epals

The aspect of epals that I found to be the most intriguing and useful is that of the classroom projects collaboration option.  I have been told throughout this program that the best resource in education is other teachers.  We have been encouraged to collaborate, share ideas, and branch out of our comfort zone.  Epals allows for this collaboration to take place on a larger scale than is possible just within your own school or district.  Lessons are posted, complete with standards, for your perusal.  Teachers are also offered a forum in which to discuss lesson ideas, questions, or suggestions.  It is the ideal resource for a new teacher, who may be looking for lesson ideas and unsure of where to turn to.  All in all, it is a great resource for all teachers, new or veteran!

Using Flickr in the Classroom

Flickr can be very useful in the classroom.  It is a way to utilize photographs in lessons, while teaching students about attribution and plagiarism. It also provides a safer way for students to peruse pictures online, as opposed to using something like Google, which may turn up inappropriate and undesired responses.  Another fun thing to do with Flickr and your class would be to start a classroom Flickr account, to share things that the class is doing throughout the year.





One great Flickr tool that I found helpful was Bubblr.  This site allows you to create comic strips using pictures from Flickr.  I think that this is a great tool to use in the classroom, because it allows students to be creative, and using their storytelling abilities, through the use of images.

Share It, But Attribute It! -Using Flickr Properly

What you need to know about copyrighted work before you use Flickr:


Attribution:  Others may copy, distribute, display and perform your copyrighted work, and other works based on it, but this is contingent on them giving you credit for what they use.

Noncommerical:  Others may copy, distribute, display, and perform your work, and works based on it, but this is contingent on it being used for noncommerial purposes only.

No Derivative Works: Others may copy, distribute, display and perform only verbatim copies of your work, not derivative works based upon it.

Share Alike:  Others are allowed to distribute derivative works, but only under a license identical to the license that governs your work.