What a ride! For not being very techy, I have learned a tremendous amount. There has been a multitude of times that I have hit a "brick wall" but have picked up and gone on...knowing that it would be a crunch to get through this course. Yes, by now, you have realized that I was not able to complete the 23 Things Course.
Nevertheless, once again, I have learned...how to start each day with realizing that life has to be figured in on what we attempt...life happens...not all of what we start out to do is finished with the exhilaration of crossing the line! We are human...with universal hope and reaching higher and very hopeful of gaining the banner...only to face the fact...life happens.
This summer has been rather crazy with a complete mix of learning experiences: a determined mazing through the 23 Things course...tending to the needs of my extended family...traveling with my husband in the ministry in "previously booked" meetings...trying to get laptop reception when out in the country...working in the country scene (outside)...and facing physical limitations, at times...but always knowing that life happens.
I so appreciate each and every guidance effort by the 23 Things team and know that this course would be enlightening for every teacher. I purpose to peruse the notes I have taken and will sign up for this course in the fall. Thank you - gmail team!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
#11 Photosharing with Flickr
This has been a joy to explore - an entire freedom of creativity and expression at our fingertips...
background music which I have missed in the educational scene...now, we have the music and floral background. I believe all children need to be exposed to the variations of songs, even to the support of our classrooms' atmosphere of learning.
Spell with Flickr was instantly accepted into my plan for the classroom. The students could be creative with their spelling words and practice with the words in patterns. Such a support for "fast finishers"! They will also need extra support for the synonyms for "tired" words...they will enjoy practicing the new words with this program.
Beautiful video with music background imported from Creative Commons Search...what fun!
Tagging -
Photo Tags are visible to all who read the blog.
Folksonomy collaborative organizing of content by everyday users more users add more tags to more content.
Tags cannot have spaces
background music which I have missed in the educational scene...now, we have the music and floral background. I believe all children need to be exposed to the variations of songs, even to the support of our classrooms' atmosphere of learning.
Spell with Flickr was instantly accepted into my plan for the classroom. The students could be creative with their spelling words and practice with the words in patterns. Such a support for "fast finishers"! They will also need extra support for the synonyms for "tired" words...they will enjoy practicing the new words with this program.
Beautiful video with music background imported from Creative Commons Search...what fun!
Tagging -
Photo Tags are visible to all who read the blog.
Folksonomy collaborative organizing of content by everyday users more users add more tags to more content.
Tags cannot have spaces
Monday, July 19, 2010
#10 Creative Commons
This information regarding the "fair use guidelines" is extremely eye-opening! In reflection of this information, I am more aware of my safety parameters. I can springboard into creativity as I stay cognizant of these protective warnings as to safety issues. It helps to know what the CC logo means on a website.
With use of Flickr, YouTube, Scribd, Thinkfree, Archive.org , I need to consistently question myself as to: "how it is shared", "how it may be used", and "how to properly credit the author or creator". Creative Commons has given me tools to mark my creative work: I can use CC to change my copyright terms from "All Rights Reserved" to "Some Rights Reserved". Also, CC has provided many photos, books, songs, etc. that I may use. With this use, I can take some information and remake it to help my writing. If I acknowledge the authors, I have permission through CC to remix and share.
Wow! This is such a great support! My students' learning will be impacted by knowing about these cautions now. They will be aware of the parameters and then, will be able to devote more time to their creativity in the projects. My students will know about the info offered by CC that is protected and free.
As of this time I have not used digital images, audio, or video clips from the web in my teaching or professional practice. Because this part of Web 2.0 is so enhancing to any writing, I will make this available to my students as soon as possible.
With use of Flickr, YouTube, Scribd, Thinkfree, Archive.org , I need to consistently question myself as to: "how it is shared", "how it may be used", and "how to properly credit the author or creator". Creative Commons has given me tools to mark my creative work: I can use CC to change my copyright terms from "All Rights Reserved" to "Some Rights Reserved". Also, CC has provided many photos, books, songs, etc. that I may use. With this use, I can take some information and remake it to help my writing. If I acknowledge the authors, I have permission through CC to remix and share.
Wow! This is such a great support! My students' learning will be impacted by knowing about these cautions now. They will be aware of the parameters and then, will be able to devote more time to their creativity in the projects. My students will know about the info offered by CC that is protected and free.
As of this time I have not used digital images, audio, or video clips from the web in my teaching or professional practice. Because this part of Web 2.0 is so enhancing to any writing, I will make this available to my students as soon as possible.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
#6 Feed Reader Subscribe to Feeds
This was an enjoyable experience as I read and became enthused as to the number of ideas there were...so difficult to limit. Many "new authors" are in this blogosphere (creative name, isn't it?)... Reading through the mountain of info, to me, was a "catch 22". I enjoyed it but this took multiplied minutes to accomplish. My brain is stretching, I think...
