Google Forms Survey & Result Spreadsheet

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&pli=1&formkey=dGZGbXQyc1FtV2kxRkpxSnRmenV2WGc6MQ#gid=0

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AlJKrPPYIoW6dGZGbXQyc1FtV2kxRkpxSnRmenV2WGc&hl=en

Instructional Video

Uploading Images from Picasa

Beautiful Fall colors

BYU vs. USU Football Game!

frozen pond behind the house.

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Safe Blogging 101

Being a safe blogger is one of the most important things to remember in a day and age where hackers and identity theft are so prevalent. Some guidelines to being a safe blogger include the following:
1. Never give out personal information: While this may seem like a common sense rule it's surprising how many people give out personal information through a blog. It is extremely dangerous because you never know who may find or come across your blog. If someone who can steal your identity does, then the information will easily fall into their hands. It's just as important too I think to not reveal too much information about friends or relatives. A simple first name or even changing a first name I believe is the best way to go and the best way to keep everyone safe.
2. Assume what you post on the Web is permanent: My sister has had personal experience with this. She has posted before about a boss who then read the postings. It is so important to remember that anyone can read, print out or save a blog post no matter what security measures you may take. Even if you choose to go back and delete a post, someone may have already accessed it and printed or saved it. This is why it's important to always consider what you post carefully and to be sure you are posting positive things that you will not regret having posted later. It's also important again, to not post any future plans etc. because that information could also fall into the wrong hands even if you go back and delete it.
3. Never post provocative pictures: This is another crucial element is photos. Clearly one should carefully inspect each photo because it can fall into the wrong hands too if someone takes it from your blog. However, it's also important to scan backgrounds of photos, information that may be in the photo because if someone see's it they could get upset, make arguments or possibly take legal action. I think everyone should look and review photos so carefully before posting on the blog.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/family-safety/blogging.aspx
4. Limit your audience: This is another guideline I think that everyone should take seriously. If one is blogging for the purpose of a business or to spread news etc., then sure leave the blog open and private, however for any personal bloggers I would highly recommend upping the privacy settings. For instance, my blog is only readable to those who email me and I approve. This is the same with many of my friends blogs. It's a great safety measure and a great way to ensure that the information will have a better chance of not falling into the wrong hands.
http://www.eff.org/wp/blog-safely

The Pedagogy of Blogs

Blogs are a wonderful teaching resource that can be used in the classroom now. With the various educational blogs that are out there, parents can be more involved with student's and what they learn in the classroom. It is also a great tool and way for students to learn about and how to use various technology. For instance the sixth graders at Oak Ridge use a blog and it's used for them to explore the Internet, comment and the best part is the teacher posts assignments there as well. I think as a teacher I would love to have a class blog. It would be great to help students make postings related to various subjects we are studying and a wonderful way to not only keep parents informed but to receive feedback in the comments form. Of course teaching the children how to blog is a great tool they will surely use in their future. the 2M Gems blog also posts various announcements for students and parents and posts videos of things that have gone on in class. It's great to see so much student involvement in the blog versus a blog that is run solely by the teacher.


http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=65078

http://oakridgesixthgrade.edublogs.org/about/
http://www.2mgems.blogspot.com/

Batik

In class we got to Batik. It is a really fun process and even though the paint bled on mine I still think the process is a wonderful one to use with students or at home. I chose to do a big sun in the middle of my fabric because my name is Summer and so it fit perfectly.

Wire Sculpture as a 2nd Language Learner

In class this week we made wire sculptures. The trick though was all of us but one had a special need. I was a 2nd language learner so I got the instructions for the project in sign language. The only words we came up with were cat and monster so I created a cat-fish. It was very hard to understand but the whole event definitely gave us great insight into students who have special needs that we will encounter in our classrooms.