Web 2.0 Applications

Glogster Poster




I've had some issues using Glogster. I've tried several times on two different computers and each time I had trouble uploading pictures. I could see that it was trying to upload but nothing would happen. After much effort, I was finally able to successfully upload two pictures. On the first computer I used, I also had trouble editing the entire template I chose to use. I couldn't access parts of the template, so the first time I embedded the glogster poster to my blog, I found three boxes at the bottom that said "your text here". When I tried to go back and edit those, I couldn't get to them. I ended up successfully editing those boxes on my laptop at home.

Based on the problems I had, I'm not sure I would attempt to use this website again.


Delicious

I like the idea of using Delicious to save the blogs and other music education ideas I find on the web. I'd already been doing that through Pinterest but I think Delicious will be a better tool because I have found music education posts on Pinterest to be somewhat limited. They often lead me to other blogs or sites on the web but I'd been using traditional bookmarking to save those. Using Delicious should be a more concise way to keep up with all of the neat things I find on the web.

Here is my URL:




http://www.delicious.com/mrssalinas1972

Google Doc

I just set up my account for Google Docs and created a document. It was extremely easy to use. I used the same gmail login as my blog, so set up was minimal. Creating the document was very easy and it was very simple to share. I can see the value of using this application because I often work on my home laptop. This will make sharing that information very simple with my computer at work. Here is the link to the document I created:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ahj5XA6B6ut9dFBvZkkzMlpzVlVJcFNnUXNLaFJZc1E

Google Reader

Using Google Reader was very easy.  I found some of my favorite blogs right away along with some other sites that I would like to follow.  Something I really like is that blogger, google docs, and google reader are all linked to my gmail account.  That really simplifies things - only one login to remember! :)

Wiki

I just created my wiki and I decided if I were to implement this in my classroom, I would want to use it with my 5th grade classes.  They will be going to Junior High next year and will most likely be using the internet much more in their classrooms, so this would be a good way to start moving them in that direction.  Plus, I think they would really enjoy being able to access information at home regarding our class.  I set the wiki up from this point of view.  I had to use the "help" function for adding pictures, but otherwise it was pretty simple to use.  Here is the link to my wiki:

https://mrssalinas.wikispaces.com/

Digital Storybook

I really loved this project!!  I have always enjoyed writing though.  I think my own kids would really enjoy this themselves.  They love to draw and also tell stories.  I really liked the Little Bird Tales website and think that would be the best one for them to use.  I will also think of ways I can use this in my music class.  I can see how this could really boost my student's engagement in whatever topic we are talking about.  Kids love stories.  I chose PhotoPeach for my digital story because I think it worked best for the way I wrote my story.  Here is the link:

http://photopeach.com/album/vs7xyl

Go Animate

Ok, I chose Go Animate for my final Web 2.0 project and let me tell you - I had way too much fun with this one!! I created a 4 minute cartoon about a former student of a teacher named Ms. Smith who never learned to read very well so he decided to steal all the vowels from the alphabet using a spell. Ms. Smith (his 1st grade teacher) is tasked with a secret mission by a secret agent to find the stolen vowels. It's corny and silly and I had a blast creating it. My kids loved it! I would definitely use this again and *might* consider paying for it. It tapped into a creative side I didn't know I had and I can just see having so much fun creating videos for my students at school and even just for fun.

7 comments:

  1. Hi, just wanted to comment on your blog. I agree the Go Animate tool was great for using cartoons to engage students. It is creative and fun, I will be using this in my class as well. :)

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  2. I love your blog... primarily because I can relate to your new teacher experiences! This is my first year to teach a well and it has been a whirlwind! I especially enjoyed your blog "Thankful." Touched my heart! Hang in there!

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  3. Your blog is great. I just wanted to let you know, Glogster was hard headed for me too. I was finally able to figure it out though. I can't imagine the changes you have made this year, but it will all pay off in the end. Teaching isn't for everyone, and I am sure your students are blessed to have you.

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  4. Your blog is nice. I also had a hard time with glogster. We use glogster at our school and the kids have had so much trouble that i have stopped asking them to use it.

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  5. I enjoyed your blog, especially the digital storybook. It was funny and creative, and I could relate to all the emotions you described.

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  6. I like the way you did your digital story,beautiful music, very informative. I can really relate to your experiences!

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  7. Great job on your blog! It has been very helpful!

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