Inspiration

I really like Inspiration.  I thought it was fun and creative.  It is a way for teachers to be creative while also helping students learn.  I did a diagram on communities which included culture, government, and business.  I was able to insert photos, add notes, and breakdown concepts.  I think this is a way that students can learn in a more interesting way.  This way students do not have to look at the board or at powerpoints but at more interesting images.  I think that it is important to make sure that the diagram can be easily read and comprehended by the ages levels you are trying to reach.  I think some teachers may get carried away and make the diagrams confusing.  If teachers are careful, they can create a fun way for students to learn.

Inspiration Diagram

animoto

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Digital Scavenger Hunts

I liked doing the scavenger hunt, but I have some concerns.  As I have stated earlier, I will be working with special education elementary students.  I would love to use this with my class, but I feel the scavenger hunt would be limited to the classroom.  I feel this way because I am only one person and cannot watch about 30 young students running in different directions.  So I would have to limit the locations of picture taking to the classroom.  Also I would need a lot of cameras and every school I had been to did not have a lot of cameras for classroom use.   Students who have learned content can then find examples relating to that content.  If I have the resources, I would love to use this kind of activity in my classroom.

Opposites Scavenger Hunt

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Using Images to Enhance Learning

I think images are extremely important. Students learn in different ways, and sometimes pictures is the way for them. Pictures model concepts and ideas when learning. When a student sees something rather than just listening to something, the idea will usually stick. I know that hearing something as well as seeing something is a benefit for me and for many other people. So I will use audio and visual materials to help teach my students. Students will listen to me lecture while looking at images that relate to the topic so that students who learn from images, students who learn from lecturing, or both can comprehend the content.

Picasa Slideshow

Picasa

This seems like a great website.  I use a similar website but the one I usually use allows me to order prints.  I thought the website was extremely easy to use, and I was able to upload pictures quickly.  I love how the pictures can be put into a slide show, and the pictures come out clear.  I would definitely use this site again.  The was a thumbs up site.

Google Docs

I am not to sure about Google Docs.  I find it frustrating and almost easier to just send a mass email.  The site only works every once in a while, and I have trouble getting on the it.  I seems there are less options when using this site so it might just be easier to complete the document and then upload it to the site.  Maybe it just takes time to get used to.  I will keep trying throughout the semester.