefore we are" attitude. This attitude has caused educators to rethink their approach to teaching. While technology may not completely replace teachers in the classroom, it can be a much needed asset in helping students construct their knowledge. It is interesting to note that Web 2.0 does not refer to a software version or a new version of the internet, but the adding of more layers of technology to the existing base. In the final analysis, teachers will be required to incorporate these technological advances into their pedagogy.

Thing #4

Commenting on postings does indeed create a sense of community. I am not a frequent "blogger". However, I do occasionally post comments on the Commerical Appeal comment space. Although it is not listed as a blog space, it has devloped into one for UofM Tigers fans to comment on Sports articles. It gives me a sense of belonging to the Memphis community although I live 200 miles away. Participation in this activity will make me a part of another community. One thing that I have noticed on the Commercial Appeal's blog space is that comments can and sometimes are removed for inappropriate comments. While this space allows for opinions to be expressed, it does not tolerate abusive posts. Nor do many readers. Comments need to be positive. Or, if you have an opinion that can be construed as negative, explain why you have the opinion that you expressed. Generally, you will find that you do attract comments from others that either agree or disagree. Another thing that I have noticed in blogging is that, in the majority of the posts,the posters (with a few exceptions) are gracious and humble in their repsonses; and, by not repsond harshly to criticisms of opinions, grammatical errors, typos, etc.


The blogs that I have chosen to follow are Miranda's Blog, Rogers' Science Spot, SKY BLUE SUE, Stefi's learning process, and Tink Time.