Project 4&5 Mashup

Alright,
So it seems that we will be combining Project 4&5 as a final project.  (I wish you could see me dancing!- I'm doing the "running man" dance and the "cabbage patch.") I'm absolutely EXCITED!! I looked over the requirements for this last project and I want to get STARTED! I was thinking of the various things that I could possibly do to show what I've learned in this class, but I'd love to bounce around some ideas with other classmates so that I can hone in on something genius or like Prof. H says, " a masterpiece."  So, don't be shy people...let's start discussing!

This is one small step for man...one giant step for mankind

I did it! I did it! I'm sorry that I always rejoice whenever I complete a project, but this is SUCH a big deal to me!! It's 2am and yet the excitement of having completed this assignment and doing it well has me WIRED!! (That and the kicking baby in my belly....you say "potayto" I say "potahto"...In any case, I really like my presentation.  I wrote about like 7 different web 2.0 tools and I had speaker notes and the information is presented in a comical way so that my colleagues won't fall asleep on me. 
In any case, this is one small step for me, but one giant step for them because now I can share what I have learned thus far and perhaps they will begin to integrate some of these technology tools into their teaching...it can only help...you know?  In any case, off to bed....there is school tomorrow!

GET YOUR STUDENTS MOVING!!!

We are in an age where it is too easy to leave a sedentary life.  Instead of walking, we can catch the bus and travel a short distance.  Instead of exercising, we can watch tv shows of other people doing it and just share in their journey instead of our own.  It's funny because this week, I've seen a lot of news about the importance of moving and exercising, etc.  It's ironic because in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, I would like to do anything but that. lol. 
But, when I saw a video of the first lady Michelle Obama dancing along with D.C. middle school students to the song, "Move Your Body," a remake of Beyonce's song "Get Me Bodied," I knew that I too needed to move a little.  (I'll post the video of Beyonce's song at the bottom- it's really cute!)
I read an article on ISTE on Getting the students to move.  The writer is a Physical Education Department Chairperson who tried to find ways to connect PE success in the classroom with technology.  She modified games to include concepts that the students learned in class.  She used a flip camera to film the students doing various activities, and then shared this video with parents and the community.  They created a podcast where parents and students alike were recorded sharing healthy messages.  Finally, in a unit on Winter Olympics, the students made flags of different countries, discussed various cultures and participated in modified winter olympic games.  They even made a Skype call to Vancouver during the winter olympics to ask questions and interact in an authentic situation.   I will always remember something that the writer wrote.  She said, " Every discipline needs to teach digital age skills, creativity, problem solving and global awareness."  I totally agree....so LET'S GET MOVING!

ARTICLE:  GET YOUR STUDENTS MOVING
BEYONCE'S MOVE YOUR BODY VIDEO

Wallwisher.....yet another web 2.0 tool

It seems as though every nanosecond, another useful web 2.0 tool is created for the world to utilize.  In the days of WORDLE, TAGUL, Oodles of Noodles (lol. Just joking about that last one...I couldn't resist), there seems to be another similar tool that students and teachers alike can use in the classroom.  It's called Wallwishers.  As defined in the article, "Wallwishers is an online bulletin board where students place virtual post-its with textual information, photos, video and audio."  The ISTE article on this web 2.0 tool basically highlighted some things that people could use it for; it ranged from students collaborating on an assignment by posting facts and photos of a certain theme, to creating a wall on tips to become a good writer, to the teacher posting assignments and allowing the students to access it in a one fun location.  Read the article below.  I'm sure you'd love it!


SITE
WALLWISHERS: A GEEKY TEACHER'S DREAM TOOL ARTICLE

Mission Acccomplished

Yayy!! I made a website! I'm so excited.  Our second project was to have a web presence.  I created a website for my students and their parents.  It is basically tools for the students/parents to have so as to keep up with my Spanish 1&2 class.  I don't want to spoil the excitement of this blog, so it will just be best for you to check it out.  As I always say, "judge me on progression and not perfection."  Every day, I learn a new web 2.0 tool and try to put it to good use.  So it may not be the best of a web designer, but it's my best.  Look at the website below.  Enjoy!!
My website!