* In the blog, TechLearning, I investigated, "Meet the Bloggers", and located many who had technological ideas to pass along. David Kapuler brought out great ideas regarding slide shows in the classroom. I plan, as time passes, to access his blog in order to equip my students with this knowledge. He shared info about 10 sites that were free and would eliminate the need for IPhoto or powerpoint for slide show preparations. Cool info!
* Technorati is noted as the "recognized authority in the World Wide Web"...helped a lot in locating info.
*Cool Cat Teacher Blog - I have read several of this author's thoughts and will return to this blog often...has much info for the educator to peruse for personal and student success.
*The Happiness Project presents ideas for springboarding writing toward goals set in the classroom. Motivation to be a positive learner includes actively pursuing a mindset of positive rather than negative thinking. Some ideas on this blog might be used in the classroom for this focus.
*The fun feeds to my reader are: *Interesting photos in Flickr *Dictionary.com Word of the Day
* In the blog, TechLearning, I investigated, "Meet the Bloggers", and located many who had technological ideas to pass along. David Kapuler brought out great ideas regarding slide shows in the classroom. I plan, as time passes, to access his blog in order to equip my students with this knowledge. He shared info about 10 sites that were free and would eliminate the need for IPhoto or powerpoint for slide show preparations. Cool info!
* Technorati is noted as the "recognized authority in the World Wide Web"...helped a lot in locating info.
*Cool Cat Teacher Blog - I have read several of this author's thoughts and will return to this blog often...has much info for the educator to peruse for personal and student success.
*The Happiness Project presents ideas for springboarding writing toward goals set in the classroom. Motivation to be a positive learner includes actively pursuing a mindset of positive rather than negative thinking. Some ideas on this blog might be used in the classroom for this focus.
*The fun feeds to my reader are: *Interesting photos in Flickr *Dictionary.com Word of the Day
Thursday, July 15, 2010
#8 What in the World is a Wiki?
I am so glad to see the definition of a "wiki" in this course. When our school's library Wiki was set up, I was somewhat surprised at the name and how it was to be used. As this library sign-up system was put in place, it freed up most teachers. They could instantly go on the website, edit the page with their info, and/or sign up for time in the library. Although this was a great system, it had the element of intimidation for some. I was one of these teachers and had to gradually learn how to manipulate it. Yeah, a new day of learning!
This is an amazing tool! I love the fact that anyone can edit, save, and be in the "know of info"!
Code Blue This is about a 6th grade class learning about the body.They opened their own online medical clinic. The page is set up as colorful and eye-catching with moving images. Each button opened a link for info on certain part of body. This blog setup contains age-appropriate info that is presented in an interesting way. There was a separate page with many links to science/health websites that would be interesting to 4th grade and up. I plan to use this website wiki for informational support.
Go West Oregon Trail Info by 3rd graders. There were examples of graphic organizers and work submitted by that class. There were links for time lines, animals, and other interesting examples of that area. I know this would be a helpful example of how to gather and exhibit a similar unit of facts about Texas. Rather than a notebook, students might be able to show their info on a wiki. Quite a beginning for our fourth grade to show Texas facts. Interesting!
Grazing for Digital Natives -This website wiki had much information that would support my teaching and professional information needed for success. There were links that I plan to use in order to keep me up to date with technology. I believe the author will be expeditious in maintaining current information.
Wikis are amazing and provided with endless avenues of ideas. Hopefully, we can use this support in the fourth grade teacher planning, networking together.
This is an amazing tool! I love the fact that anyone can edit, save, and be in the "know of info"!
Code Blue This is about a 6th grade class learning about the body.They opened their own online medical clinic. The page is set up as colorful and eye-catching with moving images. Each button opened a link for info on certain part of body. This blog setup contains age-appropriate info that is presented in an interesting way. There was a separate page with many links to science/health websites that would be interesting to 4th grade and up. I plan to use this website wiki for informational support.
Go West Oregon Trail Info by 3rd graders. There were examples of graphic organizers and work submitted by that class. There were links for time lines, animals, and other interesting examples of that area. I know this would be a helpful example of how to gather and exhibit a similar unit of facts about Texas. Rather than a notebook, students might be able to show their info on a wiki. Quite a beginning for our fourth grade to show Texas facts. Interesting!
Grazing for Digital Natives -This website wiki had much information that would support my teaching and professional information needed for success. There were links that I plan to use in order to keep me up to date with technology. I believe the author will be expeditious in maintaining current information.
Wikis are amazing and provided with endless avenues of ideas. Hopefully, we can use this support in the fourth grade teacher planning, networking together.
#7 Creating Community Through Commenting
In the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, my eyes were opened.
