Usefulness with tools learned so far

I have enjoyed playing with both the google reader and the podcasting. These are tools I can definitely use in both of my classes- health/PE. Podcasting for sending instructions verbally to students so they have a clear understanding of specific instructions- possible upcoming assignments and assessment expectations. The google reader would be useful to allow department members to have access to various sites that could be used for their classes. Great collaborative tool!

Joan

Web 2.0 review

I found the web 2.0 another great tool to find information. Being a health and PE teacher this would be useful in finding new information and accessing educational tools, ie- calorie counters for my classes. I found an interesting website called iMedix, which is a free website that allows participants to share and learn about health information. Again instant connection to topics for my health class.

Joan Finch

RSS feeds

Found the task of creating a RSS feed very interesting. I had no idea what RSS feeds were, but I will definitely use them. Great Shortcut. I like the idea of creating a list of useful websites for my PE dept. so all members of my dept. will have access to topics that the teachers can use for their classes.

Social Networking

Upon reading the article Social Networking, I thought about all the ways we are able to communicate with each other, but somehow we still find ourselves not communicating enough. I work for a high school that places all homework assignments, grades, important updates, etc. on the web and I still have students tell me that they did not know what they were suppose to do for their homework or what their grade is in a specific class. The social networking systems as stated in the article are becoming "an evolution in human social interaction" My concern with that statement is "are we really interacting with each other" All these systems do not show the facial expressions , tone of voice, mannerism, etc. that truly show what another is feeling or portraying. I understand there is a great purpose to all this social networking, but it can have it's negative points, also.

Web, Library and Teen Services 2.0 Article

As a high school teacher I am always on the hunt for new ways to stimulate the learning process of my students. These new technological advances have developed new and exciting ways for our children to learn information. Therefore, I found this article informative and interesting. We all know that today's children enjoy computers and have a knowledge of computers that go beyond their parent's. So if we can use these technological tools to teach and inform why not use them in our classrooms. The Library 2.0 could be used in many acedemic fields in developing new and more innovative learning lessons. Podcasting and gaming can reach beyond the standard essay assignment and make it more interactive with the student and their peers. Teen Services 2.0 provides an opportunity for new software and networking systems to be developed with the understanding of teens as the focus. Listening to the needs of teens and adapting tools to meet their needs have an invaluable purpose.

Technology Related Interests

This week one technology related interest is the use of twitter. Twitter is everywhere. You see it on the news, as a way to communicate with the news reporters. The one thing that interests me the most regarding the use of twitter is the idea that people like to comunicate their every move. Personally, I do not like the idea of people knowing everything I am doing. However, I do see it's usefulness in keeping people connected for quick reponse purposes. For instance, a family member has an important event happening and you want to keep other family members up to date on what is going on. This networking system can make it easy for you to let others know what is going on without making several phone calls or emails.

Jordan's Graduation

My son's graduation from Garces High School on May 18th at the Civic Auditorium in Bakersfield, Callifornia. Pictured from left to right Joan Finch, Justin Finch, Julianne Finch, Jordan Finch(graduate), and Jeff Finch. Mom, Joan, is dressed in the faculty robe and cap. Hopefully next year she will be wearing the master's degree robe.

new blog

Welcome to my new blog!

Joan Finch

Technology in Kinesiology