Thing 7 - Share Photos Online

Uploaded and tagged photos, quite easy to do ~ kind of slow. I wonder how long it would take to load a larger group of photos?

See great use for classroom field trips, or special units on given topics. Specific photos on a subject could be given "code" tags for students to view and comment. Use Flickr for a "treasure hunt" - show pictures that student need to find and bring to class (rocks, leaves, etc.)

Also great way to connect with family and friends. I actually came across someone taking the 23 Things course that works in my district ~ now I have someone nearby to discuss.

Lots of fun.

Thing 6: Photosharing with Flickr

Photo by spauldi1's photostream

I've heard alot about Flickr, great finally to be able to go and play around with it. Many years ago, I found a company that would develop my roll of film and archive the photos on their website. I thought this was great, as I always feared loosing family memories in a fire! But Flickr has alot more benefits that include sharing.

Using the tags and searching for locations of places that I've visited, it is great to see the creativity of the beautiful photo. Typically, my photos don't turn out as nice.

The photo I chose to include in my blog is from Kitchtikipi (Big Springs), located north of Indian Lake in Manistique, Michigan. I grew up in this area and have visited this location many times with family and friends. It is beautiful and the brown trout are HUGE! I hope you all get a chance to see it sometime.

Thing 5: Subscribing to RSS Feeds

I had a little trouble as everything was being saved to my feed file in Explorer! I managed to figure it out - love the "Blogline" button to add to my tool bar! I even managed to set up a feed to my blog - not that I'm close to Wesley Fryer or Steve Dembo (yet)...

I'm so excited to check my bloglines for web articles and information relevant to my work! Pinch me - is it Christmas...I can't wait to find more out there!

Thing 4: Intro to RSS

This will be a great time saver! Much like being on the best information email listservs. I spend hours on the internet, for the information to come to me...what will I do with the extra time!

I can already see how I could subscribe to too many feeds. It will be great to narrow them down to the most useful and practical. Looking forward to Thing 5.

Any good feeds for best practices?

Thing 3: Blogs in Education

I believe using a blog in the classroom would engage the students. They understand the benefits of social networking. It can be empowering to all types of learners.

My biggest concern would be Anonymous comments. Standards and controls would need to be put in place and students must understand the need to be respectful and responsible.

Beyond the classroom, I see blogs as a great way to collaborate and communicate with parents, colleagues, family and friends. Ideas are limitless!

Article: Best of the Education Blog Awards - March 2006

Thing 2: Become a Blogger

Blogging - What a great way to share and receive information from people around the world! What a great tool for classrooms! The use of blogs in instructional settings is limited only by your imagination.

Reasons for instructors to use blogs:

• Content-related blog as professional practice
• Networking and personal knowledge sharing
• Instructional tips for students
• Communication tool for parents
• Course announcements and readings
• Annotated links
• Knowledge management
  

Reasons for students to use blogs:

• Reflective or writing journals
• Knowledge management
• Collaboration
• Assignment submission and review
• Dialogue for groupwork
• E-portfolios
• Share course-related resources

Sites to visit:
101 Steps to Becoming a Better Blogger
Top 100 Education Blogs

Keep on blogging...

Welcome to Classroom Crafter!

class·room
klas-room – noun
1. a room, as in a school or college, in which classes are held.
2. any place where one learns or gains experience: The sea is the sailor's classroom.

craft
krāft - noun
1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.
2. An occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or skilled artistry.

Classroom teachers are crafters, skilled in educating our youth. Teachers are skilled artist. This blog will serve as a tool and resourse to aid Classroom Crafters.

If you have a favorite web resource, please let me know so I can share.