The information regarding commenting on each blog seems to be a practice that should be rather easy to "put in place". If we search for blogs that relate to us and "stir our thinking", we will have the urge to speak...to say our position of thought...to "comment".
This will be more difficult for some people as there are those who have to "will themselves to speak up". For others who are not reticent to share their thoughts, this should be a breeze.
The focus for each of these groups would be to share all the information in a way that is polite, helpful, thought-provoking, meaningful, and with the idea of making a difference in the lives of the readers.
Just to say anything that comes to mind is not the most favorable avenue. If a blog ignites your thinking, then certainly, you need to write a response. Otherwise, your thoughts will never be counted and no one will ever know you had an idea.
Many articles have been written by bloggers who have changed their position of thinking after a responding blogger has presented a substantiated, opposite view. Many times, people change their minds, as they are presented with material that stirs up a "different perspective". This has to be done in a manner that the initial blogger can receive it - to be believable, concerned, polite, and reasonable. These are the blogs that really count...with good citizenship and character...not arrogance and rudeness.
Blogging could be a tool for the betterment of all society. People need to be heard...the common people...the ones who cannot seem to voice their position...the ones who have been taught that they don't count...the ones who have been rejected and pushed aside...young and old...gifted or not...rich or needy...college degreed or not...all people! We need to stop and listen to others in order to be more cohesive as a nation. We must!
The information regarding commenting on each blog seems to be a practice that should be rather easy to "put in place". If we search for blogs that relate to us and "stir our thinking", we will have the urge to speak...to say our position of thought...to "comment".
This will be more difficult for some people as there are those who have to "will themselves to speak up". For others who are not reticent to share their thoughts, this should be a breeze.
The focus for each of these groups would be to share all the information in a way that is polite, helpful, thought-provoking, meaningful, and with the idea of making a difference in the lives of the readers.
Just to say anything that comes to mind is not the most favorable avenue. If a blog ignites your thinking, then certainly, you need to write a response. Otherwise, your thoughts will never be counted and no one will ever know you had an idea.
Many articles have been written by bloggers who have changed their position of thinking after a responding blogger has presented a substantiated, opposite view. Many times, people change their minds, as they are presented with material that stirs up a "different perspective". This has to be done in a manner that the initial blogger can receive it - to be believable, concerned, polite, and reasonable. These are the blogs that really count...with good citizenship and character...not arrogance and rudeness.
Blogging could be a tool for the betterment of all society. People need to be heard...the common people...the ones who cannot seem to voice their position...the ones who have been taught that they don't count...the ones who have been rejected and pushed aside...young and old...gifted or not...rich or needy...college degreed or not...all people! We need to stop and listen to others in order to be more cohesive as a nation. We must!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thing #5 Getting Started with RSS
Using the RSS feed is going to be very helpful. As I spend much time in the
reading of the blogs, it is imperative to save time by using this tool. It is so amazing to me that I will have this info to come to me daily! I do realize that my challenge will be that I might have to limit the number of blogs due to the buildup in the information.
Along with the three feeds that we were assigned, I also subscribed to www.npr.org, www.nytimes.com, Successful Teaching, and The Happiness Project. Time has been spent in reading these blogs and I can see how helpful this will be as the school year begins.
As I do read methodically and "thoroughly", I perceive that I need to develop the art of "skimming" so that I will be able to access a greater number of articles. This is the part of blogging that is challenging for me.
In the article regarding the 21st century, I found it very interesting that the author (Linda/ Jan. 29, 2009) was so candid about her areas of blogging that were still confusing to her.
No matter the age of the learner, I believe the mindset has to be to "keep on" trying. Perseverance in this area would gradually bring understanding...then mastery? Lifelong learners do not quit! When students "catch" this enthusiasm for learning and claim it for themselves, they will process true learning...and enjoy it at the same time.
reading of the blogs, it is imperative to save time by using this tool. It is so amazing to me that I will have this info to come to me daily! I do realize that my challenge will be that I might have to limit the number of blogs due to the buildup in the information.
Along with the three feeds that we were assigned, I also subscribed to www.npr.org, www.nytimes.com, Successful Teaching, and The Happiness Project. Time has been spent in reading these blogs and I can see how helpful this will be as the school year begins.
As I do read methodically and "thoroughly", I perceive that I need to develop the art of "skimming" so that I will be able to access a greater number of articles. This is the part of blogging that is challenging for me.
In the article regarding the 21st century, I found it very interesting that the author (Linda/ Jan. 29, 2009) was so candid about her areas of blogging that were still confusing to her.
No matter the age of the learner, I believe the mindset has to be to "keep on" trying. Perseverance in this area would gradually bring understanding...then mastery? Lifelong learners do not quit! When students "catch" this enthusiasm for learning and claim it for themselves, they will process true learning...and enjoy it at the same time.
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