CEdO540 Week 2

Another week of statistics, another week of utter confusion! However, I was extremely happy to research the Capterra site. Not only was it a great resource for locating survey software, I was impressed with it's functionality! I like how you can drill down to the exact features that you're looking for. I will definitely be sharing this with my staff as part of our software purchasing process. In regard to survey software, I will be sticking with Zoomerang or Survey Monkey for my educational purposes. Many of my staff use both and have great success with ease of use and reporting capabilities.

CEdO540 Week 1

Statistics. This assignment has taught me that I am much better at reporting statistics than calculating them. I have to admit, I am totally confused. I have a pretty good understanding of mean, median and mode, but not so much with the rest of it. I'm actually at a loss as to what I should be posting in my blog, since this is probably the first time that I am speechless about the topic...simply because I don't understand it! I'm glad that we're being introduced to the topic, but I really can't wrap my head around the logistics or the process of determining stats.

On a personal note, and my groupmates agreed when we met last night, that it doesn't help my concentration any when I'm worried about the budget reform bill that is looming these last few days. If it passes, one has to wonder, is getting a master's degree in my best interest anymore if I become too expensive for the district to keep me on staff?

CEdO535 Week 6

The amount of web 2.0 tools that I learned in this class is unbelievable. This is hands down, the best class so far in the cohort. My SMART goal is to finish my library webpage using Google Site. I started it for class and added a few resources to it, but it is far from finished. I've struggled with the design, but now feel comfortable that my design will work well for students and teachers. I will prove that my goal is done by posting a link to my library website from the district's website. I will make the goal attainable by continuing to add new resources as they become available to me. As I learn new resources in this cohort, I will evaluate if they are helpful to my classroom teachers and if so, add them to my webpage. This is a realistic goal because I have designated time at the end of my day to look over my twitter and RSS feeds, which also gain me a wealth of resources to include on my website. My website will be updated on a timely basis by making the updates on Fridays, since this is my only day without having classes.

CEdO535 Week 5

The Web 2.0 app that I chose for my paper is Cybersmart at http://cybersmartcurriculum.org. I don't know if it is actually considered a web 2.0 product, but it contains links to over 90 web 2.0 tools. As a library media specialist, I have been searching for an internet safety curriculum and this one is awesome. It has interactive internet safety and cyberbullying lessons for students K-12, plus it's free! And, if you choose to download the toolbar, you are given access to more than 90 web 2.0 tools. The toolbar also has resources for professional development, best web sites for students, library resources and web searches. It is absolutely awesome and I would totally recommend it to other library media specialists.

CEdO535 Week 4

The chapter on social networking couldn't have come at a better time! I'm am sooo excited about learning about Twitter, RSS, etc. I've become addicted to my Google Reader! I've always felt that social networking is probably one of the great professional development opportunities for teachers, but it was always difficult to find time to meet with other teachers from other districts. Now, Twitter, Plurk, blogs, wikis, etc. bring the networking to me...I could be sitting at school in from of my computer or at home in my pajamas with my laptop. How perfect is it that I can control where, when and who I collaborate. I am just blown away by all the links to ideas that I have found in just the past few weeks of being on Twitter. I'm following so many tech integration gurus that my mind is swimming with new ideas! I liked the digital storytelling class, but this is by far the most productive and useful class...I love it! And I love the book, too!

CEdO535 Week 3

Sorry it's a little late! RSS feeds are my new favorite web 2.0 tool! I know I should already have known about it and been using it, but it's always seemed very confusing to me. I have to admit, when I set up my Google Reader account and started finding feeds, it was a little overwhelming. But, then I decided to go to my favorite blogs and click on the RSS icon...that was easy. Then, what was actually pretty cool is that the reader found more suggestions I might like, and I found lots of other sites to follow as well! I really like the idea of using RSS with student blogs. I was wondering what the most efficient way would be to check each of their blogs, what a great tool RSS will add to this part of my classroom blogging experience! Another idea, I could have my teachers check my RSS feeds for their professional development opportunities.

CEDO535 Week 2

It's been great learning more about blogs and wikis! Not only are the examples I've found in Richardson's book really good, but further research and links from these sites have given me even more great examples. I just created a twitter account and have found several tech educators to follow. In regard to wiki's, I have to admit that after reading the book, I think I may let go of the reigns a little bit when it comes to my students using Wikipedia. I like the idea of having them make an update to wikipedia and maybe putting in some false information. I'm curious as to how quickly the "wikipedia guru's" will find the false info and fix it.