Friday, July 30, 2010

Tool # 2: Building Community & Comments

Comments about building an online education community and participating in a PLN

Participating in a Personal Learning Network could be one of the greatest experiences for an education community; it is a social net that democratize knowledge because we are breaking the boundaries of the traditional school system through technology. This net allows increasing quality processes.

People – teachers, students, parents, administrators and authorities- are getting closer; they can discuss about a common theme and/or goal and can help each other exchanging different ideas.



Highlights from the commenting advice

After reading different blogs and comments I have the feeling that many of us are ¨newbies¨. Personally, as a beginner when reading blogs in the past, I didn’t comment, but I think that this training and time will change my point of view.

The most important advice for me is inviting other people because it increases community participation and posting specific questions for other bloggers can be a great way of growing knowledge. Also, comments can be very meaningful; you can totally agree or disagree with other people opinions, which develop diversity and pluralism.


I commented on the following people's blogs:
http://alexandra-barton.blogspot.com/
http://erinmvsblog.blogspot.com/
http://thelopezlowdown.blogspot.com/
http://meyermuse.blogspot.com/
http://estradatoolsforlearning.blogspot.com/

Tool # 3: Image Generators & Mashups

I have chosen two image generators:
COMIC STRIP GENERATOR and DUMPR.

At the portal Comic Strip Generator I found FotoTrix (www.FotoTrix.com) that offers a free photo mash-up: World's Greatest Photo Framer 2.0.

See samples on the right and below.

This picture generator/mash-up is great to create award and recognition notes with high motivational value. It may also be used to create attractive notes to parents. They are suitable for framing!










The second image generator DUMPR (http://www.dumpr.net/) may be used to support group activities. It is very easy to use thus making it particularly helpful with pre-kinder students. It may be used for celebrations, group activities and development of personalized notes and cards to parents. Below are two samples: Merry Christmas! and a Jigsaw Puzzle.

In addition to
FotoTrix and Dumpr I also researched Glogster Edu (http://edu.glogster.com/). Even though I am not showing samples, I strongly encourage pre kinder teachers to use it to develop posters, blogs for kids and bulletin boards that are colorful and extremely simple to design.
(Picture credits: my two kids Natalia, 4, and Camilo, 1 )


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tool # 1: Blog Set-up and Registration


I have created my own BLOG! -Now I will be able to share my experiences with students, parents, colleagues and, in general, all members of Vanny World!

Meet my avatar. Isn't she cute?