Thing #12 (It's Not Over Until It's Over)


I am always the first to say "google it" when in doubt of directions, news updates, definitions, and anything else that can be named. Google has located recipes, history facts, not to mention it links all of my online favorites together. I don't know what I would do without google. This past week it helped me create a banner for my son's football team. I needed images of a Cardinal's Mascot running with a football, and Google had it. Thanks to Google searching online has been easy.
I accessed the Google Calendar and added some important test dates and assignment due dates. Google Calendar is something that could be used on a blog to store important dates for school and classroom information. I also typed a few sentences into Google Translate. Translating from one language to another can be a barrier if the language on another blog is unknown. I will definitely use this tool when my classroom gets connected to a blog out of the country.

Thing #11

Finding Good Feeds

The method of finding feeds that I found easiest to use was Topix.net. and Technorati. Syndic8.com was very confusing. I was not successful with locating any feeds that interest me. However, while using Topix.net I changed the Zip Code and subscribed to the Clarksville News. This will allow me to keep up with local news updates without having to go to the Leafchronicle.com.

I searched in Google for "School Library Learning 2.0" and there were many school library blogs to subscribe to.

I found Technorati the most efficient. I typed the word "kids" in the search bar and found the article, Waiting for "Superman": It's Time to Act, on The Huffington Post. The article is about the most talked about movie involving Charter Schools vs. Public Schools. I plan to go see the movie soon.

The process of finding good feeds was tedious and time consuming. I have to agree with one of my peers that it's best to search for feeds on a blog that you are following.

Thing #10

RSS Feeds

As I have been exploring through other blogs along the 23 Things journey, I chose to click "follow" on those blogs in order to look at them from time to time from my Blogger blog. Little did I know, as I was clicking follow on different blogs the Google Reader was holding the RSS Feeds all of the time. Wow! I had know idea that my Yahoo, which I have had for some years now, connected me to Flickr; which allowed me to link my Blogger Blog and Facebook to it; and they all are linked back to my blog which is setup through Google where I am connected to RSS Feeds!

This Web 2.0 tool can be used to keep up with the lasted news updates, fashion trends, and technology. A teacher could use this to stay connected with other educators, mentors, or instructional technology information for themselves as well as their students.

Thing #9

Image generators are an awesome way get student's attention.  With this Web 2.0 tool you can turn your creations into signs, pictures, and flashcards, just to name a few. The website is kind of confusing though. I really wanted to upload one of my own picutures but for some reason or another it would not allow me. The sign I created would be something that could be posted in a library or classroom. Other signs can be made as well to give your students inspiration. This tool could also be used to decorate your classroom and make it child friendly.

Thing #8

MASHUPS

Fall Creations

I had a blast creating this puzzle using Flickr's Big Hug Labs. The web 2.0 tool gave me the option to link my Facebook account to it and I did it to use this photo. I thought this photo of my dog Joe-Joe would make a great puzzle. It  also shows part of my beautiful, colorful flower garden. I enjoy creating pictures because they show some of my creativity. The other puzzle shows some Fall gifts that I made for my children's teachers last year.

These Web 2.0 tools have made is easy to share one anothers creativity.

I plan to use this tool to add personality my classroom blog.

Thing #7

Flickr is a fun web 2.0 tool to use for sharing photos and videos. I successfully uploaded a few of my favorite photos to Flickr and then posted them right here on my blog. The process was fast and easy. I would recommend this site to anyone. In the past I have used Flickr to find ideas for party favors and now that I have established an account I will use it more often for sharing.

Northeast Varsity Cheerleaders

Northeast Varsity Cheerleaders
Originally uploaded by ladybronzeeducator

These are my favorite girls. My daughter is the sixth cheerleader from the left. I enjoy showing my Eagle spirit on Friday nights. LET'S GO EAGLES!

Mom and Me 1979

Mom and Me 1979
Originally uploaded by ladybronzeeducator

This photo is my inspiration. Although my mother (Murlane) is no longer here on earth with me, her spirit will forever live. Thanks for giving me Life Mom!

My favorite Football Player

Flickr

My favorite Football Player
Originally uploaded by ladybronzeeducator
This is a photo of my favorite youth football team, the Pee Wee Cardinals. Featured is my favorit football player (who happens to be my son). I enjoy watching him play on Saturday's.

