While I have had a little bit of experience creating web pages, I have never made a website.  It has also been a long time since I created a webpage.  When I visit websites, I usually think that they are very professional looking.  They always look like they were hard to make and took long periods of time.  While I still think that this is often the case, I have recently learned about a Web2.0 tool that makes creating a website a piece of cake.  This tool is called Weebly, and if you are reading this post, you have found my Weebly! 

My journey with Weebly began a couple of months ago.  The first step was to go to Weebly.com.  When I arrived at the site, I learned that users have the option of creating a free account or a Pro account, which includes a fine.  I chose to create a free account.  Once I made the account, I made my very first site.  Even with the free account, users can create multiple sites.  This is helpful because different sites can serve for different purposes.  I created the link to the site and began making my pages.  On the home page, I uploaded a photo of myself and wrote a couple of paragraphs introducing myself to readers.  Then, I created a blog page.  It is so easy to create pages and blog pages on the website.  I created a blog page called “Let’s Chat!”  Since the time that I created the site, I have added a couple of other pages to my website. 

While I have never written a blog before, I have read many blogs.  I enjoy reading blogs because they are a great way to stay connected with people.  However, I also think that blogs can be a wonderful source of information.  For example, I have looked at multiple blogs that classroom teachers have created.  They have been very helpful in the sense that the teachers share wonderful ideas and often post freebies on the blog.  While I do not personally know these teachers, they often do a great job of really connecting to the reader.  I think that people often blog in ways that allow readers to feel connected to them.  This is the case even when people do not “know” the person who wrote the blog.  It is important that bloggers “talk to the reader” through their writing.  This is what causes readers to feel connected—it becomes a conversation that is happening online. 

As I mentioned before, I find Weebly to be very user-friendly.  One reason I think it is user-friendly is because of how simple it is to add videos, photos, files, and much more to a blog post.  These are just a few of the many features that are in a Weebly blog post.  To add more than just text to a blog post, all you have to do is drag the icon representing the feature you want to add from the top of the page and drop it in the post.  It’s as simple as that!  There are many things that can be added that really enhance the overall blog post.  For example, after I blogged about a Web2.0 tool called VoiceThread, I was able to embed my finished product right into the blog.  It was so quick and easy for me to add the video!  It is also very helpful for readers, as they have access to the finished product with just the click of a finger.  They will be able to see an example of what I had written about in the blog.  How neat!  

In my opinion, Weebly is a great Web2.0 tool that is very user-friendly.  I have had very little trouble with Weebly.  Also, I usually have no trouble finding support if I am unsure how to do something.  If you do not have your own website and desire to make one, I would recommend using Weebly.  It is very quick and easy, and far from intimidating.  If I can create and maintain a Weebly, so can you!  Click here to create your own account. 

I recently had the opportunity to learn a little bit more about lesson plans and the most effective way to write them.  This lesson plan was different from what I am used to because the format was a little different.  Instead of creating three centers for the children to work in, I focused on integrating technology into the lesson.  In the past, I have written lesson plans that included a little bit of technology.  For example, I have used a SmartBoard to write children's predictions about a story.  The SmartBoard allowed me to write in front of the kindergarten class, which is very important because young children need to see writing modeled.  While I have included technology in my lesson plans in the past, I have never written a lesson plan with technology being one of the big focuses.  

The journey of this lesson plan began a couple of weeks ago with Tennessee Curriculum Standards.  I was assigned a Web2.0 tool to investigate and learn about.  I learned much about Voki and how it is being used in the classroom by both teachers and students.  I also created a student sample of what I imagined the students knowing as a result of the lesson I had just taught.  For this assignment, I focused on second grade reading standards.  I made the student sample as a response to a novel that the child had just finished reading.  After demonstrating for my class how to use Voki, as well as learning from my classmates about other great Web2.0 tools, I learned about another step in the journey.  This step involved the work I did for Voki.  I was to write a lesson that I imagined myself teaching that would lead up to the students responding on Voki.  The Voki would be used as an assessment tool.  I could watch the students' finished avatars from Voki to see what they had learned.  I made the assessment piece before I actually wrote the lesson.  As you can see, I came in the back door with this assignment.  It almost seems like an opposite way of doing things, but I think that it worked out very well.  Since the assessment piece was already made, I understood what I wanted the students to learn.  Because of this, I was able to design the lesson in a way that I could make sure that the students were learning what I wanted them to learn, as demonstrated by their responses on Voki. 

