Thing 23

Wow, it has been a lot of information! I liked that I took this class in the summer, so I can begin the school year implementing some of the "things". My plan of attack will include a blog, and I would like the students to create a blog as well. I plan to assign topics for them to research and reflect on every week. I plan to research google docs, and see if I can have this unblocked at school as a way to create behavior plans and report on a students' progress for their IEPs.

I will begin the school year with a Smart Board, so I will try to incorporate videos as soon as I can to my lessons. I like the pod casts, and plan to use them on my website. I would like to have a blog for all the teachers at my school to share ideas and collaborate. It is often difficult for us to meet face to face, so it is a great way for everyone to share and brainstorm.

There are so many ways to reach my students, their parents, and other educators. I plan to meet with my department at school and some of the people that have completed this class to brainstorm about the best way to proceed beginning at our building.

Thing 22

I have done a lot of PD online already. I've taken 2 online classes through The Connecting Link, and one through Learn Port. I really didn't like the online classes through The Connecting Link. I didn't feel like the information was presented well, and it was just a lot of busy work. I didn't get much feed back from the instructors, and it took a long time for them to correct my work, and give out grades. I took a class on Transition for special ed. students through Learn Port. I liked the pacing of it, and it included a lot of different media, so it wasn't boring.

I'm sure I will complete more online PD in the future. It is easier for me to do a self paced class on my own time than to try to attend a class or workshop on location. Taking this class on 23 Things was great because I was interested in how to do many of the things we learned. I did get overwhelmed by the amount of information, user accounts, and passwords. My hope is that the 23 Things website stays on Moodle for awhile, so I can go back to it for reference. I've tried to save as many links as I could on Delicious, my Wiki, or bookmark them.

Thing 21

I loved the You Tube videos. I will absolutely use videos in my class this year especially since I'll now have a Smart Board to show them on. I plan to use them to open or close a class, to show a concept, and as a humor break when the students are on information overload. We have so many concepts that we have to cover in a short time, and my special education students get so overwhelmed, and distracted easily, that I need to break my lessons into chunks. This would be a fun way to transition into another activity.

I think it would be rewarding to watch the videos in class to get and keep the students engaged. A downfall is that You Tube is blocked at my school. Maybe our technology dept. would reconsider to allow access for us if we explain how a video is to be used.

Thing 20

I think my students would enjoy listening to pod casts. I think they would love the ones like "Things you should know". I don't think I could say that my students would enjoy listening to my pod casts, but they might appreciate them for later reference.

My students would enjoy making Pod casts. It is such a different way for them to express themselves, that I think they would be very entertained, and engaged in the process. I teach math, so I like the idea of the students creating a podcast to explain, in their own words, how to solve a difficult or complex problem.

I need to research more pod casts to see which ones I would use professionally. Personally, I use to subscribe to a Pod cast from the Barenaked Ladies which is a rock band. It was funny, and available on I Tunes. There are many on there as well that I plan to explore when I have more time. I like the "Things you should know" to use at the end of a class period to settle the kids, and keep them engaged.

Pod cast

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Thing 19

I liked the Pod casts more than I thought I would. I listened to Robert Munch read a story, and parts of some Pod casts from the Apple website titled "Things you should know". They were engaging and kept my attention.

I liked the Pod casts, but sometimes the chatter become annoying, and I just wished they would get to the point. I would fast forward through the pod cast, to get to a key topic, but the downside is missing information by doing that. I think my students would like them. I'm sure a vodcast would hold their attention more, but a podcast seems like it would be more easily accessible. Most of my students have I Pods, so I'm sure they would enjoy the novelty of it.

To make the students aware of interesting pod casts, I might put a new one to research every week on my blog or website. It would take time to research, but I do believe the students would be engaged by this different type of activity. The downside is being able to access the pod casts if the sites are blocked at school. Another is if the students don't have the technology available at home, they would need class time to access the technology at school.

I could see listening to a podcast as an opening to the class, or closing activity. Also to reinforce a topic, or show a problem solved another way.

Thing 17

I think once I have more time to explore other Wiki pages, then I'll feel more comfortable with customizing mine. I like that you can add to it to create a database to refer back to. I can see myself using it at school for a reference for my students. I would include links to other websites showing video how to solve math problems. I would include links to student projects, so the parents could be informed as well.

I think I'll use it professionally as a resource too. I plan to include math sites that I find informative and helpful. I'll also use it to compile special education resources.

The biggest difference between a wiki and a blog is that others can edit your wiki. They could leave a comment on your blog, but they can also be authors to your wiki too.

I really like the idea of using the blog as a place to reflect, and I may implement that for my math students this fall. The wiki is better for group projects that require collaboration with others. One negative to the wiki is if someone were to change some one's work. I think there would need to be a way to keep the students accountable for their own portion. Maybe if their portion is highlighted, and e mailed to their teacher. However, that is very similar to Google Docs except I think there was a way with that to see who added which part, and then the document stays in one spot. I like the idea of being able to show off the completed assignments on the wiki though.

Thing 13

I used the Big Huge Labs website for photo editing for this assignment. I took a picture I had taken of the Statue of Liberty, and added a cool effect to it. I liked the end result, but I didn't care for the website itself. It was full of adds, and confusing to navigate.

If I were to assign a project using this program, I would have to give very detailed directions on how to navigate the site. It would be fun to create a project where my students have to find 10 right angles, or right triangles, and use photo editing. I know it would keep them engaged, but a very structured time line should be placed on the project, because it is very easy to get off task, and want to just keep playing around with the effects.

