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Sunday, October 26, 2008

Creating A Social Network

The theme of our first week of class was, "Creating your own social network". To me, it's very exciting to see all of the ways a person can become connected. This week, we will continue creating our own social networks and also learn more about using Web 2.0 as a research and reflective tool. Here is a list of tentative ideas for class this week:

1. Explore tags, labels, and technorati
2. How to write an effective blog entry
3. How to comment effectively on blogs
4. Diigo - social bookmarking and the connections
5. Explore "professional" blogs

I've also added a new "help" page to our wikispace. If you find any other youtube videos that you think should be added to this player, please email me the hyperlink!

What else would you like to explore this week? In your "web 2.0" travels last week and over the weekend, what questions have you come up with? You may respond to this blog entry with any ideas/questions you have!

5 comments:

Susan Martin said...

Dr. Fritz,
I have two questions...
1. How do you add a link when leaving a comment?
http://k12online08presenters.wikispaces.com/Sylvia+Martinez

2. The presentatation I viewed was on using games in the classroom. Sylvia Martinez stated that creating identities in parallel worlds is actually developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers and can lead to self-empowerment and self-efficacy. I agree with this statement, but what measures can educators take to empower students but keep them safe at the same time? Also, how liable are educators for things that happen in these parallel worlds outside of school?

megfritzphd said...

Great questions!
Here is the answer to your first question: Go to this website and scroll down to the answer to your question!
How To Hyperlink in Comments

Anthony said...

Dr. Fritz,

With all of the various Web 2.0 tools we have at our disposal, many have similar functions (i.e Blogger and Wordpress.) If we use these tools in the classroom, do we dictate a specific tool for students to use or do we allow them to use similar tools if they have the same functionality. As a user of Web 2.0, I sometimes become overwhelmed because I'll be using one tool but then a friend will introduce me to a similar tool. Which one do I use?

Susan Martin said...

Thanks for the resource. I actually have Cool Cat Teacher in my google reader from the last class, but I needed a refresher. I am using this as a test reply with the link! Hope you don't mind!

megfritzphd said...

Great question, Anthony. I think it depends on you, your students, and the purpose of the tool. I like to introduce my students to certain tools (usually the basic features) and then allow them to use another tool that meets their needs if they wish. I think you have to evaluate the user and the situation before you can make that decision....and don't feel peer pressure to use another tool if the one you're using works just fine (unless of course, it offers other features that would advance your learning/convenience/work etc.).

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Creating A Social Network

The theme of our first week of class was, "Creating your own social network". To me, it's very exciting to see all of the ways a person can become connected. This week, we will continue creating our own social networks and also learn more about using Web 2.0 as a research and reflective tool. Here is a list of tentative ideas for class this week:

1. Explore tags, labels, and technorati
2. How to write an effective blog entry
3. How to comment effectively on blogs
4. Diigo - social bookmarking and the connections
5. Explore "professional" blogs

I've also added a new "help" page to our wikispace. If you find any other youtube videos that you think should be added to this player, please email me the hyperlink!

What else would you like to explore this week? In your "web 2.0" travels last week and over the weekend, what questions have you come up with? You may respond to this blog entry with any ideas/questions you have!

5 comments:

Susan Martin said...

Dr. Fritz,
I have two questions...
1. How do you add a link when leaving a comment?
http://k12online08presenters.wikispaces.com/Sylvia+Martinez

2. The presentatation I viewed was on using games in the classroom. Sylvia Martinez stated that creating identities in parallel worlds is actually developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers and can lead to self-empowerment and self-efficacy. I agree with this statement, but what measures can educators take to empower students but keep them safe at the same time? Also, how liable are educators for things that happen in these parallel worlds outside of school?

megfritzphd said...

Great questions!
Here is the answer to your first question: Go to this website and scroll down to the answer to your question!
How To Hyperlink in Comments

Anthony said...

Dr. Fritz,

With all of the various Web 2.0 tools we have at our disposal, many have similar functions (i.e Blogger and Wordpress.) If we use these tools in the classroom, do we dictate a specific tool for students to use or do we allow them to use similar tools if they have the same functionality. As a user of Web 2.0, I sometimes become overwhelmed because I'll be using one tool but then a friend will introduce me to a similar tool. Which one do I use?

Susan Martin said...

Thanks for the resource. I actually have Cool Cat Teacher in my google reader from the last class, but I needed a refresher. I am using this as a test reply with the link! Hope you don't mind!

megfritzphd said...

Great question, Anthony. I think it depends on you, your students, and the purpose of the tool. I like to introduce my students to certain tools (usually the basic features) and then allow them to use another tool that meets their needs if they wish. I think you have to evaluate the user and the situation before you can make that decision....and don't feel peer pressure to use another tool if the one you're using works just fine (unless of course, it offers other features that would advance your learning/convenience/work etc.).