MAC Week 4: Comment for Karen

Karen,

Partnership for 21st Century is the site I based most of my action research on. I love this organization, they keeps things simple and applicable to the classroom. It is amazing that it has take this long for such practical skills to be promoted by an organization.

A lot of teachers apply practices that promote these skills in their classroom without even realizing. Standardized testing is such a dominating factor, the skills that allow our students to be successful in the 21st century workforce are at times pushed aside. It is so sad that these priorities are so mixed up.

MAC Week 4: Art of Possibility

"I am the framework for everything that happens in my life". What a powerful message Zander sends with his tenth practice of possibility. It seems so easy to sit back and place blame on others to make ourselves feel less guilty. The true test is our ability to see how challenges and situations fit into our game of life. What have we done to bring different situations into our own lives? If we actually spend some time looking into the situation it is humbling to think about all of the different ways in which we welcome things into our lives without even realizing.

Owning up to everything that happens to us and choosing the being on board approach opens one to the possibility of a much more graceful journey. Taking responsibility for everything in our lives allows us to quickly get back on the track we were on before a challenging situation or event that may have occurred in our lives. When you grace yourself in this manner it leaves you free to choose again and move on.

Of all messages I have read from Zander I feel this is by far the most meaningful message! This is a great strategy to teach our young students. So many times students have an excuse for why their work doesn't get done and never does it include any choices of their own. They do not seem to see how they have brought certain situations upon themselves. What a powerful lesson to teach, being the board.

MAC Week 4: Comment for Scott

Scott,

I am a country girl through and through, the thought of public transportation gives me a panic attack. I think it is amazing that you have taken your journey each morning and turned it into a positive and even reflective time for yourself.

I agree that the reactionary powers we have adapted contribute to how we react to situations and events in our lives. This book has been a powerful teaching tool and I agree it's lessons would greatly benefit our students outlook on the complicated world that surrounds them. They have so much more to experience and to offer them the ability to come upon it with an open mind and positive attitude is one of the greatest gifts we could offer.

MAC Week 3: Optional Post

Check it Out!

I discovered a few new applications for my classroom this week that I had not heard about until this week. So I thought I would share some of them with you incase you haven’t had the chance to use them yet.

This application is similar to Wordle and allows you to make tag clouds. The cool thing about this program is that you can create interactive words as well as host your Tagul to a URL link.

Prezi is an application that allows you to create interactive eye popping presentations live and on the web. I have not had a chance to create one yet, but I have heard good things about it.

Animoto allows you to take photos and create unique videos from them. It is similar to Photo Story and is free for videos up to 30-second. This would be a fun and easy assignment for student to create a short video about what they have learned in class or to cover certain concepts without having to learn all about video editing.

MAC Week 3: Art of Poosibility

I found myself yet again analyzing my own thoughts and abilities surrounding this weeks reading. It really is difficult to set aside assumptions and feelings to sort through the facts of a situation. Most times when we are faced with struggles in life, feelings are what drive our reactions. It has always amazed me how some people have such great coping skills and tend to be able to sort through the facts, seemingly unfazed and move down a new pathway, while others wallow in negativity and lose their ability to function.

Two years ago my husband and I were faced with some serious "rain" when he resigned from his teaching job after 10 years due to false accusations from a student. When faced with this I choose to leave the struggle behind and move forward because it was out of my control and I knew that. I came to terms with what was in front of us and chose to move on and accept it for what it was, a bump in the road. But for him he couldn't let go of the struggle and fought it for well over a year even after choosing to resign. He had lost so much he couldn't see past the negative of the situation. Like is says in the reading "when we dislike a situation, we tend to put all of our attention on how things should be rather than how they are" and when this happens we lose our power to act effectively. He lost his power to act effectively and it took a long time for him to discover that when one door closes another opens, but sometime we focus so hard on that closed door we fail to see the other that has opened for us.

For me the reading this week reinforces the importance of accepting things the way they are!

MAC Week 4 Publishing/Leadership Project

For the pushing project I have submitted my action research article to Tech Directions magazine. Tech Directions is a magazine that links education to careers. Since the focus of my action research was to create a project that helped students to practice skills needed in the 21st century workforce this magazine seemed like the perfect fit. I teach health education but this project was a cross curricular project with a technology class and the technological applications used in this project are a perfect fit for this magazine. The article has already been submitted and approved for publishing in the magazine. This is not a research journal but a magazine for educators looking for new ideas and technology activities they can use in their own classrooms which I feel is best suited for our project.