It was a great refresher for me to review how to write effective lesson plans.  There are several steps in a written lesson plan, and it is important that we are familiar with each step.  One new aspect for me on this lesson plan was the addition of Bloom's Taxonomy.  According to Bloom, there are six levels of thinking and they are arranged in an hierarchy.  The lowest level of thinking is knowledge, followed by understanding, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.  It is very helpful to look at the different verbs that go with each level.  These verbs are very helpful to include in the objectives portion of the lesson plan.  I also enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about the integration of technology.  This was very helpful to me because it was a fairly new experience for me.  

Click here to see my finished lesson plan. 

What about you?  How do you integrate technology in some of your lessons?  I'd love to hear your ideas!         

I have been exposed to a variety of helpful Web2.0 tools over the last couple of weeks.  about a Web2.0 tool called Voki.  Voki is a website that enables users to create a talking avatar to publish on the web.  After creating my free account, I began to realize how user-friendly Voki is for users.  I logged on for the first time and began to look around the website.  I hit the tab at the top left side of the page called “Create” and instantly began making my own avatar.  It is very easy to create a talking avatar on Voki.  The first step is to create the avatar’s identity.  The character can be customized to look like the user, another person, a monster, an animal, and more.  There are so many options!  Once the character is created, the clothes and hair can be changed.  This includes style as well as color.

Once the avatar looks just right, the next step is to give the avatar a voice.  I found this to be a very neat feature on Voki.  There are four different ways that one can add a voice to the avatar.  One way is by dialing a given phone number to record on the phone.  Once the call is connected, the voice on the other line asks for the pass code, which is provided right under the phone number on the site.  Once this number is punched in the phone, the lady on the phone asks for you to record the message that you wish your avatar to say.  This message can be played back right on the phone, and you can decide to keep the message and add it to your avatar or delete the message and record again.  How neat!  Another way that voice can be added to an avatar on Voki is the “Text to Speech” option.  The message that you want your avatar to say can be typed in and the language and accent/voice can be decided as well.  The third option for adding voice is to use a microphone.  This would be another way to add your own voice to the avatar.  This way is very easy as well, but it should be noted that it does not seem to work very well with Mac computers.  Finally, voice can be added to the avatar by uploading an audio file from the computer.  After the voice is in place and sounds just right, the next step is to put a background in the avatar.  There are many options on the website for backgrounds.  Once the avatar is complete, it can be published and embedded anywhere on the web.  The link can also be copied and saved for quick access back to the Voki.  I found Voki to be very user-friendly!  

While Voki is a free tool, there is a feature of Voki that is not free, and that is Voki Classroom.  Voki Classroom allows teachers to create a login that all of their students can use.  Teachers can create different pages for each class.  Voki is a tool that is for users who are at least thirteen years old.  Because of this, elementary school aged children would not be able to have a Voki account.  This is when having Voki Classroom and a general login for the class would come in handy.  This would allow all children the opportunity to use Voki for educational purposes.  With or without Voki Classroom, teachers can access lesson plans that other teachers have posted on the site.  These lesson plans include the grade, standards, content, and how Voki is used in the lesson.  

The question that arises, then, is how teachers are using this Web2.0 tool in the classroom.  There are many different ways!  It seems to me that students use Voki in the classroom more than teachers.  One idea I found was that teachers are using Voki as a way to do a newscast for the classroom.  It is very helpful to give announcements to students because a talking avatar would hold their attention.  Students use Voki to give book reports and talk about what they have recently learned in the classroom.  They can use Voki to recite poems and stories.  Voki can also be used to share writing pieces with classmates.  Voki is a good tool for this because students might be shy to stand up and share in front of the class.  However, they are probably less intimidated showing the class a talking avatar.  There are multiple uses for Voki in the classroom. 

