Is It the End...Or Only the Beginning?

Overview and Reflection on the Outcome of my Blog:
   I feel like this has been a long time coming!  Even though I feel accomplished and glad that I have reached the end, I am hoping that I don't lose the many aspects that I have learned while making this blog.  I will be completely honest; there some "things" that I really felt could be useful in my real-life teaching career, where others I feel were too time consuming and would almost be better to maintain the good ol' hard copy style!  One in particular that stands out to me that could probably be side tracked was the LiveBinders, Twitter and even Google Docs.  Call me crazy but I am still a little shy when it comes to technology!  I do feel more confident in some aspects of exploring the web, but I still hold true to certain traditions like having a real-life binder instead of composing one online that will possibly be the same bookmarks that I have somewhere else.
   On the other hand, I felt like I have become more aware of certain websites that exist.  I really fell in love with Flickr, the online image generator, YouTube for Teachers, MSN calendars and Animoto to just name a few!  I feel more resourced for sure than I did at the beginning of making this blog, and for that I am truly thankful.  I am also very glad that I will always have this blog to refresh my memory within all these "things" that I did.  It's important to me to remember a lot of these important resources and I am more than excited to someday be able to share this amazing opportunity with my future classroom.  If I am able to teach an older grade, it might even be possible for me to able to allow for my students to make their own blogs.  There is nothing better to a teacher to share their own resources with others and especially their students!
   Reflecting on all the work I have put into this blog, I really gained a sense of importance of technology and what exactly Web 2.0 has to offer.  The resources are truly endless!  It's so mind boggling to know that I have only barely scratched the surface of how many resources are out there in my reach.  I am very grateful to Dr. Wall for giving us such a beneficial project that will only make us better teachers.  Technology is always something that will be advancing and I think it's truly helped me with making this blog!  Blogging rocks!


Link to picture:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA62DAz9UbkMjpPKNuOeTqsh9D8JWCvn96F2kC8gcIhbUIoOI3z2GqyhuSA7MAwwTx6KOLVLKFkFHzphRegf9juOntA8uE2m_2lljzAA9srX_tOc4mE3EmW4b3HrnwZSIw9acwu4EPBr8/s1600/Finish+Line.jpg

Thing #23 - Creative Commons

Now that you know about Creative Commons licensing, how will you use it in the future as a teacher?
Creative Commons is something that should be really personal to everyone.  How would anyone like having their work copied and used for a grade or credit?  No one would want that.  That is exactly why it's important that everyone (teachers and students included) should be aware of the creative commons license and it's relevance and importance.  I will teach my students the importance of the creative commons license, as I hope that they will understand the relevance for securing their own work.  Teachers also need to realize that they are the true role model when it comes to laying the ground rules.  If a teacher cannot display the correct use of the  creative commons license, then how will the students be held to that same standard?  I feel that the use of the license should be correlated within teaching the regular state standards.


An example (almost a prototype) of our 23 Things:
"23 Things on a Stick"
http://23thingsonastick.blogspot.com/

Link to picture:
http://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/logos/cc.logo.large.png

Thing #22 - Keepin' It Together: LiveBinders

What are the titles of your binders?
The three titles of the binders that I made are as follows:

1. 3rd Grade Mathematics - Multiplication
2. 3rd Grade Mathematics - Division
3. 3rd Grade Mathematics - Decimals

I chose these titles since they correspond with the standard that I have chosen at the beginning of the semester.  The LiveBinders website has made it easier to find worksheets, lessons and pictures in order to assist with teaching these units.

Below is an example of Binder 1:

3rd Grade Math

Discuss how you might use LiveBinders in the classroom, including possible lesson ideas for students.
Using LiveBinders would be a great way to stay organized and implementing the best of classroom management.  You can initially store all the printouts that you want to keep and be able to refer back to.  Even though I am keen on saving paper, I am still a big fan of having a hard copy, just in case I need it right then and there and fast.  LiveBinders would be a great back up to have if your hard copy ever goes missing.  I didn't also really like the way it was set up.  If I am looking at a binder online, I'd like to feel as if I am truly looking into a binder and this layout wasn't set up that way.  So, I would've probably liked it a little better if the layout was set up as if you are truly working with a binder.  Other than that, I felt confident using the program after watching the tutorial and playing around with it for a while.  But, at the end of the day and when it's all said and done, I am still going to trust my handy dandy hard copied binders!


