Thing #23

Wow - I made it! My goal was to finish by the end of June, and here I am completing on June 30th!

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

• My favorite discoveries were #10 Image Generators, and #17 Rollyo. The Image Generators will probably be used more for fun or student council activities, whereas Rollyo will be a valuable tool that can be used when my students do their research in the future.
  

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

• I have learned new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom that are useful to my students, easy for me to use, and has the goal of learning in mind the entire time. There is so much out there that isn't focused on learning, whereas the applications we have used during the 23 Things are, so we can incorporate them into our curriculum.
  

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

• I think the Thing that surprised me most was #22 Nings. I think this is a very valuable application that reaches students where they are yet is easy to use for teachers. I am contemplating how to use this effectively in my classroom, and am excited to see how it all comes together.
  

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program's format or concept?

• Wow, I am not sure what to say on this one???? I guess my suggestion would be to make sure that all of the links and videos work, and update the instructions for uploading different forms of media, so that when we are working on the activities, it all works.
  

5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?

• ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!! I have actually seen on a couple of blogs that they have finished the 23 Things this summer, and have gone ahead and started the 11.5 Things - can we do that and get the credit for it?
  

6. How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities?

• Informative

Thank you so much for offering this course - I have learned alot about Web 2.0, and am excited to see how this will change my classroom in the years to come.

Thing #22

I have been on a couple of websites this summer and noticed Nings - but had absolutely no idea what they were, or what their purpose was.

Two Nings that I found that I spent quite a bit of time going through were set up for fans of Sarah Dessen and James Patterson. It is fun to see what others are saying about their books! It was also interesting to see the difference in the Nings as most of Sarah Dessen's fans were younger so it had more of a Facebook feel, whereas James Patterson's fans seemed older and a bit more thoughtful in their posting.

I do think that this could be a useful application in the classroom, as most of my students have a Facebook account anyway. If we have a Ning that all of my students are a part of, would they use it for only school related topics, studying for tests or quizzes or would they also communicate with each other on topics that aren't school related?

Thing #21

Photostory and Audacity are programs that I had heard of before, but had not used before. Thinking of a topic was the hardest part for me, so I chose to make a photostory of Sarah Dessen's books. I am in the processes of reading through her books this summer, so I included the cover of each of her books in order of their release. (Note: All pictures are from sarahdessen.com)

The process was fairly easy to follow, however there would be quite a bit of time in preparation for students to be ready to make a photostory. I could use this in my classroom when we make timelines or to illustrate Earth cycles.

Ok, so I finally got the video uploaded - took a few tries to get it to upload without receiving an error message. It did have to be a .wmv file, still took a while to upload but it is here and working!

Thing #20

I have have used both youtube and teachertube, and find them both to be very user friendly. When diet coke and mentos was the big rave on tv, we were able to watch the Myth Busters clip after we had gone outside and tried mentos in several different soft drinks.

Here is a video interview of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series. Students can use the video to watch similar interviews of authors of their favorite books.



Teacher Tube could be a great place to find videos of experiments that we could not do in our classroom. This video would be something that can be shown to understand physical and chemical changes - yet requires no supplies.




One thing I would love to incorporate into my classroom this year is for students to use the FLIP video cameras, and film either a lab or a presentation. This would be a great place share the good ones!

Thing #19

My initial reaction is to choose something that I am familiar with - Facebook. It is open at any moment that my computer is on - even right now. I actually have two accounts one that my real friends are on, and one for my students. It is amazing how many of my students have requested to be my friend - not sure that I would have requested any of my teachers when I was their age. It has been a chance for me to see my students in a different light, to get to know them as young adults not just as a student on a roster.

I enjoyed I'm Cooked and iFood as well for the video recipes - so much easier to follow when you have a video to go along with the words! And UrbanSpoon is always fun - have it on my iPhone, why not on the computer too!

And just playing around the HairMixer was pretty fun. My hair is a bit crazy anyway, so why not try out celebrity hair? Probably not something I would ever use in my classroom, but it has kept me entertained for the last few minutes...

So much more here for me to play with and see how it can be useful. There are so many more tools out there than I ever realized. What is your favorite?

Thing #18

I have had the opportunity to use Google Docs in the past, while setting up a summer training schedule. I was unfamiliar with it at the time, and wasn't ever sure I was using it correctly. After this thing, I feel much more confident it accessing a document that is sent to me, and also in creating a document that I can use with ease.