Once I had created my Voki account, looked around the site, and researched how others are using this tool in the classroom, it was time for me to try it out for myself.  First, I created an avatar.  Then, I looked to second grade reading standards for the state of Tennessee.  I learned that one of the learning expectations is about developing a motivation to read.  One of the sub points under that learning expectation is about relating literary experiences to others.  I used my avatar in a way that I would expect a student to use his or her avatar in the classroom.  It was a student sample, and it fell under that second grade reading standard.  I decided to add my voice to the avatar and make it into a brief book report.  The avatar introduced a book, shared the author and illustrator, and a brief summary of the book.  The end of the recording encouraged others to read the book because it was an interesting book.  This is one way that I thought students could use Voki in the classroom.  

What about you?  Have you ever used the great Web2.0 tool Voki?  If not, I would encourage you to go here to create your free account.  Here is a very helpful video that shows how to use Voki.  

For more information about Voki, click here to view a handout.  It has great resources as well as links to two other student samples.  

If you have used Voki in your classroom, please feel free to share by leaving a comment below!  I’d love to hear your ideas!

Here is the student sample of the Voki that I created. 

I recently had the opportunity to learn about a Web 2.0 tool called "VoiceThread."  What an awesome tool for educators!  It is pretty neat what one can do with VoiceThread.  Before I share with you my experience with VoiceThread, let me back up and start at the beginning of my journey.  It all started a couple of weeks ago with Tennessee Curriculum Standards, of course!  I chose a grade and subject that I wanted to focus in on and jumped in head first!  I decided to focus on second grade science.  While looking at the standards, I noticed that Interdependence was one of the main standards.  When I saw that the Grade Level Expectations and Checks for Understanding included information about animals' habitats, I decided that an excellent location for a virtual field trip that met these standards would be the Tennessee Aquarium.  This aquarium is located in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  When it comes to curriculum standards, it's all about the alignment!  I decided to go on a little field trip of my own to the Tennessee Aquarium to take pictures to use for a virtual field trip for my students.  I really enjoy going to the Tennessee Aquarium!  This visit was extra fun because I brought two of my close friends along with me who had never been there!  WIth the second grade science standards about habitats of animals in mind, we loaded up and headed toward the aquarium, camera in hand!  I had a great time taking my pictures for my virtual field trip!  I had not visited the aquarium in years, and I had forgotten how wonderful it is! 

Once I had plenty of pictures to use for a virtual field trip, I narrowed it down to some of my favorites and saved them in digital format.  Click here to view these pictures.  Then, it was time to learn about the Web 2.0 tool "VoiceThread."  VoiceThread is a media album online that can hold different types of media, including images, documents, and videos.  VoiceThread allows people to view the media and make comments in a variety of ways.  People can leave a comment using voice, text, audio file, or video.  VoiceThread allows people to participate in a group conversation.  I then began to research how educators use this neat tool in the classroom.  It did not take me long to learn about the variety of classroom uses for VoiceThread!  It has become a popular tool for educators who teach all different ages.  VoiceThread has a variety of uses in the classroom.  For example, teachers can post an image or video and record a question that relates.  Students can then answer the question and respond in VoiceThread.  Another common use for VoiceThread is digital storytelling.  VoiceThread is very user-friendly, even for young students.  There are so many great things that teachers can do with a VoiceThread as a teaching tool.  Once I created my own VoiceThread account (for free!), I headed over to doppelme.com to create an avatar for my account.  This avatar, which I must say looks exactly like me, appears on the side of my VoiceThread.  When someone leaves a comment on my VoiceThread, his/her avatar or picture will show up on the side. 

