One Last Thing...

I am sure that one can easily guess which "things" are my favorite. In case you can't, here they are: Animoto, Google Calendar, and iGoogle. I enjoyed these because they are things that I can use in my daily Internet use. These "things" were fun, and did not seem like "work".

This class did serve as an inspiration for me to continue learning and staying "in tune" with the things that interest my students. I no longer feel completely clueless. I cannot wait to share all the new information with my students!!

I would love to participate with another program like this, given that it is in the summer or some other time when I actually have the time to sit down and work. Keeping up with this program will not be too difficult for me. I feel like I have put so much time and effort into making this something I will be proud of, and I do not want to feel like it was all a waste. When you really work hard at something, you want to make sure it lasts.

Every time I log on to my computer my iGoogle homepage appears as a constant reminder of some of the things I learned in this class. I feel more connected with what interest my students, and more competent in the technology world. Overall, this was a great experience!

Photo By Imagechef.com

Thing # 23 - Creative Commons

I was not able to understand the video from YouTube very well, however, it was very cute and entertaining (although the switching of voices gave me a small headache!) Instead, I researched the topic further from googling and reading other articles to gain insight on what this "thing" is about.


"23 Things" is based on the Learning 2.0 program which is adapted from the 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year and 43 Things. 43 Things is a social networking site where users establish accounts and then share lists of goals (among other things).

Being an educator, I have always known the importance of giving credit for the work one uses. The idea behind Creative Commons, that of reworking things so that they are adaptable to a specific task, puts a new spin on it in a way. This is defiantly something that should be shared with the students!

Thing #22 - Podcasts: no iPod needed!

I listened to the podcast titled "MUSC General Health and Wellness Podcast." I chose this podcast because I am constantly trying to learn new and creative ways to improve my health. I chose the "educational podcast directory" because the formatting is easily identifiable, and the title sounded like it would have interesting topics to chose from. I did subscribe to this pod cast, and hope to listen to more in the future. I cannot believe how many different topics there are! There is literally something for everyone.

I think the podcast idea can be easily adapted for use in the classroom. Not only making them, but listening to them as well. We can look up any topic we are studying and listen to a podcast on that subject. It is something new for the students, and easier to understand than a lengthy article.

Picture from: http://www.arsgeek.com

Thing #21- Animoto=So Cool!

This site is one of my favorites so far! It is not only fun, but also keeps you entertained for hours. I also think it is cool that one can link his pictures from facebook so that you don't have to keep looking for the same pictures over and over. Too bad the clip only lasts 30 seconds (otherwise you have to pay). This is a cute gift idea for anyone to make for friends and family. The site is user friendly and never makes the same clip twice!

Thing #20- You too can YouTube

I was excited to learn more about YouTube at first, but now thirty minutes into it, I do not think it is anything I will look at after this assignment. What is the point? I can see where instructional videos and things can be helpful, but it seems like there is a ton of mess to sift through. There are some gross things, some weird things, and some things I wish I had not found. I also do not have enough time to sit and search, sit and search, until I finally find a video worth watching. Overall, I am not impressed.




This is one of my favorite videos. I chose it because it is funny :] Although I am not a huge fan myself, I can see how YouTube can be helpful to schools. One can post instructional videos and things of that sort.

Thing #19- Beyond MySpace: other social networks

Other than the Facebook and Gather accounts I joined, I also created an account with Shelfari. I chose this service because I enjoy reading and thought this might be a good way to find out about interesting books I can consider reading this summer.

I intend on using this site even when this class is over. I do not know anyone else who has an account, but that does not mean I can not visit other people's "shelf" to see what they say. I will probably not be using it for socializing purposes, more for learning about what's new and appealing.

College 2.0 sounded interesting because I have a daughter in college and thought she might enjoy this site. I tried to explore it further, but I was not sure of it's point. I think she will probably just stick to facebook for now.

As for the first part of this assignment, I decided to add the "23 Thingsters" badge and countdown widget.

