Thing #23 I can't believe it's over!

I can't believe it's over. This semester went by SO fast! I feel like I'm trying to cram everything in at the last minute...BUT, this program has certainly helped me out especially    Google + You and it's endless tools. Such as; iGoogle, Googledocs, the (citer), and Translator. My history papers and other class papers were alot more in depth than they have been in the past. The new sites and applications that I have been introduced to throughout this course will help tremendously when I begin teaching. The unexpected out come was that there was so much to do...I couldn't afford to spend as much time on one "thing" as I would like due to so many other assignments I was given through livetext and in other classes as well. If I were to take this class over I would take it in the summer by itself.
As a teacher I will be more apt to use technology in my classroom instead of shying away from it. I will also encourage the parents who have second thoughts about the internet to thouroughly look at the opportunities. To keep up to date with web 2.0 I have a gadget installed on my iGoogle homepage and am also following them on twitter, which have both been useful. The Blog was a great idea and I plan on keeping up with it, and have shared it on my facebook, iGoogle, and Twitter accounts.

Learning 2.1 blog

Thing #23

Credits

Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers is based on Learning 2.0 - 23 Things, a staff development program for the Mesquite Independent School District. That program was based on the Learning 2.0 program that was designed by Helene Blowers and adapted by the California School Library Association and others. Content and style for Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers has been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License.

 Creative Commons is definitely useful site. I would indubitaly use this site, and it's knowledge to better understand the rights and laws of copying, sharing, things such as pictures, words, music, videos...etc., and teach those ethics and knowledge to my students. Whoever invented that site had a very, very good idea. I'm glad I know that it exists now.

 

Thing #22

My Educational Livebinder

<div style="width:75px; height:78px; background-image:url(http://www.livebinders.com/images/binder_icon_private.gif); border:0px; margin-top:4px; background-repeat: no-repeat"> <a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=378068"> <img src="http://open.thumbshots.org/image.pxf?url=http://blog.unmc.edu/edtech/2012/04/04/unmc-educational-technology-update-spring-2012/" style="width:60px; height:60px; border:0px; padding:0px;margin:11px 0px 0px 13px;" /> </a> </div> <div><a href="http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=378068">Educational technology Updates</a><br /></div>


My three binders are in my School Shelf. They are labelled; Educational technology Updates, History, and Math 1410 which has sites for educational math ideas. I think students could really get into this, I know I did. By finding different resources they could bind them together and use them as cite references for a paper, or group project. It makes it so much easier to find, and keep together. I have a habit of accidentally 'closing out' of a tab that has important information on it and never being able to find that particular website again. This site/application reduces that risk alot.

Thing # 21

My Animoto Video My video included pictures from my trip to Nicaragua in 2007. I really enjoyed using Animoto, I watched the 'how to' video which explained everything very well. I think I might use this in the future to make more class videos.

Thing # 20

I love YouTube, you can find a video of just about anything. I'm subscribed to this girls videos, she comes up with really neat ways to mix math with art, and is a pretty incredible sharpie artist.The only thing I dislike about YouTube is their comments section. Most of the comments are completely irrelevant, or become very hateful. My idea for the libraries to use something like You tube would be to create a narrative, or short description of any particular book...this might help the students more apt to read.

Thing 15

This proves why professors say that Wikipedia is not a valid source. Anyone can go in and edit any of the information. I really enjoyed reading poeples sentences that had obviously been edited so that they no longer made sense...wikis could work really well as a place that students can edit and review the work of their peers.

Thing #13

I loved Zoho writer, it works better on my Kindle Fire than Google docs does so I use it more often....https://writer.zoho.com/docroll/cladd1988/10 & the fact that it's free makes it pretty awesome too. Instead of paying for Microsoft Office updates, it would be cheaper to use Zoho or Google docs. Both of these sites allow you to make spread sheets, upload pictures, music, collaborate in chatrooms and access blogs. As well as many other options.my picture from google docs. Students would be able to collaborate with each other using the private chatrooms that both of these sites offer, as well as using the spreadsheets, writer, presentation creater, and video tools to find creative ways to use with group projects.