Once I had learned a little bit about VoiceThread, it was time to start closing the gap.  The pictures that I took at the Tennessee Aquarium for a virtual field trip would be used in my VoiceThread.  As I uploaded the images into a new album on my VoiceThread, I began to realize that VoiceThread is indeed very user-friendly.  After the images were uploaded, it was time to make the voiceover and text comments that I wanted to include.  This part was surprisingly easy too!  With the click of a button, I could begin speaking and it would save for the image I had chosen.  I then had the opportunity to listen to the voiceover and either save or delete the comment.  This was so nice because it took off the pressure of getting every comment just right the very first time.  It was also great how I could record my voice for just one image at a time.  This gave me the opportunity to stop and start when I wanted to, and I didn't have to worry about finishing it all at one time.  There is also a neat Doodle feature in VoiceThread.  This allows you the chance to draw a doodle on an image as you talk about the image.  How fun!

The final step of the journey was creating an eQuiz using Google Docs-Form.  Once I made my account, it was quick and easy to create an eQuiz!  The quiz has five different types of questions.  The questions relate to my VoiceThread about animals' habitats.  After viewing my VoiceThread, one should be able to correctly answer the questions on my quiz.  Once again, it's all about the alignment! 

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to learn about so many great teaching tools over the last few weeks!  These tools are very user-friendly, both for teachers and students.  It is so nice to know a way to create an independent teaching tool for the classroom.  Students of all ages will love using VoiceThread!

Below you will find my finished virtual field trip using VoiceThread.  After viewing the VoiceThread, click here to see how much you've learned!

I think that it is so important that we, as educators, read research articles.  There is so much information that can be gained from reading articles that have been written by others and published.  As teachers, we should be constantly learning, and one way we can continue to learn is by reading research articles.  Reading articles is important because they allow us to gain new information and fresh insight.  They can also cause us to change our point of view in some way.   

I recently read an article that I found to be very interesting.  This article was entitled, “Critical Literacy Isn’t Just for Books Anymore.”  It was written by Vivian Vasquez and published in 2010 by the International Reading Association.  I accessed this article through a popular database called WilsonWeb.  This online database has over 1,000 journal articles.  Many of these articles are even peer reviewed!  The journal in which this article was originally published was The Reading Journal.   

The main topic of the article was about how technology, podcasting specifically, can be used by elementary age students as tools for thinking about the world.  Technology can also be used to communicate with others in ways that otherwise would not be possible.  The article shared an example of a second grade teacher and her use of podcasting in her classroom.  While there were many significant points made in the article, I want to mention five that stood out to me as significant.  One point that stood out to me was about how curriculums should be built around students’ interests.  Technology can provide interesting ways for students to communicate about the world.  Another significant point is that students, through the use of technology, can connect to people beyond the physical school site.  This allows them to hear the perspective of others.  In addition to this connection, technology allows students the chance to gain knowledge they otherwise could not have gained.  Also, the use of podcasting moves children beyond traditional ways of working with texts; for example, children’s literature.  The last point that really stood out to me was about how podcasting teaches students that texts are socially constructed.

This article had a plethora of new information to me.  I learned that students could use podcasting, as an entire class, to be engaged in deeper ways.  They can also learn that texts are socially constructed.  In addition to that, students can learn more about the world as they communicate with others using the technology.  In summary, podcasting can be used by teachers and students, and students can learn things that otherwise would not have learned.  This article made me think about the use of technology in my classroom.  When I think of teachers, especially elementary school teachers, use of technology in the classroom, I often do not think of podcasting.  I typically think of students using computers and other types of machines.  While I had an understanding of what podcasting is, I did not really understand how students could use it in the classroom as a learning tool.  It was refreshing for me to read this article and see how a second grade teacher used podcasting in her classroom.  It was so neat to see how much these second grade students learned and benefitted from podcasting.  They also enjoyed using podcasting in the classroom.  I would consider this to be a win-win!  Podcasts are just one of the many technologies that can be used to help students’ learning.  Technology can be integrated in the classroom in so many wonderful ways!  Podcasting is a technology that I will definitely consider using in my own classroom!

What about you?  Have you used podcasting as a learning tool in your classroom?  If you have, please share your experiences below!

Click here to read the article. 

While you have probably heard of the popular video site YouTube, you might not be familiar with Learn360.  Learn360 is full of full videos, video clips, pictures, and podcasts that match up with Curriculum Standards.  For example, because I live in the state of Tennessee, the standards on the website are matched up to Tennessee's Curriculum Standards.  On Learn360, one can find videos and video clips that can be used in the classroom to enhance a lesson and reinforce learning.  While the videos on this website are educational, it is important to make the alignment between standards and the video you choose to show your class.  Standards will not go away, and they are the beginning point to lesson planning.  

