Thing 10: Creative Commons

I can definitely see the potential use of Creative Commons.  The purpose of collaborating is parallel to the ideals of 21st century teaching.  I would love to explore other teachers’ utilization of this tool.

Now that I know what Creative Commons is, I do recognize the CC logo from websites, although I cannot think now where I’ve seen them.  I use digital, audio and video clips in teaching some.  I would like to use them more.  One of my goals for 21st century teaching is to research usable websites and other resources to create a working, usable database.  Now I will know how certain things have been produced.  Knowing the end helps me visualize the means.  From that, I can think and brainstorm about the possibilities of all the steps to get there.  Although, with creative commons, there is essentially no end.  There can be infinite responses, changes, additions, etc.  Students would love that freedom in whatever shape it takes.

I do not share my creations on the web, simply because I have never thought about it.  Increasingly, this school year, I have used other teachers’ creations, but never thought about reciprocating.  Any potential negatives would be the result of irresponsible people going inappropriate things with online content.  Or, content created as a result of editing, etc. becomes unrecognizable from the original piece and now the last person in a string of changes can claim the work for his own with Restricted Rights.  This may pose a problem.

Thing 7a: Experiencing RSS

Searching for blog sites to add to my reader, I found this great site for second graders.  Its an ongoing list of websites that are age-appropriate, interactive, and engaging.  There is a wide range of subject areas and the games are easily followed and quick.  Most have different levels, which I like because students can learn to self-assess.  If they find something that’s too easy, they can move up a level, or if its too hard and didn’t receive a good score, they can try again.  This is so great for me and I can’t wait to share it with my colleagues.  This is the kind of thing that I have a hard time finding the time to research, but this blog has already done the work for second grade curriculum.

Thing 5- RSS

I found an article from Infinite Thinking Machine about the freedom to choose books.  It seems that banned books have taken on a genre of their own.  I have no previous knowledge of banned books.  Who is in charge of this list?  At what reading level do books start being banned?  Lots of questions for the virtue of ‘freedom to read‘ at an elementary level.  But what I really found interesting and ‘right up my alley’ was the second half of this blog, which was a list and summary of several different websites that students can use during reading time at school.  I have had this awkward struggle recently with the utilization of computers in my classroom.  I have 4 computers and 21 kids.  How do I manage fair share of these computers?  Equal time?  Equal opportunity?  I have limited time in the classroom and often pull kids in during recess to finish assignments or assessments on the computer.

We need literacy specialists offering professional development in schools to also include strategies that integrate reading digital media.

I hear this loud and clear and I am trying.  I have come to the conclusion that this will take time and I need to be patient.  I am excited to research these suggested websites.