MAC Week 3 Comments for Sharon

Sharon,

I completely agree with you. Going into this program it never occurred to me that we would be getting into our major courses and really needing to use our students not only for our Action Research but for assignments/activities as well. It definitely has been a struggle to keep on track with no students all summer, but I feel for you and the situation with your school. That is too bad that everything is getting changed up on you at such a critical time in our program. I wish you the best in completing your Action Research!

MAC Week 3 Comment for John

John,

People to People is an amazing program. I have been a leader with People to People Student Ambassador Programs for the past 5 years. I have traveled around the world with them and am on my way to Australia this coming summer. It has been one of the most amazing programs and opportunities I have ever been involved with! I also signed my classroom up for People to People International this school year and am excited to find ways to incorporate it into my curriculum!

MAC Week 2 Wimba Notes

I have to admit the more I sit and listen to the requirements for our Action Research Project the more nervous I get about not being able to graduate in October. I just pray what I have done is enough to get me through this program with a passing grade! You said that Full Sail wants the project to be of a high quality but my biggest question is, what if we meet the requirements but do so at a lower quality of work, can we still just accept a low grade and leave it at that. I have maintained almost all A's straight through this program so can I accept a D or C on my action research and leave it at that to graduate?

I only ask this because I am in the middle of my first pregnancy, working 2 jobs, trying to finish this program as well as get everything in my own classroom set up for my maternity leave. When it comes down to the wire I am scared that by turning in lower quality work due to the lack of time I have to work on it, it may come back to haunt me.

MAC Week 2 Optional: No Arms No Legs No Worries

My brother-in-law showed me the video of Nick Vujicic's life the other day and it really made me put things into perspective. This video reminded me a little about the reading for this week. We tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we don't slow down and make contributions to life. We don't slow down and take ourselves less seriously. We don't appreciate the things we have until they are gone. I wanted to share this video with everyone, because I feel it is so powerful and sends such a strong message about accepting who we are for what we are and trying to give what we do have to others.

MAC Week 2 The Art of Possibility

Wow this weeks reading has made me put on the brakes and take a good look at myself and my contributions in life. I have grown up a very competitive person and even now find myself terrified of failure due to an overwhelming drive to be successful. Zander explains that unlike success and failure, contribution has no other side.

Zander has his students do an activity where they have to write down their contributions for the week. I sat here and tried to come up with a list of contributions I have made thus far this week and embarrassingly I could not come up with many. It seems right now in life I am so caught up in getting my own stuff done and surviving life, that I have not made much of a contribution to life at all. I am so focused on accomplishing that I have lost track of contributing.

After reading this chapter I really found myself in need of switching from survival mode to growth mode. My goal this week is to work towards making more contributions. I am also going to work on creating an activity for students to focus more on how to contribute to life and make the ripples necessary for positive change.

The Rule of 6 is also an area I need a ton of work in. I find that I can really get caught up in my calculating self and definitely need to work on lightening up. We make the day what it is and if we get caught up in the measurement world we can loose focus on what is really important in life. I would like to sit here and say all of the ways I can work on incorporating these concepts into my classroom, but the truth is I need a lot of work on myself before I feel I can truly teach there concepts to my students.

Lesson learned: humor and laughter are possibly the best ways we can get over ourself!

MAC Week 2 Comments for Scott

Scott,

Great post! It really is amazing how much a grade can limit a students ability to push themselves to think outside the box and to put their creative skills to work. Some student are so scared of not making the grade they limit themselves to only meeting the requirements instead of challenging themselves to create something out of the ordinary.

I have to admit I was the same way growing up and even think that way now from time to time. I have learned to simply meet the requirements so I get the A I want. I find that there are times I have received an A for an assignment because I just went down the list to make sure I followed the requirements, but really didn't spend the time to learn anything along the way.

The Art of Possibility has got me thinking a lot about the everyday challenges I deal with. I really have enjoyed this book and the insight it is bringing into my life.

