Thing #23: Summarize Your Thoughts About This Program

I've gotten so much out of 23 Things!  I feel like I've spent much more than 18 hours on these projects, but I've learned a lot.  I'm really excited about this experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

1.  My favorite exercise was using the Image Generator.  Fun and clever!   

2.  Although I thought I was relatively tech savvy, this program taught me that I have a lot to learn.  Most of the 23 Things were new to me.  Clearly, there is always more to learn!  In order to keep up with the advancements in technology, I need to be a lifelong learner.

3.  I had a difficult time with the podcasts and audio books.  However, I'm impressed (and shocked!) that I learned the basics, and I'd like to continue playing with this.

4.  Some things had TONS of explanation and help, but I felt like others were lacking support.  Again, I was very overwhelmed by the podcasts and audio books, and I would have appreciated more help.  Then again, I guess I could have asked for help by commenting on others' pages.  Oh well.  

5.  Yes, I would definitely participate in a program like this in the future!

6.  Gratifying

Thank you for this experience!

Thing #22: Nings

I went to http://teacherlingo.com and I actually thought the site was interesting.  I was particularly interested in the Middle School Teacher Blogs.  I was curious to see what others wrote, and even more curious to read the responses to the blogger.  What can I say?  Teachers are feisty!  

Also, I know there are countless other site,  but I'm always interested in looking at other people's lesson plan ideas.  Nings seems like a good way for people to break up into groups based on their interests.  I don't picture myself becoming a regular on this site, but I do think it's a clever idea.  

Thing #21: Podcasts and Audio Books

Perhaps this was not the task to attempt at 12:30AM.  I'm exhausted, confused, and embarrassed at my pitiful book preview.  I guess my creativity is already asleep.  

On the bright side, I thought Audacity was pretty cool.  I didn't even realize that my mac had a microphone connected.  Hmmm...I guess that shows how little I know about computers.     ;)   In my exhausted state, I forgot to use Switchpod, so it took me forever to figure out how to set up a link.  Reading directions actually helps.   

I'm not proud of my end result, but I've learning the process, and I'm happy about that.  

I think I'm going to bed now. Enough!

http://www.switchpod.com/users/milkdudly/Wave.wav

Thing #20: YouTube, TeacherTube, and Zamzar

I'm already very comfortable with YouTube. It's easy to find what interests me, and I like reading other people's comments. I thought the video below was pretty cute. :)





This is the first time I've used TeacherTube, and I'm loving it! And better yet, I LOVE that we have access at school! I can see using this site frequently in the classroom.

Thing #19: Web 2.0 Awards List

Ooooh, this task was easy! I already have an account on Facebook and Myspace, both social networking sites. I also have LinkedIn, a professional networking site. These sites allow me to keep in touch with friends who live far away--especially my California friends. We all get so busy, so the social networking sites allow us to drop each other a message at our convenience. Easy and fun!

LinkedIn is a great way to network. We all say it's a small world, but that becomes apparent when you're looking for a job and your friends' connections are offering jobs. Everyone is happy!

We can't get on to most of these sites at school. However, if it were possible, and liability/safety wasn't a concern, it would be an excellent project to have students characterize the main character in their summer reading novel. Then they could create a Myspace page for their character. Because we couldn't use the site at my school, my students created a Myspace profile on a piece of poster board. They each characterized the main character in their summer reading book, a task which took a great deal of analysis and creativity. The projects turned out wonderfully!

Thing #18: Online Productivity Tools

Oooh, Google Docs is wonderful!!! I'm always emailing files to myself from my home computer to my school computer. I fill up my inbox with files I want to have on two computers. Google Docs is the solution! Good find!

Open Office is going to be my backup program on my home computer. I've been having problems with MS Word ever since my computer crashed a few weeks ago. At least I'll have another program that will allow me to open and create my files, as well as to save files in different formats. Brilliant!

Thing #17: Rollyo

I can see how Rollyo could be a great help, especially by saving time when researching. Because there's so much on the web, this would be a way to cut out the irrelevant matches. However, I used Rollyo to look up grand entrance wedding songs and it came up with the same sites as on Google. I guess I should have chosen a sub-category in the drop-down menu. I'll keep practicing.

Thing #16: Wikis

I like the idea of Wikis. People can always learn from each other, and what a great way to collaborate by adding information! Then again, I'm certainly not comfortable with Wikis yet. I accidentally changed the font and color of another person's comment, and I couldn't figure out how to change it back. I guess I'm still a beginner, but with a bit of practice, I'm sure I'll enjoy what I've learned.

Thing #15: Web/Library 2.0

I really appreciated the video "A Vision of Students Today." Clearly, times are changing! For better or worse, people need to learn how to keep up with these changes.

I agree with Rick Anderson's thoughts on the "icebergs" that have potential to threaten our progress and future success. It seems like many people are packrats. I know I am! However, how ridiculous to fill space and spend money on "just in case" books. Instead, let's fill our libraries with books that students actually read. After all, the internet is a wonderful resource for research and reading for pleasure. On that note, though, I can't bear to give away my personal set of encyclopedias. I have very little room at home for all my books, I use the internet for research, and yet I'm hanging on to them "just in case."

I also agree that our library resources need to be user-friendly. As a language arts teacher, I feel that it's important for students to spend time in the library. Although I value library time, it's difficult spending classtime in the library when students walk around lost and confused. I definitely teach my students how to find books and we review some ways to research, but if some of the technology tools were easier to navigate, the students would be more productive with their time.

