Web 2.0 is an invaluable and necessary vehicle for collaboration, interaction, and connection. It hosts a vast resource of tools, many of them FREE, that have the power to enhance daily living, working, learning, and playing! It has evolved from a large data base (Web 1.0) to this media rich, read-write toolbox. As stated by Will Richardson in a Youtube segment, "more people are publishing, more people are connecting; this is the foundation for life-long learning." We need to keep a few key ideas in mind about Web 2.0:
* these are exponential times
* we are preparing our children for jobs we do not even know exist yet
* in order to create change, we must understand it for ourselves
Share your ideas and any sites for using Web 2.0 tools with students. For further exploration of Web 2.o tools, visit these sites:
Back to School with the Class of Web 2.o
Web 2.0 Tools and Applications
Mashable
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Podcasts
Podcasting is a powerful tool for both expressive and receptive educational purposes, as well as enhancing personal life. There are a variety of online resources to assist in the creation of podcasts by students. Likewise, podcasts for all topics are being cataloged on the web for public viewing and downloading.
If you are interested in “what is podcasting”, “where to find podcasts”, and “how to podcast”, this is the most comprehensive one stop shop I’ve found available. The intriguing feature of this link is you can download the booklet, listen to a podcast about the booklet, and there is a whole website built around podcasts to support it. Great resource!
Further, if you are looking for great podcasts for personal and/or educational use, the following sites have great potential.
If you want to create your own podcasts, you might check out these tools first.
Cannot find what you are looking for? Mashable is one site to visit for all that is new on the web. Follow this link to its podcasting toolbox for 70+ podcasts and resources.
You will definitely not want to miss itunes.com for podcasts on a wide variety of topics!
If you are interested in “what is podcasting”, “where to find podcasts”, and “how to podcast”, this is the most comprehensive one stop shop I’ve found available. The intriguing feature of this link is you can download the booklet, listen to a podcast about the booklet, and there is a whole website built around podcasts to support it. Great resource!
Further, if you are looking for great podcasts for personal and/or educational use, the following sites have great potential.
- www.audible.com - small fee for use; great base of audio books
- www.masterymaze.com - well done podcasts for use in upper grade levels
- www.librivox.com - literature recordings; option to become volunteer recorder
- www.podomatic.com - click on ‘podcasts’ to find a large directory of podcasts.
- www.podcast.com - a personal favorite for finding high quality podcasts
If you want to create your own podcasts, you might check out these tools first.
- www.audacity.sourceforge.net - has come highly recommended on a consistent basis online and within my tech community
- www.podcast.com - has capability for adding podcasts
- www.podomatic.com - create an account and follow steps to create podcasts
Cannot find what you are looking for? Mashable is one site to visit for all that is new on the web. Follow this link to its podcasting toolbox for 70+ podcasts and resources.
You will definitely not want to miss itunes.com for podcasts on a wide variety of topics!
Social Networking on the Web!
The National Institute on Media and the Family has the best resources that I have found yet concerning educating parents as to how to keep their family safe in today’s technological world. They cover many topics, one being Social Networking. Their two newest readings are: Guide to Social Networking: Rewards and Guide to Social Networking: Risks.
A quick summary of “risks” are as follows:
*Avoid inappropriate information, using full birthday, address/phone number, and any schedules.
*Know most of the people that are added as “friends”.
*These are public spaces so avoid private conversation topics.
*Keep deeply personal information in a “real life” journal.
*Post only appropriate pictures/videos and limit who accesses them.
In turn, the “rewards”:
*Research shows networking online allows connections in new ways.
*Social networking is a way to strengthen relationships.
*New interests can be explored and new opportunities can arise.
*Kids who might have a hard time otherwise, may find a strength of their own through online communications.
*Social networking allows access to new information that may not have been available in a home or school setting.
Schools and families need to work together to set boundaries, guidelines, and rules for a safe online networking experience for students. They can achieve this by communicating with each other and sharing information. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing in the online world and students need to be supported in these digital times. Schools and teachers need to be equipped with the technologies and knowledge to support students in our ever changing world!
Share here about social networking sites!
A quick summary of “risks” are as follows:
*Avoid inappropriate information, using full birthday, address/phone number, and any schedules.
*Know most of the people that are added as “friends”.
*These are public spaces so avoid private conversation topics.
*Keep deeply personal information in a “real life” journal.
*Post only appropriate pictures/videos and limit who accesses them.
In turn, the “rewards”:
*Research shows networking online allows connections in new ways.