Thing #18- Explore social networking

My Link
YES! I am so glad facebook made it as one of the "things" we are exploring. My kids are constantly referring to this site, posting pictures, and communicating with other people.I am proud to say that I have now jumped on the bandwagon myself. I was surprised to see how many other adults have also created accounts. I remember back before 2006 when my daughter first heard about this site. Back then, though, it was only for college students. I enlisted my daughter to tutor me on this program and almost feel like a pro now.

I prefer facebook to myspace hands down. Myspace is no longer just people, but stores, music groups, companies...With all of that going on, I received alot of spam. Facebook, on the other hand, does not send me adds, promotions, and things of that nature. It is simply messages from the people I have added to my "friends" list.

It is important for educators to know about social networking because it is a link to today's youth. It is their pastime, and not knowing about that, can mean you really don't know about them. To be relevant in what is going on, one must be aware of what is popular to the age group he is working with. Other than that,it is a ton of fun! It is a fast way to communicate with those one cannot see on a daily basis.
picture by http://libizblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/facebook.jpg

Thing #17- Tagging and social bookmarking with Del.icio.us

Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com


This tool has great potential. Prior to this assignment, I have remarked that the "favorites" option is helpful, but after awhile becomes messy and overwhelming. There is no way to sort through what has been added. Using del.icio.us, however, allows it all to be stored in one place. The tags then help ensure that it is all organized, rather than just compiled into one long list. It is great for personal use, as well as for research assignments, projects, etc. There are times where one finds a great site, goes to another, and then forgets the first one. With this program, though, one just has to click the tag button and it is all saved for future reference.

The best part of this service, I believe, is the social aspect. I cannot get over how helpful this can be, especially for those working in the field of education! Think of all the new and creative lesson plans that could emerge from all of us sharing! New sites for instruction, new ways of doing things, the possibilities are enough to get anyone excited!

Thing #16- Get Organized with Web 2.0 Tools

Ok, I am officially amazed. Seriously. I LOVE my homepage! I used iGoogle, and it made this part of the "thing" by far the easiest. It is actually a ton of fun! I set it as my official homepage, and am already enjoying the results. Everything is in one place...Open it up and with one click you are there! (I chose the Dolce&Gabbana leopard print as my background...so cute!)

I specifically chose iGoogle after reading some of the other blogs and seeing how satisfied other people are with this service. I also thought it would be a good choice since I have used Google products for many of the other "things" and feel well acquainted with it.

I have already spoke of the advantages from online calendars. I chose the "Back Pack" for mine and found it easy and fun to set up. Honestly, though, I do prefer "Google Calendars". I have created quite a few, useing Goolge Calendars, for different things I cam trying to keep track of. My daughter even created one to keep track of her work schedule. Paper calendars have tiny boxes, which make it difficult to fit many things, or details, into. With Google calendars, however, you can add as much as you want, because you have to click on the box to get the information. This makes it appear much more organized. The color coding option also helps!

I chose to explore "remember the milk" for my to-do list. I chose this program because I thought the name was cute, and the start page was more appealing to me than the others. It is a cute program, however, I think it is faster to just write things down on paper or with a basic word processing tool (ie Open Office).
One can also add a to-do list to the homepage he created at the beginning of this exercise. This option is more convenient because it is right there when you open up a window, instead of having to go to the web site, sign in, and then view your list.

I believe all of these services can be helpful to one at both home and school. I especially like IGoogle and Google Calendars, as I'm sure you can tell :]

Thing # 15- What in the world is a wiki?

First, check out this website. It has some cool ideas for incorporating wikis into education. The site as a whole is interesting and informative. Check it out :]!

I had learned the term "wiki" before reading to this lesson, and a had some preconceived "bad" feelings about it. My daughter, who attends Texas A&M, has been given many projects where the instructors preface the assignment by saying "no information from a wiki is valid." Now that I have explored a wiki for myself, however, I see that it can be helpful to get other people's input...After all, aren't two heads better that one? I guess I always thought it was just an online dictionary where one could only alter definitions. Now I know it has many more uses...

