Thing # 13

After creating the Zoho account, I decided to play around with its features, and I must say that it was a very convenient and functional.  Then, I decided to play around with google docs and I think that I like it better!  I thought that it was very fun to play around on, and I made a simple drawing of the carbon cycle.  I think that students would like to use this application to create their own drawings in order to enhance their learning experience.

Thing # 12

After playing with the Google tools, I have decided that I like Google Translate the best.  It seems to be a very easy and effective way to translate phrases that would get our students interested in learning more.  With Google Translate I can type in something like "Greetings!  Its good to meet you!" and I can instantly translate it in many other languages like "Saludos! Es bueno conocerte!" (in Spanish) or "Salutations! Il est bon de vous rencontrer!" (in French) and many, many more.  Google's Picasa was fun as well. Picasa seemed to be similar to Flickr, but I believe that I became more familiarized with Flickr, so Picasa wasn't as impressive.  Maybe I just need to keep playing with the programs to see which I like best.

Thing # 11

After reading the article posted to The Cool Cat Teacher's blog, I decided to search around to see which  sites were easiest in setting up feeds.  I liked the Technorati and Google sites the best.  I really liked the fact that Topix.net posted local feeds, but I didn't quite like the way that this site was set up.  As far as easiest to use goes, I felt like Google worked best for me.  I liked the fact that it had a "clean" page; there wasn't much in the way of distractions on the page.  I can see how these sites would be helpful in scanning for new information that could be available to you.

Thing # 10

Setting up an RSS reader was fairly simple, and it seems to be a very quick simple way to keep up with the sites that interest you the most.  I added blogs that were personally interesting to me, like The Barefoot Gardner and Keller Williams (my most favorite musician!) as well as blogs that will be nice to refer to once I am in the classroom.  Having the information sent to you is a time saving tool!  I love it that I don't have to search the web; I can just click, click, click! ;)
Using the RSS feature would definitely be a time saver in the classroom.  By using this feature, you wouldn't have to waste any time searching for borrowed materials that you would like to add to your lesson plan.  It would also be nice to share ideas from others that may be helpful in subject matter.

Thing #9

Playing with the image generators was fun, fun, FUN!  So far it was the easiest assignment for me to tackle. :)  I think that ImageChef was very easy to use and it would open so many opportunities for classroom use.  You could personalize class rules, motivational posters, and much, much more.  I liked the Letter Soup application.  I think that children would not only enjoy seeing such fun things in their classroom, but they may also give you many great ideas for future endeavors using ImageChef in the classroom.

Thing # 8

Spell with flickr was fun to work with and I liked learning how to edit and alter my photos on BigHugeLabs.  I decided to upload one of my pics on BigHugeLabs and I used the Bead Art photo option.  I think that these tools would be very helpful in creating unique and personalized message boards for classroom use as well as creating awesome scrapbook images.  I must say that I am very cautious as to what I post in the internet;  I have yet to post any pictures of my children on any web source.  I know that in time they will find interest in online social sites, but for now I guard their image and ask that my family and friends respect that as well.