Thing # 18 (School)

 For this 'Thing' we were to answer the following questions about the top two social networking sites, Twitter & Facebook...
-Why is it important that educators know how social networking works? 
I believe it is important for educators to know how social networking works, and to be involved with it. Facebook actually has it's own site for educators to learn about it, and to find ways to become involved. http://facebookforeducators.org/educators-guide
According to this site, 
We also believe that Facebook can be a powerful tool to help you connect with your colleagues, share educational content, and enhance communication among teachers, parents and students. (We explain more about these topics later.)


The site goes on to list several convincing ideas on different positive ways that Facebook can be used by educators.


-What new insights did you gain about these popular sites? 
Honestly, Twitter annoys me. I admit I have a twitter account, but I hardly ever use it. Compared to Facebook, Twitters abilities are incredibly limiting. In fact, I think that the most interesting thing Twitter does is the 'Trends". 
Facebook however, has so many different pages, groups, and people, pictures, games, applications...etc. it's hard to ever be bored with Facebook. 


What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored? 
Twitter is boring. 
Facebook offers endless amounts of entertainment.


Which site had the most useful features? Facebook.


Can you see a classroom or school application for any of these sites?
For Facebook, yes. I can see using it to collaborate with students by making private groups. They would even be able to collaborate with other students across the globe. Which would be great for a geography class.

"Facebook in the Classroom

In our conversations with teachers, many have told us that they are looking for ways to better understand students’ emerging digital learning styles. Educators have also expressed that they are interested in learning how to integrate Facebook into their lesson plans to enrich students’ educational experiences, to increase the relevance of the content, and to encourage students to collaborate effectively with their peers.

Facebook can provide students with the opportunity to effectively present their ideas, lead online discussions, and collaborate. In addition, Facebook can help you, as an educator, to tap into the digital learning styles of your students. For example, it can facilitate student-to-student collaboration and provide innovative ways for you to involve students in your subject matter.

Thing # 12

For thing # 12 we had to "explore Google". At the beginning of this whole "blogging" ordeal I created a google account, which I've become highly addicted to. I have a public iGoogle account and use the google calendar, which is great because you can get it to send you a reminder message to your cell phone if you have an appointment that day. Also, Google Wallet is awesome it's like a virtual account that you can upload your credit card information onto and use it instead of carrying around a wallet. I've never used it, but I have a freind who has and they told me it was neat. Google Docs I love, I can use that app on my Kindle Fire and use Google Cloud to connect to a printer. If you'd like to view my iGoogle just go to Google + You and type in Caitlin Ladd!

Thing # 11

For thing # 11 we were supposed to subscribe to different blogs using search tools like Google, Topix and Technorati to find ones that interested us. Topix & Technorati were confusing to me, so I played it safe and stuck with Google because I already knew how to use its blog search tool. I subscribed to various cooking blogs including one for homemade dog treat recipies, which I ended up making & my dog loved.http://homemade-dog-treat-recipes.blogspot.com/ I also subrscribed to a couple of wedding blogs, which had wonderful ideas...some of which I stole, and plan on using. :) http://www.stylemepretty.com/ I've really gotten hooked on blog searching, there is a blog for just about everything. Including picking your nose! They even have 'nose cups' and a blog for it...http://nosepicking.wordpress.com/

Thing #10 (School)

For Thing # 10 we were supposed to set up a google account and subscribe to different blogs using the RSS reader app. I LOVED this. Instead of pouring over page after page trying to find something interesting on the blogs that I had chosen, they all popped up onto one single page that I could scroll down. No more typing in different sites into the search bar, no more jumping from tab to tab, they were all there on one page. This made things SO much easier. Pictures included. This would be a fun idea to use for the parents of the children in my class, they can create their own blogs, subscribe to different ones and each others and shuffle different ideas, thoughts, opinions around.

Thing #9 (School)

For Thing # 9 we were supposed to use an Image Generator. It listed a few for us to try, but the only one that I could get to work properly was ImageChef. This site makes creating different images very easy, you can even upload your own images into it and create something. Like my second image, I used a picture I had of my horses and made a puzzle out of it. I also found out that if you download the images onto a flash drive and take it into Kinkos and they can make it into an actual puzzle. Which would be fun to use in the classroom.

