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.