Where do i begin?

I thought I knew a lot about a lot of stuff but this site has humbled me. There is a lot of information that at times I feel overwhelmed. Is there a rule as to how often one uses this site, either posting or participating in other forms. I'm comfortable right now with just exploring and reading material to familiarize myself with vocabulary and everything that's new. My intent with becoming a member is to keep myself informed and updated, as well as to network with other educators.

Monica

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Willems on August 3, 2009 at 1:43pm

I am also beginning by reading the information available and dipping my feet in slowly. As you wrap your mind around the information, it becomes easier and easier to actively participate. I know that you cannot add attachments until you have participated a certain amount here. It is a safe place to share and ask. That's what I really like about this site.

Jennifer
First Grade
Colorado

Permalink Reply by Ann Chappel on August 3, 2009 at 2:37pm

Monica,
I feel the same way. I was encouraged by reading a post on Edutopia (another great site) about exploring different social networks and using blogs and wikis for personal use this summer, so that's what I've been doing. I learn best by by using some of these digital mediums as my playground is helping familiarize myself.

Ann

Permalink Reply by jocelyne Lowe on August 3, 2009 at 8:20pm

Hi, Monica I'm new to this group also. I have had an opportunity to participate in some Webinars, that are really informative and very interesting. I missed one this past Saturday on Power Point and I was so upset. I signed in while they were signing out. I think I can go to the archives and either view it or read the transcript.

Permalink Reply by Cassandra Surles on October 12, 2009 at 12:38pm

Hello Jocelyne,

I am a newbie to this group and a 1st timer to social networking. In your reply to Monica, you recommended Webinars. What are they and how do I attend?

Thanks,

Cassandra (Undergraduate student, elementary education)

Permalink Reply by Darcie Priester on November 9, 2009 at 8:39am

Hi Cassandra,
There are several groups that do webinars, which is like an online workshop or class. Classroom 2.0 LIVE is one of them. I'm also a member of the Discovery Educator Network and they have webinars too.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Aida on August 3, 2009 at 9:39pm

Hi Monica, I am also new. I love this site. I have participated in 2 of the Webinars so far. I feel overwhelmed sometimes too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts everyone. Now I know that I am not the only one.
Aida

Permalink Reply by Monica Avalos on August 3, 2009 at 9:51pm

Thanks Jennifer, Ann, Jocelyn, and Aida for your replies. Yes, it helps to know I'm not the only one who's feeling a bit overwhelmed. This is the first summer that I've actually been off from teaching. I've not worked summer school nor attended university courses at all so I decided to use some time to search for networking sites such as this one. I also love this site and consider it a great tool. I've not attended any webminars but I have been attempting to read some of the other discussions. I actually found this site through twitter @cedpine, another site I consider a great networking tool.

Monica
Firs grade - bilingual.

Permalink Reply by Monica Avalos on August 3, 2009 at 10:19pm

Sorry, I misspelled the twitter RT. I follow @cedpaine.

Permalink Reply by Domingo Sanchez on August 4, 2009 at 5:22pm

Hi Monica, This is my first experience in this kind of environment. I am a little lost, but I can tell that there are many good options offered by classroom 2.0. I found information about this place in Wikipedia. I have to make a presentation about Technology in the classroom on Aug 13/09 for a group of ESL teachers and I was looking for some aditional information about the roll of modern technology inside the classroom. I am an ESL instructor at one of the NC high security prison. I am very happy to know about this site and I am expecting to learn a great deal. Nice to meet you!

Permalink Reply by Monica Avalos on August 4, 2009 at 9:53pm

Hi Domingo, nice to meet you as well. I am also looking for ways to incorporate technology in my classroom. I am not only new here, but new to the whole blogging world. I feel like a kid at the candy store. I got hungry for this type of knowledge when my district purchased a smart board for each school and I found that I not only didn't know they existed but I couldn't find much information about them. I hope this is the year that I introduce at least a small aspect of technology to my first graders.
Good luck with your presentation

Permalink Reply by Fran Riley on August 5, 2009 at 8:22am

Hi Monica,
I am a beginner, too. I've been teaching for 26 years-most of that time has been in K and 1st. I teach a regular ed first grade class with BSI (Basic Skills Instruction), ESL(English as a Second Language) and Advances Studies students. This summer my district offered a tech summer camp for four days. Elementary teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, supervisors and principals were represented. I was lucky enough to be part of the group. It was a wonderful experience. We had a brief taste of so many things-google docs, wikis, voice threads, podcasting, creating a social network... When it was over, my head was spinning but I was so excited to see the direction my district is taking. I have been trying to learn as much as I can. At times it is overwhelming because I want to do it all right now. I created a social network (ning) for the other first grade teachers in my district. I am going to introduce it to my grade level colleagues when school starts. I hope that we can use it as a communication tool to tell ideas, share lesson plans, post comments... do grade level planning. This summer Smartboards are being installed in our elementary classrooms so I am gathering as much info on interactive whiteboards. I saw that you've used one. How did you start? Do you have any favorite sites for the Smartboard? Fran

Permalink Reply by Monica Avalos on August 6, 2009 at 11:11pm

Hi Fran, nice to meet you. I haven't had time to log in here lately.
I have been teaching for about as long as you. I have taught pre-k, kg., currently 1st. and 2nd. However, I've only been in a public school system for the past 10 years. I took a math course this summer that gave me some websites that have smartboard activities. My use with smart boards was very minimal this year as our computer tech was not very knowledgeable about them and the staff didn't really receive much training, but here is one website that received from a math class I took this summer. It looks to be a good start. I'm hoping to integrate the smart more in my classroom this year. I'll share more sites soon. WOW! your tech summer camp sounds interesting.

www1center.k12.mo.us/edtech/everydaymath.htm

this site has some smartboard activities.