Using Google Reader

I love using Google Reader to read classmates' blogs; it makes everything much easier to access. Before I felt comfortable using Google Reader I would fall back on the Google Doc from our very first class where we all had to create a blog and put our URL and name in the table. I went back to that document over and over again until I realized there was an easier way (there usually is, isn't there?). I finally discovered what everyone else already knew--that I can see at a glance what everyone is up to (and how far behind I am compared to my colleagues!). Once I started using Google Reader my life got a little easier. I try to keep up with everyone's blog, but I especially admire Brianna for creating a separate blog about cooking (click the link for this week's tasty recipe for Cheeseburger Egg Rolls). I try to follow that one, too. I also follow a high school friend's blog that I saw on Facebook: Tom Boutell's Innards.

Voice Thread

Our class was fortunate enough to experience first hand the voice thread tool a couple of weeks ago. As I was browsing through the site I found a really good example of not only utilizing that particular technology but also a tutorial for high school students on blogging. How fortuitous--a two-fer! Check it out:



I think this could certainly be used to introduce kids to voice thread as well as help them get their feet wet with blogging. I love it!

Google Reader

Good news! At long last (now that our class is about half over) I have finally figured out how to use and access Google Reader! I'm not sure why it didn't click the first class--or any subsequent classes--until recently. I couldn't figure out how to share my digital storyboard, so I did mine in PowerPoint instead. It wasn't until last week's virtual class where I had to figure it out for the assignment that the light bulb finally went off. Check out Megan's most recent blog post here where she talks about the importance of letting kids use trial and error to figure out how to do something new. That's exactly what I had to do before it sunk in. My dad used to say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well, look at that, Dad, this old dog has learned plenty of new tricks!




Image credit: Google images: kristinelowe.blogs.com