Google "More"

We had an opportunity today to check out Google's "More" section on their site. I had no idea this existed, and I was amazed to see all of the tools readily available. After exploring tools on this site we were to explain and demonstrate what we found to the rest of the class. I found a tool called a "translator". It was not only a standard translator, but also a web-page translator. Meaning that you could enter in a web URL, and choose which language from the list you wanted to translate to, and it would link you to the translated page. We did find that if the computer you are on does not contain characters of the language, it would not work. Another group presented Google Map- this was a really interesting tool. It was similar to Google Earth in the fact that you were looking at a map, but you could move a "little man" onto an area of the map and it would pull a real image (a 3-d picture). It was really interesting to see an image that was not from a top (satellite) view. Once the picture was pulled up, you could move the image around for a 360 degree view.. it was really exciting to see!
I would be able to use so many of these tools in my future classroom. This has been a great opportunity to learn about some of these sites, and have the time and instruction to explore and find more.

Google Earth

Today we had the opportunity to explore Google Earth. It was fun to play around, and discover all the options available through the site.
I decided to choose a place I was familiar with; my old high school. I mapped out a trail that would be beneficial for new students to walk on, and explore the campus. I marked important places, and gave a description on the bottom of my page. It was fun to look into the idea of actually creating something to help make new students feel welcome at the school.
I would definitely use this site again in the future. I took a little bit of time to find the old orphanage that I worked at in Ethiopia on Google Earth. I could see it being beneficial to set up a similar map for new volunteers to get around areas near the compound. I could follow the map more easily than I had anticipated, especially in such an under-developed area of Addis Ababa.
To say the least... I was very excited to learn more about Google Earth!!

iMovie

Today we used our Apple computers to learn how to run, and create an iMovie. This was a very fun in class assignment. We used a product called; Surf Sunscreen. My partners Michelle and Heidi did a fantastic job of acting out our commercial, while I chose to record. We had a very funny plot, so it was hard not to laugh into the microphone while recording. (We had to tape a few scenes over) We stayed on campus for our recording and were able to create some good scenes. We then downloaded, and edited our recordings back in the lab for a publishing.
I am really enjoying the fact that I am able to explore some of these products like iMovie/photoshop in class. I have never attempted it before because I was definitely intimidated by it all. It has been very helpful to have the opportunity to ask questions about the different programs, and apply it to an actual assignment.

Week 2

We learned how to use Apple's (Adobe) Photoshop. This was challenging for me since I am not familiar with Apple computers or photoshop. Through instruction and playing around with the different options, I was able to create a photo with the criteria of our assignment included. I used a picture that I took from a zoo in Abilene, TX, of two Giraffes. I also included an online photo of flamingos on a tropical beach, as well my scanned in photo of a butterfly from a brochure in class. I feel like I did a good job with my first attempt. It will be fun to play around with it now that I know some of the basics. Brittany

First Blog

Web 2.0 Here I Come...

I plan to eventually teach at a Second grade level in Portland, Oregon.

In class today I learned about Web 2.0 and the various programs available to the public that I did not know existed. I particularly enjoyed playing around on the website bighugelabs.com It was amazing to see the resources that can easily be incorporated into the classroom. I played around with one program in particular that added various frames to existing pictures. I thought that this would be a fun and unique way to display photos in the classroom, or have my students edit their photos and learn about various layouts.
It was also very interesting to watch some of the YouTube videos that explained the concepts, and use of each program. Some of these included; Blogs, Wikis, RSS, Social Bookmarking, and online photos sharing sites. I would definitely like to explore some of these sites more, before designing a lesson to incorporate them into my future classroom. I could see how students could keep an online journal in a blog for an assignment, or for personal use. One student suggested posting pictures online from field trips, or class projects and taking time to review them as a class. These pictures could also be available for parents to also view class activities.It is exciting to see the possibilities that technology can bring to the classroom.