Thing 8

Well, I had a lot of fun with mash-ups and image generators. Here is an example using an application from Big Huge Labs. There are so many choices it made my head spin. Playing around with these sites and just trying things out will be my plan for now. Uploading photos taken by students and using them for posters, or illustrations for class books, or blogs just give an endless array of choices. As far as the title design for my blog, I couldn't have managed to figure out the "how to" without my daughter's generous assistance. Thank you!

Thing 7

Flickr is my new toy. I plan on using it in my classroom in a variety of ways. It will allow me to have one more tool for making lessons interesting, personal, creative, student-focused, relevant, etc. Starting with student writing illustrations they can use to create books is my initial goal. I feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for their reactions to this media. In addition, if I can do it, anyone can do it. I plan on sharing my new discovery with any fellow teacher who might be interested.

Thing 6

I can envision so many uses for Flickr. Searching for tags to use with lessons for any content area is so appealing. Pictures to suit student interests and spark discussions and writing - wonderful! Uploading pictures into blogs, as well as being able to edit them before you upload, opens up so many possibilities.

Thing 5

I actually found subscribing to blogs enjoyable in one aspect, that is using bloglines. It makes it so simple. The frustration came in searching through blogs and finding those that I would sincerely be interested in keeping. I have a few now and will be on guard when I hit upon another one that looks promising and I have the tools to capture it. I'm not quite sure at this point how I will use this in my classroom other than searching for inspiration or maybe subscribing to blogs from other classrooms which my students could read and then leave comments. I need more experience myself, first.