Collaboration is Everything

I was truly impressed by the features offered by the ePals site. As I was browsing I found most interesting the “connect to classrooms” link that contains forums for teachers to collaborate. I found it amazing how easy it seemed to send messages to teachers all over the world, using the translation feature. It seems like so many people are eager to connect globally. I also noticed many teachers hoping to connect their classrooms using Skype. I think this is such a wonderful idea; we need to take advantage of this amazing technology.

One way I would definitely use this site is to connect to a classroom in another part of the world. When I was in school, we had pen pals arranged and it was an awesome experience, and I think interacting with other students internationally would be even better. In the future, I would choose a “hot topic” for my class to focus on – something like saving the environment that effects the whole world. I would hope to use ePals to find another classroom that my students could physically write letters to. I would arrange a Skype meeting as a conclusion to the project.

The possibilities are endless with site. I am even more excited to have my own classroom of students to share this unique opportunity with.

Bookr: Another way to Extend Literacy Skills

Since I aim to teach elementary age students and am working on my Master's in the Literacy Specialist program, I think a great way to use Bookr would be to have students create a story in one of two ways.

Students could go through the writing process to create their own story. To publish their finished product, they could use Bookr to type each page and choose an accompanying picture. This would provide motivation to get to the point of publishing.

Another activity that would be interesting would be to create a Bookr with different photos and have the students add text. This would require them to be creative in thinking of ideas, but maintain a storyline at the same time.

The latter idea is what I had in mind when creating this object. This would be one (very simple) way to introduce students to the idea of creating text given photos. I titled this Bookr "Our Year" and included chronological pictures that imply the beginning of the school year through the end. I would have students create text that would highlight everything they've done this year.

Creative Commons Liscensing: The Many Ways to Share

Random wildflower by *Micky Attribution License

Creative Commons Liscensing allows photographers to indicate what types of uses to allow. All types of creative commons liscensing ensure creators receive credit for their work, allow creators to retain copyright while giving others the opportunity to use their work, and work internationally, lasting as long as applicable copyright lasts. When using Flickr, it's important to understand the different types of liscenses so users can determine which suits their needs.

One type of creative commons liscense is the Attribution Liscense. This means that others can use, distribute, modify and copy work (even commercially) as long as credit is given for original work and derivitive works that have been created. Attribution-Noncommercial Liscense allows people to use works under the same conditions as the Attribution Liscense, but commercial use is not allowed.

Attribution No-Derivs Liscense gives users the right to use, distribute, and copy only exact copies of the original work. Credit must be given and no changes can be made.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs is the most restrictive of the main liscenses. Users can download work to share, but commercial use is not allowed, no changes can be made, and credit must be given.

Attributions-ShareAlike Liscense lets others change and build upon work (even commercially) as long as they give credit and liscense their modified creations under the same terms. Any derivitives of the original work will have the same liscense. Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike Liscense is the same, but commercial use is not allowed.