After learning about these new and various online programs my head has been spinning with ideas of what I can do in my 2nd grade classroom. I have already begun setting up a blog for my classroom for parents to access to see what is new at school. Further, I am setting up a Skype performance with a 6th grade class so they can preform a Dr. Seuss book for my students.
The overall idea of web based document creation and storage is completely foreign to me. It seems that all I create would therefore be accessible to anyone who chooses to hack into my account, which is true. But anyone who finds my flash drive also has the capability to access them as well. I guess it is just up to me to conform to the times and DO IT!
The software of all of these programs are amazing and it is simply learning the new technology will take some time, but once I have all of the little bugs worked out, I am sure that I will enjoy these new technologies and then share them with all of my peers. I have already begun to do so, not it is just a matter of learning more and sharing as I go!
I feel the same way. My head is spinning as well. There are so many things out there and so many ways to use them in the classroom. Now I just need to become comfortable with using them and find ways to incorporate them into my classroom.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how the Skyping goes with the 6th grade class. I might try that sometime as well. Where will/did you put your camera? Do you have an interactive white board (smartboard/Activboard)that you will use with the video camera?
I also struggle with putting too much stuff on the internet and still keeping it private. I am excited for the ease of access that online storage provides, but I am nervous about other people being able to get to my private files. I guess I will just have to use it for files that don't contain a lot of personal information.
With all the stories of online hacking I can understand where you are coming from on the concerns of online security. I think the question to ask though is not if you will be compromised, since all data is online somewhere. All of your tax information, bank information, and other personal data are online somewhere, but the risk of it being hacked is negligible if you are responsible with your passwords and follow basic security protocol.
ReplyDeleteI think that as we move further and further into the digital age less and less of our information will be public, and embracing the collaboration that comes with it maybe benefit it in the end. I used to be hesitant in sharing my class materials and making things available on my school website, but I think that sharing my materials with anyone who wants them benefits the community as a whole.
I wish you the best of luck as you learn the new technology, and I'm sure your students will benefit from your learning!