Thing #14: Technorati

Technorati seems like a great way to find blogs of interest. Then again, I thought it was interesting to look at the Top 100 list of blogs. Definitely not my idea of interesting. However, as the woman on the video said, those on the Top 100 probably just post the most, not implying that they are the most interesting. I guess that makes sense.

On a side note, I claimed my blog, so we'll see if more people visit my blog.

Thing #13: Del.icio.us

I guess I still need a little time to get used to Del.icio.us. I like bookmarking sites and adding websites to my favorites list. I think I'm just comfortable with what I'm already used to using. However, I can definitely see how Del.icio.us could be very useful when researching. I use so many different websites for my classes, so Del.icio.us would be a good way for me to keep those sites organized. I'll keep practicing.

Thing #12: Creating Community Through Commenting

Before commenting:

I found the tips for commenting pretty helpful. Particularly, I agree that it's important to write a meaningful comment, not just "I agree" or "Cool." A meaningful comment actually matters, but some other comments seem pointless.

The other piece of advice that I found helpful is not to be afraid of commenting. I haven't left any comments yet, and I am somewhat nervous about writing on someone else's blog. Logically, this seems ridiculous. However, I can't help how I feel. I like receiving comments though, so I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that others will like it as well.


After commenting:

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed commenting on other people's blogs. Hmmm...I guess I have a lot to say. ;) And besides that, I liked to read what's others were saying. Besides commenting on people's blogs in the Learn2Play community, I commented on two other blogs about Cinque Terre, Italy. I'm getting exciting about my upcoming trip, and it was fun to see what other people were saying. I guess it's pretty common to write a blog as you're traveling, and these blogs were posted within the past few days.

Thing #11: LibraryThing

I think Library Thing was created just for me! I'm in heaven--an entire website dedicated to book dorks like me. I love it!

I added 8 of my favorite books, all of which I gave perfect ratings. I had so much fun reading about what others thought about my favorite books. In fact, I always want to talk about what I'm reading, but I feel like most people are too busy for that. But now there is an entire website of people wanting to talk about books. Woo hoo!

I also thought it was really interesting to explore some of the different groups. I particularly liked the group 1001 Books To Read Before You Die. Again, I know I'm a dork, but I don't want to miss out on a good book. And I figure that with so many people sharing their opinions on the best books, this is my best shot at always finding something great to read.

I love it!!!

Thing #10: Image Generator

Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com



Clearly, I've had way too much fun with Thing #10. I can't believe that there's so much I can do online (for free) that I didn't know existed. Exciting!!!

I can definitely see that this will be fun to use with my students. It would be a great addition to projects. In fact, an occasional image would be fun on any of their papers. I'll keep these creative resources in mind.

Thing #9: Blogs and News Feeds

Okay, I think I'm blogged out! A bit too much for me.

I found Google Blog Search approachable, easy, and very helpful. I've used Atomic Learning during the school year and I've also found that helpful. The other sites (Syndic8, Technorati, Topix) were too overwhelming.

I actually found some really great feeds that have helped in planning my trip to Italy. I've been looking for a hotel in Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre, Italy, and it's been really helpful getting reviews of the hotels. What a great resource in planning a trip!

Thing #8: RSS Feed

I really appreciate that RSS and newsreader will allow me to keep up with the news (and gossip) quickly. When I'm busy with school and my personal life, I don't always have time to stay as up-to-date as I'd like. Now I can keep up with the news in a hurry. I will definitely use this technology to stay posted on the news. I can also add blogs about books for young adults to stay current on the books for my students. Additionally, libraries can also subscribe to blogs about books for young adults. This way, libraries can keep up with the current, popular books to keep the students excited about going to the library.

Thing #7: Google

I set up a Google Alert to email news about USC Trojan football. What can I say? I'm a fan!!! I can see how Google Alert would be helpful in keeping up with the news. Whether I'm trying to follow the election coverage or football recruitment, this site can be tailored to fit my needs. Plus, I can use this site in the classroom when keeping up with current events (as we do in Reading Lab). This can cut down on my research time and it would be a great resource to teach my students to use.

I also used Google Calendar to keep my life in order. During the summer, I seem to lose all track of time. I'm not even 100% sure what day of the week it is, much less the date! By using a computer calendar, it makes organization a bit more fun. Plus, when school starts back up, I can even keep my lessons straight on Google Calendar. This would make sharing and collaborating so much easier!

Thing #6: Mashups

I had fun on this one! I played with a few different mashups, and got more comfortable with Flickr. My favorite part was creating a trading card. Although I practiced using Flickr, I created my favorite trading card using one of my own pictures. I know, it's cheesy, but I like it! :)

Thing #5: Flickr

Flickr is pretty cool! I will definitely use this site to find images I can use with my students. Great resource!

I found an awesome picture of a totem pole that I can use when we're reading Touching Spirit Bear. Since most of my students aren't familiar with totem poles, pictures help. Good find!

Thing #4: Registered

I sent in my email and I'm just waiting for confirmation that I'm registered. I guess I'll keep going...

Thing #3: Blog and Avatar

I can't believe it! I've started my own blog and I've created an Avatar. I'm proud!!!

Thing #3 took me quite a while to complete, but I'm actually a fan of my Avatar. I guess that's all it took to win me over. ;)

And, on the bright side, I think I'm getting the hang of blogging.

Thing #2: Life Long Learning

The easiest habit for me is setting goals. I generally think of the outcome as I approach any new task. Lucky me!

I definitely have a difficult time finding time to play. After all, we're all so busy and there's always so much to do. Finding time to play is certainly one of my many goals, and I'm already thinking about how to achieve my successful outcome.

Thing #1: Getting Started

Woo hoo! Success!

I read the blog and may move on to Thing #2. :)