Link to picture: 
http://www.fcrsd.org/imageGallery/EGriffin7243/LiveBinders%20Logo%202.jpg

Thing #21 - Animoto

My Animoto Video:
Erica & Roland's Cruise Summer 2011
Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

My Experience using Animoto:
I had such a fun time making my Animoto video!  Even though it was a little challenging trying to figure out how to embed my video, everything turned out really awesome for my video!  I was a little unsure on how to make a title for the video, so I just added in within my blog!  This would be a really great resource to use to display students' art work or their "best work."  I could make a video of all their best work, and by a song of their choice, I could make a video to send to their parents.  I could even also post some videos onto my website so all the kids could see their friends' videos too!  I know students would love to see their other peers' work so it would be a great activity to do in my classroom.  I could even use this example to show them what an Animoto video would look like.  I am sure my students will get a kick out of seeing my video too!  This was really a fun activity!

Thing #20 - You, Too, Can YouTube

 Why I chose this video and it's purpose:
       As I browsed the many useful videos that describe what makes teachers effective, I really liked the underlined message in this video.  As the video explains, the most highly thought of teachers don't necessarily have to have outgoing personalities, a master's degree or even tons of teaching experience.  The most important aspect of teaching should be focused on each individual student.  A teacher that can focus on that is truly what I would like to call a great teacher.  That is exactly what this video shows.  I really liked that you can also hear from the students point of view, and their parents.  It's important to know how effective you are as a teacher when it comes from your students.  

        I didn't even know before I started searching through YouTube that they had a specific site for teachers.  Now being aware of this site, there are many short videos that can be shown in class to help engage students with lessons.  I came across a lot of great multiplication videos that show the patterns of repeated addition and it's great to see the video for those visual learners.  Students will always be engaged with a video, so why not teach from a video to gain the students interests!?  

        The YouTube video that I have posted below is a short clip from ABCNews that show two different teacher's effective tools of being a great teacher.

ABCNews - What Makes Great Teachers 2-26-10:

Link to YouTube Video:
http://youtu.be/7bIQ4-3XSxU

Thing #19 - Beyond Facebook: Other Social Networks

Are you a member of any online communities?
I am a member of Facebook, Twitter, Teacher POP, Pinterest and Classroom 2.0.  I have really enjoyed exploring these online communities since they have really assisted me with so many endless ideas!  I have really came across the most interesting lessons amongst these sites and I really intend using these sites as a future teacher.  It's extremely becoming a member of an online community because there are so many potential lesson plans, unit plans and creative ideas for classroom management and disciplining.  I highly recommend Pinterest for creative ideas and Classroom 2.0 for technological classroom ideas.

Are any of these social networks appealing to you?
Of the many that I explored, they are all appealing to me!  I found myself going through each recommendation that Dr. Wall posted and I realized that I had been browsing these sites for over a couple of hours!  I didn't become members of all of them (as that would be a lot of passwords and usernames to remember!) but hopefully I will be able to save them in my bookmarks to potentially use later on as a teacher.  I feel that teachers are always looking to the internet or even online communities for advice, motivation, or even ideas.  So to me, I would feel more reassured if I knew I was a part of a respectable online community.

What did you find that was interesting and that you might use later?
I really liked the Classroom 2.0 online community.  I liked how it feels very informative and interactive.  This site really engaged me the most and I feel like reading some of the posts that other members had posted really encouraged me.  It's really nice to find that motivation in fellow peers, considering you are all potentially going through the same daily activities.  I am also a huge fan of Pinterest and Facebook.  Pinterest is especially great for finding creative gadgets to use with implementing lessons.  There are great recommendations, ideas, instructions and directions that you can really use in the classroom.  I am a big fan of this site and I know I will use it until I run out of ideas (which will be never!).

Link to picture:
http://teaching.monster.com/nfs/teaching/attachment_images/0008/3601/shutterstock_40085707_crop380w.jpg?1259865980

Thing #18 - Explore Social Networking

Why is it important that educators know how social networking works?  What new insights did you gain about these popular sights?  What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored?  Which site had the most useful features?  


     It's important that teachers are familiar with social networking devices since their students will be very involved with them.  Teachers need to be able to relate to their students and their interests.  Teachers should know that social networking will be a major part of student's interests.  Especially with popular social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, which were also the sites that I explored.  I now feel more "in tuned" with Twitter, as this is the first few times I've logged on since getting my account.  I have been familiar with Facebook for over a while now.  I really feel like I can gain more from Facebook since it allows me to do more things and even has a lot more features than Twitter.  Twitter is good if you like to do quick check ups with people, but to me, Facebook can be a lot more personal and it also allows for more "profiling."  Since Facebook allowed more features and I've used it for a while, I feel the most comfortable using it and staying updated through it.  I also have more friends that use Facebook so I also feel like I can keep up with friends and family more so with using Facebook.  I definitely think that as a future teacher that I can use Facebook to familiarize myself with my students and it would also be interesting for them to see my profile as well.  Facebook and Twitter are definitely staying around for a good while, so I know that I need to maintain my updates with technology in order to stay "in-the-know" with my students' interests!  I have also added a link and screen shot to my Facebook page.

