Happy 4th of July, everyone! This is a video of Danny McGee playing "Stars and Stripes Forever." He is the most awesome pianist at Christ Church Plano. My in-laws worship there. I guarantee this is the best rendition of the song you will ever hear. Enjoy!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
One Last Thing
Logically, the post "One Last Thing" would be the easiest to write. Not so much. 23 Things introduced so many wonderful Internet resources to me. I learned new things about RSS Feeds, Creative Commons, and Voicethread. I was also introduced to tools of organization in Google Docs, Delicious, and Google Reader. Some Things were already familiar to me, some were brand new. All were fascinating, intriguing, and useful. Oh, and I like making links in blog posts. :)
After completing 23 Things, I have a list of other things I want to further explore. My list includes Bubbleshare (online slideshows), Discovery Channel, Gliffy (create diagrams), Learn Outloud (audio books, podcasts, etc.), National Geographic Kids, Pageflakes (similar to iGoogle page), PBWorks (Wiki site), Podnova (podcasts), Podomatic (podcasts), Smilebox (photos, slideshows), Swyzzle (create slideshows), Wattpad (ebook sharing community), Think Free (online docs), Joost (social networking), and Netvibes (widget organizer). Those should keep me busy for quite some time and lock in my status as a Lifelong Learner.
My favorite Things were Google Reader and Creative Commons. I read a lot on the Internet - personal and professional material. It has always been challenging to keep up with feeds I read regularly. Google Reader solved that problem. I subscribed to feeds and check it several times a day. Creative Commons is a wealth of copyright safe images.
Most surprising was learning the art of blog commenting. Previous to 23 Things, I was more likely to read and absorb. Post 23 Things, I participate in the conversations and get more out of them. I didn't realize there was a proper way to comment.
I am very glad I chose summer to take this class. The amount of hours I put into it would not have been possible during the school year. I would have liked to learn more about MISD's specific policies concerning Internet use in schools. I realize that is a work in progress and probably would be better suited for a different class.
Would I do something like this again? Absolutely! I wouldn't have to think twice about it.
There are many things that will be going into the classroom with me this next year. I'm hoping to sell my second grade team on a grade level website. Second Grade Adventures is shaping up to be lots of fun. Culips will be great to use with my ESL students.
To document my continued learning and explorations, I plan to continue reading and make posts on my Longhorn Mom blog. It will be a good place to keep my thoughts together. My co-teachers will probably get tired of hearing about Web 2.0. I will either sell them on it or they will tell me to hush. :)
23 Things has been the beginning of a long journey of learning to come.
After completing 23 Things, I have a list of other things I want to further explore. My list includes Bubbleshare (online slideshows), Discovery Channel, Gliffy (create diagrams), Learn Outloud (audio books, podcasts, etc.), National Geographic Kids, Pageflakes (similar to iGoogle page), PBWorks (Wiki site), Podnova (podcasts), Podomatic (podcasts), Smilebox (photos, slideshows), Swyzzle (create slideshows), Wattpad (ebook sharing community), Think Free (online docs), Joost (social networking), and Netvibes (widget organizer). Those should keep me busy for quite some time and lock in my status as a Lifelong Learner.
My favorite Things were Google Reader and Creative Commons. I read a lot on the Internet - personal and professional material. It has always been challenging to keep up with feeds I read regularly. Google Reader solved that problem. I subscribed to feeds and check it several times a day. Creative Commons is a wealth of copyright safe images.
Most surprising was learning the art of blog commenting. Previous to 23 Things, I was more likely to read and absorb. Post 23 Things, I participate in the conversations and get more out of them. I didn't realize there was a proper way to comment.
I am very glad I chose summer to take this class. The amount of hours I put into it would not have been possible during the school year. I would have liked to learn more about MISD's specific policies concerning Internet use in schools. I realize that is a work in progress and probably would be better suited for a different class.
Would I do something like this again? Absolutely! I wouldn't have to think twice about it.
There are many things that will be going into the classroom with me this next year. I'm hoping to sell my second grade team on a grade level website. Second Grade Adventures is shaping up to be lots of fun. Culips will be great to use with my ESL students.
To document my continued learning and explorations, I plan to continue reading and make posts on my Longhorn Mom blog. It will be a good place to keep my thoughts together. My co-teachers will probably get tired of hearing about Web 2.0. I will either sell them on it or they will tell me to hush. :)
23 Things has been the beginning of a long journey of learning to come.
Thing #23 Other Social Networks
Part 1:
I'm really into social networking. (Pun intended. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You" last night. :) I read on one of the hundreds of blogs I've explored lately that "If one gets smarter, we all get smarter." (I didn't mark where I read that, so apologize for not giving proper credit. It was a quote from a sports star, I believe. If anyone knows for sure who said that, let me know. I want to give proper credit.) This is so true. Networking is possibly one of the greatest tools educators have available to them. As they say, "Two (or more) heads are better than one." Collaboration, vertical and horizontal teaming, PST committee, grade level planning meetings, ... so many instances where networking is put to great use in our district.
In beginning Thing #23 I explored a few networks and found one I really like and have added to my Reader. Classroom 2.0 is fascinating. Naturally, I joined. :) They have developed a strand dealing specifically with ESL!
Classroom 2.0 is extremely user-friendly. The strands of topic organization and groups make it easy to tune in to one's specific interest and weed out other information. Classroom 2.0 is international. I like being connected to others outside of Mesquite. That is a big step for me. I enjoy learning about education trends in other countries.
As networks tend to do, one link led to another, which led to another, which led to another, and, well, you get the picture. Some names I ran across I was already familiar with in the ESL community. (Read, Write, Think and EdHelper) I also found new people I want to read and follow. (Larry Ferlazzo and EFL Classroom 2.0.)