On Learn360, one can either browse through videos or search for videos.  You can browse through videos based on subject area, grade level, media format, or state standards.  When I visited this helpful resource for the first time, I spent some time exploring the website and learning the ropes.  I watched pieces of multiple videos, learning more about the many choices of videos available.  When it came time for me to choose a video and align it to Tennessee's Curriculum Standards, I decided to browse by looking at the state standards.  I had the standards pulled up in another tab on my computer, and I also had them pulled up on the website.  I then chose the grade level I wanted to focus on, which was fourth grade, and continued to narrow down my search.  I chose fourth grade Earth and Space Science and found an excellent video that aligned with the Grade Expectations, as well as the Checks for Understanding and State Performance Indicators.  The video was entitled "What's UP in Space: The Solar System for Kids-Moon."  According to the summary provided with the video, “This video explores the Earth's moon, demonstrating the moon's phases, lunar and solar eclipses, and tides. Study how the moon developed into a rocky satellite of Earth and the first lunar landing by astronauts.”  This explanation aligned perfectly with the fourth grade Earth and Space Science standards.  Once I found the video and decided to use it, it was easy to determine what standards the video met.  This is because once a video is chosen; one can click on “State Standards” and see a list of standards that the video meets.  This includes different grade levels, depending on the video.  Learn360 is very user-friendly.  I can definitely see myself using this helpful resource in the future!

In addition to Learn360, there are other resources that can be used to integrate technology using video streaming in the classroom.  One of these resources is YouTube, and another resource is TeacherTube.  TeacherTube is a website that is similar to YouTube but it only has videos that would be appropriate for the classroom.  I really like this because I know there are some videos on YouTube that would not be appropriate for classroom use, and because of this, many schools block access to the site.  This only becomes a problem when you were planning on using a good video off YouTube in your classroom.  When this is the case, you can go to TeacherTube and find a video that you would like to show your class. 

What about you?  Have you ever used Learn360 or TeacherTube as a resource?  You can find out more about Learn360 here, however, this link will not take you there unless you have an account.    

I recently had the opportunity, as an educator, to learn about how to write a good résumé.  This has been a journey!  We started off talking about a résumé and looked at a few examples on Union University’s Career Services website.  I then began to type my information into a blank Word document, making sure to left align all information.  I looked at the examples online to help me in this process.  I understood that I would be going back and editing my format and information at a later date.  After that, my class had the chance to hear from a representative from Union University’s Career Services in a workshop.  I learned much about the purpose of a résumé and how to write a professional one during this workshop. 

A résumé is the first thing that employers look at when considering new employees.  It is a marketing tool about a prospective employee.  Because of this, it is so important to make sure that a résumé is done in a very professional manner with the correct components.  In terms of an educator’s résumé, the components include a heading, contact information, objective/profile/qualifications, philosophy of education, education and areas of certification, experience, honors and awards, computer skills, and more.  Each of these components is important for different reasons.  When they are all brought together in a professional format, a résumé has been created that can be used when applying for careers.  It is important to make sure that a résumé is unique and stands out from others.  This is because employers give each résumé, on average, fifteen seconds.  If there is nothing unique or special about you on the résumé, there is a good chance the employer will toss it aside and begin looking at the next one.

Prior to this workshop, I did not know how to format a résumé.  For example, I did not know that there are certain fonts and font sizes that should be used in the headings and body of the résumé.  The name should be 24 pt. and the component headings should be ten points smaller than that.  It is important to use “fonts with feet” because it is easy for employers to read.  The profile section of the résumé was possibly the most challenging section for me to write.  This section has six to eight characteristics unique to you put in short, powerful phrases.  It was hard for me to write this because I was trying to think of things unique to myself.  It was also hard because I was trying to be concise, yet still have powerful phrases.  The personal experience is also an important section on a résumé.  Employers like to know the experiences that you have had in the past.  It is also a good idea to keep a résumé limited to one page.  If there is no way you can fit all of your information on one page, it can be two, but it needs to fill both the first and second page.  There should not be a lot of white space on the bottom of the page.  