Link to Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=18309177
Link to picture:
http://www.idaconcpts.com/wp-content/online%20community.jpg

Thing #17 - Tagging and Social Bookmarking with Delicious

Can you see the potential of this tool in the classroom?  Or just as an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere?  How can teachers take advantage of social bookmarking sites?


        There is great potential for using social bookmarking sites such as Delicious and Diigo.  As we posted our websites of the day, it has been fun and interesting to see other websites that others have posted and I'd like to think of Diigo as something that I will always have as a a resource to use in the classroom.  I also liked Delicious because you can search for different topics that will initially give you as many options as Diigo has for educational websites.  Basically, Delicious is like a million Diigo's tied into one big site.  I also really like that you can add certain links that people have added to their stacks so that you can personally have it within your own stack.  As far as having all the bookmarks, the amount is endless!  I think it is very helpful as a teacher to be able to tag certain stacks that pertain to a certain subject and/or lesson.  That will make it a lot easier to find certain links that way and will also make the bookmarks more organized.  As all teachers should collaborate to assist each other, I think it's a great idea to socialize through the use of bookmarks.  Why not share an idea with a fellow teacher, or better yet, maybe you will pick up another creative lesson or idea.  Teachers are always looking for further resources or assistance so social bookmarking would really benefit all of us teachers in that perspective!  I have attached a screen shot of the Delicious stack I made that correlates to my learning standards.

Link to picture:
http://increaserss.com/wp-content/uploads/bookmarkjpg1.gif

Thing #16 - Get Organized with Web 2.0 Tools

• Which start page did you choose?  Why did that one appeal to you?  Will you make it your permanent home page?

          Since I have always been a google fan, I set up an iGoogle page.  I already had an iGoogle page that was personalized to my own settings but in this case, I changed things up a bit and I hadn't really ever changed the placement of anything nor did I add a gadget.  I added a to-do list to my page and it has really came quite handy!  As of right now, I have changed this iGoogle page to my home page just because it's so much easier to see emails, my to-do lists and any other updates that are involved with my gmail account.          

• How can the online calendars be useful to you?

         Since I already have an existing hotmail account, I chose to go ahead and further edu cate myself with the MSN calendar.  Since it was also on the list as one of "The Web's Best Calendars."  I had never used the calendar feature before until now and it was quite helpful.  I input all my family's birthdays so now I can be alerted when their birthday is approaching without having to remember!  It will also show the temperature which I thought was pretty cool, so you could kill two birds with one stone by using this feature.  I really liked this calendar and since it's already linked to my hotmail account, I'll be able to use it easier and more frequent, at least as often as I check my emails!

• What about the to-do lists—helpful, too much work…?

          Honestly, I felt like it was almost redundant to add another to-do list in addition to the calendar that I initially added everything I needed to get done by a certain deadline.  I really would prefer to just use the MSN calendar that is linked to my email so it will keep me posted and on track of certain things that are coming up.  Although I thought that "Remember the Milk" was a useful tool, I just don't want to have too many web tools that will overwhelm me with remembering where I have placed everything.  So, instead I would like to have it all in one place, so why not have something that is tied to my email that I check almost everyday?  That makes more sense to me and how I personally feel better using the to-do lists.

• Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at the school or at home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?

          After it was all said and done, I liked the calendar.  I just had never realized before how useful the calendar can truly be.  The crazy part is that I have had it forever, but never knew about it or used it.  I have had my hotmail account for a good 10 years and I have never branched out to use any of the other features other than email.  To my amazement, I explored and found the calendar which is really great!  I would be able to link reminders that I can have for my classroom.  It would be a great addition because I would still be able to use it for my own personal use.  

Link to picture:
http://insideoutsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/web-tools.jpg

Thing #15 - What in the World is a Wiki?

How might you use a wiki?  What did you find interesting about the wiki concept?
      When exploring through the examples that Dr. Wall posted and the YouTube video, it was pretty interesting how advanced technology really is!  I was pretty impressed by Wiki, although I had never used it personally.  I think it could be beneficial to use in the classroom to even use for simple things.  Like at the beginning of the year when we are gathering supplies, I thought it would be a great resource to use for all the parents so they all still know what supplies are needed for the classroom.  The beauty of that is it could be used throughout the whole school year to inform the parents of other needed essentials throughout the year such as anti-bacterial, tissues, etc.  I also really liked that it was simple to use and understand.  When posting on the the APSU Sandbox, I was amazed on how simple it was to use Wiki in action.  I am very happy with technology when it's simple and easy to use!  I am very intrigued by Wiki and all the ways it can be used.  I am looking forward to using Wiki in my classroom!

