Skype...so easy so fun

I have been using skype for a while now. I use it to keep in contact with my family in Kansas, and now with a baby on the way they can see him as he grows just as if he is right there with them. I have tried other web cam programs and I find skype to be the best so far. Others I have used are not as interactive and seem to freeze up constantly. As an educator I see this as a very useful tool. It would come in handy when trying to explain assignments or if the students need extra help outside of the classroom.

I love this web tool! It is simple to use and manipulate. What I especially like is that I can edit the content of some videos and make them work for my classroom. So often I come across a video that I would love to use in a classroom but some of the content may be inappropriate. With this tool I can edit out those parts and make it work the way I need it to.

Web tools 2.0

My understanding of web 2.0 is that I can access any and all of my information from any computer not just my home computer. Anywhere I go I am covered.

As an educator this will change my classroom in ways that I have yet to even comprehend. I find it very exciting and extremely useful. I like the idea that if I forget to print my lesson plans for the day it's no big deal. I can simply use a computer at school or in my classroom and presto! All my information is at my fingertips. I think that this will help my students as well. They could save their assignments to something like drop box and I can access their information from my computer at school and print their assignments. I think it will help get rid of excuses like "I forgot my homework."

I can see myself using a tool like tok box in my classroom. I like that it is easy to use and understand. It would be excellent for group assignments and projects like an animal reports. I love that you can record video and audio using your web cam and micro phone on your computer. The assignments could be completed in class or before and after school. I like that you could post it on a classroom blog and all the students could see what each other has done.

I also really like dabbleboard. I think it is a really cool way of sharing ideas and talking about them. I like that you can draw out pictures or use pictures from a list of options. I can see this making history lessons much easier to understand. I can also see my students using this to communicate their ideas to one another. I feel this tool would help my students be successful academically. It takes a bit of the pressure off and makes learning more fun.

Yodio - Oten conference Yodio by milesnono79

I really enjoyed the OTEN conference...surprisingly. It was nice to hear from current teachers how they are implementing technology in their classrooms. I feel more confident with the use of podcasts now,which is amazing. There are so many tools out there...I wish I had been more proactive in finding and using them in the past. But, as they say it's better late then never.

Bio

I was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. I moved to Portland after I received my BA in Theater. I lived in Portland for about five years before returning to Salem. I never thought I would move back here, but I fell in love, got married, and planted my roots here. I am now expecting my first child in about three weeks. I didn't always know I wanted to teach. It's something I kind of fell into, and now I can't imagine doing anything else. I am thrilled to be a student here at Willamette and cannot wait to see what's in store for me.