Read, Write, Think has a neat activity for vocabulary development in younger students. Construct-A-Word is a good resource for Spelling and word families.
Culips is an ESL podcast site. In their podcast for July 13th the two hosts, Maura and Jessie, discuss the idiom "Hit it off" for second language learners. I really like their choice to have two people discussing the phrase. It's a co-teaching strategy that I strongly believe in also. I can see my ESL students enthralled with listening and learning. (Copyrights: Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Culips, Photo credit: casch52) It's good that their podcasts can be downloaded to my hard drive, thus enabling them to be used without requiring Internet access.
Part 2:
Collective Intelligence. In the article 7 things you should know about Ning, the distinction between Ning and Facebook/MySpace is that Ning has the ability for users to create their own social networks with more control over how they are set up and function. I like the term "collective intelligence" in reference to networks.
In her article, Schools and Online Social Networking, Nancy Willard offers four strategies for school districts in setting up guidelines for networking at school. I would like to know more about MISD's policies. That will be one of my future research projects.
I'm really into social networking. (Pun intended. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You" last night. :) I read on one of the hundreds of blogs I've explored lately that "If one gets smarter, we all get smarter." (I didn't mark where I read that, so apologize for not giving proper credit. It was a quote from a sports star, I believe. If anyone knows for sure who said that, let me know. I want to give proper credit.) This is so true. Networking is possibly one of the greatest tools educators have available to them. As they say, "Two (or more) heads are better than one." Collaboration, vertical and horizontal teaming, PST committee, grade level planning meetings, ... so many instances where networking is put to great use in our district.
In beginning Thing #23 I explored a few networks and found one I really like and have added to my Reader. Classroom 2.0 is fascinating. Naturally, I joined. :) They have developed a strand dealing specifically with ESL!
Classroom 2.0 is extremely user-friendly. The strands of topic organization and groups make it easy to tune in to one's specific interest and weed out other information. Classroom 2.0 is international. I like being connected to others outside of Mesquite. That is a big step for me. I enjoy learning about education trends in other countries.
As networks tend to do, one link led to another, which led to another, which led to another, and, well, you get the picture. Some names I ran across I was already familiar with in the ESL community. (Read, Write, Think and EdHelper) I also found new people I want to read and follow. (Larry Ferlazzo and EFL Classroom 2.0.)
Read, Write, Think has a neat activity for vocabulary development in younger students. Construct-A-Word is a good resource for Spelling and word families.
Culips is an ESL podcast site. In their podcast for July 13th the two hosts, Maura and Jessie, discuss the idiom "Hit it off" for second language learners. I really like their choice to have two people discussing the phrase. It's a co-teaching strategy that I strongly believe in also. I can see my ESL students enthralled with listening and learning. (Copyrights: Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Culips, Photo credit: casch52) It's good that their podcasts can be downloaded to my hard drive, thus enabling them to be used without requiring Internet access.
Part 2:
Collective Intelligence. In the article 7 things you should know about Ning, the distinction between Ning and Facebook/MySpace is that Ning has the ability for users to create their own social networks with more control over how they are set up and function. I like the term "collective intelligence" in reference to networks.
In her article, Schools and Online Social Networking, Nancy Willard offers four strategies for school districts in setting up guidelines for networking at school. I would like to know more about MISD's policies. That will be one of my future research projects.
- A clear policy with a strong focus on educationally valuable use of the Internet -- no "Internet recess." The policy must be supported by curriculum and professional development, and a clear expectation for teachers that all student use of the Internet should be for high quality, well-planned instructional activities.
- Student education about online safety and responsible use.
- Effective technical monitoring.
- Appropriate consequences. Schools and districts should consider a full review of Internet use management policies and practices. A needs assessment and evaluation of Internet use would provide helpful insight. Safe school personnel must be involved in that process.
In summary, I believe the keys to technology working at school are supervision (by teachers and parents) and education (for teachers and students).
Part 3:
I was already a member of 23Thingsters. I noticed the membership isn't very large yet. Perhaps that will increase as word of the group is spread. I made a comment on Carla's 23Thingster. I also put my 23Thingster badge on my blog home page.
I intend to continue networking and monitoring sites of interest. I believe there are LOTS of information and ideas out there just waiting to be gathered. At this point, I introducing my students to these networks will be on a limited basis. I will preview, screen, and scrutinize in depth anything I present to my students.
Part 3:
I was already a member of 23Thingsters. I noticed the membership isn't very large yet. Perhaps that will increase as word of the group is spread. I made a comment on Carla's 23Thingster. I also put my 23Thingster badge on my blog home page.
I intend to continue networking and monitoring sites of interest. I believe there are LOTS of information and ideas out there just waiting to be gathered. At this point, I introducing my students to these networks will be on a limited basis. I will preview, screen, and scrutinize in depth anything I present to my students.
Thing #22 MySpace and Facebook
My first experience with social networking was with MySpace. My daughter set up an account and was talking about what she was doing and who she was talking to online. I setup an account to monitor what she was doing.
To say it was educational for me as a parent and teacher is an understatement. I believe social networking is what it is, and it is here to stay.
As educators and parents it is our duty to know what our children/students/friends are doing and saying online. The Internet still makes me cautious, but I feel setting up my own accounts on MySpace, Facebook, etc. has strengthened my relationship with my own children. All four of my children, son-in-law, and lots of their friends are on my friend list of 59 people, as well as many of my friends, colleagues, and family.
Facebook has been more to my liking for a social network of choice. Comparatively I have 59 friends on MySpace and 203 on Facebook.
