Parting Words

I am so excited that all of the Things are done!  I have enjoyed all of the information that I have learned, but I feel like it is so condensed.  I wish more time could be spent on each of the Things instead of having all 6 or more things due in one week.  Some of my favorite discoveries are the online generators and the flow charts and mindmaps.  It has affected my learning goals by opening me up to so many different technologies that are available.  I think what surprised me the most is the blogging.  I hated the idea of blogging because I always associated it with the dreaded MySpace.  I am glad that I have gotten pass this point.  I glad that I did the 23 Things because it has helped to realize that there is so much technology out there.  I think I have enjoyed YouTube the most because I didn't know there was so much educational information out there! 

Thing #23

 Now, that I know about Creative Commons licensing I will use this whenever I come up with really cool powerpoints or lesson plans.  I think this is neat because it gives other teachers an opportunity to use my work.  This program makes me aware of copyright policies.  It also makes me aware of plagiarism and the importance of citing your sources.

Thing #22

U.S. Presidents Podcast - Free Podcast Download

I listened to the Learn Out Loud U.S. President Podcast.  I found just typing what I wanted to look for in the Search box was the easiest way to find what I wanted.  I would love to create a podcast for my students.  This would make lecturing easier for me and the students because then they could just listen to the podcast over again.  It would make studying for a test a whole lot easier as well because then they could take their own notes.  Yes, I would like to subscribe to the U.S. Presidents Podcast.  If we were studying about The Great Depression, then we could watch a Podcast on the Presidents that were in office during this time.  I found this podcast to be very informative.    

Thing # 21

I find Animoto.com easy to use, but I can not figure how to upload it on blogger.  I have tried everything and it just won't upload.  I need a step by step instruction on how to embed this video instead of just there is some special code so that I can upload this to blogger.  It is not very useful, but I will keep trying to upload my video.  If not I guess I will just send this to my professor so I can get credit on Thing #21. 

Make your Own Comic Book with Bruce Blitz

Thing #20

One thing I like about YouTube are all the available videos.  This is also a negative though.  Anybody can post anything and sometimes they are not that appropriate.  Whenever using a YouTube video I just have to make sure that I use a reliable and appropriate source.  I would want to have this all planned as well because I wouldn't want something offensive to pop up on the window while I was teaching students.  I would love to use this in the classroom.  I found a YouTube video about how to make your comic book.  It is a little corny, but I think this would be appropriate for students.  It is also very easy to upload a video to your e-mail or your blog.  I find YouTube to be a useful website as long as it used for the right reason.

Thing #19

Yes, I am a member of Ning, TeacherPop, Facebook, Flickr, and Goodreads.  I don't think I forgot any of them, but it is just hard keep up with everything.  I just recently added Goodreads.  I read all the time and this just seems like the perfect social network for me.  I also want to become a member of BakeSpace because I love to cook.  I love that there are countless online communities for anything.  I will definitely use Goodreads later.  I have the Kindle app on my phone and I also own the Kindle.  I can sync my Kindle with my phone, which is awesome.  I love anything that makes my life more simple.

Thing # 18

My link to Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=63704060

It is important that educators know how social networking works because it is current technology and easy to use.  Educators can use this to communicate to other educators or parents.  I love Facebook!  It is so easy to use and it is so convenient to communicate with other people.  I like Facebook over MySpace, but that is just because I just don't like all the blogging your feelings.  I find it easier to locate friends and I have a Top Friends list where I can communicate easier with my close friends.  Again I'm more partial to Facebook because I have had Facebook for so long and feel more comfortable with the features.  I would love to use Facebook in the classroom, but I'm not sure how I could incorporate it into the classroom safely.  With social network sites you have to be aware of safety in the classroom.  You do not want your students to be opened to predators and I feel like that that would be an issue with having Facebook in the classroom.  I think it would be easier to have a Facebook account with parents and colleagues.  If parents needed to be in contact with you they could voice their opinion or concerns on your Facebook or MySpace account.    