THING # 5! (School)

School 2.0...Technology is amazing. We have now figured out how to reverse aging in mice...not just the 'look of aging' but actual 'age'. http://gu.com/p/2ydje
So our abilities have become limitless. I'm torn on this subject, I feel like we as humans are becoming our own Gods. Let the strong survive, the world is already overly populated as it is...etc. But when it came to my family and friends I would go to any length to let them live longer. So I'm hypocritical in this aspect....and could discuss the issue for hours.
Getting back to School 2.0,
Since technology has no limits, education should have no limits.
<a href="http://mashable.com/2010/11/22/technology-in-education/">8 Ways Technology Is Improving Education</a>
"Technology is helping teachers to expand beyond linear, text-based learning and to engage students who learn best in other ways. Its role in schools has evolved from a contained “computer class” into a versatile learning tool that could change how we demonstrate concepts, assign projects and assess progress." - Sarah Kessler.

Scholastic did some research that showed kids were more interested in reading ebooks than actual text books. We all know children learn best when they are enjoying the experience.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/1924555/study_children_more_likely_to_read_if_using_digital_devices/

Thing # 8 (School)

For thing # 8 I chose to use the tool Spell with Flickr http://metaatem.net/ it's a really neat site that takes a word/phrase/sentence and finds pictures off of the internet of the letters that you used. For example, I wanted to find the phrase Faith Hope & Love...this is what it came up with and I LOVE it! It was so quick and easy. I'm not sure how exactly I would use this in my classroom, myabe have a "word of the day" or use it to decorate the blog page... But it is fun to play with.

Thing #3 (School)

For Thing #3 I had to register my blog, done...easy. Then we had to come up with an idea on how we (as teachers) might use this blogging system in the classroom. I have always used my internet applications i.e. myspace, facebook, and now blogspot as journals. Uploading pictures, keeping up with people from highschool, and talking about my daily activities and random happenings.  I think that blogs could be used in this way to help the kids feel connected to the class, I would also probably use it to post a calendar and remind students of their homework responibilities and upcoming test days.

Thing #2 (School)

After I created my blog I forgot to write about it.
The experience was fun, and I didn't really have any issues in creating it. Blogging has gotten alot easier and I feel more fluent with the application the more I use it. My avatar, I don't like...at all. I think it's pretty gawdy. I'm a funny person, so I put a funny face on it. It's other characteristics are similar to mine though.

Thing #1 (school)

I finally got the slide show for Thing #1 to work, all except for the music.
http://www.slideshare.net/LoriReed/7-12-habits-of-lifelong-learners
I'd have to say that using technology to my advantage would be the hardest habit to accomplish for me.
I really don't like having 50 different user names and passwords, not to mention remembering all the different websites that they go too. I have them all written down on multiple peices of paper in multiple different places, which doesn't seem very secure, but it's the only way I could make sure I'd have them.

Thing #14 (School)

I chose to use MindMeister, a brainstorming, scheduling, flowchart making web tool....
I chose to create a to do list...
It came out really well, although I haven't figured out how to get a picture of it on here yet to show as an example. If I can figure it out in class tomorrow I'll get it uploaded.
I also have sent in a request to Flowchart.com, hopefully I will be invited by tomorrow.

Thing # 17 (school)

For thing # 17 I joined www.delicious.com once I joined I typed in educational technology in the search box, and walked into a whole new world... There were videos of fantastic ideas that are def. worth sharing such as this guy 'Arthur Benjamin' and his video on formula for changing math education. I'll add a link to his video,
http://www.ted.com/talks/arthur_benjamin_s_formula_for_changing_math_education.html
and  Harvey Fineberg: Are we ready for neo-evolution?
http://www.ted.com/talks/harvey_fineberg_are_we_ready_for_neo_evolution.html
both of these videos I found pretty interesting.
Oh & this one! http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
delicious.com is an awesome site filled with many different ways to find what you want to know. I'm officially addicted.

Pictures-

                                                                                      My Rodeo.