*Social networking is a way to strengthen relationships.
*New interests can be explored and new opportunities can arise.
*Kids who might have a hard time otherwise, may find a strength of their own through online communications.
*Social networking allows access to new information that may not have been available in a home or school setting.
Schools and families need to work together to set boundaries, guidelines, and rules for a safe online networking experience for students. They can achieve this by communicating with each other and sharing information. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing in the online world and students need to be supported in these digital times. Schools and teachers need to be equipped with the technologies and knowledge to support students in our ever changing world!
Share here about social networking sites!
Subscription Educational Websites!
Some websites are accessed by subscription only. Often there are "free" components of the website or trial subscription periods available. Share here if you have found a great subscription website!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Free Educational Websites!
The best way to find out about great educational and learning websites is to share with each other what we have found on the Web! Please share any websites you've found appropriate and educational for your child or any school-age child you work with!
Computer and Internet Rules for School-Aged Children
No matter where you are at, it is important to be a good citizen by following rules of that place. The internet is a "place" with rules just like any other place that you might visit. People who use the internet can be referred to as "cybercitizens". You should establish, learn, and practice rules of the internet before you log on, so that you can be a "good cybercitizen".
Visit http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/rules/rules.htm for "Rules in Cyberspace." Here is a quick summary of these rules:
DO:
1. use the internet for schoolwork
2. use the internet to visit museums
3. use the internet to meet children from other countries
4. be careful about talking to strangers
5. learn more about colleges and universities
6. respect privacy of others
7. be careful when downloading programs
DON'T:
1. give your password to anyone.
2. answer messages that make you feel uncomfortable
3. give any personal information
4. arrange to meet anyone you "met" online
5. try to break into computers
6. steal copyrighted programs
7. make copies of copyrighted material
8. copy material you find online and pretend it's your own work
There are many questions for families and schools to consider when allowing computer and internet access to children. What rules will we have for our own children at home regarding use of the computer and internet? What policies does our school have for internet use in their school? What internet use issues do we need to be concerned about? What do you believe we should teach our kids about computer and internet use? Let's share our ideas to make our homes and schools computer and internet safe places to be!
Visit http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/rules/rules.htm for "Rules in Cyberspace." Here is a quick summary of these rules:
DO:
1. use the internet for schoolwork
2. use the internet to visit museums
3. use the internet to meet children from other countries
4. be careful about talking to strangers
5. learn more about colleges and universities
6. respect privacy of others
7. be careful when downloading programs
DON'T:
1. give your password to anyone.
2. answer messages that make you feel uncomfortable
3. give any personal information
4. arrange to meet anyone you "met" online
5. try to break into computers
6. steal copyrighted programs
7. make copies of copyrighted material
8. copy material you find online and pretend it's your own work
There are many questions for families and schools to consider when allowing computer and internet access to children. What rules will we have for our own children at home regarding use of the computer and internet? What policies does our school have for internet use in their school? What internet use issues do we need to be concerned about? What do you believe we should teach our kids about computer and internet use? Let's share our ideas to make our homes and schools computer and internet safe places to be!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Online Safety Resources for Families
Online safety is an important issue to discuss with children as they become Web literate. Aside from establishing rules for computer and internet safety, students also need to become educated as to the warning signs, dangers, and cautions they need to take as computer and internet users. Parents and teachers need to know what students are doing online at all times and follow guidelines to ensure the safest possible online experiences for children as they grow as 21st Century learners. A couple interesting readings to get you started thinking about online safety are listed below:
http://www.mediafamily.org/network_guides_1.shtml
National Institute on Media and the Family; download Guide to Social Networking - Risks and Guide to Social Networking - Rewards. Great reads! Also includes downloads for many other tech topics like cell phones, gaming, online safety...check them out!
http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2009/let_me_know.asp
Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft Launch Online Safety Campaign
Please leave any comments about the readings or share your experiences regarding online safety here. In addition, post any great resources you have found regarding online safety for families!
http://www.mediafamily.org/network_guides_1.shtml
National Institute on Media and the Family; download Guide to Social Networking - Risks and Guide to Social Networking - Rewards. Great reads! Also includes downloads for many other tech topics like cell phones, gaming, online safety...check them out!
http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2009/let_me_know.asp
Girl Scouts of the USA and Microsoft Launch Online Safety Campaign
Please leave any comments about the readings or share your experiences regarding online safety here. In addition, post any great resources you have found regarding online safety for families!
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