Thing #17

I found this tool to be highly helpful.  Yes, I can see the potential of this tool in the classroom.  I typed in graphic organizers in delicious and it brought up all sorts of bookmarks for free graphic organizers.  This website provides ample amounts of information and you can also subscribe to RSS.  I also like how it has a fresh bookmark tab.  This can keep you keep up to date on recent events and trends.  Teachers can take advantage of this bookmarking site by accessing bookmarks from anywhere.  If I wanted to find a way to differentiate my instruction with reading I could type that into the search bar and find ways to differentiate my instruction.  

Thing #16

I choose the sunrise page on iGoogle.  This one appealed to me because I enjoy nature shots.  I probably won't make this my permanent home page just because I have Google as my main page.  I love the online calendars!  They help me so much not to forget anything.  I have it on my computer and my cellphone.  It is amazing and I wouldn't know what to do without the calendar option on my phone.  I like the to-do-list option, but I find this to be a little redundant.  You see I'm old school and I like to make my own lists.  There is something about checking my list off that I enjoy so much.  So, even though I do like to-do-lists online I probably just wouldn't use this option.  One tool that I do use at home is the sticky note app.  I have this app on my phone and on my computer and it is amazing.  I would recommend this tool to anyone because it is so useful.  You forgot your things to do list at home?  That's o.k. because I can bring it up on my phone and make sure I got everything on my grocery list.     

Thing #15

I really do not like the idea of creating a Wiki. One of the reasons why is that they are so unreliable because anyone can edit Wikis. I mean this is why we do not use Wikis in papers because anyone can add anything. Basically, I see Wikis as a personal blog on the internet. It is relatively easy to edit text on the Wiki. I like how you can make your Wiki the way you want it. I do think this would be a fun assignment to show students how to create a Wiki. We could create a Wiki about a topic that we are learning about in class. For example, if we were researching about Lois and Clark, we could create a Wiki about their journey.

Thing #14

I preferred Gliffy which is the flowchart over Bubl.us(mind map). I am going to school for K-6 and I just find Gliffy to be more beneficial in my field. With Gliffy, they have Venn Diagrams, which would be so useful in comparing/contrasting characters/books. They also have floorcharts,which I could use to design my classroom. I really liked the Gliffy website. I enjoyed all the templates that are available for me to create.

I do not think I would really use Bubbl.us as often as I would with Gliffy. I could see using Bubbl.us as an outline of consequences. I could also see using this as an outline for writing. For example, Step 1: Pre-Writing, Step 2: Write, Step 3: Revise, Step 4: Proofread, and Step 5: Publish. I would list specific facts under each of these points. I can see the benefits of the flowchart and mind map, but I prefer using flowcharts.

Thing 13

Test Document

This is my test document using Zoho Writer.  So far, I enjoy using this word processor.  It is similar to Apple's word, which I like very much.  I like the simplicity of Zoho writer.  I also like how you can automatically upload to your blog.  It is convenient and easy to use, which I like anything that makes my life easier. 

 

Thing #12

I loved Google Calendar and Google Translate.  With Google Calendar you can share your calendar with anyone.  I also like how you can get your calendar on your mobile phone.  I also like how you can have reminders and send invitations on Google Calendar.  This would be useful in the classroom because you can have reminders of appointments that you made with parents or you could send out invitations to invite them to school field trips.

Google Translate is another useful tool.  This tool can be used if you have ESL students in your classroom.  If the parents do not understand English that well, then I could send a letter out to them in their native language.  This would let them know that I care about their child's learning and that I want what is best for their child.  Or if the parents write me a note in their native language, then I can type their note into Google Translate and have it translated for me.

Thing #11

I just found that typing what I wanted to find was the easiest search tool for me.  I liked Technorati the most out of the tool that School 2.0 provided.  I could type in anything and it would find me RSS that I could subscribe to for free.  I did not really find any of it to be confusing.  For the most part as long as you typed what you were wanting to look for you could find it on easy website.  Also, it has that cool RSS symbol where it will allow you to download it onto your Google reader.  I found tons of feeds about graphic novels including how to create your own graphic novel. I found that to be incredibly helpful on how to integrate graphic novels in the classroom.  Also, I found a feed that listed graphic novels for students.  Some of the unusual ones that I found was a RSS about banned graphic novels in schools.  I find this to be scary because I can't imagine banning any books in the schools.  I personally feel that if a book excites a student it can't be bad.  I found that if you just use google that you can find a RSS to subscribe to for free. 