MAC Week 2 Comment for Sharon

Sharon,

You nailed it! I agree that if we choose to be in a good mood we will be but if we wake up and choose the other side, it is amazing how bad we can make our own day. Being pregnant I have found that my moods seems to get the best of me at times. I walked into school the other day and like you said my students were just being horrible. But it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, it is just that my perception of their behavior was much more negative than when I am in a more laid back mood.

I love the idea of letting go of accomplishing and spending more time contributing to life!

MAC Week 1: Art Of Possibility

The Art of Possibility

The power of positive thinking is truly a powerful tool! Zander’s experience with music is a perfect way to set the “tone” for explaining his views on possibility. I agree that we all seem to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I find myself making judgments and assumptions on a daily basis that are limiting my view on the world and things that are indeed possible. What we can achieve is limitless, but our ability to create a mind set that is open and judgment free is incredibly difficult due to the underlying information we learn growing up in our society. I find it amazing how often I hear my students saying they can’t do something before they have even tried it. It seems people are so terrified of failing that they are scared to even attempt something they may be great at. Zander uses his musical teaching metaphors to explain this view of limitless possibility, as a teacher I feel it is critical for us to embrace this mindset and try to instill it in our students, so their future is full of possibility.

MAC Week 1: Comments for Chuck

I find it amazing how all of those concepts and memories we store away seem to always be underlying in our choices and beliefs. When learning about things and making personal judgements it seems that I always have a preconceived notion of how I feel about it when I may not "really" know what is underneath the picture. It is not an easy to let go of these notions we have learned our entire life and look at them with a set of fresh eyes.

MAC Week 1: Comments for Denise

Wow, what an amazing story. I enjoyed this reading but seem to be having a hard time really grasping the true meaning and applying it to my own life. Your story has put the pieces together for me that I wasn't quite grasping. Thank you for sharing this!

Future of LMS

Week 4 - Udutu Project

http://publish.myudutu.com/published/launcheval/22062/Course39790/Launch.html

I am actually really excited after completing this project. I found Udutu to be more user friendly than I was anticipating from our Wimba session. I am really excited to continue to use this interface in my classroom. I am hoping that when I go on maternity leave I can put together some basic lessons for my subs so they do not have to discuss topics they may not be comfortable discussing since I am a health education teacher. I love that you have your choice of a variety of different medias and the fact that we can download and use the course in future management systems is a huge bonus.

Week 3 Comment for Erica

Erica,

It seems like the process for creating such a platform is so complex it is hard to envision the details that have to go into the development. Not only choosing features and content, but spending time analyzing security and finding the man power to do so seems like such a huge undertaking. I can see why implementing these programs can get so costly.

Week 3 Comments for Scott

Scott, Great post! I agree with you that it is amazing how complex these systems are. I find myself also envisioning a platform like FSO in my classroom. I am not sure I can even fathom the work that goes into the creation of such a complex system. To read about it is one thing but to actually create all aspects of the system is a completely new world.

Week 3 Reading: Content Tools

Content Tools:

Authoring Tools

Authoring tools are tools used to assemble a course as a whole. These tools offer features that allow you to compile course elements such as text, graphics, and questions (Tools of the trade, n.d). The features, software, and pricing for these tools can vary significantly. Authoring tools can range from web authoring, HTML editors, media and application tools, course authoring, and PowerPoint authoring tools. Authoring tools have so many different features it is necessary to research to make a decision on what features are needed to build into individualized courses.

Element Tools

Element tools help with individual elements of a course. Some authoring tools allow you to create elements without needing separate tools to do so (Tools of the trade, n.d). Element tools that may be necessary for course development include photo editing software, graphics creation software, interactions and animations as well and computer simulations. Business and technical simulations may be necessary to create real world simulations. Most learning management systems also offer assessments tools such as test, quizzes and games.

Content Delivery

Depending on when the learning is occurring a variety of different methods can be used to deliver the content of a lesson. With primary synchronous features content is typically delivered in a webcast or using some sort of audio, video, or visual format. Chat features, surveys and polls offer a way for teachers and students to communicate and gather information.

A visual classroom platform offers both synchronous and asynchronous environments (Tools of the trade, n.d). In this type of platform the content is not usually delivered personally. The content is gathers by the students and the instructor focuses more on facilitating discussion, assigns and grades homework and provides feedback for the students (Tools of the trade, n.d).

