Thing 24: The Official Last "Thing"

As our Instructional Technology class begins to wind down, time for reflection is near. My favorite exercises were Delicious and Animoto. I found both of them interesting for a variety of reasons and will probably use those as well as many other "things" we have explored during the course. I have been exposed to several technological resources that I can use as both a student and as a teacher and might not have ever used some of them if not for this class. This course helps to illustrate how education and technology will only become further intertwined in the future and we would be remiss not to embrace the coming changes. As for keeping up with 2.0 developments, I will continue to reference the sites and sources to which I have been introduced in order to stay up to date on the latest instructional technology. I might even set up a blog that I'll use for my own classes when I become a teacher. The torrid pace at which computers and technology have advanced, especially over the last twelve years or so, makes me wonder how those changes will further effect instruction and education.

Thing 23: Creative Commons

Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers is based on Learning 2.0 - 23 Things, a staff development program for the Mesquite Independent School District. That program was based on the Learning 2.0 program that was designed by Helene Blowers and adapted by the California School Library Association and others. Content and style for Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers has been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License. 

 

The above are examples / attributions that show that Learning 2.0 - 23Things for Teachers blog was based on someone else's work and modified from its original.

Learning about Creative Commons licensing has been an eye-opening experience and I will be very aware of how such things apply to my use of teaching resources in my classroom. When I create something that I would like to share  with others, I'll make sure I use the appropriate symbols to notify potential users  how my creation can be used. Remember, things can be easier when you "skip the intermediaries".

 

 

 

 

Thing 22: Live Binders

Once again, the ease of a new technology has me impressed. I was able to quickly set up my account with LiveBinders and was off and running. My initial binders are entitled Science Resources, Life Science, and Earth Science. I know those aren't sexy or overly creative sounding titles, but they work. This site can be of great value to teachers for a variety of reasons. Lesson plans, assignments, and resources for an entire school year can be stored, organized, and shared via LiveBinders.

Science Resources

Thing 21: ANIMOTO!!!!!

Make your own slide show at Animoto.

Working with Animoto was incredibly simple. I am continually impressed at how easy so many of the functions of these are to use. That was not the case a few years ago. All I had to do was create the account, select the background and music, upload some photos, and Animoto did the rest. I will have to let my children experiment with this site.

Thing 20: You, Too, Can YouTube

Diffusion YouTube Video

YouTube is a site I have used on many occasions for a variety of purposes. Almost anything that can be thought of is probably on YouTube. I have checked out bands, instrument reviews, excerpts from television shows, instructional lectures, and even learned how to repair a clothes dryer all from this awesome site. Much like other social networking sites, the content should be reviewed thoroughly before any videos are shown in a classroom setting. The capabilities and ease of use would be beneficial in a library setting in that lectures and tutorials could be uploaded for use by students as well as by teachers. I chose the uploaded video as it corresponded with TN Standard GLE 0707.1.5 Observe and explain how materials move through simple diffusion. Videos such as this have proven to be valuable components in the modern classroom.

Thing 19: Beyond Facebook: Other Social Networks

Upon joining Teacher Pop, I became a member of a second Ning. The first one I joined belongs to my fiancee who is an elementary school teacher. She uses her Ning to keep parents and students informed of assignments, upcoming exams, and material covered. Only a few of the parents joined, but those that did really appreciated having an extra way to stay involved in their children's education.
Since I do most of the cooking at my house, I checked out Tasty Kitchen and Open Source Food. I can see myself using those sites to my advantage in the kitchen.

Thing 18: Social Networking: Paradise for the Nosey!

I have used social networking for several years now and have seen it's positive and negative aspects. It's important that educators know how these sites work as they probably play a big role in their lives and those of their students. There is an exposure factor in social networking as everything you post, including photos, can rapidly be disseminated among various groups of people. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the content of what is selected for uploading. Sites such Facebook allow people to catch up with old friends, which is nice considering the transient society in which we now live. I am beginning to explore Twitter, but am not sure if I'm willing to invest much time in it as there are many other pressing matters, such as school. I wish Facebook had the same musical and layout design components that Myspace offered its users. Those features added a more personalized aspect to the social network experience.

