reflections

My favorite tools were the image generators and mashups.  They were fun to use and could be very useful in helping students to remember character words and definitions.  I also thought the digital story books were fabulous!  Being the school counselor, the uses in the classroom don't just pop out at you as easily as they do for classroom teachers, but I can see myself using the digital story books in small groups or maybe even in a guidance lesson. I would love to have the students research careers & colleges and create a digital story book of their findings.   Also I hope to use video resources in my guyidance lessons. If only we had time set aside each week to just "play" on our computers to find all that is there for us to use!  

tool #11

1.  The first thing I would address is cybebullying.  This is a concern that has continued to escalate.  During all of my bullying units, I will include a section on cyberbullying. 

2.  Next, I want for the students to realize that what they post online will not go away.  People have lost jobs over things posted on the internet when they were younger and didn't think it mattered!

3.  Being a former language arts teacher, plagiarism is another concern I have.  The internet just makes it easier than ever to take someone elses work and claim it as your own.  This is stealing!!  Students need to be aware of how something that can appear so innocent is a crime!

tool #10

I do not own an itouch, iphone or ipad, so I had to use a friend's iphone.  I think the uses are limitless with this technology.  For counseling, I felt that many of the apps could be used for stress relief - coloring, fling, action bowling, etc.  There are also apps for organinzing assignments and deadlines - 30 boxes, GPA.me.  I also thought flag fun could be used for students for recognize their diverse backgrounds.  Now that I know all that is available I can't wait to discover more!!

tool #9

Jing & Skype are both great ways to share information.  With Skype you could have people with different careers visit the classrooms, have "pen pals" in other countries, author visits, etc.  Jing could enhance any presentation with either the capture or movie functionby.  It could also be used in collaboration with other collegues to better explain what your point.  The possibilities are endless & our students would love using both!

tool #8

Twilight Zone - Number 12 Looks Just Like You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaVo2xifmSw
This would be great for girl's club.  It looks at everyone trying to look the same.

Scholar Ladies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zGFqSji420
This is a video created by Hope School students.  I think it would be a great example for the students to create their own songs about how to a great student, etc.

tool #7

What a great way to relive a fun vacation in addition to using this in schools.  This has limitless uses in the classroom as well as personal uses.  I will use this one again! 

tool #6

The counselor's have a Wiki page to ask questions and share ideas.  We don't use it as much as we could.  I feel that is something that needs to be revisited.  The kids could use Wikis for career and college exploration.  Each grade level could have their own page?  I would have to think about it some more, but it could be promising and fun!

tool #5

I signed up for delicious http://delicious.com/louisaham and found the following websites by using the tags education and counselor. The first one is a list of the top 20 websites no teacher should start the year without.
http://mrssmoke.onsugar.com/Top-20-Websites-Teacher-Should-Start-2010-2011-Year-Without-9213932
The second link is to the Guidance Channel Online.
http://www.guidancechannel.com/

I think this can help with the clutter I create on my favorites list.  I am always adding links to my favorites list only to not be able to find them when I need them.  This hopefully will help my to find them when I need them!! Isn't that the point of bookmarking.  ;)

tool #4

I shared my Google Doc with a fellow counselor. My idea was to use a calendar in Google Docs when setting up guidance lessons. Not sure if it will work, but it is worth a try.

I went a little crazy with the subscriptions in Google reader. I am not sure if I will be able to keep up with all the updates or not. I added several people from WWE along with one of my favorite travel blogs that I love reading. I like the idea of having all the updates in one place instead of having to go to many different sources. I can see how this tool can be useful.

tool #3

I looked at all of the samples, but since I could only figure out how to load 2 of them - those are the ones on my blog! I posted wordle and spell with flickr. I found both sites extremely easy to use and fun. I think both will be great ways to create posters or further the student's exposure to our character education focus words of the month.

tool #2

I am still really confused on how all of this works. I was so frustrated with my last experience that I took a month off! But now it is time to get back to work! So with a new attitude and a refreshed, well-rested outlook on life, here I go. I must say looking at the blogs of my colleague's has inspired me to go on! If they can do it then so can I! Plus, they have been learning some cool things!

I commented on Ma-donna, Geaux Blog, Live Laugh and Learn, Moulton Lava and Ms. Ed's Musings!

I think that creating more PLNs is a great idea. We can respond and get feedback from such a large group of people. I enjoyed reading about the commenting advice - especially when coolcatteacher commented on how to respond to DC!! :)

tool #1

OMG!!!! I thought I would never get this crazy thing to work! After 2 days of trying "he who has no specific identity" finially decided to stop trying to verify my identity and let me blog! Woo Hoo!! I made it through step one!!!

I would like to use this with my students if blogger is working properly. But if it continues to have glitches - I would rather use pen and paper!!