Link to picture:
http://mikaelhunault.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/wiki1.gif

Thing #14 - Go With the Flow

Describe the tools you chose and why you chose them on your blog: 

I chose to explore with Gliffy and bubbl.us.  I have never made a flowchart before so it took me a while to understand the formats and how to construct one.  I really liked these sites because they were simple to navigate around the page.  They were both very self explanatory and you are able to start making a flowchart or a mind map right away for free.  I like the fact that I don't have to register, or input my email because it always seems like I am signing up for junk mail!  I have personally uploaded 2 screen shots of my work at both websites, as seen below.

Explore the differences between mind maps and flowcharts, and consider using (or at least testing) one of these tools with a real project that you may have coming up.
I saw that the main differences between these two designs is the format, the amount of space they take up, and personally how you feel you would rather present your information.  I really liked the mind map because it seemed easier to use and was even quicker to use.  The flowcharts are also fun because you can hand pick where you would like your next step to be, and what design bubble to put it into.  I would really like to be able to use both flowcharts and the mind map within my classroom to help present information in a different way than what most students are used to like powerpoint.  It would also be a great picture to input into my interactive powerpoint to show the series of steps of solving a multiplication problems effectively.  So, look forward to seeing examples of if not one, but both of those in my upcoming interactive powerpoint!

Link to picture:

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l40/bmahfood/Blog%20Photos/flowchart.png

Thing #13 - Web-based Applications

Using Zoho - 
This was the very first time that I have ever heard or used Zoho.  Although similar to Google Docs, I really found that they offer more of a variety of document collaboration and applications.  It's just as simple and fun to use like Google Docs, but it did seem a little more confusing to be able to share documents.  Once I did figure out how to share a document, the document had not sent the way I wanted. So, that was different than what I have personally experienced with using Google Docs.  Other than that, I was able to navigate around Zoho fairly simple and I hope to use Zoho in the future either in the classroom or for a personal collaborative piece.

1. Discuss in your blog how your students might work collaboratively using Google Docs.
I have personally used Google Docs before in the past so it was very familiar to me to be able to use it again this time around.  With that said, I feel comfortable with the program so it seems more simplistic and realistic for students to make great use out of it.  Students would be able to each create a document and then personally share it with one another so they could get peer reviews, comments, corrections, etc.  I feel that is extremely useful to get constructive criticism from your peers, as it also involves the use of technology within the classroom as well.  Although it would be just as beneficial for them to edit their papers in class, it's more fun for students to be able to use the computer and collaborate with the peers at the same time.

2. Compare the two web-based productivity sites (Google Docs and Zoho). Which do you prefer? Why?
Coinciding with what I said prior, I am more comfortable and familiar with Google Docs.  But, that doesn't mean that didn't also find Zoho useful.  I really liked Zoho in the fact that there seemed to be a few more options in what type of document you would want to make.  They allow people to collaborate in making pictures, chatting, music and videos.  So, I liked that about Zoho and I am sure students would love to be able to work with their friends to make a masterpiece together.  But, if I had to personally choose, I would still probable venture back towards Google Docs since it's my comfort zone, but I also will keep in mind Zoho if I ever need to use further applications within a document collaboration.

Link to Picture:
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/download/attachments/13339027/zoho1.gif?version=1&modificationDate=1270047790000

Thing #4 - Why Commenting is Important

Explain why commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction.
   After reading what the professionals had to say about commenting, it is obviously important to not only comment on what you have read, but it's also important in how and what you say within the comment.  For courteous reasons, it's professional to be sincere with constructive criticism and also, for my thoughts personally, I think it's good to be straight to the point and make your comment worth reading.  If everyone is able to follow these simple guidelines, it will make a great debate or discussion that is worth taking part in and that can also further your education within that topic.  You can learn effectively from just blogging someone.  So, being able to learn efficiently comes from learning to comment the precise way.