Advantages - So many worksheets, tests, and quizzes are worked on at home and at school, and with Google Docs, I can save them online and not have to take my computer home, I can work on them at my home computer, or even out of town on someone else's computer. It can also be an advantage with having a microsoft computer at school and a Mac at home. I have not run into any problems using different systems in the past, but this could make it easier for those who have.

Disadvantages - Just the fact that it is on the internet is going to make some people feel uncomfortable saving anything of high importance. Just the thought that someone might be able to access it will probably keep me from saving anything such as a mid-term or final on Google Docs.

Overall I think this can become a time saver for myself and those who I plan with to have only one copy of assignments, and the ability to work wherever I am.

Thing #17

What an amazing treasure - this should be taught to all teachers during beginning of the year inservice days!!! We all want out students to do research, but want a creditable source, and here we can provide them with a list of sources, and know they are receiving correct information. I have done research in the past on scientist, periodic table, space exploration and earth cycles. I will definitely use Rollyo when we do these projects in the future!!!!!!!!

Here is a link to the Rollyo I created for the students to use when doing their research on the Periodic Table.

This has been on of the things that I believe that will be most useful in my classroom next year!

Thing #16

I recently attend a G/T update training where we each made a wiki page describing a book that would be good for G/T students to read. There were around 100 people in the class, and after about 30 minutes we had about 30 or so pages that we could all access and share with one another.

For that assignment we used wikispaces - and it was pretty easy to use.

Next year, I would like for my students and I to use wikis, to post questions and have them answer them online, and cut back on the amount of paper that we are using in the classroom. The only thing I haven't figured out yet, is if I post a question on a wiki, and my students go to answer it, is there a way that I can read through the questions first - so that only correct answers get posted, and so that they can't see other answers before posting theirs?

I also like the idea of doing a research project on a scientist, and have them create a wiki page for the final copy, and simply link to my wiki page. Again no paper to turn in, and their parents and peers will have access to their projects as well.

Thing #15

I have just finished my 3rd year teaching , and during those three years, I have watched the library in our school change. We have added desktop computers, mini-laptops, digital book readers, iPods, and areas where students come come before, during and after school to "hang out." When I was in school whenever we wanted to do research we did have to use primarily print to gain the research, where students today are finding their information on the web. Our librarians have done a wonderful job during this transition of training teachers how to use our "new" resources as well as training students how to use them for educational purposes, and not just for entertainment.

The article "Away from the Icebergs" had a good point that we can't just get rid of books now that students are using the internet for most of their research. Students and teachers still need to be able to use print material for their research or also for reading for enjoyment. I have had several students over the past years that are reading 3-10 novels a week, most being checked out of the library on our campus. I also try to keep a book at school, so when the kids ask if I am reading, I can share it with them - leading by example that we need to take advantage of all the internet and library are offering online, but keep up that desire to read a book as well.

Thing #14

Technorati was a bit overwhelming for me. There are so many blogs out there, and searching through them wears me out. Most of the time that I spend on the computer is for checking my email and facebook or working on lesson plans. I don't take the extra time to read through blogs, because they don't help me accomplish my lesson planning. I think that Technorati can be a tool to help me search for blogs on book clubs or other teachers who have ideas that are within my content. I am thankful for a way to narrow down the blogs to search through.

I did like the comment in the Chicago Tribune article that mentioned how tagging is allow the regular person to place a tag, and not just he writer. I appreciate a way to tag things according to how my brain categorizes them, and not just the way someone else does.

I am not sure how I can use this with my students in a classroom setting, so if anyone has an idea, please share!

Thing #13

I have heard about Del.icio.us for awhile now, but was not ever really sure what it was. I watched the podcast, and tried to follow along in another window, which worked pretty well. I do think Del.icio.us is a great place for students to begin their research. This year we did a project, where I had given them a list of websites to use, but it was typed out on a sheet of paper. I will definitely use this site to give my students websites in the future - to save time for both them, and for me.

I have several bookmarks saved on my browser, so I am going to try and get them saved on Del.icio.us to save time looking for the bookmarked pages, and to be able to access those bookmarks from either my home or school computers.

Digg completely overwhelmed me, I didn't know what to do from the homepage, so I don't plan on using that one. Furl seemed a little more user friendly, and Ma.gnolia was not working for the summer.