Thing #10

I liked the fact that I can subscribe to anything for free.  For example, I enjoy graphic novel and I would love to integrate these into my classroom because I think they are an emerging trend.  I can find a RSS or newreaders or articles that could help me teach this in the classroom.  I can use this in the classroom because it offers free technology in the classroom, so it keeps me up with current issues like "Can cellphones be used in the classroom?"  Teachers can take advantage of this technology by first subscribing to it.  It is free and it offer ample amounts of information about anything you could possibly want.  This can be integrated into the classroom by researching a topic that interests students.  For example, if we are learning about dinosaurs we could type in Smithsonian and take an interactive tour to the Smithsonian.   

Thing #9

 I really enjoyed this activity.  Who knew that you could make comic strips using a generator.  This would be useful in the classroom by displaying birthdays, good characters, displaying rules, etc.  I can't wait to use this in the classroom.  The comic strip generators that I used are corny, but I think students would like them.  I'm not the best with coming up with creative captions, but I think they get the job done.  The websites I used are:

http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/

http://www.happyfacegenerator.com/ 

also I found this one online generator on google it is 

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2006/11/09/online-generators/

These are some of the online generator I came up try not to laugh.

 

 

Thing #8

I used Mosaic Maker to make this cool mosaic picture.  One of the things that was a little frustrating was it took several minutes to download the pictures.  Overall I loved this program.  This would be really cool to use in the classroom.  I could send these out to parents if we went on a field trip.  I also liked Flickr Color Pickr.  This would be useful in an art activity.  We could go outside and try and find colors that match.  I don't mind people seeing my photos.  I mean you can Google your name and find out where you live by using Google maps.  I mean it is kinda of scary when you think anybody can find out where you live, but I mean there is a risk to everything.   

Thing #7

I really like using Flickr.  It is very easy to use.  I would like to use Flickr in my classroom and the library.  I would use it in the classroom by having a classroom Flickr account.  I would take pictures of activities that we do in the classroom.  For example, I could make gingerbread cookies and have students decorate the cookies.  Then we could read The Gingerbread Baby.  I could use this in the library by taking pictures of the books that we will be reading and give them a brief summary of the books.
I have a Facebook account and I love it.  It is nice being able to communicate to your family and friends.  I prefer Facebook over Flickr, but that is mainly because I use Facebook more than Flickr.  I had Facebook first, so that is my preference.  I like Facebook because you can communicate easier, but I like how easy it is to upload pictures on Flickr.  It doesn't really bother me that people can view my pictures.  With Facebook, only your friends can view your information versus with a blog everyone can see your information.   

Thing #6

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-10237663-29.html?tag=mncol

I really liked remember the milk tool.  You can create to-do lists and then access them in Gmail, via SMS, Skype, and popular IM client lists.  It offers two different services, one service is free and the other service that cost $25 a year.  This tool is also offered on the iPhone as an app.    This application could be used in the school or library.  You could make a list of needed supplies for the school or library.  It could be e-mailed to other teachers or it could be used as an open house idea.  This list could be e-mailed to all parents and they could buy supplies for the school.  This could also be used as a list of goal for the schools. 

Thing #5

School 2.0 means an opportunity to further myself as an educator.  It gives me an opportunity to learn about the emerging trends with technology and just how present it is in our everyday lives.  Everybody is jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to new technology.  Now you can purchase e-books on the computer or your Kindle, completely eliminating the need for a thick book when you can have it in the palm of your hand.  In Web 2.0:  A Guide for Educators it talks about using blogs, podcasts, wikis, etc in the classroom.  Students are like sponges and they soak up tons of stuff about technology.  They like the convenience of having technology at their fingertips and their ability to update their status via their cellphone.

This means that teachers have to learn how to use technology effectively in the classroom.  Just merely having a computer and a smartboard aren't going to cover it in the classroom.  Teachers will need to be able adapt to new technology quickly in order to meet the needs of students.  For example, creating a website for their classroom where students can blog and discuss about what they are doing in the classroom.  Schools will need to purchase new technology products like the iPad or have computers in all the computers, so that students have the opportunity to use technology.  I really enjoyed the Teachers 2.0 section.  I liked how it gave you ideas on how to incorporate technology in the classroom.  It also gave you the website/app review and I thought that was really cool.  This website provided so much additional information and I can't wait to use some of it in the classroom.     