Discuss two other points from the readings about commenting that you found important.
  I think it is very important to leave comments!  I really liked the way Doug Johnson from "The Blue Skunk blog" put it that "writers like knowing that they have been read."  It's so true though because thinking back and looking at everything you have written, the best part was finding out how much the person enjoyed reading it.  That's no different with blogs.  If you were to write something that you knew was never going to be written, then why would you write it?  That's the key question to ask before you choose to read another blog.  However, that doesn't necessarily mean that you must comment on every blog.  I would just encourage that you comment on the blogs that really make you think or that you have a strong opinion towards.  Besides, commenting can bring a well in-depth debate that could teach you a thing or two!

Give the names of the seven blogs (5 from our group + 2 others of your choice) you selected to read and comment on and tell why you selected them.
   I chose the following blogs and people to comment on because I share with them their views or their opinions.  I also know these students from class and I think it's important to be able to hear feedback from your peers.  It's important to know that someone you know is reflecting on your classwork.  The people and blogs that I commented on are as follows:
People:

1. Daniel Cozine (DC Blog)
2. Nick Caudill (NC Blog)
3. Ariel Griffith (AG Blog)
4. Jasmine Richardson (JR Blog)
5. Jessica Tucker (JT Blog)

Blogs:

1. Teaching with TLC (TWTLC)
2. PBS Teachers (PBS)

Discuss the comments that you chose to make and why you made them.
   
I really think it's important to show your peers how their work looks.  So, I added comments on the people's blogs that I had chosen and commented on what looked great within their blog.  I think it's important to read through and skim blogs to catch and ideas that maybe you have missed.  I learned through reading and commenting on these blogs that there are so many different ways to view teaching and there are also so many ways that you can teach lessons!  With the help of my friends and the two professional blogs, I feel reassured that I have great resources and people to support my future in becoming a teacher!




References:
The Blue Skunk Blog Johnson, D. August 2005.  02/16/12.  http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2008/5/3/your-comments.html
http://www.teachingwithtlc.com/
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/
Link to Picture: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd_0vmhvYk2INTEPWupTtqaSuLA7HgGfYpZu_J-kfwIR4lbnyC7svlB9SBsELurIcpkqfyzu9kf9wb0DHSfv579BBaoA-ZEjWBh4LPs4GH0CQTtmGGW-UQ9PP7QguCawVUfT6-Jd-eL0/s320/blog-commenting.jpg

Thing #12 - Google is Not Just for Searching Anymore

Discovery Exercise:

    This was honestly a lot of fun!  I learned lots of new stuff and the best part of it all was that it was all so simple!!  I had no idea that pictures that were taken from my phone could get synched onto my Google page.  Well, of course, as Dr. Wall claims everything is addicting, this truly was!!  I actually set up an iGoogle for myself and then I was able to get into Picasa Web Albums.  I also made an album through Picasa using the pictures that I had taken on my phone!  I thought that was the coolest thing ever because I had no idea this whole time that pictures that I was taking were being saved through my google account.  I also wondered why my phone would tell me that I had uploaded another photo online.  I just thought they were talking about my pictures through my phone!  I feel as though I am becoming smarter through knowing all these awesome short cuts that Google has to offer!
    The icalendar was also such a great tool because it's so accessible and super easy to navigate.  I was able to put in reminders a lot easier than on my phone and now it will be able to send me emails when those dates are getting near!  I had so much fun exploring all what google has to offer and I am hoping that one day, I will be able to use the translator because I never knew that translating could be so easy! It's amazing what you can do online if you just learn how to!


References:
Link to picture: http://lifebaker.com/a/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/igoogle.png
Link to my profile: https://plus.google.com/u/0/s/Erica%20Paredez

Thing #11 - Finding Good Feeds

 - Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use?

    I really liked to be able to search all the search engines for finding blogs.  But, wow, there is so many blogs out there that it would almost take you forever just to find the ones that you really like!  However, it's nice to have organized searching methods that help make the search less time consuming and complicated.  It's amazing what searching for blogs can do and to be able to find so many different types of blogs.  Of course, I tried to stay within the "teaching" genre when searching for different blogs.

 - Which search tool was the easiest for you?

    I think since I am already so familiar with Google, I really liked to be able to use Google to search for different blogs.  I also tried using Technorati and it wasn't all that difficult once I got the swing of things.  But, not only am I familiar with Google, I really think that they were the easiest to navigate around.  They were straight to the point and didn't offer any searches that really didn't meet your criteria.  Also, Google is very simple within their design so it makes it that much more easier when searching with Google Blog.

 - Which was more confusing?

    To be honest, I didn't really like Technorati at first.  They have a very bust home page that almost seems confusing and you don't know where to start.  It also took me a while to realize that I was searching for posts instead of blogs.  So, that took me a while before I came to the attention that I needed to be looking for blogs instead of posts.  I also didn't like that they weren't all that organized.  They had women's interests but the topics are very broad within them so it's hard to find a detailed blog that I was looking for.  But, as I explored the website a little more, I got the hang of it.  Just as in any website, if you play with it long enough, you become compatible within their website.

