Week Two- Setting Up a Blogger Account

If you haven't done so already, you need to make sure you have selected your track for the lab section of this course. Please visit http://goo.gl/x9Rbj and complete the form to reserve your position in the respective track.

If you have signed up for TRACK #1, please complete your background check/fingerprinting as soon as possible.

You will need a Google account for access to many tools in lab. To sign up for an account, please follow the steps below:

A Google Account will give you access to a variety of Google products, including Docs, Calendar, Blogger, YouTube and many more. To create a Google Account, follow these steps:

1. Visit the account creation page.
2. Enter your current email address. (not your MSU account)
3. Choose a password. Read our tips on choosing a smart password
4. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the email sent to your inbox.
   When creating an account, please keep these guidelines in mind:
   
   
   • Don't re-use your password on other sites across the web. Learn more about choosing a smart password.
   • Creating a Google Account doesn't automatically give you Gmail. However, you can sign up for Gmail by visiting the Gmail homepage and clicking the Sign up for Gmail link under the sign-in box. If you're interested in learning more about Gmail, please visit the About Gmail page.

Google Docs:




Blogger:

Week Four-Create and Collaborate

This week we will explore a few online tools:

1. Google Maps
2. Google Earth
3. Google Lit Trips
4. Google SketchUp
5. Google Sites
6. Google Picasa
7. Picnik
8. Google ArtProject
9. Diigo

You will be placed in groups to research/evaluate each tool.

In your group you will then use this template to create a presentation that you and your group members will work collaboratively to complete.

You and your group will present your findings to your peers.

Copyright and Fair Use

http://copyrightconfusion.wikispaces.com/

Copyright Confusion

Week One- Starting Off Slowly

This week's lab was our first meeting in Reid 425. We had an extended discussion about our Track #1 and Track #2 options.

Remember that Track #1 will require you to visit schools on Tuesday's and Thursday's to assist with an after school program that we have labeled "Tech Club and Keyboarding". You will be asked to visit your assigned school four times throughout the course of the semester. Upon doing so, you will be working with elementary students from 3:30-4:30PM. Upon completion of your time in schools, you will be asked to provide group presentations reflecting upon your field experiences.

Track #2 is labeled the "Mini-Teach" project. Students will peer select groups who will then work on a group research project which will culminate with the group teaching their classmates how to use the technology integrated into a content rich lesson. These groups will also be asked to develop a Wiki to store and share resources that are aligned with their research project.

We explored the anatomy of a Google search and compared search results from various search engines. We discussed how searches are conducted and what to look for to validate informatio

n that is found on web searches. We used the following sites as examples

of web pages that contain information that may not be valid:

• Martin Luther King
• Male Pregnancy
• Northwest Tree Octopus

We used a simple method of reviewing online information:

5 A’s

1. Authority
1. does the author have credentials to be an expert on this information
2. Authorship
1. how is this written...slant, grammer, basic writing
3. Accuracy
1. information true, relevant, and up to date...
2. can you find sources that are real and relevant
4. Appropriateness
1. age and development appropriate
5. Accessibility
1. content readily available.

Remember, a good website evaluation resource is available on page 15 of your lab manual.

Looking Ahead:

Next week we will begin exploring some of the free Google tools. If you have not already done so, please create your free Google account by following this link: http://goo.gl/Vov3

See you all next Thursday!