Thing #4 (Half)

 Commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction because it requires for you to put some thought into your opinion.  It allows you to reach out to your fellow person and leave a meaningful comment on their page.  By commenting on their blog you are giving them your personal feedback and possible ways to solve their problems.  I found leaving a meaningful comment and criticizing kindly to be two other important points about commenting.  Anybody can leave an "I agree" comment, but it means more to leave a reason why you agreed or disagreed with the person.  Also, criticize nicely to people.   I don't think you need to rip someone a new one just because you don't agree with what they say.  I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion.     
Five Blogs That I Commented:
    http://www.ecoleman14.blogspot.com
    http://brownsquirrel23things.blogspot.com
    http://dmoran195752.blogspot.com
    http://molly23things.blogspot.com
    http://fantasticwrite.blogspot.com
Why I Choose These Blogs
    They are in my class, so it makes it easier to leave comments. 

Thing #3

A way that I might use a blog in my future classroom is by communicating to parents.  Some parents are busy and may not be able to physically meet with me and a blog would be an excellent way to communicate with me.  For example, I could set up a blog for parents to voice their concerns about what their child is learning.  

Another way would be to have a class blog.  The students and I could let the parents know what they learned today in school.  Then parents could put individual comments about the lesson.  Blogging could also be a good way to spark discussion in the classroom.  We could also list a class schedule, so that parents know what is going on in the classroom and what is coming up.  
Blogging can also be used to communicate wit other teachers.  If I had question about how to integrate Science and Social Studies into reading I could make a post and see the responses I would get.   It would be a great way to learn many different teaching strategies.   

Thing #2

I'm not very creative so basically I used my name.  I don't really care if someone does track me down by name.  If people are that bored and can actually find me kudos to them.  I decided on that name because it's easy and I don't really like coming up with some goofy name like LuckyLiz.  Sorry if that really is someones name I'm not singling you out, it just popped in my head.  I think it is just not that professional.  

Creating a blog is easy it just feels very time consuming.  Also, it just seems odd to me that random people can post on your blog.  I am hoping that I will be able to get over the MySpace and Facebook blogging misconception because it seems like blogging could be very effective in the classroom.    

My avatar reflects my personality because I always have a smile on my face, unless I am at my job.  I love bright colors and the simplicity of jeans.  I consider myself a pretty easy going person, which is what I was trying to accomplish in the completion of my avatar.  I tried to create my avatar to look similar to me, but I didn't feel like I had a ton of options on the website.  It gives you a variety of colors to choose from, but I don't feel like there is a big selection of clothes options and the ones that I wanted to select it wouldn't let me choose.  I choose to go as close looking to myself as possible because I think I am beautiful.  I'm not ashamed of the way I look and I don't feel like I have to hide myself by creating some off the wall personality.

Thing #1

Accepting responsibility for your own learning would be the easiest lifelong learning habit for me.  First off, I love participating in class.  Basically, anything that involves talking or discussion in class is great.  Second, I believe you get what you put into the assignment.  If you do not work hard then it shows in your craftsmanship.  Viewing problems, as challenges would be the hardest lifelong learning habit for me.  If I am having a problem or challenge, I'm not thinking at the time "oh this is a learning opportunity."  I am just trying to survive at this point.  For example, I lost my credit card and at the time I was not thinking, "what can I learn from this?"  Later on I thought about what could I have done differently, but not at the current time.

I want to learn to use the web more efficiently.  There is so much information out there and it can seem a little daunting.  Also, this is my first blog ever.  I always had a negative connotation with blogging and always associated it with MySpace, which in my opinion is stupid.  I just don't want to hear about your feelings and what you ate for lunch.  Setting up the blog was easy, but some of the instruction on the web 2.0 website was confusing.  For example, in the blog address they suggest you use your last name, but then below it says to come up with a name that is different because it will be available to everyone on the web.   This doesn't make sense because then can't it be looked up your last name?