 - What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels?

    I added 3 more blogs to my site, giving me a total of 9 blogs that I am following.  The blogs that I added to my Google Reader were Teaching with TLC, The Imagination Tree and the blog of Joanne Jacobs.  These are awesome blogs so far as they all have great ideas that I can add to my others!  I think my favorite one so far that I added was The Imagination Tree since they show lots of visuals and cute and simple arts and crafts that are so easy to use within the classroom!  

 - Or what kind of unusual ones did you find?

    There was one unusual feed that I found rather interesting.  It's called H8torade, which pretty much sums it all up in it's name!  Basically, it's a blog site about news feeds that break out in the use that could be hating on someone.  For instance, there was a feed about hating on a basketball player for not making certain free throws or shots.  It's pretty interesting to see what people write about other people when it could have been a news break that you felt the opposite about.

 - What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds?

    Newsfeeds are pretty much everywhere!  I really liked these sites that I visited in order to help me stay up to date within my teaching career.  But, I think that finding new news is endless.  One of my favorites is by word of mouth (which sometimes is slower than the Internet which is ironic) because you have the opportunity to discuss with someone about what new information that you just came across.

References:
Link to picture: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGCMitc9uiz1MwyaN2fUVfeLr4fmlx1utHvb9YP_kzxUHXSY5cB-QOpu8e1bsOCbbndDLZVqYgn_AKBxYDq7vxmOI2WSE27OmjUjLVXilAXc-lVek_YuUU0JqeEKUDocvAN5DuPtU1tBP/s1600/6a00d83452d45869e2015438246251970c-800wi.jpg

Thing #10 - Set Up an RSS Reader and Add Feeds

• What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?

          I almost feel like RSS is as addicting as facebook!  It works the same way as facebook does to a certain extent in that you can stay up to date with all the latest breaking news from your subscribers.  However, it is key to finding someone that is going to update their blog frequently so that you have a further interest in reading what they have to say!  I really liked the subscribers that I got too!  I subscribed to Free Teach 4 Teachers, The Cool Cat Teacher, Dangerously Irrelevant, The Pioneer Woman, Pinterest and PBS Teachers.  All these sites so far have been staying active within their posts so it makes it exciting to check up on!

• How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?

          There are so many ways that I can use RSS in both my personal and teaching life.  I say that because really, RSS is like building your own interests in one so I can subscribe to what I'd like to personally read on my own time, but then I know I have also subscribed to blogs that are affiliated within my teaching career.  These blogs are going to just further my knowledge within my teaching career because they are giving me ideas that I may not have found elsewhere.  That is exactly what I think is great about RSS Reader - it makes my life so easy!  Every teacher should be able to have all these same resources, and the best part about this is that it's free!  Now tell me what's not to like about that!?

• How can teachers use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?

          Just like I was saying in the last post, teachers are able to take advantage of these great resources that are available to them (for free!) on Google Reader.  Within these subscriptions that you can sign up into, you can use all the great ideas that come from these posts.  Especially within PBS and Pinterest!  Not only are you able to see great ideas, but you are also told means of being able to access them yourself.  I can't wait to share these ideas when I'm a teacher!  I just know that there's no limits to knowledge when you become a teacher so there's still so much more to explore within Google Reader!

References:

Link to picture: http://files.mrintech.com/wp-content/uploads/rss_logo.jpg

Thing #9 - Online Image Generators

   This has been probably one of my favorite activities so far!  I have now become addicted to the use of imagechef.com!  I would love to use this in my classroom, especially with the images that I have personally created.  My students would also love to be able to play with this website to make their own personalized pictures.  It would be a great way to incorporate technology within my classroom.  I could also make an activity out of the poetry maker, but it would be such a fun assignment that I feel my students would think of it as more fun than doing just another assignment.

  I would love to be able to have my students make their own word mosaic and a great word list could be their spelling words.  This might even be a great way for them to learn the words!  The website imagechef.com is a very easy and accessible website for the students to use so I would also recommend this website to the computer teachers (if they haven't already heard of it) so that they students can have fun with this website in computer class as well.  I really hope my future students will love this website as much as I did!  There's just so many great tools to play with in this website that the learning within it is endless!