Thing #6

The Amazon Video on Demand website is a convenient and in expensive way to watch TV show episodes and movies. I have found this site to be helpful in the past when I needed to watch The Glass Managerie. The website is very user friendly. It has just about any movie from old to newly released. It has the option for you to watch the movie online or on your TV by downloading it to your TiVo, DVR or Windows PC. The website allows you to rent or purchase the movies of your choice. You can choose from a number of movie genres like kids and family, documentary, and science fiction and fantasy to name a few. There is also a selection of free videos.

This Web 2.0 tool could be used in a school or library setting to show educational documentaries or kids shows like Sesame Street.

Thing #5

The Internet started out as a broad network of users communicating information mostly through email. The first computer I owned was used to setup an AOL email account and use it to chat with others by typing text and sending it just like our cell phones do today.  As technology evolved, communicating through the use of computers evolved, however the link between the web and education was weak. Technology ran speeding like a train, while education lacked the monetary resources to keep up.  School 2.0 means that educators have to be taught at lightening speeds about the technology needed to get the students on that technological train that left them behind. Some eyes have opened to the need for students to have the technology necessary to engage their learning styles.  Schools are slowly taking advantage of how web 2.0 can be used while staying within their budgets.  In the future I see schools collaborating, sharing, and teaching students to use web 2.0 and the ways it can used to promote a lifelong learning experience.  I plan to use web 2.0 to get my elementary school students knowledgeable about its uses. 

Thing #4

Commenting helps to create a sense of community and interaction because it requires one to think and reflect on a matter while sharing those reflections with others. Each time a commenter post a comment, that forms a community of commenting centered along the same interests. The entire idea of commenting is to form an interaction forum of giving and receiving ideas.

Responding to comments is what keeps the blogging community interactive. I think one of the important points discussed in the reading is; if you don’t comment on your on blog; why would anyone else want to comment? It is important to respond to continue the interaction, that is if there is still something to share about the post.

I commented on Ashley Hernandez’s “Thing #5” of the APSU 23 Things because she was reflecting on how we will be prepared with the proper knowledge of technological resources to help our students learn. I added to the reflection by encouraging the thought of having an impact on student’s lives that has never been done before, and also reflecting that we are in a new age of an educational revolution. I made reflections about future goals to be accomplished in to be able to refer back to it in the future when the goal is met.

I visited Asante’s page to see what her Avatar looked like when I was setting up my blog. I could not figure out where to go to create the Avatar. I commented on her “Thing #1” to thank her because once I clicked on her Avatar it took me right to the website to create my Avatar. I think is it is important to share that her hard work and perseverance served a purpose. Seeing that she created her blog before I did; her blog was a great example to follow.

I commented on Heather’s “Thing #8” about Flickr. Her idea about using the Flickr to personalize student’s desks was very creative. Her reflections about the use of Flickr as well as the visual on her blog gave me the opportunity to add that idea to my list of things to be used in the future. I enjoy learning by sharing ideas.

I was especially intrigued to learn of the Google Translate Tool from Joan’s “Thing #12. I expressed to her that I would definitely use it when I connect my classroom blog to another classroom blog out of the country. While reading her reflections about this technology, I immediately referred back to my own reflections about the importance of blogging and incorporating it into my classroom. This is yet another awesome demonstration of how sharing information can be beneficial to teachers and students.

Pandora Radio is one of my favorite internet sites because I love music. Matthew Ciezki happens to share the same feelings as I about Pandora. That is why I could not leave his blog without sharing with him that I have the Pandora application on my Blackberry. Reading his reflections about Pandora lead me to think about how I can use it in and educational setting. I will create Education Radio!

I chose to comment on Kathy Schrock’s blog because she compiled a list of the most popular educational technology blogs. Since this is an Instructional Technology Director for a school, I thought commenting on her blog would be appropriate.

Last but not least, I chose to follow and leave a comment on the Free Technology for Teachers blog. It had an interesting Youtube demonstration on it called "Elephant Toothpaste". I think demonstrating and showing students "how to" helps them to retain the information more effectively. The video would be a great teaching tool for a science or chemistry teacher.