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.