Essential #7 - Using and Editing Photos

As an avid scrapbooker, I was excited to try out the slideshow feature on the LPS website. I don't think I will ever use it. I would much rather create a power point and upload the power point in the resource section. My first problems came with the size of the picture and the slowness of the upload. My next problem is with the captioning of the pictures (very tiny on the bottom left of the screen). There are so many more option with PowerPoint, I would rather create just one presentation for my students and parents. I did learn how to change my file size in paint.

I used my scrapbooking software to edit the photos I had taken earlier this year of a lab I had completed with students. My hope was to create a PowerPoint with the pictures as an introduction to the lab procedure and also as a way for students who were absent to see the lab being completed.

I have included a picture of the brass penny my students made in lab!

Essential #6 - All about YOUR Website

So I had not been on my website since the first day. Too little training, too little time and not sure my students would actually use it. So tonight I have spent some time on the site trying to do some of the things I have wanted to do all year. I changed my home page to reflect my current schedule, changed the template in honor of the winter Olympics, learned how to add classroom activities to the calendar and most importantly learned how to upload my power points and worksheets given in class.

With having just installed an ebeam in my classroom, I am hoping I will be able to upload audio and video recordings my lectures, classroom discussions and labs for my students. I am uncertain how to do all this with the ebeam, but at least I now know how to get them from my files to the website. I will have to build this into my prep time and then start promoting the website with my parents and students.

Click here to link to my school web page.

Essential #5 - Google Applications for Educators

Time, time, time. Access, Access, Access. Both concerns when requesting students to use Google Docs as a required part of my classes. Also the time required to find meaningful ways to incorporate the Google Doc into class becomes as issue. Maybe a way to start is to have students create a list of resources that can be used to study for the AP test (good simulations, good podcasts, good problem sets, etc)

It terms of personally - I plan on using Google Docs as a way to have back-ups for PD presentations as well as a way to collaborate on PD presentations as well as classroom presentations. When working with another teacher, the old adage of two brains is better than one is certainly true. Also, their is no worrying about who forgot the flash drive or where the latest version is saved.

Essential #4 - Skype in the Classroom

I already had a skype account for family. I did go out and visit the provided links and put out my information in hopes of finding some Chemistry colleagues to creatively use skype with. One idea I did have was helping upper elementary students or middle school students with MEAP review in science. We could set up a virtual MEAP game or reviews, or content demonstrations for students to see and discuss via SKYPE - no need for busses or field trip permissions. I would like more training on the other features of SKYPE besides the video conferencing, like the file sharing and screen sharing.

My skype name is mary.beth.klawender

I am looking forward to skyping with other teachers!

Essential #3 - Twitter for Education

So I am now officially Tweeting. I found several science tweets to follow including National Geographic and the Science Channel. I put out my first tweet and what do you know - someone responded with really great links to use with my new ebeam in my classroom. I think I just need to practice processing all the information that will be coming my way. One difficulty I am having is finding chemistry teachers who are also tweeting. I will have to keep my eye out when reading chemistry teacher blogs to see if they are also tweeting.

My twitter name is: mbsjeep

Essential #2 - Sharing Information in Blogs

Blogs are great if you can find the one that suits your interest or if you love to "journal." The trick is trying to fins ones that will be beneficial to you and not just another thing to read. I need to get better at using Google Reader and visiting it everyday to get quick blog updates.

The blog I found many ideas on is:

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

This website provides a host of usable sites and ideas for incorporating technology into your classroom. Not all the ideas will apply to every classroom but good ideas always start with other good ideas. I am going to make an effort to get on Google reader each day to keep up with current news, ideas, etc. A new habit - takes about 3 weeks. We'll see in three weeks if I am still visiting Google Reader.

Essential #1 - Making the Connection

Great video. I feel there is so much information out there and those that will be successful in the future will be really good at sorting what is important and what is trivial. I need to learn to use the tools available on the web to help sort the information for myself as well as my students. The more often I see the tools the more I think I will use them.