Thing #8 - Flickr Mashups

   This was such a fun activity!  I really liked that I was able to upload any pictures that were on Flickr, and pictures that pertained to my interests.  It is so amazing what technology can do! And I must say that I agree with Dr. Wall that this has now become addicting!  
   This would be a fun tool to use in my classroom to upload all the students drawings, projects or paintings into a mosaic picture.  I think the students would love to be able to see all their work that they have completed over the course of the year.  I also think it could be a great end-of-the-year gift to my students.  The parents would also love to see all their child's work combined into one picture.  
   Overall, I would recommend the mosaic builder to anyone who loves pictures (which there aren't too many people who don't like pictures!)  This would also great to use this tool to make an awesome collage, quilt or picture to be framed.  I really enjoyed this activity and I must admit that I will personally be using the mosaic builder again in the near future!


Pictures Used:
1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellywestmars/3932316456/">TGIF, doggone it!</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellywestmars/3928163797/">Things I Love Thursday  (9/17)</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellywestmars/3900951393/">wonder is the beginning of wisdom.</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eduhhz/2377537554/">Origami</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracibunkers/1456364182/">smiley face 1" pin-back button or magnet</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nature_travel_photography/3016605786/">Max the chocolate lab dog</a>, 7. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/5237989497/">Candies</a>, 8. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38301474@N05/3525766387/">National Civic Summit - American Flag</a>, 9. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulamaffei/2522281736/">. colors</a>, 10. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thanh-tan88/3937097553/">funny pictures</a>, 11. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhawalpatel/6850615895/">Funny Pictures (14)</a>, 12. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/5599620163/">Sunset Sky</a>, 13. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/weavingmajor/3192410044/">upcycled jigsaw puzzle</a>, 14. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30843996@N02/3785427771/">floor pattern</a>, 15. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohsokoooky/2554804879/">Elevator Love Letter</a>, 16. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluemarla/229631339/">Rainbow Books</a>

Thing #7 - Explore Flickr

Will you use Flickr for classroom, library or personal photos, or in some other way? How? Have you ever used another photo hosting service besides Flickr? Which one? How do the two compare? How do you feel about having your photos in a public place (note that you can mark your photos private too) -- any concerns?


    Wow, was this lesson a toughie!  I had the worst problem with trying to find a picture that was compatible with being uploaded through the URL.  However, it was quite an experience that taught me how to make use of figuring out which pictures have "jpg" at the end of its web address.  I would like to personally thank Dr. Wall and  Nick Caudill for helping me with this project! 
     As far as Flickr was concerned, I liked the use of the website in order to browse through pictures that are great quality and are just fun in general.  I think it would be great to use Flickr within my classroom to show what my class has done so far.  Of course with all the students permissions, I think it would be a great resource for parents to see what we've been doing as a class.  It would be fun to post pictures from field trips, group activities, projects and other events that occur throughout the year.  As far as pictures being in the open web, there are a few restrictions that I would need to be careful with in order to ensure privacy to my students.  But, I think if I was able to make the pictures seen through a selected group of people, then it would become a great way to interact with our class and see all the great activities that we've done together!  
    I have yet to try to explore further websites like Flickr, but I think it is a great way to share photos without having to pay!  I think that could make for a fun activity for my students and I to explore!  I think that the students would like to look at their pictures as much as their parents would, so being able to post pictures online would be a great way to engage the students within the classroom.


Image Citation:
JoJo.  "One of JoJo's Days." John 3000. 30 May 2009. 9 Feb 2012
<http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3592/3602047943_76a6c0d805_t.jpg>

Thing #6 - Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

What did you like or dislike about the tool?  

• I chose the source "Remember the Milk."  What a fun and creative feature to have!  I really liked this site because myself, of all people, tend to forget things on the regular, so a site like this one can help me stay organized.  I really the fact that you can download the app onto your phone and it will pick up any reminders that you had put while you were on the computer.  No matter where you are, it will tie in all your reminders that you had made.  I really like how easy it is to use also.  I actually downloaded this app onto my phone and I have already used it almost everyday.  Given that I always have my phone, it's a lot easier now not needing a notepad and pen if I need to make a quick note.

What were the site's useful features? 

• You can sign up very easily without any hassles and best of all, it's free!  The site also has services that show you how to transfer your reminders on other personal items such as your phone or ipad.  I also liked the fact that there was a "blog" that helped communicate how people were using the app, or any new features that they may have found that made using the app that much more easier.  

Could you see any applications for its use in a school or library setting?

• I think this could be very handy for students to use within the classroom.  They would be able to use it as a tool to help remind them of any important dates that would be coming up.  Or even, when their homework, reports or library books are due.  This would be great because they could add or monitor this website at school, and would still be able to see it at home if they had access to a computer.  This would also be great for the librarian too, because they could actually send reminders to the students that had this program, that their library books are due back soon!  The same could work with the teacher too with communicating to his/her students when they are away from the classroom.

