Making Movies!!!

I am sure that creating movies with computer programs is nothing new to you, but it is to me!! I have been playing with Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere at the University, and I love them!! I never realized that it was so easy!! You just drag and drop!! And I just realized last night that I have Windows Movie Maker on my laptop!! So I definately stayed up until 2am last night playing and making random movies. It was so much fun!! I have found a new way to put together pictures for my friends weddings now, instead of using power point!

Second Life

Today I got a quick glimpse into the world of Second Life. I just want to know why? Why would someone spend money on a virtual world. Why not use that money in the real world? Don't get me wrong, I love technology. I probably wouldn't survive very long without my computer and internet, and I enjoy playing games on my computer. But I would never become that involved in a game. I have seen some of my friends get completely wrapped up in the game World of Warcraft, which is in some ways similar to Second Life. They became so obsessed with the game that they would sit at home on evenings and weekends, and play. They would call in sick to work, and stay up until 3am just so they could play. Even though the internet gives us a world of possibilities, I think we need to be aware of where to draw the line.

My Productive Weekend

This past weekend was my most productive one to date. Between working, classes, and all my other stuff that I have to do, I never get a chance during the week to do homework, which is where my weekends come in! I literally locked myself in my office, and made myself work. I had planned on doing something fun on Saturday night for St. Patty's day, but when I looked at the clock and realized it was past midnight, I knew that there was no chance! I just keep thinking about the summer, and how I will have some semblance of a life! It's what keeps me going!! I'm almost done!!

The Dr. C & Elwood Podcast

Description: ADHD Specialist Dr. Sam Caron and Elwood, a puppet with ADHD discuss topics related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in an entertaining and informative way, and answer your questions! (taken straight from the home page)

This podcast is meant for parents, teachers and children to listen to. When I visited the site, there was only four podcasts up. The one I listened to was about Oppositional Defiance Disorder. The characters used simple language and explainations to explain ODD. I would definately use this podcast for students with ADHD or ODD. They are short, to the point podcasts, which are great for students with short attention spans. Here is the link for the page.

Hot Potatoes

In class today, we learned about a fun puzzle and quiz maker called Hot Potatoes. The following link is to a sample cloze activity that I did using the program.

http://education.uregina.ca/web/pfeifeje/threepigs.htm

Cell Phone Guns

I recently recieved an email about a new threat, cell phone guns. I am assuming that they are real. It looks like a regular cell phone, but by pressing the 5, 6, 7, & 8 buttons, you can fire .22 caliber rounds. I, like most people, get very annoyed when I am flying and security makes me turn on my electronic devices like my cell or camera, and prove that they work. Now I know why they do it. Technology is getting very scary. It won't be long before weapons will be so sophisticated that even x-raying them at an airport will not detect them.

Click here to see a website that talks about cell guns, and shows a video of a test fire.

Tellecolaborative Project

Site: Early Literacy
Grade Level: 1 & low level readers in grade 2
Subject: Language Arts
Description: A great resource for early grade teachers. A wiki would actually be perfect for this site, because the creators get input of strategies and resources from others teachers regarding early literacy.
How I Would Use It: I really like all of the strategies listed. They are strategies that teachers have used, so I know there is some merit to them. Of course the resource link is great because who doesn't love resources!!! My favorite part of the website is the listing of predictable books. It gives great suggestions for quality books that are great for use in the classroom.

Another Use For Technology

I found an interesting article on using YouTube here.

The article is about how a principal used YouTube to suspend two students after their fight was videotaped and posted on YouTube. There is also stories about authorities using YouTube to charge people as well. It's interesting to me that people would place videos of them committing crimes onto a website that can be viewed by anyone in the world at any time! Just another use for the internet!!

Lovin' The Free Internet Hook-Up

I just had to post a blog tonight. I am sitting in a hotel room with my lap top. I am working on an assignment, talking to friends on MSN, and searching for online journals at the same time. I absolutly love it! Not to mention the fact that the internet is free!! Just another example of technology and how much fun it can be!!

Welcome To March

Welcome to March everyone! All I can say is Holy Snow!! But I love it! Not really the driving part, though I do enjoy cruising down a street and wondering if I'm gonna make it through, it's like a game to me!! Call me crazy, but it's fun! Moving away from the snow, I just realized today that it's actually March and I now have 1 1/2 months left before I'm done!! It's my countdown!! And I found out a couple days ago that I am 99% in to the inclusive ed certificate. The only way I wouldn't be in is if I did not complete my ed degree. I really don't plan on spending 3 1/2 months in university to completely flunk out my last semester!!