I have several favorite applications on FB. Pieces of Flair is fun to search and to make my own. Some games I play on FB are Lil Green Patch, Lil Blue Cove, Willy's Sweet Shop, and Hatchlings. It's just plain, clean fun. :)
On Facebook I have connected and reconnected with extended family, high school friends, college friends, former students, and many, many colleagues from school. I think it is a great resource to keep people in touch while building and strengthening friendships.
Part of my liking FB over MySpace could possibly be that more of my friends are on FB than MySpace. There are more opportunities for things to do on FB.
As for educational use, I don't want my students to have access to my personal FB or MySpace. I prefer to keep that part of my life private. I would consider an alias profile to be in touch with my students. I know almost all of them have profiles set up. I believe I could learn a lot from reading their pages. I see social networking at its point in evolution presently as strictly social. I think it will, at some time in the future, have a place in the classroom. I don't think that time has come yet.
To say it was educational for me as a parent and teacher is an understatement. I believe social networking is what it is, and it is here to stay.
As educators and parents it is our duty to know what our children/students/friends are doing and saying online. The Internet still makes me cautious, but I feel setting up my own accounts on MySpace, Facebook, etc. has strengthened my relationship with my own children. All four of my children, son-in-law, and lots of their friends are on my friend list of 59 people, as well as many of my friends, colleagues, and family.
Facebook has been more to my liking for a social network of choice. Comparatively I have 59 friends on MySpace and 203 on Facebook.
I have several favorite applications on FB. Pieces of Flair is fun to search and to make my own. Some games I play on FB are Lil Green Patch, Lil Blue Cove, Willy's Sweet Shop, and Hatchlings. It's just plain, clean fun. :)
On Facebook I have connected and reconnected with extended family, high school friends, college friends, former students, and many, many colleagues from school. I think it is a great resource to keep people in touch while building and strengthening friendships.
Part of my liking FB over MySpace could possibly be that more of my friends are on FB than MySpace. There are more opportunities for things to do on FB.
As for educational use, I don't want my students to have access to my personal FB or MySpace. I prefer to keep that part of my life private. I would consider an alias profile to be in touch with my students. I know almost all of them have profiles set up. I believe I could learn a lot from reading their pages. I see social networking at its point in evolution presently as strictly social. I think it will, at some time in the future, have a place in the classroom. I don't think that time has come yet.
Thing #7b Google Reader Response
It has become a habit, quite easily I might add, to check my Reader every day... several times a day. :)
In my explorations, I found a blog called Teachers At Risk that I love. It is written by a Special Education teacher named Elona Hartjes. Her views on education that I have read so far are parallel with mine.
An especially good post she wrote is Nine things my students have taught me about classroom management and teaching. Her very first item listed is "I’ve learned that students need me to be a teacher and not their friend." She states she is friendly, but not their friend. She must remain the authority figure.
I also like point #3 " I’ve learned that class rules need to be developed by the class and the teacher and then posted on the wall for all to see." When I began teaching 25 years ago I had my second and fourth grade classes develop the class rules, while making sure the school's rules were incorporated. I haven't seen much of this practice in the last few years since I have been out of the regular classroom.
In the articles I read by Ms. Hartjes, I found her to be positive, resourceful, and flowing with good ideas that are simple but effective.
Another plus is that her work is listed in Creative Commons. That tells me that she stands by her beliefs and wants to share them. She also lists Ed Helper as a resource. I use it regularly already. :)
Elona Hartjes is an educator I plan to follow in the future. She has much wisdom from which I can learn.
In my explorations, I found a blog called Teachers At Risk that I love. It is written by a Special Education teacher named Elona Hartjes. Her views on education that I have read so far are parallel with mine.
An especially good post she wrote is Nine things my students have taught me about classroom management and teaching. Her very first item listed is "I’ve learned that students need me to be a teacher and not their friend." She states she is friendly, but not their friend. She must remain the authority figure.
I also like point #3 " I’ve learned that class rules need to be developed by the class and the teacher and then posted on the wall for all to see." When I began teaching 25 years ago I had my second and fourth grade classes develop the class rules, while making sure the school's rules were incorporated. I haven't seen much of this practice in the last few years since I have been out of the regular classroom.
In the articles I read by Ms. Hartjes, I found her to be positive, resourceful, and flowing with good ideas that are simple but effective.
Another plus is that her work is listed in Creative Commons. That tells me that she stands by her beliefs and wants to share them. She also lists Ed Helper as a resource. I use it regularly already. :)
Elona Hartjes is an educator I plan to follow in the future. She has much wisdom from which I can learn.
Thing #21 Google Cool Tools
Google has many wonderful tools available online. I explored almost all of them in our assignment and in Google Labs (yes, I'm addicted to the computer). Here are a few of my favorites.
I set up a Google calendar and shared it with my husband. He works on his computer as part of his job. We're going to try keeping a joint calendar and see if that makes our busy schedules easier to manage. We'll see.
I looked at Google Labs and found Similar Images. That was handy for finding images visually and not having to think of tag words to find what I wanted. I looked up Hibiscus flowers. Somewhere in my roaming around I found a website in German but flower is Hibiscus. I'm particularly interested in that particular flower right now. I've always liked the way they look. My husband recently bought four to add to our garden. They are beautiful. I get photography tips from looking at other people's prints as well as getting to look at lots of gorgeous flora.
Although I still can't figure out how to rotate a picture in a blog post, take a peak at one of our Hibiscus:
I installed Google Dashboard Widgets for Mac. It's handy having quick links to my Google mail, Google Reader, and Blog account. I've always liked playing around with the Dashboard.
