Personal Learning Environment

Google reader seems really 'thick'. I am exploring each item one by one-there seems to be a lot of information here and I have only added a few of my personal settings. I want to be able to personalize it a bit more as I am grasping a better understanding of all of the features. I am spending a lot of time on the computer and I am noticing neck and eye strain and pain. I have to decide what is important to study and what needs to be ignored-though feel like I might be 'missing' something!

What I have learned

Blogging is a full-time commitment. I suppose it is if you want dedicated followers.
As far a classroom tool it is a very use way of connecting with all parent at once.
As a teacher you can comprise a brief daily journal of what you and your students' did in class that day. It is a very useful way for parents and student to keep up on daily activities.
Missed a class: check the blog. What is the homework assignment: check the blog.
I see the telephone becoming an obsolete tool for 'talking' and communication being completely digital. I think I might miss the 'talking' part !!

Fun and educational blogging

I found a few fun videos on YouTube that pair with my food pyramid and healthy eating habits theme. I am getting better at editing and blogging in general. I found a way to cut the size of YouTube videos! Pretty stoked about it!! Credit to Denvy's web design class. Might not seem like a big deal to 'experts' but to me it was a big step in understanding html code a little better.

Fun gardening video

Understanding the food pyramid

Fun learning the food pyramid video. Short informational video

Keeping in touch through blogging

The more I use my blog site and explore blogging in general the more comfortable I become. So far I think it is relatively user friendly though I have not attempted much fancy work as of yet-it will happen soon enough.

One beneficial thing about using blogs in the classroom is parent involvement. Blogging v. a website- blogging is interactive. Parents can see some of what we are doing in class. It is a nice way for parents to be involved-somewhat.

Parent can also communicate with me. I don't know if this one way other teachers communicate with parents but it is something to think about.

Also a nice way to profile students work so parents can view their kids work as well.