Thing #11.5- Evalutation

1. My favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey were Wordle, Animoto, Facebook, backchanneling, Hulu, and 280 Slides. I guess that's a long list! I really thought that 11.5 Things was a lot of fun and I learned so many new programs that I can't wait to use with my students. In fact, I think I got a lot more out of 11.5 Things than I did out of 23 Things. These sites and programs were more my style. :)

2. These programs have encouraged me and given me the confidence to continue learning and attempting to keep up with advancing technology. Programs like Second Life were frustrating for me, but I know that when I go back and give it another try, I'll hopefully be able to keep up (and put on some clothes!). I'm always amazed by what my students know, so hopefully I can continue to keep up with their thirst for technology.

3. I was surprised by Second Life. However, my frustrations were at their worst, so I was too impatient to deal with clothing. I certainly wasn't expecting to lose my clothes though! On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to make a screencast. It's a program that looks difficult, and although it was late at night and I was having technical difficulties, it was actually really quick and easy. Who knew!

4. Honestly, I loved 11.5 Things. Maybe I just had a better idea of what to expect. Or maybe the programs were better. Either way though, I got more out of 11.5 Things than I did out of 23 Things. My only suggestion would be to have a buddy system or a mentor to go to with help on Second Life. I needed some one-on-one help with that one! Otherwise, I loved everything. Thank you for this awesome experience!

Thing #11- Digital Citizenship

I agree that it's important to discuss/teach/review/stress the importance of being a good "digital citizen," and I like the terminology too. What a great way to explain the concept, much like being a good citizen in society. Makes perfect sense!

I focused mainly on the following articles:
1. National Educational Technology Standards (NETS-T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers AND National Educational Technology Standards (NETS-S) and Performance Indicators for Students
2. "Digital Literacy and the Classroom" on Rhonda's Reflections- Wandering Around the Web
3. The Cool Cat Teacher Blog

I found all of the articles helpful and insightful.

When encouraging my students to be good digital citizens, I will stress the importance of the following tips:
1. Students should always use technology in SAFE, legal, and responsible ways.
2. Students should use technology to find, EVALUATE, and use information. Remember, not everything found on the internet is true or accurate.
3. Students should push themselves to use technology and knowledge to develop NEW ideas. Cheating is cheating, whether off another students' paper or off the internet. Don't plagarize.
4. Students should use technology to COLLABORATE with others for further learning...including collaborating long-distance.
5. Students should be familiar with addressing multiple AUDIENCES using a variety of formats.

Thing #10- Virtual Worlds

I am so frustrated with Second Life! And I'm disappointed in myself because I've heard how cool it is. I think I need to take a break and relax, and then I'll give it another try later.

I managed to customize my avatar and to dress her. That took forever, but it was fun. However, I somehow made myself bald and couldn't get my hair back. It only got worse from there. Then, while trying to undo my baldness, I somehow took off all my clothes! Ooops! And while trying to put my clothes back on, I mysteriously managed to make my view of my avatar appear as a white fog. Others could see me (and my nakedness!), but all I could see was a white fog. Who knew you could feel embarrassed in a virtual world?!

I did manage to transport, fly, run, sit, and have a few short conversations with the people standing near me. I tried to explore Campus 3D, but I was a bit preoccupied without clothes or hair, so I'm taking a break. Frustrating!

I'm not sure how I would use this in the classroom. Apparently, I have a lot of learning before I'll teach my students.

I'm going to take a break, calm down, and I'll try again tomorrow. :)

Thing #9- Slideshare

I think Slideshare, and, specifically, 280 Slides, seems awesome! I love that it's possible to access 280 slides from any computer and that's it's free. What a deal!

This would be great for students. Particularly when students are presenting, it would be so easy for them to open their presentation on a class computer. Last year when my students were presenting their projects, a few students couldn't open their projects due to file errors or problems with their email. It would be so convenient to open it online. The media services would help make the presentations more interesting. And, of course, I already mentioned that it's free! What's not to love?

Thing #8- Screencast

This screencast is terrible and completely embarrassing, but at least I learned how to make a screencast. My computer is having technical difficulties tonight, so I figured I'd stick to something easy like the Library Resource Page.

When I try this again, I think it will be really helpful to make an instructional screencast for Eduphoria. Because teachers are going to need to learn a new program, a screencast could be a great way to learn. Again though, due to technical difficulties, I couldn't make it tonight.

I could definitely have my students make screencasts. I can't believe how easy it is! Good find!

Thing #7- Video Resources

Using news clips of current events could lead to interesting writing topics. Short videos can capture the students' interest and allow them enough background information to formulate opinions.





Movie trailers are a great way to get students excited about reading. Clearly, the movie Twilight helped get hesitant readers to pick up a book...and to continue reading the entire saga. Similarly, students who already read the book likely feel a connection with the characters. Thus, they will have more of an opinion about the movie. Anything that engages students in discussing literature seems valuable.

Thing #6- iTouch Apps

Although I don’t have an iTouch, I’m dying for one! As soon at the iphone is available with Verizon, I’m definitely getting one. Can’t wait!

Several of my friends have iphones, so I’ve used them several times. They are SO great, both for personal and professional use. Some of the applications I could imagine multiple students using in the library are included in the following:

WeDict
Graphing Calculator
TouchCalc
Word of the Day
Google Map/Earth
Poptiq
Brainteaser
6500+Cool Facts
inFactUSA
Stanza
Classics
3DPlanet
WorldCat

Thing #5- Microblogging

I'm already a fan of Facebook. I love that Facebook allows me to keep in touch with my high school friends, my college friends, and now my teaching colleagues. In fact, in the past year, even my sisters, aunts, and uncles have joined Facebook. Although communicating through Facebook is not the same as visiting in person, I’m grateful that I can easily keep in touch with my friends and family back home in California.

I’m a beginner with Twitter. I’ve played around a few times, and I can definitely see the appeal. Depending on who you are following, it can be a lot of fun. Juicy, too!

Having a Facebook group would be great for students to join. Students can post questions/comments about homework, projects, book clubs…anything. Limitless possibilities! And, of course, it’s another way to keep students engaged in their learning.

In general, back-channeling seems like a great way for students to stay engaged in their learning. When back-channeling during class, it might take some time to establish ground rules for appropriate comments. Also, it will be an adjustment for the teacher to get used to students looking at a computer and typing, not making eye contact with the teacher. However, I think the benefits could be so amazing!

I’m ready to give it a try with my students!

Thing #4- Posting to YouTube or TeacherTube

I uploaded a video of my friend trying to sled in Breckenridge. She was having such a difficult time, so the rest of us girls thought it was hysterical. Poor Becca! 

I think it would be awesome for students to upload their student-made videos online. It seems like students would take the assignment more seriously. And, of course, it would clarify the importance of knowing your audience. Plus, it would be so exciting!

My only concern would be for their privacy. According to the privacy option, only 25 viewers could watch the video. I’m not sure if students would continue to take the project as seriously if they knew their viewers were capped. On the other hand, it seems like a huge liability to have the student’s face on camera. Last year, I took a video of my students performing some of Shakespeare’s plays in a student-written, student-produced, student-performed masterpiece. I played it back so they could see themselves, but again, I wasn’t comfortable uploading it because of privacy. Hmmmm…I wish someone would just give me the specifics of privacy rules and such.

Thing #3- Like Skype (11.5 Things)

I've used Skype before and I think it's amazing! In fact, I have a friend who used Skype to continue a long-distance relationship with a guy in Australia. (Miss you, Claire!) I could definitely use this in my classroom. My students could communicate with students in other parts of the world, talk with authors, conduct interviews for research...