Thing 17: It's Delicious!!!

I have to say that Delicious is by far my favorite "thing" we have been required to join. It's content and diversity drew me in and I will use this site in the future. Most of the comments I read were of the general commentary variety; nothing out of the ordinary. Students and teachers can benefit from Delicious as it allows a variety of resources to be accessed from a single location and it assists in overall organization of data and information. I am beginning to appreciate the capabilities of sites such as Diigo and Delicious, which allow access from any computer. No longer does someone have to say, "It's on my computer at home."

Thing 16: Getting Organized Using Web Tools.

After checking out several online calendars and to-do lists, I chose to set one up on 30 Boxes. As with many online tools that are currently available, this was very easy to use and figure out. I was able to quickly set up my fall class schedule and important birthdays using this site. There is also a feature in which you can share and upload your calendar to other sites. Integration between social media and personal organization tools is a key component to consider when deciding which one to use. I'm not a fan of the to-do list sites as I'm still "old school" when it comes to those, preferring the old pen and paper method. There are so many sites that offer a calendar that I'll not be using 30 Boxes as a home page. I, for one,wish to keep my personal activities and schedule private so I am apprehensive about putting too much of my life and daily activities on the web. In a professional or business setting however, a calendar which could be shared and posted would be of importance, as it could easily eliminate scheduling conflicts. I also checked out some of the file sharing/conversion sites such as Zamzar and believe they can be useful when the original format or size of a file or document to be shared is an issue.

Thing 15: Wiki, Wiki, No Tavi.

I've used Wikipedia in the past so I'm familiar with the concept of a wiki site. I like the idea of a user created/edited site although the content and legitimacy of the uploaded data must be continuously verified for accuracy. They offer a great way to obtain a great deal of information on a topic using only one website as opposed to engaging in a litany of searches. As for my contribution to the APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki, I created a new page and uploaded my avatar into an existing folder titled "Avatar". My Sandbox Contribution. I chose to add to the content rather than edit.

Thing 14: Mind Maps & Flow Charts

As I had never used a flow chart or mind map before, I was a bit unsure of what I was getting into. What I discovered were two great tools for organizing and sharing ideas with others. Flowcharts and mind maps present an easy to understand illustration for their target audiences. I chose to use Gliffy for the flow chart and Bubbl.us for the mind map. The tools on both sites were very intuitive and were user-friendly. The mind map was geared more toward gathering ideas and brainstorming as where I found the flowchart to be great for organizing items and presenting different choices and outcomes. Using a flowchart in conjunction with an interactive power point would be effective as they share many of the same characteristics.

Thing 13: Let's Get Ready to Rumble: Zoho Writer vs. Google Docs.

Upon delving into Zoho Writer, it seemed remarkably similar to a Word document. It had all of the ease of the Microsoft program without having to purchase and download it to my computer. Hmmm, could this be the word processing wave of the future? After checking out a few of the features Zoho had to offer, I was off to Google Docs. I was really impressed with Google Docs' capability to share documents with many other people and the collaborative possibilities that exist. You could easily and quickly gain input from several collaborators on a project or idea and this is made possible without an expensive add-on program. Teachers can use something like this to work on grade level lesson plans in such cases where uniformity is required or in helping to mentor new teachers. I didn't really have prefer one over the other (Zoho vs. Google) and would probably need to spend a few hours with each to make that determination. Below is a drawing I created using Google Docs:  

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1MtoeUCf8X8B1y3VSP-PIWpJjTLo9TdLQq4RyMLxGo_U/edit

Thing 12: Google. It's What's For Dinner! (Not really)

The term and name "Google" has become an important part of the lexicon and it's presence keeps growing and growing. It can be used as various parts of speech from verb to noun. I had a good time playing around with Google Translator. For instance, I learned that in German, the phrase, "Who used the last of the toilet paper?" translates as, "Wer benutzt die letzte der WC-Papier?" I also made a rudimentary slide show using Picasa Web Albums, https://picasaweb.google.com/117241043249108122888/PeepsAndAPainting#slideshow/5768564520245174146. It was sort of overwhelming when considering all the possibilities that are available through Google. Students could put together an entire portfolio, calendar, etc... using Google alone. I am glad to have chosen to work in the field of education, where I will be utilizing the latest technology rather than it passing me by.

