Using RSS

This weeks assignment of using an RSS  was sweetly surprising how simple it was to use, and how useful of a tool it is. This is one of the first assignments in a while where I can say that I will really apply this lesson, and incorporate it into my day. Having all the websites that I visit in one area is really handy. For me time is so valuable that anyway I can save myself time, it is worth it. All the feeds I chose to use, except for one, I follow anyway. The technology site really won't be that useful to me currently. I don't stay up to date with new technology rather rely on friends as my source. Even though I have this feed on their and could easily check it myself, I would still prefer to talk with my friends. It will probably come off my site soon so that I can add more feeds without it becoming cluttered.

All the other feeds such as the news, weather, USA Eventing and the Satorialist I know that I will use. I follow them several times a week if not everyday. The difference is that now it will save me time as I can log in to one primary source. So nice!

Social Bookmarking

http://www.delicious.com/cassandraatwell

Assistive Technologies

This week we were to explore different avenues of using Google Translater, along with other sites such as paralink and babelfish. Using the element of being able to translate our lesson plans, newsletters, and documents into other languages; so that we can bridge the gap in our classrooms not only between students and parents, but teachers and parents is awesome. What a better way to be able to come along side and assist parents who are not fluent in English, to still feel like they can participate and be apart of the classroom experience. And ultimately to enable them to be involved in their childs education.

As an educator it is our responsiblility to attempt to meet the needs of our students as best as possible. My uncle has epilepsy. He really has to be careful of flashing lights, and situations quickly going from light to dark. It is even hard for him to ride in a car as a passenger. So for students with epilepsy it is important to be cautious of potential situations that could cause your students to have a seisure. For example keeping the lights on while watching a movie, straying away from long activities on the computer, ect. Being more creative with active learning tools should be used rather than relying so much on technology based learning.

Creately

This weeks project for me was so frustrating! I really did not enjoy this assignment at all. First of all the program was not easy to use. I watched a demo stating how it was handy and the benefits of using Creately. But it was NOT as simple as it stated. I got half way through and realized that I could not save my work, because I had not signed in. Once signing in, I then had to re-do what I had already started. Then it took me a very long time to figure out how to post it on my blog. Then I had to reformat it because it was too big. Then I had to edit and refigure it again. It was so frustrating!!! Previous assignments have been easy to work with and simple to understand, this was not. I'm not sure how I would be able to incorporate this into my teaching style. I could see it possibly being helpful in a business or college situation but for English, I don't believe that I would use it. This was the only site that I used so maybe the other sites would be simpler or easier to follow. But I would not recommend this for others use.

PhotoShow

This week our emerging technology was posting a photo album to my blog. Once again, I was suprised how easy it was to use PhotoShow. I first created an account, then I uploaded my pictures. After uploading all the pictures, 25 or less for free, it then allows you to edit, rotate, or correct each picture. Then it gives you the option to add music. After your photo show is ready, save. Then it had a section where you can post your PhotoShow to facebook, your email, or a blog. Click on that butten, I clicked the post to blogger link, signed in, and it automatcially posted for me. Simple as ABC!