Learning management systems allow for the management and administrations of the training provided in these courses. These systems range from simple systems where the learner can go to find the course and launch it to advances systems where there are complex management options for the course (Tools of the trade, n.d).

There are many different options in e-learning and the tools seems endless, it is important to take the time to research tools needed for creating a course to get the most our of the technology available.

Week 2 Comments for Joseph

Joseph,

I appreciate how you connected the definitions of CMS, LMS, and LCMS with the examples of the

Aeronautical Engineering student's venture in gaining a degree. You did a great job of clarifying how they all connect. I also agree with Karen that LCMS are great tools to aid in training for corporations and educational institutions.

Week 2 Comments for John

John,

I really appreciate your ability to break things down. I always enjoy reading what you have to write and appreciate your ability to help me understand the content in a much more meaningful way. I was having a hard time digesting these articles, but you really did a great job clarifying them.
I agree with you and am also a bit skeptical about our future technology and the ability of SCORM to translate to these newer generations of management systems. By constantly enhancing our technology it seems there would be no other way that to change this content as well.

Week 2 Wimba Notes

I really appreciated the time took to review the alphabet soup of learning management platforms. I feel I have developed a pretty good concept of the terms through our reading but when things are put into general terms and simplified it seems so much easier to grasp. I like that everyone seems to have their own way to describe these terms and it really helps me to simplify and understand the concepts for myself.

I was feeling a little nervous about the Udutu assignment but after listening to this weeks requirements I am certain I have a lesson that will work well for this project. Taking the time to go over the weeks assignments is a very helpful tool and the last 2 weeks I have felt much more confident in myself after the assignment clarification. Thank you for taking the time to get us on track.

Week 2 Project Udutu

1. Zeigler, Jodi

2. Self-Image: a self-expressive project using Photovisi.com

3. Who Am I, is a project I stated last year with my students to help learn about self-image and to serve as an icebreaker for health class.

4. Learning Management Systems and Organization Month 10 (August 2011)

5. The lesson I will be creating in Udutu is called “Who Am I”. At the beginning of each quarter my students create a personal collage using the program Photovisi.com. Students have to find pictures that represent different areas of their life that they want others to know about (e.g.: positive character traits, activities, sports, dreams, goals, family, memories are some of the topics students can find pictures for).

Students then write a short article describing how each of these pictures represents the unique individual that they are. Each collage is arranged into a book that sits in the front of the classroom, throughout the quarter, that students can read during our silent reading time to get to know their classmates on a more personal level.

For this lesson there will be written directions along with a Photovisi.com tutorial for students to follow along with. There will also be examples and topics to help students come up with pictures for their collages. Finally, there will be a link to the Photovisi.com site for student’s direct access. I feel this platform will help to compile all of my project information into one comprehensive area.

6. I will be creating a tutorial using www.photovisi.com for my media asset.

Week 1 Project - LMO Overview

After reading Howell’s (2006) article on learning management systems, it seems there is no clear leader among Course Management Systems (CMS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE’s). These systems all provide different needs for their usersEach system offers something different to the user and administrator.

LMS

Learning Management Systems aim to simplify the administration of learning and training. They are mainly used as programs within large organizations or universities. They allow the employee or students to gauge and plan learning programs as well as communicate and collaborate with peers. It allows administrators to target, deliver, track, analyze, and report. You also see LMS used in the medical field and specialized areas where specific training is needed for the field.

CMS

Course Management Systems were developed for education and provide more functionality for administrators to run the school. The CMS allows for registration, grading, and library resources to be monitored and offered to students across the system. The CMS can be more customized to meet the needs of the users.

CMS +LMS=LCMS

Learning Course Management Systems (LCMS) began as a military tool suite for training and readiness. LCMS are used in big organizations like universities for a more customizable training and learning environment. In the LCMS reusable learning objects (RLO) and shared common object reference model (SCORM) are tools that can be used time and time again for training that remains consistent.

PLE

Personal Learning Environment (PLE) are looked at as the future of learning environments. PLEs offer a more individual and personalized approach to the learning management system. In these systems learners take control their own learning by setting their own learning goals as well as managing their own learning process (Wikipedia, 2010).

