Sunday, March 29, 2009
Google Docs powerpoint
Since I learned about how Google Docs works, and how easy it is for two or more people to collaborate on a project, I have been asking students to use google docs when creating powerpoint presentations. Students say it is easy and it is helpful, so I thought I would give it a try. I have only transferred a small portion of my class notes for the various coursed I teach into powerpoints, so when I did decide to make a powerpoint last week, I thought I would use Google Docs. Much to my surprise, I could not figure out how to import graphs, pictures, etc. Now I know I am technically challenged, to say the least, and I haven't used powerpoints that much, but the previous ones I had created, I was able to navigate these aspects pretty easily. Anyway, true to my form, and under some time restraints, I abandoned Google Docs, and went to a template I found of of MSN. I am sure that with a little more time and effort, it would have worked out, but I was frustrated. If there is any quick way to point out the mechanics of this it would be appreciated!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thing #6
1. Do you think using Google Docs can improve your productivity?
I read the article that discussed marking papers using google documents and came away rather conflicted as to whether or not it would improve productivity. Also, the article would probably best apply to english teachers. While I do assign essays periodically, because of time restraints, I do not have them submit drafts that are reviewed by myself prior to the final paper being handed in. The writer also commented that time is an issue: it seems tht it takes more time to correct/give feedback on papers through this method than the tradisional method. The author also felt that because the feedback was immediate, that it benefited the students. I think that the more one works with this tool and learns how to organize the marked v. ummarked papers, etc. that the benefits would outweigh the costs.
2. Tell us some ways you have used google docs to collaborate with others.
I think this is a good tool that I am glad to know about. It seems pretty straight forward and makes a lot of sense when students are working together on a project. I have introduced google docs to a few classes this year. I feel that it has helped them create presentations with more ease than the traditional methods (emailing back and forth.) I have not used it individually to collaborate with others, however. I need to play around with this so that when I assign future projects sctudens can benefit more and I can provide some feedback during the process of creating the document. There are some tips for teachers on this "Thing" that I am going to print off and review for later use.
3. Have you participated in a Wiki? Tell us about it.
The only wiki I have participated in is this one for the MILI class. I honestly didn't know what a wiki was before taking this class.
4. Have you created a wiki for group use? Why? How did it go?
Rachel Harvieux and I created on several months back to give the social studies department a forum to discuss issues together. We did use it for a few weeks, but eventually reverted back to emailing each other, so I would have to say that it didn't work out as well as planned.
I read the article that discussed marking papers using google documents and came away rather conflicted as to whether or not it would improve productivity. Also, the article would probably best apply to english teachers. While I do assign essays periodically, because of time restraints, I do not have them submit drafts that are reviewed by myself prior to the final paper being handed in. The writer also commented that time is an issue: it seems tht it takes more time to correct/give feedback on papers through this method than the tradisional method. The author also felt that because the feedback was immediate, that it benefited the students. I think that the more one works with this tool and learns how to organize the marked v. ummarked papers, etc. that the benefits would outweigh the costs.
2. Tell us some ways you have used google docs to collaborate with others.
I think this is a good tool that I am glad to know about. It seems pretty straight forward and makes a lot of sense when students are working together on a project. I have introduced google docs to a few classes this year. I feel that it has helped them create presentations with more ease than the traditional methods (emailing back and forth.) I have not used it individually to collaborate with others, however. I need to play around with this so that when I assign future projects sctudens can benefit more and I can provide some feedback during the process of creating the document. There are some tips for teachers on this "Thing" that I am going to print off and review for later use.
3. Have you participated in a Wiki? Tell us about it.
The only wiki I have participated in is this one for the MILI class. I honestly didn't know what a wiki was before taking this class.
4. Have you created a wiki for group use? Why? How did it go?
Rachel Harvieux and I created on several months back to give the social studies department a forum to discuss issues together. We did use it for a few weeks, but eventually reverted back to emailing each other, so I would have to say that it didn't work out as well as planned.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thing #5 Libraries
1. What is your experience with public libraries?
I had a public library a few blocks from my house as I was growing up. I used it quite a bit. These were the days before comuputers. In college I worked at one of the Univ. of Minnesota's libraries, which I loved. I learned the dewey decimal system quite well and also checked out books to users, etc. Once again, there was no internet service, so we had the little cards we placed in the back of the book that indicated the due date. I did become aware of the interlibrary loan service and also Minitex through my work at the library and subsequently used these services when I wrote some of my research papers.
Today, I still use the library in my neighborhood (for my chilren mostly.) Although, they have many more books at home than I did when I was a kid. A few weeks ago we were there and my ten year old son informed me as we were leaving that he had ordered two books from another library. I was impressed that he had navigated that without my help. The books arrived within the week as well!
2. What would you improve about your library card and its services?
It is hard to say. They are valid in all of Minnesota (am I right?), or at least where I would need to get a book or service (that would be Hennepin, Ramsey or Carver counties. And through this class I have become aware of the many online services that are available to me. There seem to be so many different ways to access information from the various state libraries, and university services that I could spend a year trying them all out. I guess the one thing that is worrisome to me is the reduction of library hours during the tough budget times over the last few years. This is when people use the libraries even more, and many users need to use the computers and internet service available, indicating that they do not have internet access at home.
