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.