Wikis can be used for planning, creating ideas, brainstorming, editing, and so on...Basically, everything a teacher does during a daily routine. It helps move things along, so one is not waiting for a response email. So much information gets lost in translation, but with this program, it is all right there. One can even view previous entries if he forgets something that seemed valuable or informative.

I enjoyed the concept of everything being in one place. It seems like many of these lessons have been about efficiency. How to get the most work done in one place, eliminating the "back-and-forth" of it all. How could I argue with that?

Image courtasy of www.ikiw.org.

Thing #14- Go with the Flow

I chose to create an account with bubbl.us and flowchart.com. Both of these programs were fairly easy to use; however,I find it more helpful to physically draw charts and webs out on paper. I am a reading teacher, so I can see how these tools can be utilized in the classroom. I am sure the kids would have fun using these programs to map out cause and effect, sequential order, and many other things of that nature. The fact that you can color coordinate them is also a neat accessory. I intend, without doubt, to incorporate these tools into my curriculum. I think these are great resources to have! I enjoyed bubbl.us a bit more, and found that it gave more direction, so that one is the one I plan on trying out first.

Thing # 13- Web Based Applications

 

 

Zoho Writer 

 

 

 

Importing a picture= Easy! 

 

So maybe I am just a creature of habit, but I honestly do not think Zoho Writer differs that much from any of the other programs I already have on my computer. I can, however, see how this program can benefit those who travel frequently, or do not have their computers with them. Inserting a picture is a breeze, and I found it easy to customize the size and appearance. It is a great option to have, and I do think it is a good program to be acquainted with; however,other than for those few things, there is not much that wins me over. I am sticking to old Microsoft Word...for now

Thing # 12- Google Tools

Oh, Google...

When looking through the list of things to explore, the "Google calendar" caught my eye. I am a very organized person, and thought this would be right up my alley. After taking the tutorial to learn more about it, I created an account. It is so easy! It literally only took a few minutes and I had already added several events. I find this service to be very helpful, especially for people with busy life styles. As a teacher, I find this convenient because I can check it from my computer at school, and do not have to worry about trying to find my physical calendar. Less paper= Less mess! For this exercise we are suppose to make it public, and this makes me a bit uncomfortable. It is one thing to view my pictures, but another to know my daily activities. I only added a few things that I thought were OK to be public, and the rest I set to a private setting. Overall, this is a great method for keeping track of events and things to get done.

To view my calendar simply go to Google calendar and type in my name (Angel Gregory) :]

"Google Alerts" was the next thing I decided to research. I also found this service to me helpful and not very complicated. As busy as I am, it really does help to be sent an email as a reminder. Teachers are busy people, and this program helps ensure that it all gets done!

Thing # 11- Adding Feeds

I liked most of the resources, and found them equally helpful. If I were to chose only a couple, however, I would probably say Google Blog Search and Blogline's search tool. All I had to do was type it a certain topic and then sort through the results. With so many options, alot of them did not seem appealing to me. After looking for awhile, though, I began reading some that I thought pertained more to me and my interest. I found feedster to be a bit challenging. The categories, although there are only three, did not seem helpful at all. On top of that, my computer would constantly freeze...but only when using that specific page. The link kept giving me an internet explorer error, which was very frustrating!

I will say that people write some pretty unusual things! I guess one feels less vanurable when he knows he can publish his opinions anonimously. When I did a search for raising children, for example, I was surprised to see some of the results. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder...

Thing # 10- Learning about RSS Feeds

My Link: http://www.bloglines.com/public/lovingsummer

I find it much more efficeint to utilize a program like bloglines when trying to stay up-to-date on daily occurances. Having it all in one place makes it quick and simple. Obviously, there are a ton of great websites offering information for teachers. I have found many great ideas to use when making assignments that are fun and creative. For my own personal use, I enjoy the "daily recipes". This subscription allows me to get great ideas for meals in minutes. Teachers and librarians can really benefit from this program because it will allow them to stay current on important issues. It is easy and saves time--2 thngs teachers love!!

