Threaded discussion, webquests and social bookmarking

I do enjoy threaded discussions. I am a person that likes to take my time and I do not like to be rushed. Threaded discussions help me to be able to look at someones' thoughts on my own time and think about whether I'd like to respond or not. I don't think it is something I could use right now with my ESL students simply because I only pull a few students at a time. If I had a classroom or a larger group of students, I would utilize this piece of technology by taking the kids to the lab and posing a question to them. I think it would give students a real reason to write and be extremely motivating for them.

Today was my first experience with webquests. I feel very inadequate so far because I feel I haven't invested the time needed to really explore webquests. Today was the first time I've even looked at one. I like the way they are set up and how they deal with different aspects of learning and the process. I will use webquests in my classroom from now on. I can see these being used with my kinderartners all the way to my 5th graders. Webquests will be good for my young students because many webquest incorporate real photos of what we would be learning about and this is wonderful for those still learning basic vocabulary.

I am working on a webquest for my 5th grade students because they study the revolutionary war and this past year we took the time to read different genres that pertain to the war. I found a webquest today that incorporates different activities that center on the study of a famous person of the war. I can use many of the ideas in my own webquest. I love the idea of a bio poem. This is a great way of integrating technology with what I'm already doing. I can see it spicing up my research with my students.

I'd also never heard of social bookmarking. It sounded like women getting together to make bookmarks for a book or something. I do use my bookmarks and and my favorites and I thought this is a great way to take them with me when I'm away from my computer!!!

I think this is a great idea to show students how to keep up with their favorite sites. You could also have a class develop a social bookmark together, that way, if students have time on the computer they know exactly where to go and you as the teacher can monitor a link before it's added to the site.