Recent Changes

Design your website!
NOTE: If you already have a web site, you are still expected to complete the assignment. Talk with the instructors about options for completion.
Completed project
I already have a professional website through our district's home page. I will design another one using Weebly to tell the story of our Guatemala Trip.
(http://www.becker.k12.mn.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=310&sc_id=1189571532)
I chose to use Weebly after looking at Google sites, Yola, and Blogger because it is very easy to use and has the capabilities I need. I made a website to tell the story of our service trip to Guatemala. After the experience I had with Googling myself I decided to be very careful about using people's full names until and unless I get permission from them. My intended audience is my students and colleagues. I wanted to be able to demonstrate how you can tell a story or show the results of a research project with a website. I chose a number of different types of pages so that I had an example of a photo album, a slideshow and video. I also made a hyperlink, linked to another website, and imbedded maps.
This is the link:
http://helpsguatemala.weebly.com/

¨ PERSONAL REFLECTION
My most important learning/insight/piece of advice as a result of completing this assignment (several paragraphs). Note: This is a different reflection than the REFLECTION PAPER assignment listed in the assignments section of the course
This is the UbD Unit. The reflection paper to accompany it will follow shortly.

One disadvantage to taking a course as an individualized study is you miss out on the advantages of social knowledge construction. However, social media and other connective technologies allow us to create for ourselves a social learning experience even in a class of 1. Networked learning challenges our traditional notions of teaching and learning. We promised an immersive experience---here's your chance to take a dip in the bracing waters of networked learning and PLNs. Your mission is to create a Twitter account, follow a group of passionate educators and commentators, listen to their conversation...and see what you learn from it. Remember the cocktail party analogy? Here's your chance to by a fly on the wall in a virtual room full of smart educators.
Steps:
6. EXTRA CREDIT: Post a tweet or two of your own. Be brave. Be funny. Share something. Venture beyond our starter list and follow some other people.
We'll discuss our Twitter Tracker findings on Wednesday night and share some more ideas for using this for professional learning.
OK, I did it. I have yet to be convinced that Twitter is valuable but I will give it a try. At first blush it seems pretty trivial. But it may be the first step in opening some doors.
http://twitter.com/potentialoak

THE PROMPT: Post your reflections about digital footprints, the realities of having an online presence, and implications for yourself and your students. No need to be too polished or profound; half-baked or unfinished ideas are fine. We're looking to spark your thinking here.
For more information about starting a blog visit: http://www.goodhue.k12.mn.us/school242/genie224/images/files/9-1blogs.html
My blog can be found at http://kwiant-reflections.blogspot.com/2011/04/student-centered-classroom.html

Design your website!
NOTE: If you already have a web site, you are still expected to complete the assignment. Talk with the instructors about options for completion.
I already have a professional website through our district's home page. I will design another one using Weebly to tell the story of our Guatemala Trip.
(http://www.becker.k12.mn.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=310&sc_id=1189571532)

1. Take some time to explore some of the resources on the following site about Social Networking in Education: http://connectivistlearning.pbworks.com/w/page/31769681/Social-Networking. You may find a useful community to join.
2. Write a brief reflection on the use of online networks for professional learning.

The Digital Backpack is a directory of free online tools that I try to maintain once every couple of months. Please take some time to explore the resources I have in there and find two or three tools that might suit your practice.
Also, use these tools to help you complete course projects and assignments.