Thing 11: Finding Good Feeds

So, I checked out some the feed-finding search tools and I've got to say I like Google Blog Search the best. I also found the search function on my Google Reader page worked well. I didn't really like Topix or Technorati, although I'm sure they have their advantages. My preference is not be spoon fed and shown a plethora of blog suggestions as I'd rather search on my own. I was able to find blogs about cooking, bass equipment, dog breeding, and pretty much any other topic I thought of.  You don't even need a specific site to look for blog feeds as pretty much any available search engine can fulfill that function. From what I have read, the number of active blogs are growing exponentially on a daily basis. For example, several new blogs popped up in one day from our class alone. Think back to the year 1999. Did you imagine, back then, the rapid advancement in technology and how the Internet would come to consume our lives?  Just think, there are people out there that have never known life without cell phones and social networking.

Thing 10: Really Simple Syndication

Really Simple Syndication? No kidding! When I initially set up my reader I was sure I'd encounter some sort of pitfall in completing the task. Much to my surprise, it was REALLY easy. This sort of technology is a major time saver and can offer teachers a method of streamlining certain lessons which utilize different websites. I enjoy RSS as it allows me to get updates from several different sources at one time, without having to go to those sites individually.

Thing 9: Image Generators

This is an image I created using Image Chef. Yes, I know it's simplistic, but it works.

Here's an image from fansigngenerator.com. All I had to do was change the message on the sign and upload to my blog. This site is very user-friendly.

Thing 8: Flickr Mashups

Flickr Mashups were a real challenge as I ran in to all sorts of image and type placement issues. After much labor and a slight headache, I was able to put together something which would serve as a passable assignment. Above is an insect mashup courtesy of Craig.Taylor, who is the owner of these great pictures. They were taken from Flickr and put together using the Mosaic Maker website. Below is an image created using the website Spell with Flickr. This was very simple and user friendly. I am undecided on my stance regarding sharing photos online as it can lead to privacy, copyright, and ownership issues. These types of sites can be of great use in the classroom in order to better employ technology and creatvity in an interactive or instructional setting.

Thing 7: Explore Flickr

 
I chose this photo from Flickr as this is the same make a model of my favorite bass, an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray. I happened to be the first thing that came to mind when searching the site for images. It's an amazing and surprisingly versatile instrument. Flickr, along with other photo sharing sites, can be a valuable tool whenever images/photos are needed for a presentation or any of a variety of other applications. In order to avoid plagiarism or the appearance of impropriety, always be sure to give credit where credit is due and make sure your sources are properly noted.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/65242681@N05/5941402276/. This is an image taken from tommywhitehead's photostream.
Image Citation:
Tommy Whitehead. 2003 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray. 22 June 2011. 22 July 2012.
<http:/flickr.com/photos/65242681@N05/5941402276/>

Thing 6: Web Tools 2.0

I chose YouTube as my site/tool for this "thing". YouTube is easily one of the most popular sites on the Internet. With it, you can upload all sorts of things; anything from product reviews, skits, lectures, instructional videos, etc... There is also a controversial factor with YouTube regarding inappropriate content, language, and copyright/licensing issues. That's to be expected as no one ever promised that freedom would be pretty and trouble-free. I have found an incredible variety of videos on this site that cover an array of topics. I have learned how to replace the belt and pulley on my dryer and also learned the bass lines to some great songs all thanks to videos posted on YouTube. This site/tool can have applications in an educational setting as well. In my psychology class, we utilized a video explaining the Briggs-Myers personality test for an assigned group project. It was a great addition to our project and along with PowerPoint, integrated technology into the presentation. If used properly and with discretion, YouTube certainly has its uses in the 21st Century Classroom.
http://www.youtube.com/

