Flickr - Thing #7

As I explored Flickr, I chose the keyword "Flowers" because I love capturing pictures of flowers in all sorts of views and angles... it's beautiful! Exploring Flickr was super easy and fun. It was hard to choose just a couple of pictures.




I found a photo uploaded by 'JamesMarie2009' that was taken at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. This view of a poppy field is just breathtaking.




http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmarie2009/3932033321/



I also found another image that literally made me gasp out loud when I saw it. It is so pretty and happens to be my favorite color (purple). This photo was uploaded by 'chrisk8800.' The description written under the photo says, "Fresh flowers packed in a box at a flowershop in Copenhagen." I love that it is a top view.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/26081675@N06/3932059093/

Picnik - Thing # 6

The site that I explored is Picnik.com. The main thing that I like about this site is that you don't have to register to use it. No signing in, no questionaire your first time, nothing! All you have to do is click "Get Started Now!" and you're ready to go. Sure, a lot of things like this are free on the internet, but usually you have to register with an e-mail address. Also, a lot of the time the site will just send you unwanted junk e-mails that you never read. I've never personally used this site until now, but my little sister uses it to edit her photos for facebook and myspace. It makes the pictures look great! This site is very simple to use. Everything is right there in your face on the screen in big letters so there is really no way you can go wrong! I can see this beneficial to a classroom setting in one very cool way. After you've uploaded some pictures onto the site, you can click on the library tab at the top and create a collage. This would be a very fun and creative art project that I'm sure any student would love to do! I've just recently gotten a facebook so I'm definitely going to start using this site, it's great!


http://www.picnik.com/

Web 2.0 - Thing #5

What does "School 2.0" mean to me?

-I understand "School 2.0" as the new phase of the internet that is easy access for anyone. Today anyone can get online and easily figure out how to blog and communicate back and forth with one another about anything they wish. Now, people can educationally network with each other and blog about school, assignments, projects, homework, etc. on the internet with just a few clicks!

What does it mean for schools of the future?

-For future schools, Web 2.0 could be used for many things! Today, we have 21st century classrooms emerging in many schools and it's growing fast. This helps teachers to move beyond lecturing and gets them interacting with the students on various levels. Also, teachers and students could set up blogs like this one to discuss topics in the classroom. Maybe instead of book work for homework some nights students could blog about their opinions on the topic. I know that I would much rather get on the internet (which is considered fun for most kids and teenagers) to do homework rather than stare at questions in a book. This would be a great way for receiving feedback from the students to see how much they've really learned!

Thing #2

I decided to use my real name for my blog title and posting name. I just wanted it to be simple and me. This blog was quite simple for me to create. This is because I took several computer classes in high school and continue to work with computers everyday. The avatar that I have created is as close of a reflection of myself that I could make. The style for her is just a simple solid colored shirt (purple, because it's my favorite color) and some sleek black pants. This type outfit is suitable for most any occasion and that's how I like to dress. As I said before, I wanted my blog name, posting name, and avatar to reflect exactly who I am.

Lifelong Learning Habits - Thing #1

I would have to say for me that the easiest lifelong habits would have to be habit seven and seven and a half. I work as a tutor at the Advantage Learning Center in Clarksville and it seems to come pretty naturally to me. I love to help others out and see the success that I can instill in them. Also, I love to play games and have fun while learning.

On the other hand, I think I may have difficulty with habit number four. Sometimes it is hard for me to have confidence in myself. I seem to get so easily discouraged at times. Until I am positive that whatever I am doing is going to be a success, I may have doubt.

Learning how to use the Web 2.0 tools hasn't been difficult for me at all. I took several computer/business classes in high school and am proficient in such things. I usually am quite good with technology and I figured this website within minutes. I like doing things on computers and the internet so this blog has been a cool thing for me to get to do.

Becoming a Teacher thus far...

Hey everyone! I'm Rachel Lauren Morris and I am a sophomore at Austin Peay this year. Even though I have only taken a few of my education classes this far in my schooling, I am really enjoying it! I have always had a passion for working with younger children. I can't wait to see what my future career in teaching holds for me.