This is all new to me, but I am going to give it a try and see how social bookmarking, can change how my students and I use websites in our classroom.

Thing #12

This has been the hardest post for me so far. It is definitely a step out of my comfort zone to comment on other blogs, especially when I don't know the person.

So far in my blog, I have written as if I am the only person who is going to be reading it again in the future. I have never thought of including questions for others to answer, and I have not written open-ended posts that invite others to comment. The article that I feel was easy to read and had the most useful information was the 10 Techniques to Get More Comments. The information is good to read as a blogger and also to keep in mind when commenting on other blogs.

I have forced myself to branch out, and comment on some other blogs, but have noticed that I have kept to blogs that discuss books. I have commented on books that I have read, usually agreeing with the blogger or a previous comment.

As far as leaving a comment that is in disagreement, I don't see myself leaving one like that. If I read a blog I don't agree with, I just choose not to read that blog again in the future.

I do think that teachers and students who are using blogs in their classrooms need to be aware and follow the etiquette of leaving comments. After reading the Facebook pages of my students, we would need to have a lesson on the types of comments that are appropriate to leave.

This thing is stretching me a bit - but I am thankful.

Thing #11

I really enjoyed The Library Thing website. I have tons of books, and not enough shelves in my house to keep them all out. So while they are packed away in boxes, I can have my virtual shelves here on my blog, and now see my books every time I log in. It was very easy to set up an account, and adding books was very quick and easy also. Adding the widget took a bit of time for me to figure out, but now that I have done it, I could do it again much quicker.

I spent some time looking through the groups, and was surprised at how many groups there were for setting goals of how many books to read during 2009. I keep track of what I read each month, but setting a goal of 50, 75 or even 100 books during the year really inspired me! I am contemplating joining the 50 Books in 2009 group.

I can't wait to add all of my books, only added about 40 so far.

Thing #10

This has been my favorite and the easiest thing so far.

Comic Strip Generator was the first one I tried, and enjoyed using different pictures and trying different boards and effect on those pictures. Here was one of my favorites of my sister's dog where she was the "Puppy of Honor" in her wedding.

Image Chef was anotoher fun site, I loved the puzzle effect! This site was very easy to upload pictures and had several options for personalizing pictures.

The Smiley Generator was also fun and very easy to use. I hang several signs outside of my classroom to remind students to bring supplies to class, and this would give me a new way to create these signs, and they will be more professional looking and have a fun twist to them.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the badge maker on Big Huge Labs!!!!!! I am one of the Student Council Co-Sponsors at our school, and last year made little badges for the member in word. I am so excited to take pictures of each of the students and have them make a badge for themselves, where they will look so official. Can't wait to use this feature!!!

I also like the Map Maker on Big Huge Labs, what a great way to get to know students!

I also enjoy using Wordle, which I had learned about in my G/T update trianing this year. I would like to use an image like this one of the nitrogen cycle to get my student thinking about the important words, or as a writing prompt at the beginning of a unit.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS THING!!! I see myslef using this with personal pictures as well as with pictures, and informaiton in my classroom. This thing has made the whole 23 Things worth it!!!

Thing #9

Edublog was the easiest way to search for blogs that might interest me. I subscribed to "Using Blogs in Science Education" because it seemed to relate to me the best. I like that the site was categorized by the best each year, it felt to me that I was spending less time, because I was only looking through the best.

I am not sure where to even begin with Topix. When I first went to the page, it was overwhelming just how much was on the page, and where to start. I was able to see the headlines for many recent news items, so there is a lot of info, I just wasn't sure how to narrow it down, or use the page effectively.

It was hard to find blogs that were truly useful to me and my classroom. I found several for high school topics, but not for middle school. I have not come across any that I will suggest to my students just yet. I will need to keep looking, because with so many choices I am sure they are out there.....

Thing #8

The RSS Feeds and Google Reader have been a little complicated for me. It took me a while to figure out what I was doing. I do not check news sites or blogs on a regular basis, the only things I check on a regular basis are my email and facebook.

Since starting this blog, I have been trying to find a way to have my students blogging next year. I can see using the RSS feeds and the google reader to keep up to date on their blogging. I also enjoy the daily images from NASA, but don't go to look at them often. I subscribed to the feed from NASA, so I might be more intentional on looking at the picture with the daily update.

On our campus there is a book club that keeps update by blogging, where the reader would be useful. It could also be useful if the departments either on each campus or as a district could make updates, and teachers could share how lessons and activities are going in each classroom.

