Thing #9 - Play in the wiki sandbox

I love, love, love the wiki page, High Side  and all its tools, gadgets, and gizmos.  My family was impressed and thought my Voki was neat.  I will be showing my 12 year old daughter how to make her one.  I plan on trying to use this in my classroom during tutoring and note-taking sessions.  Each class could add vocabulary terms, processes, sample problems, fun math sites to visit, and links to my student blogs, Study Island and more.  The possibilities seem endless.  Hopefully, I can get the rest of the math department on board and participate in some true collaboration.  

Thing #8 - Stretch

I chose the word "bling" to search on wikipedia.  (Why, I don't know. )  The content appeared reliable, relevant, and well written.  There were some discussions and even an article written on the subject of "bling."  What I found most interesting was the reference to the "end of bling".  I know that wikipedia will not allow just anyone to edit their pages without review.  I think this has helped its reliability and should be taken into consideration when creating your own wiki page.

Thing #8 - What in the world is a wiki?

I looked at several class wikis.  I noticed that there were very little discussions posted on the wikis. Most of the pages had links imbedded within them.  In fact, the wiki Code Blue only had links.  When viewing the history tab, I noticed that only a few people were actually editing the pages.  On the Kindergarten Counting Book, the teacher has used photos taken by the students to create a wiki page, yet the students did not actually collaborate online.  I think the idea is fabulous, but I'm not sure the wiki was used in the manner it should.  I really was inspired by the Primary Math wiki.  I have been looking for something "Different" to use with my students who need extra tutoring for the math TAKS (ugh, bad word I know!!) test.  Having them collaborate on what tools, processes, skills, etc.  they will need for each objective might help them understand what is required of them.  Hopefully it can help them study also, similar to the coolcatteacher's Study Hall wiki created by her students.  I definitely want my wiki to be something the students will go to on their own.  Getting them to "buy in" and see the benefits is going to be clue.  Also, giving them access to computers is always an issue.  

Thing #7 Creating Community Through Commenting

Commenting is the "thread" that ties blogs together. The thoughts and ideas of others spark inspiration in readers. As I have read through blogs, I have been encouraged to try and make my comments more appealing and thought-provoking. I like to read blogs to get ideas, but until this class I seldom wanted to comment for fear that people didn't want to know my point of view. I don't want to come across the wrong way, but I do see now as this class progresses that commenting is extremely important to the relevance of a blog. I was recently reading about a guy whose wife died 4 days after giving birth to their daughter and he began to blog (I can't remember where I read this information to give you the blog address, but I will keep looking and post it if I find it) about his experiences for healing and for his daughter to know what it was like for him and her in those days, weeks, months after the mother's death. The article, which reinforces the important of commenting, mentioned that the father's blog has so many followers, mostly women, who have helped him through is ordeal. One reader, who was male, didn't understand why his wife was so enthralled with helping this man until he, too read his blog and sent his own comments. What an amazing situation where a tragedy can be turned into a positive, helpful experience through blogging.

Thing #6 Feed Your Reader

My reader is overflowing with information. I found some interesting educational information on Weblogg-ed. I've been searching for middle school math blogs and came across Expert Voices which is for math and science both. It is separated into so many categories. In the past, I have found very useful tips, ideas, or activities reading through teacher's blogs. I've tried to incorporate these ideas into my classroom this year and have had success. I had my students create there own blog and I am following their blogs. Now I need to get better at asking the "right" types of questions to get their juices flowing. If anyone has some math blogs to share, my reader is hungry.

Thing #5

This class is so cool!!!  I'm already passing on my new knowledge to my colleagues.  Where have I been?  Life-long learning at its best. 

 As I was perusing my collections of blogs, news feeds, and podcasts (I hear something), I came across an article about VoiceThread an online networking site where students can have a voice.  Students can leave digital comments, create stories or documentaries.  My students love being "heard".  I could have them explain the process for finding surface area of a cylinder or share their ideas and thoughts about our class via recorded message.  There's an Inaugurtion Voice Thread with digital comments from students.  Amazing!  They get to have a voice about the historic events and can share it online.  

I can't wait to experience what else this class has to teach me.  Adding to my reader has become a new endeavor for me.  Watch out technology, here I come!

Thing #4

The genre of blog writing is witty, informative, opinionated, and informal. It seems to be whatever you want it to be. I like to read while relaxing in the tub. Though it's not entirely impossible, I seem to be having some trouble reading blogs in this situation. When I write a blogs, you never quite sure who your audience my be. I sometimes feel if I am writing to myself and I already know my point a view. I struggle with people hearing my voice. Why would they? Not that I don't have a lot to say. I'm very talkative. Also, I noticed that blog writing has its own unique symbols. My daughter does them sometimes. The emoticons. I haven't quite to take the mastered what these mean. ;> I definitely noticed a difference between adult and student blogging. I was so impressed with the "Scribe Post" and how the students were so creative and encouraging with their posts and comments. I want to try and incorporate this in to my own classroom.