Challenge #10

I started a Flickr account and added a few photos.  In my classroom, I have always been nervous about posting photos of kids, so I don't do it.  For my personal photo storage, I keep my photos on iphoto and upload those that I want to share with people to facebook, so that's probably what I will keep doing.  But I can see the benefits this -not having to back up copies when rebuilding the computer, and having photos available from any computer online.

Challenge #9

I don't really see myself using Skype in the classroom, but maybe it would be kind of cool if we talked to a classroom in another country, like Germany, and students could compare the math they are doing there to what we are doing here.... but that's a stretch.  I took German in high school but I couldn't communicate with anyone speaking German.  I'm sure there are many ways that any teacher could use Skype in the classroom.

Personally, I am not one to talk on the phone, so I don't think that Skype will encourage me to start communicating on the computer.  One benefit of the telephone is that you can sit in your PJs with messy hair and no make-up and no one will know.  But with skype, I would have to shower, change and "get ready" to communicate.  Not going to happen...  

But seriously, this will one day be a good tool for me.  My niece and her new baby use it to communicate with her mother/grandmother in New Hampshire.  When my kids are older and moved away from home, and have their own families, it will be an option for us.  

The most difficult thing about this challenge was taking the time to actually do it.  I haven't been blogging since October 26th!

Challenge #8

Well, I created a Google Docs account to upload a powerpoint I use on the first day of class.

It wasn't too difficult after I found the SHARE button. This would be pretty cool to use if I was organized enough to have each lesson saved on powerpoint, or better yet, Notebook software.

Challenge #7

Well, that's pretty helpful... I haven't heard of a site like this before now.  I wish I had been familiar with this site when doing research for my masters paper.  I  don't plan to do a lot of research again any time soon :), but I can see that it could be helpful for students who are writing papers for their classes.

Challenge #6 Comments

I found a useful reference page on .

This was a very easy challenge for me.  The buttons needed to post to facebook or embed in my blog are right there on the page.  The hardest part was finding something that I thought everyone else would find interesting, and how could I go wrong with a formula sheet for Algebra 2!  What an easy way to post information for students...

I will probably use this site again. I see that some curriculum companies are posting solutions manuals on this site too.  They are taking advantage of the money savings too.

One thing that I need to do is create a folder in my bookmarks devoted to all of the neat sites we are learning about in the web 2.0 challenge.

Challenge #6 Algebra Formula Sheet

Algebra 2 and Trigonometry Formulae

Challenge #5

I am a real big fan of reality TV, and Jon and Kate Plus 8 is one of Madison's favorite shows, but enough drama already! Now he wants to quit the show completely...

Warmer Weather

With the temperature dropping down to freezing this week, I was thinking about the travels to the lake this summer and came across these pictures of the kids from Labor Day weekend.  Even though it was a cloudy day, we had to get in a last day of tubing.  Eight months until lake season returns! 

(Can you tell fall and winter are not my favorite seasons?)

  

Challenge #5 ???

Since this has been such a quiet week here at Lincoln (said dripping with sarcasm), I have been waiting for the next assignment in the web 2.0 challenge.  So come on Reynolds, bring on the next challenge!  

Challenge #4

I have been a Facebook user for quite a while, but now I have joined twitter as well.  They are both added as gadgets on my igoogle home page.  

I am a true Facebook addict, so I am probably going to try to stay away from twitter so I can get to sleep before midnight every night. (But we'll see....)

Just a little tip for the new Facebook users out there...stay away from Farmtown and Farmville!!!  It'll become way too addicting.  If you don't believe me, just check out my farms. ;)

Challenge #3

I already had teacherscribe in my reader, so now I added kkchallenge. When I get some extra time (what's that?), I plan to look around for a few more gadgets to add.

Challenge #2

Yeah! I already have this one done... and now that we have an open internet server, some of my gadgets will really work.

I like having my igoogle page as my home page because it gives me many different options at start-up. One down fall from last year was the time it took to load the page with all the gadgets I have on it, but this year it's much faster.

Challenge #1

Well, the most difficult thing about this challenge was trying to decide on a name for the blog. I even googled "blog names" and read an article about a guy who chose a bad blog name but then had to keep it because he didn't want to have to start a new one when he already had followers.
Oh, the pressure....haha