Finally the end...err beginning......

I now have a lot of really cool tools and tricks that I can use everyday in my classroom. I learned about a lot of new sites and gadgets but also some tricks about things I already used. Now I would like to sit down and really organize my toolbar and all the bookmarking sites I have to make them cohesive yet not repeating.  The sky really is the limit and I can make a world of a difference now with these resources.  At first the class seemed like a nonsense class that wouldn't really help but I have learned many extremely useful things that I may have been lost without.  The only thing I would change is the way things are assigned.  The assignments themselves were great but I'd like more cooperative learning and group work.

I plan to blog and read blogs to add information to my bookmarking sites at least once a week.  In a year and a half when I graduate, I should have a numerous amount of resources already in the palm of my hand.

Thing #23

AT the bottom of the 23 Tings home page there is a disclaimer that says, "*Note: This project is loosely based upon the website 43Things (which allows you to set and track personal goals) and the Stephen Abram article titled 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006)." This tell me straight forward that it was taken from Stephen Abram's 43 Things and where it says loosely based upon, it tells us that it has been modified. I think Creative Commons can be taught when explaining cheating and how it affects the other person. You could use a set of graded papers and switch the names. When the students complain that it was their paper but someone else's name and grade you can relate it to creative commons.

Thing #22

I love this site. I have a little difficulty at first but then I figured it out. I thought as you add things you could under one tab. So I sat there with one link and one tab for like 10 minutes. I wish there was a way to embed files. There may be and I just haven't found it yet. I will be definitely using this for other things as well. I will use this to plan for lessons and discipline and the set up for my classroom. I can also share with other teachers and we can help each other out.

Random Tips, Tricks, & Ideas

Thing #21

This is my first time with something like this and it is absolutely ingenious. I love it. It really personalizes slide shows even though you don't personally do it. I loved how easy it was and how well it ran. We could definitely use this to share pictures or videos from field trip, events, and happenings. This is great for end of the year parties or going-away parties. I am definitely going to use this and may even pay for the larger videos.

Make your own slide show at Animoto.

Thing #20

I chose a video from a group called historyteachers. They use common songs and create parodies to teach history lessons. They are awesome and the students love them. Since teachers made them they are clean and focus around standards for the most part. YouTube is a really great site once you become experienced. I think an advanced search should be added as an option because there have been several times when I couldn't find a video yet it was still there. I do like how you can create a favorite playlist. I plan on sitting down one day and creating a playlist for each subject area. That way when I begin to teach I will have several resources and seem cool ;-)

Thing #19

I surfed The Gather and found it rather interesting.  It had more intelligent conversations than "what I found in my shower drain".  It also offers opportunities to debate on controversial topics.  It isn't fun to debate with someone you care about because it gets personal and emotional.  However, you are free to speak your mind on The Gather.
     I also checked out Ning but found out you have to pay.  It looks really interesting and once I have a real job, I may fork out the money to become a part of some groups.

The TeacherPop website was cool.  I'll have to spend some time and add people and reach out to some to really get the full experience.  I did reach out to Tonya Haley and commented on her page.  I also tried to embed the Ning badge.  Let's hope it work :-)



Visit TeacherPop

Thing #14

     The first website I tried was Bubbl.us and created a mind map.  I made a map for my Reading 4050 class.  I used the characters in a book and showed how they related to the protagonist.  A mind map primarily shows relationships.

      Next I used Gliffy to create a flow chart off events during an accident in this same story.  A flow chart shows a succession of ideas.  The experience was extremely easy and actually quite enjoyable.  Both charts were easily exported and then I uploaded here as images.  I initially chose these two because I figured with their names they would either be easy or amusing.  They were both easy.
   

