All About G...Google, Glogster, etc...

Following up from last week's post, I have provided my Google Presentation about Glogster for viewing. I am really enjoying the simplicity of Google presentations. One aspect that I especially enjoy is being able to share a project on Google that other group members can add to. It makes it easy for everyone to contribute even when all members have conflicting schedules. I have used Google Drive for a while now, but my biggest problem is usually changing the privacy settings in order for others to view, edit, or comment on. I remembered to do it now for you to view my presentation. ENJOY!

Glogster

I am doing my Web 2.0 presentation using Google Presentation on Glogster. This is a fun and interactive website where students and teachers can create posters using text, images, videos, and more. This is a neat tool to make lessons more enjoyable for students. This is also a great way for students to present information to the class. Whether it is a book report, a speech, or group project, this is a nice way to demonstrate to the class what the students have learned. An example Glogster created about America can be found here. GlogsterEDU is created with students and teachers in mind. All educators utilizing Glogster EDU’s inventive platform have direct access to individual students through a single portal – the Teacher Dashboard. Not only can teachers see all student activity within their own Teacher Dashboard, each student can also easily view and manage all of their classes and projects within their Student Dashboard. A single login and password will provide each teacher and student with complete access to multiple classroom activities. In the near future, Administrators will have a unique, secure login access for monitoring entire district or state-level Glogster EDU activities. This is a growing site which is becoming more and more attractive to the field of education.

Technology in the Classroom

In my field experience class, the 4K students have free play time. Every day the students are able to play on the Mac computer or the iPad. The students enjoy playing various games and activities. Most of the students are better at using the tools on the computer and iPad than I am. I realized that if children are exposed to technology at a young age, they will be more confident and comfortable using it everyday. Students that are using technology in the classroom today will be much less reluctant than my generation is.

Weebly!

Weebly was an amazingly easy site for me to maneuver to create my WebQuest. Named one of TIME's 50 Best Websites, Weebly gives everyone a surprisingly easy way to create a unique site. Make a free website, blog or online store with Weebly. As a technologically disadvantaged person, I was able to create an entire website. I began my WebQuest with the basis of a previously created WebQuest. To view the original WebQuest, click here! To view my finished product, click on my WebQuest. 

Ahoy Matey!

I have begun to build my own personal website at weebly.com! The focus of my webquest will be on the oceans and continents around the world. To aid the students in their discovery, they will work alongside Captain Jack Sparrow! This adventure will be both fun and educational. The students will complete a worksheet, view some information online, and play a few games! Come along on our journey to discover the world!