Thing 5: WEB 2.0

To me, Web 2.0 means schools are moving toward and adapting the learning process to a format that is familiar to the world in which people/students now live. The traditional book/paper/pencil format is still relevant, but it would be negligent of the public/private schools to ignore the untapped possibilities of technology in the classroom. Not only would these tools match better match up with some students learning processes/methods, it would better prepare students to meet the demands of and possess the skills needed to succeed in the modern and future workplace.
Schools of the future will be able to help students and teachers keep pace with the ever-changing world of technology and ensure that instructional methods do not become outdated and will continue to serve the needs of both students and teachers.

Thing 4: Commentary On Blogging

Blogging and commenting on blogs can, like many other forms of social media, create a sense of community and interaction. To be able to express your own thoughts and opinions and have them either supported or challenged is a great way to learn about the healthy and robust debate of life. It can serve as a portal into the world in which you discover you are not alone in your opinions or evaluations of certain things and it also allows alternate or conflicting views on various topics and ideas to be shared. During the duration of the term, I have followed and commented on five of my classmates' blogs. The "Chosen Five" (Ha-ha) were John Collins, Kaytlyn Wright, Shanna Guentert, Kristen Cotton, and Sydney Saunders. I chose to also follow the Cool Cat Teacher blog because I found the content interesting and I follow The Art of Teaching Science blog. I disagree with some of the Darwin worship and some of the political views which are subtly revealed on the blog, but most of the Science material and ideas are rock solid and I enjoy the in-depth thought which is put into many of the posts.

Thing 3

My blog has now been officially registered for the purpose of EDUC 3040. A blog can serve many purposes and can be used to do more than allow people to exaggerate and inflate their own sense of self-importance. As a teacher, I would use some form of blogging to keep parents informed as to the goings-on in my classroom. Material being covered, homework information, and test dates would all be available to parents and students via my class blog. It represents another tool to be utilized in the battle against parent apathy in our school systems.

Thing 2

As this was my first attempt at establishing a blog, the experience has not been without a few challenges. Those challenges have more to do with combating the static nature and routine of daily life than any real deficiency on my part.  I'm the type of person that prefers to fully absorb information and in doing so, gain a thorough and complete understanding of what I am learning. As I am a somewhat private person, I don't think I'll ever use my blog as a diary where I post my every move, thought, or activity throughout the day. Enough of that mess goes on with Facebook and Twitter. I do however welcome the experience of blogging and any knowledge I may pick up along the way.

Thing #1

 In viewing the 7 and a Half Habits slide show, I recognized my main weakness immediately, it was Habit 4: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner. I, along with many other people suffer from a fear of failure. It wasn't until I accepted possible failure as an integral part of the learning process that the proverbial spark was truly ignited. Failure is a part of life as well as achieving personal and group goals. I also believe in the importance of being a lifelong learner. The wisest people in the world are those that realize they don't know everything and continually hunger for new information and educational experiences. When one allows for a static intellectual existence, the brain's ability can atrophy, just like the muscles of the human body. I am reminded of some useful advice my father used to give me, which sadly, I used to casually dismiss: "If you believe you can't, then you never will." Such a simple phrase and yet it contains such wisdom.
    The part of 7 and a Half Habits slid show I identified most as a personal strength was Habit 2: Accept responsibility for your own learning. This is not only relevant in the educational realm, but in life as well. Blaming others for personal failure and the shirking of personal responsibility are far too common and are epidemics which plague our society. It is important to understand that grades and accolades should be earned, not given. Dedication, genuine achievement and a strong work ethic are not part of some antiquated idea system which has been swept away in the name of progressivism. They are critical components of molding successful students and helping them to create a positive self image. Instilling those basic values goes far beyond the incredible disservice of lowering expectations in order to make everyone feel good. In the real world, there is no trophy simply for showing up.