I also have a Picasa account set up. I haven't found a photo editing program I'm really happy with out of the dozen or so that I've tried. Picasa has the advantage of being user-friendly and easily accessible with Internet.
I enjoyed looking at Google Earth. I know some of my students are already familiar with it because they shared it with me last year.
OK. The assignment called for two tools. I'll make myself stop at five in my post. This Thing has had the most content to explore so far. It shows me there is A LOT out there on the web just waiting to be used for lifelong learners.
I set up a Google calendar and shared it with my husband. He works on his computer as part of his job. We're going to try keeping a joint calendar and see if that makes our busy schedules easier to manage. We'll see.
I looked at Google Labs and found Similar Images. That was handy for finding images visually and not having to think of tag words to find what I wanted. I looked up Hibiscus flowers. Somewhere in my roaming around I found a website in German but flower is Hibiscus. I'm particularly interested in that particular flower right now. I've always liked the way they look. My husband recently bought four to add to our garden. They are beautiful. I get photography tips from looking at other people's prints as well as getting to look at lots of gorgeous flora.
Although I still can't figure out how to rotate a picture in a blog post, take a peak at one of our Hibiscus:
I installed Google Dashboard Widgets for Mac. It's handy having quick links to my Google mail, Google Reader, and Blog account. I've always liked playing around with the Dashboard.
I also have a Picasa account set up. I haven't found a photo editing program I'm really happy with out of the dozen or so that I've tried. Picasa has the advantage of being user-friendly and easily accessible with Internet.
I enjoyed looking at Google Earth. I know some of my students are already familiar with it because they shared it with me last year.
OK. The assignment called for two tools. I'll make myself stop at five in my post. This Thing has had the most content to explore so far. It shows me there is A LOT out there on the web just waiting to be used for lifelong learners.
Thing #20 Google Docs
Our instructions directed to include at least three uses for Google Docs. Do I have to stop at just three? I use Excel on my laptop for EVERYTHING, literally EVERYTHING. School schedules, address book, database of my student information, Christmas wish lists, To-Do lists, party planning, and any other information I need to organize.
Google Docs is Excel, Word, and Powerpoint on steroids. The regular updates give it more advantages than Office on a hard drive. You're instantly tuned in to updates without having to check for them or install before using, and you have immediate access to new templates, etc.
The collaboration aspect of Google Docs opens a whole new world of word processing and spreadsheets. In our district vertical and horizontal teaming is encouraged. Google Docs is a natural way to aid in facilitating that goal.
While Google Docs doesn't do everything Office on your hard drive can, it does enough to be excited about. My mind is running rampant through ways to use this with my co-teaching teams. I may need to talk my compadres into taking 23 Things.
There are things I do with Excel and Word that Google Docs won't do, but when I want to produce a more elaborate document I would most likely do it on my hard drive anyway. I love the Internet, even though I don't completely and totally trust it yet with the only copy of something very important to me. I can see myself using it for works in progress, though. For example, my yearly Christmas newsletter. With Internet access, it would be handy to be able to access it and work on it in short increments of time without having to carry my laptop or keep up with a thumb drive (which I am famous for leaving in computers I've used them on).
An online version of a document would be conducive to student work groups publishing a final copy of a project they are concluding. It could be easily shared with grade levels, the whole school, or anyone else the authors wish to share with.
I created a couple of documents for practice. One is a PHS Freshman Band Camp schedule spreadsheet for my son, who will be in the Symphonic band at PHS next year as a Freshman.
The other is a spreadsheet for organizing a family party we hare having at my house next Saturday in honor of my daughter, Sarah, returning from seven weeks in Europe and Africa. We call them "Souvenir Parties." Our family has a party when one of us has been on a trip to allow that person to tell about their trip, show pictures, and distribute souvenirs all at one time. That works for us since we have a large family. We are expecting 11 people here next Saturday.
One thing I couldn't figure out is how to rotate a picture that has been inserted from a hard drive. The Help page said to click on the object and rotate the green handle. When I click on my picture, there are only white boxes to resize the picture with on the sides and corners. There are no green handles at all. If someone could help me out on that one, I would appreciate it.
Google Docs is Excel, Word, and Powerpoint on steroids. The regular updates give it more advantages than Office on a hard drive. You're instantly tuned in to updates without having to check for them or install before using, and you have immediate access to new templates, etc.
The collaboration aspect of Google Docs opens a whole new world of word processing and spreadsheets. In our district vertical and horizontal teaming is encouraged. Google Docs is a natural way to aid in facilitating that goal.
While Google Docs doesn't do everything Office on your hard drive can, it does enough to be excited about. My mind is running rampant through ways to use this with my co-teaching teams. I may need to talk my compadres into taking 23 Things.
There are things I do with Excel and Word that Google Docs won't do, but when I want to produce a more elaborate document I would most likely do it on my hard drive anyway. I love the Internet, even though I don't completely and totally trust it yet with the only copy of something very important to me. I can see myself using it for works in progress, though. For example, my yearly Christmas newsletter. With Internet access, it would be handy to be able to access it and work on it in short increments of time without having to carry my laptop or keep up with a thumb drive (which I am famous for leaving in computers I've used them on).
An online version of a document would be conducive to student work groups publishing a final copy of a project they are concluding. It could be easily shared with grade levels, the whole school, or anyone else the authors wish to share with.
I created a couple of documents for practice. One is a PHS Freshman Band Camp schedule spreadsheet for my son, who will be in the Symphonic band at PHS next year as a Freshman.
