closed

Although I have enjoyed this class and creating this blog, the end has come. Class is over. And this blog is now closed.

Things I Have Learned in This Class

What have I learned in this class? Oh so much. First off, never in a million years would I have thought I'd produce a website from scratch. I've done myspace where you are pretty much directed through the process, but never anything so complicated or rewarding as creating one from scratch. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed making the trifold brochure. I have plans to make a brochure to use as a welcome letter in my own classroom. Parents get so many sheets of paper on the first week of school, and I think a brochure with all of the pertinent information and pictures would get the kids excited and not be thrown in the trash before it's read.

iGoogle

Ok, I have to make a confession. I am addicted to iGoogle. Not only am I addicted, but I have my 11 and 12 yr. old sons addicted as well. And the sad thing is I haven't even scratched the surface of what it has to offer.
My favorite thing I added was the Today's Reason to Drink. I know that sounds silly, but it actually offers interesting facts each day. Did you know that today is National Daiquiri Day? And one day last week I found out that since weather has been recorded, it has never rained in a small town in Oregon on that particular day. Interesting indeed.
I also added Live Weather. I like to know what the weather in Mobile is going to be like for the day and week. I usually go to weather.com, but having it all on my iGoogle page makes it much easier.
A feature my 12 yr. old and I both like is the How to Of the Day. The other day my son said he wanted to make a kartisian diver out of a ketchup pack. I wondered where in the world he would get an idea like this and he quickly pointed out his iGoogle page.
Another feature my 12 yr. old added to his page and is his favorite is Bama Online. Being a huge Alabama fan, he can get all the latest information on his favorite football team.
I love Interesting Photos of the Day. These pictures can be used in a classroom to give the children something to write about. There are some beautiful and thought provoking pictures there. It's one everyone should check out.
I could really go on and on about iGoogle. I've even gotten my sister and her husband hooked on it. I can't wait to further explore it's full potential. I know I will use iGoogle for many years.
Thank you Dr. Strange for introducing me to it!

My Website Comments

You can leave any and all comments about my website here. I know there are no paragraphs for Panama and I've fixed that. Please let me know if you see anything I've missed.
Thank you!!!!

Spreadsheets in the Classroom

Spreadsheets are being used often in today's classrooms. When I was in school we would use bar graphs and pie charts written by hand. Today the information can be typed into a computer and the computer produces a spreadsheet or chart. If a change needs to be made, the program will automatically recalculate and draw a new graph.
Spreadsheets are used to help a student visualize data patterns. In the classroom teachers can use them for calendars, class lists, and behavior charts. Students can make spreadsheets to collect, organize, and report data. Something as simple as comparing what types of pizza the students like can be put into a spreadsheet. Anything you can do to help a student visualize what he's learning helps him to learn.
One great site I found with tons of information on using spreadsheets in the classroom was by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.