Cara’s Web 2.0 Blog

http://cevmsmathlinks.wikispaces.com/

Definition:  A wiki is a collaborative web site.  Multiple users are able to edit content for use by all members of the community.

Wiki Reviews:

Math Tips http://mathtips.wikispaces.com/

This wiki has 6 problems from the 8th Grade Math TAKS and a play back of the solution for each.

I could see using this in my classroom, perhaps assigning a problem and solution for homework, or providing a link on my website for student reference.

Welker’s Wikinomics Page http://welkerswikinomics.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

This is a high school AP and IB economics wiki.  It is very well done, and obviously a lot of work has gone into it.

I particularly liked the test review section.  I can see a feature like that being very useful for students.

Open PD http://openpd.wikispaces.com/

This is a wiki for online professional development. They offer sessions for computer/web training.

This would be interesting to use for a general math wiki.  Sessions could be offered for math topics like “integer operations”, “working with fractions”, etc.

I was on vacation, and so I am late in posting this. I created a podcast of me reciting a passage from “Bleak House” by Dickens, which I am currently reading.

Questions:

What qualities/features do you find common among the best podcasts?

I think it is vital that the there be a plan, and that the speaker be articulate. Otherwise, it is difficult to listen. The content should also be compelling.

Does my podcast share any of these features?

I chose to recite a passage because I was in a hurry (since I just got back in town) and didn’t want to sound unprepared.

How might podcasts be useful in your classroom or your practice in education?

I could see it being helpful for absent students, and also for students to review what was done during class.

Bleak House

Thanks for all the great comments.  I thought it would be more visible if I respond in a post rather than embed my responses in the comment thread.

A couple of people admired the cat picture I posted.  That is Carmela, my bowl cat.  She loves to sit in bowls, although baskets will do in a pinch.  I also have Aimee (a sink cat), Daisy (a laundry basket cat), and GiGi (GiGi sits ANYWHERE GiGi wants!)  Susan, I would love to see pictures of your cat!

Margie, Will, Denise and Andy – I’m glad you like(d) dy/dan.  I go there for inspiration.

Debby, I like the idea of having a regular blogging day.  Coincidentally, today is trash day, so at a minimum, trash day it is!

Bunny, thank you for the tip about Teacher Web blogs.  I will check it out!

Angie,  check out dy/dan’s lessons link to see some ideas he has for combing math and art.  In particular, I remember a lesson  on reflections.  He uses an art project (making snowflakes) to teach that math concept.

Nicole, thanks for the feedback.  I’ll see you Thursday!

BTW, I love the way I get to preview the comments before they are accepted for publication.  I was worried about a student posting something inappropriate for fun.

What did you learn?

I have used RSS feeds before, but only on my phone.  I have Newsbreak installed on my phone so I can read my favorite blogs on the go.  I didn’t really see the usefullness on the pc, since I could just go to the blog and check it out.  I can see the advantage for a situation like this, though.  It should make keeping up with the class blogs much easier.

How will you use what you have learned?

I used Google Reader, and I will keep up with the classroom blogs through it.

How did you feel about this tool?

It took a little time to set up, but that investment should pay off by allowing me to see at a glance which class blogs have been updated.

What do you not want to forget about this tool?

That the initial investment in set up will pay off in the long run.

How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?

This would be an easy way to alert students and parents of important class info.

Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?

Maybe.

What questions do you still have about this tool?

None.

I am a middle school math teacher in Round Rock, Texas. I just finished my second year of teaching, which was SO MUCH BETTER than my first! I used to be a software engineer, and then stayed home with my two daughters for a while. My husband is a ASIC design consultant who mostly works from home. We have 3 dogs and 4 cats. Here is Carmela, one of our cats:

My favorite education blog is dy/dan. I get a lot of ideas for creating PowerPoints and fun math activities from him.

Another education blog I read regularly is Fractions speak louder than nerds. She is a middle school math teacher in Texas, just like me!

What did you learn?

I knew a lot about blogs already, although I am generally more of a lurker than a poster. I read about 20 to 30 blogs daily, about half of them education blogs. I have had several blogs in the past. Unfortunately, they end up like the numerous diaries I had in my childhood – I would make a few entries, and then abandon them as I was distracted by other things. Here’s hoping I keep posting on this one.

How will you use what you have learned?

I hope to use this blog to communicate with other educators, students, and parents.  I want to share some of my ideas with others, as a way of paying back the education community.  I know that I have gotten some really great ideas in some of the education blogs I frequent.

How did you feel about this tool?

I created an edublog, because I have used blogger before and wanted to try something new. It has really powerful features, but I remember blogger as being a little easier to use.

What do you not want to forget about this tool?

I want to get into the habit of blogging regularly, because of my past failures in keeping up with my blogs. Also, I know that as a reader of blogs, if a blog is not updated regularly, I just quit checking it and end up deleting it from my bookmarks.

How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?

I will try to use this blog as a communication tool, as well as enforced reflection.

Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?

It might be useful to use in the classroom, although I am not sure how I will tie it in to the (required) teacher web I already maintain.

What questions do you still have about this tool?

None.

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