The other is a spreadsheet for organizing a family party we hare having at my house next Saturday in honor of my daughter, Sarah, returning from seven weeks in Europe and Africa. We call them "Souvenir Parties." Our family has a party when one of us has been on a trip to allow that person to tell about their trip, show pictures, and distribute souvenirs all at one time. That works for us since we have a large family. We are expecting 11 people here next Saturday.
One thing I couldn't figure out is how to rotate a picture that has been inserted from a hard drive. The Help page said to click on the object and rotate the green handle. When I click on my picture, there are only white boxes to resize the picture with on the sides and corners. There are no green handles at all. If someone could help me out on that one, I would appreciate it.
Thing #19 Voicethread
Voicethread... What a cool concept!
I looked at a Voicethread by Quentin D'Souza and Rob De Lorenzo that explained voicethreads in a friendly, comprehensible manner. I made notes of other sources they mentioned to investigate later.
Another good voicethread I viewed is The Fay School Library ABC's by First Grade. I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they came up with for letters like X, Q, K, and V. The kids did a great job in creating the presentation as the culminating activity of their library studies throughout the year.
The examples our illustrious leaders provided for us showed a wide variety of uses for Voicethread. I have to admit, I wasn't sold on the idea at first. I had to look at several examples before uses in my classrooms came to mind.
My students are second language learners in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade. Voicethread will be a handy way to offer reteaching and reinforcement of their language learning without me having to repeat things several times each to different students. My voice appreciates that.
I can see myself creating a voicethread of a difficult concept for my students and having them listen to it. With computers and Internet available in every classroom, Voicethread will be a useful tool for instruction. It will also give students another opportunity to hear English spoken as a role model.
I looked at a Voicethread by Quentin D'Souza and Rob De Lorenzo that explained voicethreads in a friendly, comprehensible manner. I made notes of other sources they mentioned to investigate later.
Another good voicethread I viewed is The Fay School Library ABC's by First Grade. I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they came up with for letters like X, Q, K, and V. The kids did a great job in creating the presentation as the culminating activity of their library studies throughout the year.
The examples our illustrious leaders provided for us showed a wide variety of uses for Voicethread. I have to admit, I wasn't sold on the idea at first. I had to look at several examples before uses in my classrooms came to mind.
My students are second language learners in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade. Voicethread will be a handy way to offer reteaching and reinforcement of their language learning without me having to repeat things several times each to different students. My voice appreciates that.
I can see myself creating a voicethread of a difficult concept for my students and having them listen to it. With computers and Internet available in every classroom, Voicethread will be a useful tool for instruction. It will also give students another opportunity to hear English spoken as a role model.
Thing #18 YouTube and TeacherTube
Before 23 Things I had never spent much time on YouTube. My son learns guitar songs by YouTube video regularly. My daughters find humorous things to share also. I guess it's time for me to explore.
I found the video "Library Dominoes" especially entertaining. Just thinking about someone taking the time to set up for that 23 second video makes me smile. I also found a video of Barak Obama's view on education and his daughters' first day of school. He elaborates on children being prepared before coming to school. In this talk, he advocates focusing on At-Risk families.
My fun video....was Mother's Day this year. All four of my children and my husband are musical. So, you can imagine the music that goes on at my house when we're together. Mother's Day was especially wonderful. My kids surprised me with "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift that they practiced and sang for me. The day progressed into more fun. Eli and Randy played their rendition of "Chopsticks." It's a minute, 36 seconds of just plain fun. :)
For my How-to video I chose "How To Take a Paper Airplane." I found it quite amusing that many videos are made by kids and that there are so many out there on every topic imaginable.
It is true there are things on YouTube that are of bad taste. I would not let students search it. But, I can find things that I can use to embed in a blog for students to view.
Educationally, there is a lot on YouTube, but TeacherTube is better. I found videos on everything from Language Arts to Math to Phys Ed. Here are two of my favorites.
"Lady Liberty Tells Her Story" is very engaging even to me as an adult. I had the opportunity to visit NYC and see these ladies in person. The video is great for kids to pick up those facts we want them to know in an interesting way.
"Math Vocabulary With Croc and Tito" is a fun way to learn Math vocabulary. Younger kids will enjoy the puppets.
One thing to keep in mind in using YouTube and TeacherTube is that the videos are made by consumers and a lot of amateurs. I think videos should be scrutinized carefully before using in the classroom.
I found the video "Library Dominoes" especially entertaining. Just thinking about someone taking the time to set up for that 23 second video makes me smile. I also found a video of Barak Obama's view on education and his daughters' first day of school. He elaborates on children being prepared before coming to school. In this talk, he advocates focusing on At-Risk families.
My fun video....was Mother's Day this year. All four of my children and my husband are musical. So, you can imagine the music that goes on at my house when we're together. Mother's Day was especially wonderful. My kids surprised me with "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift that they practiced and sang for me. The day progressed into more fun. Eli and Randy played their rendition of "Chopsticks." It's a minute, 36 seconds of just plain fun. :)
For my How-to video I chose "How To Take a Paper Airplane." I found it quite amusing that many videos are made by kids and that there are so many out there on every topic imaginable.
It is true there are things on YouTube that are of bad taste. I would not let students search it. But, I can find things that I can use to embed in a blog for students to view.
Educationally, there is a lot on YouTube, but TeacherTube is better. I found videos on everything from Language Arts to Math to Phys Ed. Here are two of my favorites.
"Lady Liberty Tells Her Story" is very engaging even to me as an adult. I had the opportunity to visit NYC and see these ladies in person. The video is great for kids to pick up those facts we want them to know in an interesting way.
"Math Vocabulary With Croc and Tito" is a fun way to learn Math vocabulary. Younger kids will enjoy the puppets.
