Finalizing the Group Project (Finally :-)

Last class, we learned how to create a poll and place it on our websites. I think next week we will be looking at other students' polls and adding our input (by answering their polls).

In class, I was able to finish everything that needed completion through Microsoft Publisher. I know my brochure and flier contain flaws, but I have to admit that I am pretty impressed by the finished product! If I were to see the brochure as a parent, I would probably be more persuaded to believe the information it contained because of the professional appearance than if it was just a handed, typed up paper. I think it looks great - it's definitely something I plan on using when I have my own "Open Houses" and parent/teacher conferences!!

Group Project Continued (Internet Safety)

Today, my group and I finished creating our chart of characteristics for finding credible Internet sources. Working on this project has definitely given me a greater perspective of the proper qualities an accurate and credible website should entail. Some qualities (such as an, "About Me" page and links to similar sites) I had not thought of to relate in reference to a credible source. This project so far has given me more ways of finding useful, truthful, and reliable information for future research.

Group Project

During this week's class meeting, we formed into groups to work on an online project. In this project, we will be putting together ideas of internet safety tips for our future classrooms. Internet safety must be used by all teachers.

Currently, I am observing a Kindergarten classroom this semester where computers are used daily. The students have been assigned to work on math and reading assignments which are found online. As I have watched these students, I have noticed them strictly following their teacher's instruction and sticking to the programs/websites assigned.

What if these students were a little older and tried venturing off to different websites? What if these students noticed their parents and/or family members surfing inappropriate material online and wanted to search for similar material on their own at school? As teachers and parents, we must do all we can to protect the safety of our students and children while using the world wide web. Inappropriate material viewed online can damage the innocence of any student and cause future addictions such as pornography. Internet safety can be learned not only in the classroom, but in the home as well. We must be willing to use Internet safety tips on our own if we expect our students and children to abide by the rules as well.

Continuing the Use of Picasa

This week, I have been focusing on editing my 15 pictures to prepare for my Powerpoint presentation. I have really been having fun working with Picasa and trying out different editing options. I tend to use similar editing options for the pictures because I like a certain style of look for my photos. Without realizing it, I'm trying to take the different pictures and make them all appear similar by cropping them a certain way and adding specific touches of color.

This is a program I would really love to use in my future classroom! I think my students will have a lot of fun working with it as well. I could provide them with specific assignments as we have been provided with in this class (i.e. cropping and editing in various formats).

Exploring Picasa

In today's class, we discovered the many fun ways to alter photos. We learned techniques such as cropping, straightening, retouching, contrasting with color, and more! We have been assigned to take 15 - 30 photos (for an educational purpose) and alter them with the free software Picasa.

I am already loving Picasa! On my personal computer, I have mostly worked on iPhoto and Kodak software that have been provided with the digital cameras I have purchased. I think I could easily spend an hour or two having fun trying out the different tools Picasa has to offer, which are similar to iPhoto and Kodak.

I can see how this can be effective in my future classroom. I think it would be fun to assign upper elementary students a project where they have to take specific pictures and then alter them like the way we our altering our own photos for this class. Kids are creative and can easily make this type of learning really fun.