Just for Fun

Thing # 9- Online Image Generators

Photos created by: www.imagechef.com
This service is by far my favorite. It literally took seconds for me to figure it out and begin making things. There are a ton a different possibilities, and I find that I am already addicted! I simply clicked on a heading that looked interesting, typed in my phrase, and it instantly appeared. I then saved it to my desk top and imported it like any other picture. I also saw where you can use it on other programs such as facebook. This is such a creative way to add style to Internet sights, bulletin boards, or anything else that needs a little flair. As for personal use, this service is a fun method for sending greetings to friends and family.

Thing # 8- Even More Flikr Fun

Photo created using Mosaic Maker.

This program was fun once I got the hang of it, but for the first hour or so it seemed impossible! My main problem stemmed from the URL. The program has a specific area where one can copy and paste it, but when I did that the image was tiny. I finally tried copying it from the address bar and that worked much better.

This tool would be great to use when making things to send home. It is also a creative tool to use when making things to go on bulleton boards, in memory books, or even in a yearbook.

I do not mind sharing pictures online, as long as strangers are not using pictures of my home or family. Other things such as scenic views or pets are fine. Overall, I think this program is fun and creative and can add a cute touch to most projects!

Thing #7- Exploring Flikr

Flickr is so much fun! I will be using Flickr for personal use, and will probably incooporate it into the classroom when I get more accustomed to it. As I said in my last entry, my family has been "Flickr followers" for months now, so I'm glad I finally get to join the fun :]

I have never used another photo hosting service before, unless you count the facebook account my daughter created. I have uploaded pictures onto that program because my daughter loves it, and it is an easy way for her to see what's going on when she is away at college.

Flickr is devoted completely to photography, whereas facebook has different elements. Flickr feels more "adult" to me. I enjoy both services and will continue exploring and learning about them.

Privacy is important to me, but only to a certain extent. I only post items that I feel do not give out too much information about where I live, my phone number, and things of that nature. Yes, there are plenty of weird people on the internet, but then again, there are going to be weird people everywhere. The private option is great for the photos I only want my family to see.

More Flickr Fun

My Family
Originally uploaded by a.gregory19

These are the people I love the most. My son is a senior at Horn, and my daughter is a sophmore at A&M.

Flickr Fun

Bailey
Originally uploaded by a.gregory19

This is my miniature snchnauzer, Bailey. She is spolied rotten, as this picture shows.

Thing #6- Web 2.0 Tools

 I began my search with the "award winners" and was excited to see that Flikr made the list. This is a sight I have wanted to search and get accustomed to for some time now. My sister and nieces are Flikr fanatics, so I am constantly having to call on my daughter or husband to help me if I want to see their latest adventures. 

Setting up an account was nothing difficult; however, I did not like the fact that one must first create a yahoo account. This is not that big of a deal, except for the fact that I already have numerous email accounts that I cannot keep track of! After finding my family's accounts, I began to realize how much they depend on this site to keep track of all their photographed memories. There were hundreds and hundreds of photos! I tried to jump on the bandwagon myself and began adding a few photos, but could not come near to the amount others have posted. I couple of hours later I checked back and noticed I had received comments. It is a great tool to use when trying to stay connected with those one cannot see everyday.

As far as it's use in the classroom/library setting, I cannot see much of one, in less it is a photography class. If one thinks outside the box and has the class write stories about the pictures they are viewing, or analyze them for certain elements it could perhaps work, but overall I believe this is a tool best suited to the home environment.

Thing #5- School 2.0

Professional Development and Web 2.0- Having two teenage children has taught me many things, one of which being the immense power the Internet holds. After my daughter created a facebook account for me to use, I have been able to communicate with people at the click of a mouse. Having already been introduced to this realm, I can accurately say that learning 2.0 can be a great thing. Learning is made easily accessible to those with a busy lifestyle, it is engaging for today's youth, and provides opportunities far beyond the mundane pen and paper.