One thing to keep in mind in using YouTube and TeacherTube is that the videos are made by consumers and a lot of amateurs. I think videos should be scrutinized carefully before using in the classroom.
Thing #17 Podcasting
I am familiar with podcasting and have made podcasts of my own with my kindergarten students.
Today I listened to ESL Pod.com. I heard an almost 16 minute podcast on temper tantrums hosted by Dr. Jeff McQuillan. From an ESL aspect, the creator used slow speech and explained the conversation afterwards. The narrator's monotone voice and lack of visuals would make it difficult to use this particular podcast in a teaching situation. It would be better suited for individual practice with English. I understand English, have taught second language learners for 15 years, and still had trouble following the podcast. This podcast came from Educational Podcast Network. I subscribed to eslpod.com for future reference.
I also investigated Learn Out Loud. I found the same podcast about temper tantrums hosted by Dr. McQuillan from the Center for Educational Development. He also does a series called ESL Cafe, in which he discusses US states. I can see that his work would work for adult English Language Learners.
Also on Learn Out Loud, I found a search for audio books. That will be something interesting to investigate later.
I also subscribed to Grammar Girl's Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing. I listened to a podcast called "What Is Subject-Complement Agreement?" I liked her approach and presentation of instruction better than Dr. McQuillan. She also had the transcript of the podcast on the website. This is good for those of us who are visual learners.
Perhaps I hesitate with podcasts because I am a visual learner instead of an auditory learner.
Podcasts do have a place in the classroom. I plan to research some to use this next year that will fit my K-2 curriculum.
Today I listened to ESL Pod.com. I heard an almost 16 minute podcast on temper tantrums hosted by Dr. Jeff McQuillan. From an ESL aspect, the creator used slow speech and explained the conversation afterwards. The narrator's monotone voice and lack of visuals would make it difficult to use this particular podcast in a teaching situation. It would be better suited for individual practice with English. I understand English, have taught second language learners for 15 years, and still had trouble following the podcast. This podcast came from Educational Podcast Network. I subscribed to eslpod.com for future reference.
I also investigated Learn Out Loud. I found the same podcast about temper tantrums hosted by Dr. McQuillan from the Center for Educational Development. He also does a series called ESL Cafe, in which he discusses US states. I can see that his work would work for adult English Language Learners.
Also on Learn Out Loud, I found a search for audio books. That will be something interesting to investigate later.
I also subscribed to Grammar Girl's Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing. I listened to a podcast called "What Is Subject-Complement Agreement?" I liked her approach and presentation of instruction better than Dr. McQuillan. She also had the transcript of the podcast on the website. This is good for those of us who are visual learners.
Perhaps I hesitate with podcasts because I am a visual learner instead of an auditory learner.
Podcasts do have a place in the classroom. I plan to research some to use this next year that will fit my K-2 curriculum.
Thing #16 LibraryThing
Hmmm.... Library Thing.... I must admit it's not a website concept I have ever given any thought to. I see value in it to organize and optimize use of a personal or professional library.
My first reaction to the concept is that I don't have enough books to need to catalog them. As I explored the site and what it had to offer, I realized I have more books than I thought I did. Most of them are professional books related to teaching. I did set up an account and will add some of my library to it. It is very convenient that it is online. I will be able to add books from school easily. I really like the option of a picture of the cover included. That is how I mentally picture my books. Yes, I am a visual learner.
I can see potential with Library Thing for my teenage son. He will be a Freshman at PHS next year and is being assigned a lot of required reading. Using Library Thing we can keep up with the books he owns and give him the opportunity to communicate with others reading the same books. If he introduces Library Thing to his friends, they would have a connection that would quite possibly help with their school work.
My first reaction to the concept is that I don't have enough books to need to catalog them. As I explored the site and what it had to offer, I realized I have more books than I thought I did. Most of them are professional books related to teaching. I did set up an account and will add some of my library to it. It is very convenient that it is online. I will be able to add books from school easily. I really like the option of a picture of the cover included. That is how I mentally picture my books. Yes, I am a visual learner.
I can see potential with Library Thing for my teenage son. He will be a Freshman at PHS next year and is being assigned a lot of required reading. Using Library Thing we can keep up with the books he owns and give him the opportunity to communicate with others reading the same books. If he introduces Library Thing to his friends, they would have a connection that would quite possibly help with their school work.
Thing #15 misd23things Wiki
Having already been familiar with Wikis (thanks, Carla, Shirley, and Marget), setting up a page on misd23things wiki was not a difficult task for me. Visit me at LonghornLand. I set up my page according to instructions on misd23things Sandbox page.
I visited Wiki pages of Mary Ann Shupe and Sandra Hicks. In addition to addressing their "burning questions," I noticed a couple of things about their pages. On her page, sandbox_experiment, Mary Ann embedded a video of "Lady Liberty" from TeacherTube. It's a five minute video worth checking out.
In her blog, Mimzee'sCorner, Sandra posted her slideshow. I am enjoying the song attached to it. She used a soothing song from RockYou. Take a minute to listen.
I visited Wiki pages of Mary Ann Shupe and Sandra Hicks. In addition to addressing their "burning questions," I noticed a couple of things about their pages. On her page, sandbox_experiment, Mary Ann embedded a video of "Lady Liberty" from TeacherTube. It's a five minute video worth checking out.
In her blog, Mimzee'sCorner, Sandra posted her slideshow. I am enjoying the song attached to it. She used a soothing song from RockYou. Take a minute to listen.