Thing #13

I created an account in Zoho and ,surprisingly before this assignment, had never heard of it.  It seems to be just like Microsoft.  It is simple and the user interface is easily observable and usable.  The main thing I love is that you can save it and convert to any format.  This will make life so much easier!!  Like, it even converts to word which is forbidden for any other document. 
     I already have a GoogleDocs account but rarely use it.  Many times I have uploaded a document only to have it weirdly manipulated into a weird layout.  After that point I have to find the original and start over.  However, if you create the document in GoogleDocs, many people can edit and add to the same document.  This can be helpful is a child gets sick during group work or if you assign a group project to be done outside of school.  With Skype and GoogleDocs it is possible to completely do the assignment over the internet.  I like Zoho better because of the user interface.  I have had many last minute difficulties with GoogleDocs and I may have done something wrong but it put a bad taste in my mouth.

Thing #4

I think commenting creates a sense of community because you relate to one another.  Your feelings and opinions are shared and that creates a sort of bond.  If you show the blogger that you "hear" them, they will feel as though somebody cares and is paying attention.  That too begins to build a camaraderie.  You should also share a little about yourself when you comment.  This mimics natural conversation and you can begin to build history and actually get to know the blogger.  I chose to comment on Myleah's blog because she really seemed like she was going to use this in her classroom.  I understood her excitement in using it as the days get closer.  I also chose Ariel because she plans to use her blog in the classroom.  She really wants to share with teachers and be able to relay back and forth.  I again agree and am readily looking for more ideas on how use a blog in the classroom.  There are soooo many possibilities.  I commented on Christina's blog in reference to finding ways to use iPads in the classroom from Delicious.  I did not know you could research like that.  I also replied on Becky Philips blog because we both were not initially sure about the blog but then found we had a lot we could do and learn.  Finally, for the last of my "inhouse" comments, I commented on Tonya Haley's Blog.  I commented on her 22nd thing because I have not completed it and she made it sound interesting. 
     I chose to comment on The Pioneer Woman's Blog because I love the things she writes about.  She has amazing recipes, I just made the lasagna, and might I say it was to die for.  I also commented on the PinkHammer Blog because I love DIY tutorials and blogs.  I could read and do them all day.

Things #18

I have had a Facebook account since I was about seventeen years old.  I was one of the last of my friends to get one.  I do not use it much because I am just not that interested.  I did just add the College of Education page to my friends though.  I also added Margaret Peterson Haddix because she is one of my favorite authors.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=893125157

I then checked out Zimbio.  But it took my to a news ticker.  There were several stories onthe front page but I didn't understand how it was like Twitter or Facebook.  It didn't relate people together.

Thing # 17

I already had a delicious account so this was pretty easy.  When I typed in 'educational technology' I found a cool website called Teachertube which has tons of 'howto' videos and videos that can be used in lessons.  First off, I would like to say that website it totally amazing.  The tags are useful because it helps give you keywords of what is included in the website.  I'm not quite sure how this can actively be used in a classroom other than to find relevant resources.  You can find videos, websites, blogs, etc. with tags.  The can all enrich your lesson.

Thing #16

I chose to first create a homepage with iGoogle.  I added gadgets such as a to do list, funny pictures, word of the day, bible verse of the day, and a link to YouTube videos.  I does make things easier having them collectively in one place.  And, there are things that I may forget about and usually not pay attention to that I can include in my day.
     I then created a to do list.  I like the fact that I can save and e-mail the to-do list.  I created it using ta da list.  I can e-mail it to members in a group project or post them for all to see.  However, I wish they were portable to say my desktop or phone.
     Lastly, I created sticky notes.  These I can download to my computer.  So after I created a few notes using Stickynotes.com I download zamar to convert the notes to images that I could add to my phone.  I then had personal notes that I could personalize my home screen with.

Thing #15

I actually enjoyed the wiki experience.  I too was a little weary after being lectured about how not to use Wikipedia.  I understand how anyone can change the information but, there is factual information as well.  I wish there was a way to like link if to other sites that show its worth.  Like sites that back it up.  Kind of how that essay submission site checks for plaguerism.  I could use something like this to create a class information site.  We could choose a topic to explore and research throughout the year and gradually add to our site.