3. How do you use the public library to support your teaching?
I have not used them enough. In the past, when a research paper of some sort was assigned, I would encourage students to use their local libararies to find books, since sometimes there were not enough in the Chaska High library to go around. I have used them to check out videos for use in class,as well as particular magazines and magazine articles for use in class as well. I have not used the many online sources of information as well as I could have.
4. How will you use MnLINK to help your students?
I think that exposing MNlink to my students will provide them with another valuable tool to use to access materials for projects without having to worry about whether or not a particular book is checked out.
5. How can you help students plan for ILL for completing their projects?
Under the current block scheduling at Chaska, I think that it is difficult for them to use ILL for projects, since the timelines on projects are so quick. I foresee a better opportunity next year, when we transition to a 7 period day. Even then, I think that students should be exposed to this at the beginning of the school year. I think that it should be included in presentations the media specialists do when they introduce students to the various online resources, and reinforced as teachers assign research projects throughout the school year.
6. Have you used MnLINK before? No, I am sorry to say that I have not used this service before.
I had a public library a few blocks from my house as I was growing up. I used it quite a bit. These were the days before comuputers. In college I worked at one of the Univ. of Minnesota's libraries, which I loved. I learned the dewey decimal system quite well and also checked out books to users, etc. Once again, there was no internet service, so we had the little cards we placed in the back of the book that indicated the due date. I did become aware of the interlibrary loan service and also Minitex through my work at the library and subsequently used these services when I wrote some of my research papers.
Today, I still use the library in my neighborhood (for my chilren mostly.) Although, they have many more books at home than I did when I was a kid. A few weeks ago we were there and my ten year old son informed me as we were leaving that he had ordered two books from another library. I was impressed that he had navigated that without my help. The books arrived within the week as well!
2. What would you improve about your library card and its services?
It is hard to say. They are valid in all of Minnesota (am I right?), or at least where I would need to get a book or service (that would be Hennepin, Ramsey or Carver counties. And through this class I have become aware of the many online services that are available to me. There seem to be so many different ways to access information from the various state libraries, and university services that I could spend a year trying them all out. I guess the one thing that is worrisome to me is the reduction of library hours during the tough budget times over the last few years. This is when people use the libraries even more, and many users need to use the computers and internet service available, indicating that they do not have internet access at home.
3. How do you use the public library to support your teaching?
I have not used them enough. In the past, when a research paper of some sort was assigned, I would encourage students to use their local libararies to find books, since sometimes there were not enough in the Chaska High library to go around. I have used them to check out videos for use in class,as well as particular magazines and magazine articles for use in class as well. I have not used the many online sources of information as well as I could have.
4. How will you use MnLINK to help your students?
I think that exposing MNlink to my students will provide them with another valuable tool to use to access materials for projects without having to worry about whether or not a particular book is checked out.
5. How can you help students plan for ILL for completing their projects?
Under the current block scheduling at Chaska, I think that it is difficult for them to use ILL for projects, since the timelines on projects are so quick. I foresee a better opportunity next year, when we transition to a 7 period day. Even then, I think that students should be exposed to this at the beginning of the school year. I think that it should be included in presentations the media specialists do when they introduce students to the various online resources, and reinforced as teachers assign research projects throughout the school year.
6. Have you used MnLINK before? No, I am sorry to say that I have not used this service before.
One result of taking the MILI class for me is that I have become more tune to the various technology tools -- or should I say Web 2.0 tools -- that are available today. Just this week I read an article in Time magazine about the social networking site Twitter, and then yesterday in the Star Tribune there was another article discussing it. I find that I pay more attention to these articles as a result of this class. I can also better understand how it works and how they interact with other web 2.0 tools. According to the Star Tribune article, this online service was created in 2006, and it is already the 3rd most popular social networking site behind My Space and Facebook. Time magazine said that Twitter grew by 900% last year. The Dali Lama twitters, as does Barak Obama, and apparently dozens of members of Congress (Time Magazine.) The service is free through the twitter website, and you can write messages that are 140 characters long. It's like a mini blog that can be accessed through your ipod (and I am sure a number of other methods.) According to a comment someone put on the Star Tribune website regarding the article, when you "tweet" this also automatically updates your Facebook page as well. Amazing.
As popular as it is, I do wonder whether or not it is contributing to a better society. In the Star Tribune article one twitter user said "It means you can follow or be somewhat intimate with people without needing to directly engage them." I find this aspect of Twitter and other social networking tools worrisome. It seems very voyeuristic. Does this replace personal contact and engagement with other people?
I would not call this an AHA moment, but I do feel much better informed and in touch with the lingo and logistics of these web 2.0 tools, and the more I read and listen to others the more I realize how widespread their use is.
As popular as it is, I do wonder whether or not it is contributing to a better society. In the Star Tribune article one twitter user said "It means you can follow or be somewhat intimate with people without needing to directly engage them." I find this aspect of Twitter and other social networking tools worrisome. It seems very voyeuristic. Does this replace personal contact and engagement with other people?
I would not call this an AHA moment, but I do feel much better informed and in touch with the lingo and logistics of these web 2.0 tools, and the more I read and listen to others the more I realize how widespread their use is.
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