Thing #14 Wikis
"Wiki" is Hawaiian for quick. Love it. Makes me think of grass skirts and leis on hula dancers checking the computer between dances at a luau. The explanation in Thing #14 shed some light for me on Wikipedia. I never thought about it being a community resource. I will be checking the Discussion and History pages for articles I use from now on.
Wikis are adaptable, flexible, user-friendly, and collaborative. I like the phrase "knowledge construction." Wikis are an evolving work in progress. The changes tracking feature is valuable in following the wiki through its cycles of evolution.
It has been enlightening to read Vicki Davis' article Wiki Wiki Teaching. I learned some new ideas for using Wikis in the classroom. I have used them for personal use, but never consciously considered classroom usage. I still need to give it more thought before using in my primary grade classrooms.
Code Blue is an awesome site created by sixth graders as a culmination presentation piece of a health unit. What a great way to end a project. A teacher willing to do this would have no problem at all keeping kids on task. The wiki is well organized with good links and complete in content. I enjoyed reading what the kids learned and picked up some new knowledge myself along the way. I was impressed at the level of research that went into choosing links for further study. The only things I would add to the site are clip art and graphics. But, that's just the primary teacher in me... go for cute.
School In The Past was very enjoyable reading. It is a wiki set up for a first grade research project. I liked seeing something by lower grade students. Judging from the writing style and grammar, the wiki was actually written by the first grade students. I had been wondering how primary grade students would handle a wiki, since I work primarily with Kinder, 1st and 2nd. This Wiki shows me that younger students can do it as well as upper grade students. I liked the aspect off having students interview parents and grandparents and report their findings. I thought about more editing skills being taught, but changed my mind. This is the way the kids wrote it and how it should be. I had to turn off the perfectionist in me and see the value in the Wiki itself. If I were to add anything, it would be further instruction in formatting a wiki and perhaps more pictures.
Kindergarten Counting Book is a Wetpaint Wiki. It was my first experience with a wiki outside of wikispacesl This wiki game me total access to all students, no matter of age, grade level, or computer competence. I enjoyed reading what first graders wrote. That gives me hope that my primary students can do it also.
I'm contemplating having a Wiki near year and trying to get my Co-Teching partners and try it out.
Wikis are adaptable, flexible, user-friendly, and collaborative. I like the phrase "knowledge construction." Wikis are an evolving work in progress. The changes tracking feature is valuable in following the wiki through its cycles of evolution.
It has been enlightening to read Vicki Davis' article Wiki Wiki Teaching. I learned some new ideas for using Wikis in the classroom. I have used them for personal use, but never consciously considered classroom usage. I still need to give it more thought before using in my primary grade classrooms.
Code Blue is an awesome site created by sixth graders as a culmination presentation piece of a health unit. What a great way to end a project. A teacher willing to do this would have no problem at all keeping kids on task. The wiki is well organized with good links and complete in content. I enjoyed reading what the kids learned and picked up some new knowledge myself along the way. I was impressed at the level of research that went into choosing links for further study. The only things I would add to the site are clip art and graphics. But, that's just the primary teacher in me... go for cute.
School In The Past was very enjoyable reading. It is a wiki set up for a first grade research project. I liked seeing something by lower grade students. Judging from the writing style and grammar, the wiki was actually written by the first grade students. I had been wondering how primary grade students would handle a wiki, since I work primarily with Kinder, 1st and 2nd. This Wiki shows me that younger students can do it as well as upper grade students. I liked the aspect off having students interview parents and grandparents and report their findings. I thought about more editing skills being taught, but changed my mind. This is the way the kids wrote it and how it should be. I had to turn off the perfectionist in me and see the value in the Wiki itself. If I were to add anything, it would be further instruction in formatting a wiki and perhaps more pictures.
Kindergarten Counting Book is a Wetpaint Wiki. It was my first experience with a wiki outside of wikispacesl This wiki game me total access to all students, no matter of age, grade level, or computer competence. I enjoyed reading what first graders wrote. That gives me hope that my primary students can do it also.
I'm contemplating having a Wiki near year and trying to get my Co-Teching partners and try it out.
Thing #13 Delicious.com
Delicious is a marvelous invention. I wish I'd thought of it.
I set up my Delicious account prior to starting 23 Things. I was already using it for my own personal bookmarks. It is wonderful to have an online site of items I use regularly easily available through the Internet.
Upon beginning 23 Things, I had a single place to keep my references for the course. It is very handy in documenting credit for sites cited in my blogs.
Even though I was already using Delicious, I learned more about it in Thing #13. I now have Tag Bundles, which is a great organizational tool.
I have added several people to my network. I like searching my network of others in the field of education for resources. It cuts down the search time to locate information, and I know what I find is coming from sources I trust to have done research ahead of me. I feel a step of the process of research has been done already for me. Definitely a time saver, as well as convenient and organized.
Visit my Delicious bookmarks.
I set up my Delicious account prior to starting 23 Things. I was already using it for my own personal bookmarks. It is wonderful to have an online site of items I use regularly easily available through the Internet.
Upon beginning 23 Things, I had a single place to keep my references for the course. It is very handy in documenting credit for sites cited in my blogs.
Even though I was already using Delicious, I learned more about it in Thing #13. I now have Tag Bundles, which is a great organizational tool.
I have added several people to my network. I like searching my network of others in the field of education for resources. It cuts down the search time to locate information, and I know what I find is coming from sources I trust to have done research ahead of me. I feel a step of the process of research has been done already for me. Definitely a time saver, as well as convenient and organized.
Visit my Delicious bookmarks.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thing #7a Google Reader Blog
Checking my Google Reader every day (usually several times a day) has quickly become a habit for me. :)
Reading the newspaper or even listening to news on the radio have never been things of interest to me. I don't like newsprint on my hands! LOL The news is usually depressing anyway.