Link to tool: http://www.rememberthemilk.com/
Link to picture: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml6NAsTsn7PnllkTyZdwEZN4-ojtJijgwcdhXY8OlX0Adcoruxms8ifUToNQaTHYbu-6VbGyv_hpw1Etsx-N2q4y6pTy4D_1JeVdC8SSdgppLTkq3KA_sPV87QFr_RfObZyLpL1RmZXk/s1600/what+is+web+2.0+site+.jpg

Thing #5 - Some Perspectives on Web 2.0/School 2.0 and the Future of Education

• What does "School 2.0" mean to you?
• What does it mean for schools of the future?

    After watching the informational videos and reading the resources, I've learned that web 2.0 is only at it's beginning.  School 2.0 has grown so much since it started and I can only imagine what's to become of it.  School 2.0 means that the ideas and resources are endless.  There are so many informational sites that you can visit that has some creative idea or instruction that can tremendously help within the classroom.  As one of the videos said, it is in the soon future that there won't be a need for paper and textbooks anymore!
    For schools in the future, I would like to say that I am glad that I will be a part of it!  By the time I start teaching, who knows what else will be out there or how much new information will be available.  However, although I see the importance of having School 2.0 within the classroom, it will not be beneficial if I'm not able to understand it fully.  So, I feel like it's extremely important to keep up to date with all the new technology that surfaces and to make sure that I know how to work School 2.0 to its greatest ability.




References: 
http://www.techlearning.com/article/web-20-a-guide-for-educators/44269
http://www.techlearning.com/article/understanding-web-20-web-20/44837
Link to picture: http://fjostsons.edublogs.org/files/2011/11/web2_0-y7zjhk.png

Thing #1 - Lifelong Learning and Learning 2.0

As I read the "7 and 1/2 Habits online tutorial," I really admired the definition of learning.  All seven and a half habits were key factors in what it takes in order to obtain a lifelong learning habit.  The great characteristic of learning is that it is personalized to what you want to learn.  Out of all the habits that were shown, I thought the easiest habit to achieve was #7 which encouraged teaching and/or mentoring others. I thought this habit would be the most fun for me to achieve since my admiration in life is to be able to teach others.  As a future teacher, I truly hope to make learning a lifelong habit for myself through my actions of teaching.  However, the most challenging habit that was listed was #6.  This habit integrated the use of technology to your own personal advantage.  This is the biggest struggle for me as I am starting to gain just a little confidence with doing educational activities online.  But, I do intend to build my confidence within my education in technology, and hopefully, for starters, this class will help tremendously!  


References: 7 and 1/2 Habits online tutorial, Lori Reed from the PLCMC, Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, January 23, 2012.
Link to picture: http://www.niacc.edu/lli/images/LifelongLearningLogo1.jpg

Thing #3 - Blog Registration

Blog Registration Process


After setting up this blog and knowing how easy it really was, I have found many insights on how to make blogs a success within the classroom.  The Edublog Insights by Anne Davis gives great examples of how blogs can be useful for students and for the teacher.  Not only will the blogs give into the student's interests within technology, they also educate them into being diverse within different teaching strategies.  The student's blogs would be a great tool to keep their interests within literature groups, different journal entries (that will also make it pretty easy to grade), and to interact with the other students in the class if they have questions.  The only challenge would be to ensure that every student has access to a computer.  But, if applicable, this would be a great activity and opportunity for teachers to engage with their students.


References: Edublog Insights by Anne Davis.  January 23, 2012.
Link to picture: http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2010-04-29-b9f6cd4b0a0111e92893e98691316994.gif

Thing #2 - The Blog Experience

How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?

     I wanted to choose something that was personal to me, and that was also describing all my "23 Things" that I will be learning throughout the semester.  The "23 Things" are valuable to me personally, and shows what I will be learning how to further my education within technology. 

What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?

      Knowing that I have made a blog is really cool to me!  I never would have thought I'd say, "that wasn't too hard," after making the blog.  Although doing something for the first time takes a little while to construct, altogether, making this blog went smoothly given the great instructions that I had in order to successfully make it.

How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?      My cute avatar I think resembles a great deal of my character.  She is smiling, which I think is something that I do quite often!  I also made her resemble my process on becoming a teacher.  She's carrying books (which I do often too!) and she is dressed to impress with her professional atire.  I really liked making my avatar to help resemble the creativity it is in becoming a teacher!

References:

Link to picture: http://bloghackz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/blogging-skills.jpg