There is so much to consider when creating a résumé.  It is important to keep in mind that each word is important and should be carefully chosen.  After the workshop, we were to take the information we had been given and begin to make our résumés, formatting the way we had just been taught.  I worked hard trying to get all of my information on one page.  I finally managed to do this by adjusting the margin sizes as well as the space size in the document.  The next time we met in class, we were to work with a partner, peer editing the other's résumé.  After making the appropriate changes, we finally turned them in to Career Services to edit.  We received them back with red marks showing us the changes that should be made.  After making the changes that they suggested, the journey of the résumé is finally, for the time being, complete! This journey started out over a month ago, and it still isn't completely over!  I have recently learned that résumés are never complete.  They are always changing, and should be edited every so often.  I now understand the importance of résumés and how to write my own.  I also understand that I will constantly be changing and updating my résumé in the years to come.

For more information on how to write a professional résumé, visit Union University’s Career Services website here.

Click here to see my finished (current!) résumé!

I recently had the opportunity to go on a tour of the STAR Center.  The STAR Center, located in Jackson, Tennessee, is currently the largest assistive technology center in the nation.  This center is designed to help people with disabilities through the use of technology.  The STAR Center has a lot of adaptive equipment that those with disabilities can be trained to use.  The technology helps them work towards goals, such as finding a job or becoming more independent.  However, the clients do not teach themselves how to use the equipment.  There are tons of trained professionals who train the clients on using the technology.  The STAR Center helps people with disabilities of all ages, from infants to senior adults, as well as their families.  They rely heavily on donations and volunteers.  One thing that really stood out to me was that they help people who might not be able to pay for the services.  They serve anyone and everyone who they believe they can help, regardless of whether or not the person can pay. 

As I took the tour of the STAR Center, one thing was repeated many times, and it really stood out to me.  It was clear that the STAR Center really treats each person as an individual.  Many things that were said started with, "Depending on the individual..."  I think that it is so neat that they recognize that each person is unique in his or her own way, and that "One size does not fit all."  The staff at the STAR Center recognizes that although clients may have similarities, each person is different in terms of limitations and abilities.  Because of this, many of the therapy centers and technology "depend on the individual."  I think that this is important to remember when it comes to teaching as well.  Students are all different, and they need to be taught in a variety of ways.

I was also blown away with how large the STAR Center is.  There seemed to be endless rooms of equipment.  It is so neat to think of all of the people they help each year!  The STAR Center will not accept each person who comes for treatment.  By that, I mean that if they feel as if the person could receive better help elsewhere, they will provide the appropriate information to the person.  In the Resource Room, there are tons of brochures and flyers with different programs around the city.  These are used to find additional help if needed.  It is very important to treat each client like an individual.  As the lady who gave us our tour said, "Consider the person."  We need to think about how we like to be treated, and treat everyone around us with the same respect and love we would like to receive. 

I learned much about the STAR Center as a result of doing a little research and taking a tour.  I am glad I had the chance to see the STAR Center and learn more about all the people they help through their services.  If you have not heard much about the STAR Center, I recommend finding out more about it!  It really is a great place that helps so many people! 

 Click here for more information about the STAR Center.

This week, I have been introduced to a couple of new concepts.  I have learned about Acceptable Use Policy, Copyright & Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers, and Toondoo.  It has been a wonderful week of learning, and this information will greatly benefit me in the future.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn so much this week!

I have learned much about Acceptable Use Policy, or AUP, lately.  An AUP is a legal document that is signed by teachers, students, and parents of students.  This document contains the terms and conditions of school internet use.  It has the rules that students must follow while using school technology.  It also contains the consequences for failing to comply by the rules.  While there are different purposes for an AUP, one of the main purposes is for the protection of the students.  