There is diverse set of needs through out education and varying organizations these systems have been developed to meet the needs necessary. Because of the vast array of requirements needed by these organizations it is difficult to place one management systems ahead of another. In the future it is a possibility we may see a management system the stand above all others and can not only meet the needs of organizations while offering customization for administrators, employees and students.

References:

History of personal learning environments. (February 2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 2, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_personal_learning_environments

Howell, C. (2006). Why is there no clear leader among CMS/LMS/VLEs?. Educause. Retrieved August 2, 2010 from http://www.educause.edu/blog/catherine/WhyistherenoclearleaderamonCM/16165

Week 1 Wimba Notes

After viewing the week 1 Wimba archive, I am feeling much better about he requirements for this class. I like that the weight of the assignments are evenly distributed and there is not a significant weight on any one or two assignments like we have seen in past classes.

It was nice to hear an emphasis put on the importance of reading at the Masters levels. The ability to pull out pertinent information from the reading is crucial. A lot of the time is it easy to skim through the information without learning anything from it. So I am glad to be reminded that learning is the key.

I am feeling more comfortable after watching the week 1 Wimba and am excited to move forward in this program.

Comments for Sharon: History of VLEs

I think it is so neat to hear you say you participated in the public broadcasting channel science programs. I'll bet at the time that was pretty exciting and out of the ordinary for your class. It is amazing how interactive and engaging some of these programs have become, but they had to start somewhere.

Comment for John: History of VLEs

Harvey_John_History_of_VLEs_Wk1

There have been quite a few paramount events the history of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The first of which was recorded in 1728, as an advertisement for distance learning a “new type of shorthand” from Caleb Phillipps. The ad appeared on March 20, 1728 in the Boston Gazette. (“History of VLEs”, 2010) Several significant events followed, such as the first institutionally sponsored distance-learning program from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1854 (“History of VLEs”, 2010). Another notable leap in the history of the VLE was in 1956. “Harvey White, a physics professor at U.C. Berkeley, produced 163 high school physics lessons at Pittsburgh's PBS station WQED that were broadcast into public schools in the area.” (“History of VLEs”, 2010) That idea caught on, the lectures were distributed, and many more students from all over the country experienced the same televised lectures in 1957-58. (“History of VLEs”, 2010)

My Comments for John:

What a great post John. I agree that the history of VLE's is a remarkable venture. It is amazing to look back and see how many ideas have molded what we have today. I am so excited to be a part of all of this. I love that we are embarking on such a new and developing field in education.

Learning Platforms

Learning management systems (LMS) are those systems/tools that allow the management of virtual and distant learning. There are a plethora of tools that allow for communication and collaboration among users, e-learning and digital literacy. The functions of LMS allow for learner self-service, training, online learning, online assessments, management of learning, collaborative learning, and resource management (Toedt, 2006).

Course management system (CMS) is a term sometimes used interchangeably with LMS. These systems can be used in educational environments for learning and higher education as well as in industrial and business setting for training and collaboration. They allow most users the options of accessing them at anytime and in any place. CMS can also offer training and educational programs at any pace (Toedt, 2006). The scope of these systems offers a wide range of opportunities and effectiveness for their users.

References:

Toedt, A. (2006, Feb28). What is a learning management system? Bazaar. Retrieved on August 3, 2010 from http://www.bazaar.org/content/10/25.

BP12_2010022_ToonDoo One Minute Message

BP11_2010024_Comments for John (Doink)

View my comments on John's Doink blog post by clicking here.

An Animation by RickyRico, made at DoInk.com

BP10_2010023_Comment for Dana (Storybird)

Click here to see my

comments on Dana's Storybird

blog post.

BP8_2010021_OneMinuteMessage

BP9_2010023_EtherpadWeb2.0

Etherpad is a real time collaborative document that allows people to communicate, contribute and edit information as it is being typed. This is an easy to use and efficient program that can easily be brought into the classroom. Etherpad can be used for editing in English classes or any class that requires written assignments. Imagine the students working more with one another to edit and create work. Take the focus off of the teacher and allow students to drive feedback and collaboration. You can easily turn an individual assignment into a collaborate assignment, making the class more engaging for the students.

