Thing 11 Google Sites

Using google sites to create websites will be great in the classroom. Students can learn about art and artists through a wide array of resources. I need to work on getting computers for my students in the art room. I am sure students would need monitored when sifting through the sites. I enjoyed learning how to make the website but it was a challange to collect all the information and I seem to have messed up my computer several times trying to retrieve items, etc. It's been interesting!

Thing 10 Google Presentations

I need to learn more about the process so I can utilize these fun things in my classroom. I know the students would love to see their art work displayed over the computer. The process is a bit complicated but with lots of practice it might become easier to manage. There are many opportunities for presentations in the classroom by students and for students.

Thing 8 Google Docs

I can see where shared documents can be useful with staff. Developing forms and sharing information for newsletters, etc. It seems to be a quick way to gather information from others. I could gather the information needed on or for students but I don't think they would be part of the "creating"process at their level but I could gather information from them and enter it into the document.

Thing 13 Instant Messaging

I have had lots of fun with "instant messaging" and I really like the "shared" calendar. I use calendars all the time and I would use it for work and with my family and friends.

Thing 16 Geocaching

Geocaching is probably something I wouldn't enjoy doing. There seems to be quite a cost factor involved (wouldn't a compus work?) and I am not the "outdoorsy type". I am sure the kids would like it but seriously I get lost finding my car in the parking lot. Left and right I understand but actual directions of north and south throw me off. I would have everyone "lost".

Thing 5 Social Bookmarking

Social Networking could be useful in the classroom as a means to keep students connected with one another.

Thing5 Delicious

I think this is an awesome way to bookmark items and information. Important information can be available at a glance. I like how the "popular" sites are easy to find and "tagging" these sites by "words" that have meaning to me will hopefully make them easier to find.

A disadvantage would be to have "too many" search words or if selected words don't relate to the topic. I marked several areas pertaining to Art Education.

Thing 15 Google Earth

I selected four locations from Google Earth for my Art Program: Sturges Young Auditorium, Carnegie Center, Open Door Gallery and the Louve Museum. These locations are great resources for my art students.

Thing 7 Skype

I had used Skype in the past but I wasn't the person that set it up nor did I understand what I was doing. It was available to me as a way to communicate to my family while I was out of the country. I wish I had known more about Skype while it was available to me; I would have used it more often.
I can see the many benefits of having Skype for personal and educational purposes. Students could connect with pen pals and have classroom to classroom conversations all around the world.
Skype to Skype is free and the minimal monthly fee for Skype to anyone is quite affordable.