Classroom teachers must make an AUP and carefully explain it to their students.  It is important that teachers continue to revise and update their AUP.  This is because technology is constantly changing. AUPs are important because they inform students and parents of the rules of school internet use. They also contain unacceptable uses of the school's network.  For example, students may not bully online or share their password with other students for any reason.  They also cannot alter the hardware or software of any school machine.  Because teachers develop their own AUPs, each one is different. However, there are some guidelines that teachers should follow when developing an AUP.  It is a good idea to have a form that students and parents read and sign.  This shows the teacher that the rules and consequences are understood and agreed upon. 

I will admit that I did not know all of these things until recently.  However, I understand the importance of developing an AUP for the students in my class. 

When it comes to Copyright & Fair Use Guidelines for teachers, there are many rules that I did not know about.  These guidelines deal with what teachers are allowed to do under the law.  They were designed to inform teachers of what they may and may not do legally while preparing for class.  There are guidelines for printed material, illustrations and photographs, videos, music, and others.  For example, any copies of printed material must contain copyright information.  Yikes!  How many times have we made copies of something for students and failed to include copyright information?

I now have a better understanding of how careful teachers must be when it comes to media literacy education.  We must be very cautious of the materials we use in the classroom and the way that we use them. The guidelines are written in a concise, clear manner.  They are very straightforward and easy to understand.  These guidelines must be followed!  We also have the responsibility to teach our students how to legally use media.  They will model what we do in the classroom, and we need to be modeling the correct use of technology and media. 

Finally, I have learned about Toondoo!  Until this past week, I had never heard of Toondoo.  It was so easy to make my free account and start making comics.  This website is very user-friendly, and it took me no time at all to "learn the ropes."  I think that this website will be beneficial in the future.  It is a very fast and simple way to make cartoons.  One feature that I like is how one has the option of choosing from the characters provided or making his/her own character.  This is a nice feature because it is very easy to create the perfect character for the comic!  I also like how one can view others' comics.  There is much that can be learned from reading cartoons!  Toondoo is great for educators as well as children.  As I said before, it is free to make an account, but one also has the option of upgrading to a more advanced account.  

What about you?  Do you have a Toondoo account?  If not, I would recommend making one!  The website is very user-friendly!  You might just become a Toondoo addict!  Go here to set up your free account! 

Lately, I have learned much about online record books.  I was reminded of many of the great tools in Microsoft Excel.  I have used Excel numerous times in the past for various reasons.  However, it was good for me to be reminded of the many helpful aspects of this program.  I learned that Excel could be very frustrating at times.   In spite of the frustrations that may occur, Excel is a helpful program when utilized correctly.  Excel seeks to make life easier for the user.  This can be very convenient, but it can also be an inconvenience, as the program does not always know what the user is intending to say.  One aspect I find to be quite useful is the fact that formulas can be inserted into the cells.  This makes it much easier for teachers.  I have been refreshed being reminded of all of the great aspects of Microsoft Excel.  I have also learned some of the advantages and disadvantages to online record books. 

One of the advantages to an online grade book and attendance sheet over a book is that it is much cleaner and more professional looking.  It is much easier to make changes and it does not look messy like it might in a hardcopy grade book.  For example, if a student comes in late, the “absent” can quickly be changed to “present” or “tardy.”  Another advantage is that online record books can be accessed anywhere.  This makes it much easier for teachers because they do not have to worry about accidentally forgetting their book at home or school.  It is also much harder to lose when it is online.  These are just a few of the advantages of online record books.

Although there are many advantages to online record books, there are also disadvantages as well.  It is very important to save grade books and attendance sheets in at least two different places on the computer.  Teachers should make sure they have a back up just in case the computer crashes and everything is lost.  I am sure that there is not one student who would be fine with his/her teacher losing all of the grades from the entire year.  This is why it is crucial that grades are saved in at least two different spots.  Another disadvantage is that some teachers might not have or want a computer.  Even though I understand some of the disadvantages to online grade books, I think that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.  It seems as if online grade books are the simplest and most professional way to keep up with students’ grades and attendance.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be reminded of some of the many helpful tools in Excel.  

What about you?  Do you prefer online record books or hard copy record books? 

Click here to see my finished Online Record Book!