After seeing Ether pad being used as an example in one of our Wimba sessions I decided to use Etherpad in a project a colleague and I have developed. I have been working on an interdisciplinary project in which students must create and program a robot, through nonverbal communication. We were running into problems with the blog program our school uses. Basically, we were using the blog as a chat and found it just wasn’t working the way we needed it to. We also had a hard time grading student participation through these blogs. We were not using the blog in the correct manner and decided to use it for self-reflection instead, as it is intended.

We decided to use Etherpad as a means of student communication. This allows us to see how well student communicate through written language and who participates and who does not. I went in and created ten documents for my class and saved the link to each document on our project Ning. This allows students from each group to quickly open their own document at the beginning of each period to use to communicate during the period. Since we are requiring them to communicate through nonverbal means, this real time application is perfect for students to give each other immediate feedback.

BP7_2010022_CommentsforJohn

http://jhspiritofmedia.blogspot.com/2010/02/bp32010021web20tools.html

BP6_2010021_Commentsfor Julie

Please follow the comments I have posted for Julie Jurue's VoiceThread thought the link below:

http://thelearningcurveunleashed.blogspot.com/2010/02/bp42010021web20tools.html?showComment=1265844949142_AIe9_BGb-oKWAUb-y3D3E_g0cC3S7L1ORvQuUVg-FZax8o-vUoYkOraWk-ePIWrzgf9SFNfrfPcoRFZyHlMKw5DlZ7y__WKe5AWJOP4UI4kgecCdVPvYz1yxHjOuux7PGzDTVa7H8RRI08GA7CVOJuoBwSBqK_5nPypAyZonNerKxXUs3czM2RWw7LxMl-ZBTMONwnui5w6jf_p6IUT5MmteEq1TZnX-P26jhFvsf1mwKDbXV7LGsb1NE08Jc2eZ7zCSHCT8CcgS#c101877899960103654

BP5_2010022_Web2.0-VoiceThread

VoiceThread (http://voicethread.com) is a digital storytelling tool that allows you to upload comments verbally, through text, or by drawing directly onto pictures and slides.   VoiceThread allows for creators to upload images, documents or videos to create a storyline or topic.   A VoiceThread can be open to the public or kept private, they also offer Ed. VoiceThread (http://ed.voicethread.com), which is a secure site for educators.  VoiceThreads can be easily embedded into your own website or blog and is a great tool for collaborative conversations in and outside of the classroom.  They can also be used in conjunction with blogs to reach a broader audience if you are looking to branch out of the classroom. VoiceThread is a fairly easy application to use and offers a variety of tutorials to help you get started.  I highly recommend this applications for diverse areas of education.

I have recently used VoiceThread in 2 different ways.  During a bullying unit I found a video I wanted students to reflect upon, so I uploaded the video from (www.youtube.com) into a blank VoiceThread and asked my students to tell me what this video meant to them and how they think they could stop this kind of bullying in their school.  I used this activity as an introduction to my bullying unit but it could be used in so many different contexts.  Check it out...

Just last week I finished up a unit on Teen Pregnancy, for the project students were asked to create their own VoiceThread on what they have learned about teen pregnancy from their choice of several different articles on teen pregnancy and parenting.  Their target audience was their peers and they had to use images that they felt best represented their topic.  I really enjoyed watching the students analyze and add to the work of each other, I was very impressed with the teamwork that took place in the classroom to create this project.

 

BP3_2010021_Web2.0-ToonDoo

I have been using free comic creator applications in my class for a few years now, but recently I had a student introduce me to a much more advanced comic creator site called Toon Doo.  Toon Doo is a fun and interesting way to create individualized cartoons, comics and books.   This site has so much to offer www.Toondoo.com.   This site is simple to follow and required minimal set up.  While in this site you will find a plethora of options and information to help you along the way.  The site offers a blog, discussion forum, a help wiki, and contests.  You also have the ability to follow others and have others follow the cartoons you are creating.  Students can use any of the many characters, scenes, items, sports, and equipment within their cartoon.  They can also create their own customized characters to look just like anyone they want.

I use this site during my stress management unit.  Students spend time learning about stressors and the impacts that stress can have on their well-being.   They also practice a variety of stress management techniques in class.  For the unit assessment, students create comics or a cartoon that demonstrate a stressful situation and how someone can use techniques to manage this stress in their life.  It is a fun way for them to apply what they have learned to a real life situation they have created in the dialogue of a cartoon or comic.   I would love for students to eventually invite their peers to their cartoon for feedback.