Thing #7

I did not realize that google had as much to offer as it does. I am guilty of using google as simply a search engine, and leaving it as that. Through this thing, I have learned that there is much more to google.


I think the most valuable tool is Goggle Earth. The picture below was taken from Goggle Earth, and when seen screen size, shows the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is hard for students to comprehend that there is a mountain range in the Atlantic Ocean. Also as we talk about how Earth had changed over time, this is a great tool for showing a view of Earth, that we don't usually see.


Here is a picture again from Google Earth of the Crab Nebula. You can not only use this for images on Earth, but also for galaxies, stars, nebulas in the universe.









The second feature from google that I find the most useful to myself and my classroom is the Google Advanced Search. When students are researching and they go to google they end up with thousands of pages that they have to search through, and causes the research to take twice as long as it should. With the advanced search, students will be able to narrow down their search to more relevant/useful sites.

I also like that you can search for a specific file format. I am often looking for a specific .pdf or .ppt, and like that I can now search for pages that are only in that format!!! This will save me hours of time searching through google when the new school year begins - THANK YOU!!!

Thing #6

My favorite part of Thing 6, was the Mosaic Maker. I wish I had more time for scrapbooking, but this was very quick, and looks great. I can see using this inside and outside of the classroom. I will be sharing this site with my sister, who recently got married and has tons of wedding pictures. With my students, I can using this to show the different cycles that we cover in our curriculum. This has been my favorite "thing" so far!

Each year my students research an element and give some basic facts using the periodic table and the internet. In the past we have always written this out on construction paper, and turned them in. I am excited to use the trading card next year, and have all of my students make their element on a trading card. We can display them around the room with a more professional look this year!

Thing #5

Before venturing out on Thing #5, I had never heard of Flicker before, and wasn't quite sure what to expect. It took me a while to read through what exactly what Flicker had to offer, and how to use the correct photos.

I love to bake, and I love the color pink, so I chose this picture of a cake with pink decorations to include here on my blog.


I also chose the picture of this flower in the water, just because I like the way it looks.

Being an 8th grade Science teacher, I am not sure how many pictures I can find in Flicker to benefit my content area. However, I love my ACTIVboard and am always looking for new backgrounds while making my flipcharts. I see Flicker providing me with thousands of new images that I can use to make those backgrounds, and am excited to see what all I can find to make my flipcharts that more unique.

Thing #4

Blog is registered, very easy!!! I am excited to jump into the next "thing!"

Thing #3

Setting up the blog was not difficult at all. I spent the most time trying to think of a name for the blog - knowing I can't change the website, such commitment! The directions were easy to follow and only took about 10 minutes to get it up and running, and get my first blog started.

Creating the Avatar, took a bit of time to complete, but only because I was looking through all of the choices, finding something in pink, that fit my personality. The directions to export the avatar were easy to follow and I was able to get it posted to my blog on the first try.

Having set up the blog I am getting very excited about what is in store for the other 20 things to come. I am also running through about 10 different ways that blogging could become a part of my classroom next year.

For those of you who have blogged with your students before, how did it work, how often did you post, and what age were your students?

Thing #2

As I begin the Library 2 Play, 23 Things, I am nervous about making this commitment to complete all 23 things, but know from looking at the blogs of teachers who have completed that I will grow as an educator, and my students will benefit from this endeavour, so here we go...

While watching the 7 & 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners, the easiest for me was very apparent - Using Technology to Your Advantage. I use the internet in my personal and professional quests for information, and teach my students to use it to their advantage on assignments as well. Over the past two years in my classroom I have moved from the overhead projector to the ACTIVboard and a new document camera. I love that my students and I have a commonality of wanting more technology in our learning and taking small steps to get there, while making sure that the technology we are using is effective. I am excited to brainstorm which of these 23 things can be effective tools of learning for myself and for my students.

The hardest habit in the lifelong learning would be Accepting Responsibility for My Own Learning. I have trouble finding the motivation to push myself into learning something new. Part of the reason I signed up for the 23 Things is to try and work on taking that responsibility for my own learning.

After watching the video, my goal through this journey is to learn new ways to interact with my students and engage them in learning, that takes place outside of the 4 walls of my classroom. I want them to see me as someone who is in touch with their technological world, and to see learning as an exciting adventure that can take place without worksheets and a textbook.