New Literacies: Enrichment or Essential? I found this article to be thought-provoking and insightful. Although I am a believer in the possibilities the Internet holds, how much of it really is essential? All of the resources mentioned seem to make the process so simple. There is not much of a "thought process" behind clicking a mouse; however, it seems to be an inevitable means to future learning. Today's world is quick and simple, exactly how Learning 2.0 provides information. Overall, I believe the good outweighs the bad, and that more learning will take place because of this resource.

What does this mean for the future? It means there are limitless possibilities to look forward to. Pen and paper will be a thing of yesterday, tossed beside the record players and VHS tapes. 

Thing # 4- The Importance of Commenting

Commenting helps create a sense of community because you find out very quickly that others have the same concerns you have, share the same situations and sometimes might have a suggestion of something you might try in your classroom to make you be able to meet your objective.

I commented on many blogs some being TeddyBear / boog-phil / ictbailey/ crickets corner/ science7 / coolcatteacher


Some of the topics I have commented on with boogphil was the health site he found. With Voyager reading we cover a helath unit that talks about exercise and making good food choices. This would be a waqy to show they how they can keep up with their weight and look up information about foods and food groups.

Ictbailey and I discussed apprehension over this class. Little did I know ictbailey would be the first one finished in this class or at least one of the first ones done. ha!

Something I feel would be great for all students is crickets corners website called onesentence.org and we discussed working with descriptive words.

Another blog talked about comic strips site and sequential order and I got alot of great ideas for my class next year.

Coolcatteacher and I blogged about Second Life and how popular and fun this is and then others gave us suggestions on things we might want to check out before we jump into our Second Life.

I like reading blogs and writing blogs it is like a huge brainstorming meeting! My mother always told me two heads were better than one so in theis case you can have the knowledge of many! It makes you a better teacher and makes your classroom more ready and productive to learning for your students.

Thing # 3- Registering my Blog

Using a blog in the classroom would be great with Reading students.  We could have more in depth discussions about everything from setting and plot to character evaluations.  I could see even students from other schools debating events and reasoning of a novel with one another.  Each giving their own perspectives.

I also could see a blog being an asset when covering a poem unit or even working  on a poem written by a group or a story being written.

Thing #2- Creating My Blog

The way I came up with a posting name and blog name was my family.  It takes me forever to decide on what I want from naming my blog to choosing paint for my dining room.  So my family seeing me make a list at the kitchen table finally sat down and began giving me suggestions.

It was hard to create for me because I am not really great on the computer so I have to read everything two or three times.  Actually I almost decided that maybe I should think about going ahead and dropping this course if it was going to take me this long to choose avatar and download it.  But I didn't. :)  I will keep my thoughts toward I can do it....

 My avatar does reflect some of my personality and some things about her a different than myself.  She has green eyes which I also have and brown hair like me but she and I are not the same age.  She is standing by a plane and so implying she like to travel and I also like to travel.  

Thing # 1- 7 and a Half Habits of Life Long Learners

The easiest one for me to relate to was teaching or mentoring others, giving back.  I have taught for the past 22 years in the education so it is hard for me to remember a time I was not teaching someone or mentoring someone.  But I know once I was in this position then I knew it was for me.  The giving back part is something my parents always instilled in my sisters and I.  My parents were very interested in  the community and making it better and so as they volunteered at activities they would take us along.  Instilling a sense of not only accomplishment through helping others but also a sense of belonging and team building with others.

When thinking of the hardest thing for me to relate to it would definitely be #4 confidence in yourself as a competent,effective learner.  I tend to think others have the better idea, others can do it.  I feel at times like a follower and though there is no problem being a follower and we need followers there is a small part of me that screams out be the leader today.  You are just a smart and you are just as talented.  It depends on the day.  I can be a follower today and tomorrow your leader.