Topic 8 WebQuest

I have looked over some of the information on WebQuest.org. I think it would be fun to do. I am anxious to try creating a WebQuest. It seems a little daunting at first, but once we go through one and I do the steps, it will not seem so scary. I enjoyed looking and going through a Webquest on Gardenquest. I typed in the word moon and got several different webquests for varying ages. I read through the Space Treasure Hunt. It sounded interesting, and a bit tricky. I think it would be a fun one to do. It was for 6-8 graders. I looked at Dinosaurs After Dark webquest for 2nd Graders. That one included filling out a journal after looking up about certain dinosaurs. What a great way to make connections with the book and reality. I am looking forward to class next Tuesday to make a webquest.

Topic 7 Copyright

I can't bring up the copyright quiz, so I can't remember the questions exactly. I'll do the best my memory will let me. Doing the copyright quiz was eye-opening. I knew most of the answers, but there were a couple that threw me. I thought 'Happy birthday' was public domain, not Congressional things. I didn't realize that once something is written down copyright is in force. I didn't know that under the Fair Use Doctrine that teachers can make copies of copyrighted material, to use in class. What I found out is that there are things I had no clue you could do and couldn't do.

Topic 6 Power Points

This is the second time I've worked with power point. I love doing it. It took me just a little time to get back into the swing of the program.
I enjoy the creativity it affords me in presenting material. I learned the first time that using too many little gimmicks and flashy things distracted people from the message. This time I just used a few. I now have the power point program on my own computer so it's even more fun. I can just sit and experiment.
Great way to present material that can be a bit boring or lengthy. Helps you to break it down into bite sized pieces.

Topic 5 YETC

YETC resources are really spread across the board. I found links to everything from art to science to reading and lesson preparations to how to get programs started like the Laptop for each child.
Some of my favorites today are:
Virtual resource site, Nasa Resources
http://www.artic.edu/artexplorer
http://www.readwritethink.org/
I haven't seen even half of what this link has to offer. I will be visiting this site quite often.

Topic 4 Lesson Plan

I sat down last night, after I found out that my lesson plan was due that day. I thought, no problem, I'll get this done in no time. Was I ever wrong! I had a great time looking things up on UEN, and other sites. I loved looking at all the things I could make a lesson plan for. The hard part was narrowing the choices down and actually picking one. I made this project much harder than it needed to be. Once I decided, I could put it together much easier. I found lots of funs sites, lesson plans, and ideas. The next one, I hope, will be much easier.
Some of the good websites I found were: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFC/kids/hh/goplaces/article/0,28376,60303/2,00.html
www.mongabay.com/peru/highlights/machupicchu.html

Topic 3 Blogs

What fun. I enjoyed the learning process of creating my own Blog page. Learning how to interact with other bloggers took a little more time and I'm still trying to get it down. I have had many people send me their blog sites and I just didn't have time to look into doing it myself. Now I know it is not very hard or time consuming. I look forward to learning more "techy" stuff.

Topic 2 UEN

Wow! What a wonderful array of information. Anything an educator might need in one stop. I loved the Lesson Plan helper and Rubric maker. Those are handy tools. I was amazed at the amount and variety of information available. The info. for finding jobs, learning opportunities and new ideas. I played on this site for way longer than I had planned. I was reluctantly forced off by a previously made appointment. I have this site on my favorites list and plan to use it often.

Assignment 1- Watching the videos was really interesting. It helped me to see how good it is to teach children with the technology they are using. I really liked it. I think it is a good idea. I was wondering what good was to come from all the game playing and texting and such. Now I know what good things we can do in education with them.
Ginny

Kassie,
How was the family water trip? Hope you had a great time. See you Tuesday.
Ginny

Just Me

Howdy!
My name is Ginny Dunbar. I live in Vernal. I have five already grown up children, one girl, 4 boys. I am finally finishing my education. I love to learn. This should be fun.
Ginny