How they have developed their own Personal Learning Network (PLN) and how they intend to continue to grow (not necessarily adding tools to your PLN, but what tools have worked for you and might you continue to develop ) their PLN after the course has been completed. Recognize that not all tools work for all people. What tools work for you?

The tools that have worked for me were definitely Google Earth and the online photo album. I found that Google Earth is very easy to learn and there is so much that you can do with it. I know my students will be engaged when we do activities with Google Earth. I don't know everything about Google Earth so I want to explore everything this site has to offer. I hear about all the wonderful things that other teachers are doing, in the secondary level, and I want to do the same in third grade. As far as the photo album, I want to share photos with my students as a springboard for writing prompts or talking about details.
Even though I found some tools difficult, teachertube and voicethread, I would like to spend some time exploring them a little more. I think teachertube could be a great place to find some ideas to use in my classroom. I didn't spend much time on it, but I have heard great things about it so I am intrigued.
What I would like to do is have a Namaqua blog so my co-workers and I can just post ideas or frustrations since we don't get to talk to each other very often. I think it would be a good place to be open and honest in a safe place without criticism.

FINAL

How can/will you begin to use these tools with your students? How do you see one or more of these tools being used next semester with your students or for you professionally? How can Val or your tech coach get you to the next step or cross a hurdle that is preventing you from using these tools?

I have already started creating a virtual tour in Google Earth that goes with our Cycles on Earth and Space unit. There are so many fascinating things for my students to see that most have never seen before. I am trying to figure out how to add it to my promethean board so they can manipulate things as well. My teaching partner is also interested in finding out more about the virtual tours so I will spend some time teaching her how to use this great new tool!
I am also going to use several of the websites that were on Web 2.0. There was a particular site that had games for every subject. Those games could be used as whole group, small group, or individually depending on the purpose of the activity. I really liked this game site because we are heading into CSAP time and there isn't enough time for me to shove everything in by March, so using games once or twice a week will at least get them some exposure to certain skills.
Unfortunately, I don't see many of these tools being used by my students. Third graders aren't ready for this type of technology yet. What I can do, however, is expose them to as much as I think they can understand. I can show them Diigo and Delicious and tell them the purpose behind it. I can also share with them the web album and maybe we can create our own as a class. Just letting them know that there are other things on the internet besides games is beneficial.
Professionally I will use my Delicious account. I think it is a wonderful tool to keep track of my sites and view others as well. Diigo was difficult for me to manuever so I added it to my Delicious account.
I really don't know what the tech coach or you could help me with at this moment. I guess just knowing that I can email you or go to my coaches when I do need help is what I need right now.

I have enjoyed getting to try out these new tools on the web. The one I have enjoyed the most is Google Earth. That one is the most applicable to me and my students. It was the easiest for me to learn and create. There are so many things that I want to do with Google Earth. I have already shared what I created with my teaching partner. She has used this tool, but didn't know that you could make a virtual tool. She just thought you could view certain places, one at a time. We have already talked about different ways we want to this tool.

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