But, with Google Reader, I choose what news I want to hear about. I even subscribe to my own blogs. Sounds odd, but that is an easy way for me to know when I get comments without having to check the blog comments every day and try to remember what was there yesterday to figure out what is new. That's way too complicated to encourage me to do it.
I also subscribe to classmates blogs to stay in touch and follow their progress, as well as get ideas and advice when needed.
Today I chose to write about an article I read in my Reader. The Dallas News printed a story called "Richland Community College will premiere a new Garland satellite campus" today, June 30th. Richland Community College is opening a satellite campus in Garland targeted to continued training in manufacturing jobs. This fits with our theme of being lifelong learners. The building is also "green." I like both ideas.
Eastfield College in Mesquite is opening a similar type satellite campus in Pleasant Grove. Its focus will be offering help to make students' first year of college successful. Students will be directed to Eastfield's main campus their second year. This campus will also offer classes in management training.
I like that our community college system is taking steps toward encouraging furthering education of our county. They are also providing a means toward that goal.
Lifelong Learners - Onward Ho!
Reading the newspaper or even listening to news on the radio have never been things of interest to me. I don't like newsprint on my hands! LOL The news is usually depressing anyway.
But, with Google Reader, I choose what news I want to hear about. I even subscribe to my own blogs. Sounds odd, but that is an easy way for me to know when I get comments without having to check the blog comments every day and try to remember what was there yesterday to figure out what is new. That's way too complicated to encourage me to do it.
I also subscribe to classmates blogs to stay in touch and follow their progress, as well as get ideas and advice when needed.
Today I chose to write about an article I read in my Reader. The Dallas News printed a story called "Richland Community College will premiere a new Garland satellite campus" today, June 30th. Richland Community College is opening a satellite campus in Garland targeted to continued training in manufacturing jobs. This fits with our theme of being lifelong learners. The building is also "green." I like both ideas.
Eastfield College in Mesquite is opening a similar type satellite campus in Pleasant Grove. Its focus will be offering help to make students' first year of college successful. Students will be directed to Eastfield's main campus their second year. This campus will also offer classes in management training.
I like that our community college system is taking steps toward encouraging furthering education of our county. They are also providing a means toward that goal.
Lifelong Learners - Onward Ho!
Thing #12 Web 2.0 Tools
For Thing #12 I chose to write about Writeboard. I was introduced to this tool earlier in the course and love using it for keeping up with notes as I go through the activities. I kept notes on Things #4, #5, and #6 on Writeboards. I made a file in my Gmail account for Writeboards and keep the emails with the links to the boards in that folder. It is convenient and easily accessible. Keeping the information online also makes it a lot easier for me to find my notes. They are on Writeboards; I don't have to search my hard drive and try to remember what I titled the file.
Writeboards have potential use in Teaming and Co-Teaching. Time for adequate planning is one of the greatest problems of Co-Teaching. (I co-teach with Kindergarten, First, and Second grades on my campus.) With Writeboards, teachers will merely have to share the link with the team. Everyone can enter their input and all can have access to the information. I plan to try to incorporate Writeboards as part of my planning time with each of my Co-Teaching grade levels.
On a personal level, I can access Writeboards from any computer to take notes for later reference. I only need access to my email and the Writeboard website to record my thoughts as they occur. I don't have to remember to carry a thumb drive around with me to put things on. More importantly, I don't have to remember to remove the thumb drive when I leave any given computer. I'm notorious for leaving my thumb drives in a computer and forgetting them. :)
I commented on Writeboards on misd23things Wiki 20toolreviews page.
"Good Co-Teaching resource for tight planning times. Co-teachers can enter ideas at their convenience and view others' ideas also."
Writeboards have potential use in Teaming and Co-Teaching. Time for adequate planning is one of the greatest problems of Co-Teaching. (I co-teach with Kindergarten, First, and Second grades on my campus.) With Writeboards, teachers will merely have to share the link with the team. Everyone can enter their input and all can have access to the information. I plan to try to incorporate Writeboards as part of my planning time with each of my Co-Teaching grade levels.
On a personal level, I can access Writeboards from any computer to take notes for later reference. I only need access to my email and the Writeboard website to record my thoughts as they occur. I don't have to remember to carry a thumb drive around with me to put things on. More importantly, I don't have to remember to remove the thumb drive when I leave any given computer. I'm notorious for leaving my thumb drives in a computer and forgetting them. :)
I commented on Writeboards on misd23things Wiki 20toolreviews page.
"Good Co-Teaching resource for tight planning times. Co-teachers can enter ideas at their convenience and view others' ideas also."
Thing #11 Mashups
I started out with a suggestion from Thing #11 instructions and went to Flickr ColrPikr. I found lots of really neat things I wanted to use to make a collage or something for my blog. The problem I ran into was the images that came up were not all CC.
My hunt for instruction then took me to classmates' blogs. Thanks, Angie Helms, for posting about ImageChef. Then I had more fun that should be allowed for "work." :)
Now - educational uses....... Besides being just plain fun, ImageChef.com creations can be used to dress up any blog or online site I would use for my classes. I would like to have a blog to share with students this next year. ImageChef will make it very attractive.
My hunt for instruction then took me to classmates' blogs. Thanks, Angie Helms, for posting about ImageChef. Then I had more fun that should be allowed for "work." :)
Now - educational uses....... Besides being just plain fun, ImageChef.com creations can be used to dress up any blog or online site I would use for my classes. I would like to have a blog to share with students this next year. ImageChef will make it very attractive.
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