You could also use this site to create your own cartoons or comics for directions, instructional information, or rubrics.  Cartoons add a little spice to your lesson and create a fun learning environment for your students.   After introducing this lesson I see students with comics they have created for fun, in their folders.  I love to see them using these applications in their everyday life.

The only downfall I have come across with this site is that you may run into cartoons that are not appropriate for all age levels.  Within the character options there are a couple female characters whose attire is questionable for all audiences.  So it is important that you do some research on your own before using this program in your class to make sure you are aware of what the site is exposing your students too.  I consider these minimal downfalls compared to the options this site offers.

There are a variety of free comic creators out there, but I do not feel any compare to the options available in Toon Doos.  If you are interested in adding comic creations to your class check out these additional free applications to see what works best for you.

http://www.Toondoo.com

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/   

http://www.stripcreator.com/

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/

http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumpsgraphix/makeyourown/index.htm

BP4_2010021_RSSFeeds

I am new to RSS feeds and basically I just went in and started searching for sites that provided information that I felt would relate to my Action Research Project.  I feel the sites I choose offered ideas and research to help develop my plan for implementing a bullying prevention program into my class and school.

Educational Research Report – provides reports related to all areas of educational research. 

http://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/

Educause – because Dr. Deason suggested becoming part of a professional organization.

http://twitter.com/EDUCAUSELI

American School Health Association – has up to date information about successful practices in health education.

http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=162985209284&share_id=323047120466&comments=1#s323047120466

Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR) – this site promotes different strategies for guiding children in learning good communication practices and healthy relationships which I feel will help me to target my activities to effectively decrease acts of bullying.

http://esrnational.org/

Stop Bullying Now – suggestions for adults and teachers on successful strategies for preventing bullying in schools.

http://twitter.com/StopBullyingNow

BP2_2010021_EducationalUsesforBlogs

Recently a colleague and I created an interdisciplinary project, between health education and technology education, that teaches a multitude of strategies essential for success in the 21st century.  In this project students drive their own learning through creativity and collaborative work to build and program a robot all through non-verbal and written communication.  The objective of this project was for students to be exposed to new technological applications and become more proficient communicators and advanced problems solvers.  This project was intended to push students outside of their comfort zone and challenge them to find new and creative ways to communicate while accomplish the goal of building and programming their robot.

In this project students used a blog forum through our school districts website for students to communicate back and forth with their team members to build and program this robot that was initially created in the technology education class.  Basically we were using the blog as a chat.

I have spent some time reading about the use of blogs in schools and see that the way we were using the blog wasn’t necessarily the most efficient way to apply this tool.  Ramaswami’s (2008) article, The prose of blogging, made the world of blogging a little clearer to me.  I have always thought of blogs as more of a means to chat with others than to journal and reflect upon ideas.  Ramaswami offers a variety of suggestions on how blogging can be used to improve writing strategies and collaboration.  Ramaswami’s focus was on enhancing writing techniques through blogging, but through this article I see how I can implement blogging in our project as a more self-reflective tool, where students can go to write about the challenges and barriers they are experiencing with this project (since they are not permitted to use verbal communication).  By using the blog as a reflective tool instead of a chat tool we are creating a collaborative environment where students express challenges and can offer suggestions to others on how to overcome these barriers with this project.  I have also found more efficient means of collaborating in real time with applications such as Etherpad (http://www.etherpad.com), for students to discuss building and programming ideas that also offer pictures and diagrams to be sent back and forth to help with their construction.

I am amazed everyday at the new and innovative applications available at my fingertips.  I love finding new ways to enhance my existing projects and to make class time more efficient as well.  I am excited to apply these changes to our project for next quarter to see if they will prove to be successful tools.

This picture is of the Ning we have started working on for this project, http://21stcenturyproblemsolving.ning.com, that offers an easy way to access and monitor the blog along with other tools we will be using this project.  The site is under construction but will be up and running soon.

Ramaswami, R. (2008) The pros (and a few cons) of blogging.  The Journal.  35(11), 21-25.  Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.