Instructional Unit

This was the hardest assignment for me this year. Once I had the idea of the project that I wanted to do, the rest just fell into place! At first I had no idea what to do. Then I remembered doing a video in 9th grade on school rules, and I really enjoyed it. Once I got the idea to do a presidential campaign, every side project came to mid, as it tied in with the big project.

Voice Thread

This project, again, was a ton of fun. I think this would be a good way for classrooms to have discussions with eachother. In a hostory class I took online, the teacher would often have us read about something and post our comments on a blog, this would be a good way to comment with people in a class about a picture or a written letter or something.

I also think it would be great in a classroom to use as a discussion place, it could give more shy students a way to participate without feeling too uncomfortable! (especially if they can type in comments!)

Online Storybook

I hope this works...I had a lot of problems with panraven. I didn't like that you could not choose the layout of the picture. It also took a long time for the photos to upload. Also, the buttons did not show up whiel editing, so I have to just move the cursor until it made a selecting hand and hope that I was adding the text that I wanted.I don't know if I would use this in younger classes, it is a little complex and I think that there are too many glitches. It might be a fun project for older student, though.

Flickr Slide Show

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


This was a lot of fun to do! I think I am going to give some family members a link to this blog, so they can see it.
I am not sure how I would use this while teaching though. I guess I could do something like we are doing, and have the children doa sense of place project. It may be fun to have students take cameras with them on a field trip and do a slide show with discriptions of thier field trip.
I think this was fairly easy to use, and I may end up using flickr in the future!

Sense of Place Poster

Again, this was such a fun project. It's a great way to get children involved and excited about doing school work. Since it is like a comic book, I am sure children would love making something like this. I really think this would be a good assignment as a movie poster to advertise a movie that they will make in class. It could also be useful for a class project for the carnival advertising the activities that will occur in their classroom.

Digital Video

This was so fun to make! I just had a great time. I will definitely do this for projects in my classes! It will also make a nice Christmas and end of the year gift for my future students! I hope you enjoy watching this.

Politics.. I am confused!

I am so unsure about who to vote for this year... I go through this every election!
It's so hard for me to tell who is telling the truth and who is giving lip service. Watching debates doesn't help, because the issues aren't really addressed, it's just basically a time for politics to trash each other.
Here's what I have gathered about Obama:
He might bring about the change we need, especially in the Education department! He could probably figure out a way to get the schools more money. And he would start the beginnings of public health care. (My brother has been living with a hernia for over two years because he can't afford insurance or surgery!) On the other hand, I am not sure of his loyalties!!! Is he really that loyal to America? And can I really trust what he says? He is so Charismatic, that I can't believe half of what comes out of his mouth. I also worry that he doesn't have enough experience in politics (which could actually be a good thing)
John McCain. I know I can trust his loyalties, he is American, through and through. But is he loyal to the American people, or to the way the system is now? I worry about the schools under his presidency, that things would remain as they have under the Bush administration. I also worry that his age will keep him from being connected with the younger Americans. I also worry about relationships between America and other countries under his leadership!

I am so undecided right now, I just don't know what to do! Maybe I'll just pray.