Thing 12

I thought Flickr was very cool, and very user friendly. It was so easy to upload photos, and search for photos. I think it would be a great sight to use for reports. If the class did a report on Mackinac Island in Michigan, they could just enter key words, and have a fantastic new perspective. It is really interesting to see other people's perspective on the same topic. This would make the students more engaged, instead of just using the classic encyclopedia pictures.

I think a potential pitfall is that there may be inappropriate pictures found during a search as well. I think the teacher previewing the topics first could help that. Maybe during instructions, tell the students to go to the first 5 pictures. You could limit the amount of searching done during class time that way, and keep the students more focused. It would be easy to lose an hour just searching, and looking at photos.

I would like to use the photo sharing when adding pictures to my smart board presentations. For example, when I'm teaching about angles, I'll include different pictures from Flickr into my presentations for interest. I love seeing how other people have captured different topics. When I searched Geometry, I immediately saw a few photos that I plan to upload to my classroom website.

Thing 11

I thought slideshare was interesting, but I had a difficult time posting without the additional presentations attached.

I think it is a very cool way to get the students engaged quickly. I like the idea of the students creating their own slide shows and presenting them in this manner. It is an easy way to share with parents, other students, and teachers. A student may not feel comfortable presenting in class, but on the website, may feel proud.

I can see myself utilizing some of the slide shows as an opener in class, or as a way to wind down the class at the end of the hour. There are some amazing pictures, facts, and topics available. It is great that it is there to share.

One problem with sharing your work is that others can comment on it as well. I can see a student getting a lot of praise, and it is a positive thing. However, if a student receives no comments, or negative comments, they would be devastated. I think that would have to be addressed during the lesson, and prepare the students for the reality of sharing with the world.

Slideshare

Wonderful Color Of Nature

View more presentations from Dinisha .

Thing 10

I can think of many uses for google docs. I can see the value as a special ed. teacher to use it to develop IEP goals and objectives with other teachers. It can also be a way to report a students' progress, comments, or concerns which are all integral to the IEP. It would also be helpful when developing Behavior plans and 504 Plans. I like how you can see with color coding who added which part, so changes are accountable.

I think this is also an excellent way to submit reports for school improvement. You can see who and what has been added easily and clearly.

Personally, I use google docs for a calendar for my mother-in-law. Every month, the calendar is revised by her children to plan for daily visits and appointments. This way everyone is informed, and knows the schedule. If there are changes, you know right away.

One downside is that my GMail account is blocked at school, as it is for all my students. There needs to be a way for us to have access. I think some people would be intimidated that their work would be seen and judged by others. This might lead to hesitation to collaborate. If being used as a lesson, I think it would be best to start with small assignments to help the students feel a sense of comfort before diving into a big project.

Thing 8

I just set up my delicious account, and I think it is one of the tools that I've found the most useful. I like the organization of it. It looks very clean, and uncluttered. The tags are so easy to use. I found that when I transferred over bookmarks from my own favorites list, there were sights that I'd forgotten about. they tend to get buried, and this was a good time to revisit them with school starting soon.

I'm not as comfortable with the social networking part of it. I feel overwhelmed by all the information we're trying to learn, and I just need to spend some more time exploring it. I look forward to seeing what resources other math and special ed. teachers are using.

I travel at school, so I'm not always at the same computer. This is such a cool way to bring my resources with me, or share them with my colleagues.

Thing 5

I'm very inspired by learning about Web 2.0, and I can't wait to lurk, and blog on Classroom 2.0. What an amazing resource we have. I had never even heard of Classroom 2.0 before. I have been asking for years to my special education director if we could have an in service day to meet with other special ed. teachers and collaborate. Logistically, it never worked. Now, the answer is there. How incredible to have so many people open and willing to share their ideas and experiences.

I also feel more motivated to continue with a classroom blog that would enable me to share with my students, their parents, and other educators. The day to day communication would extend beyond just the perfunctory e-mail. It would give the parents more insight as well.

I'm realizing that the more I learn about technology, the more I need to learn about technology. I've learned to create a blog, but it doesn't stop there. I would love to learn how to keep it changing, and resourceful for my students.

The idea of creating a podcast of classroom discussions to share with parents is such a cool idea. I would love to create short pod casts to give some math tips, reminder for assignments, or keep parents informed. I really liked the idea of the students creating their own study guides using the wiki resources. It would be so much more valuable to use their guides instead of just giving them one more assignment.

Thing 4

Wow, so much information to process. That must be how our students feel as well. I can remember sitting as a first grader on a carpet square, and my teacher had a flip chart and a pointer that she would use to read us stories. In college, about 14 years ago, I learned about the software that can be used to read stories to students. Now, my own children create their own stories, put it into a power point presentation, and use animation and video to present it to their classmates. This use to be quite a feat for high school, but my 3rd grader did this last year. We were e mailed a copy of the story by her teacher, and we in turn e mailed it to family sharing her work in a matter of moments.

She was so motivated and excited to complete her project. I co teach Geometry and do not see that look of excitement or motivation from my students. I've also never taught or assigned a project such as this either. I guess we also get stuck in the rut of lecture, notes, then bookwork.

It was very interesting to see what skills were required in the workforce, as opposed to the way we expect our kids to learn. To see collaboration, reflection, and work ethic at the top of the list made me think. I can understand how and why these skills are important in the workforce, and need to be taught. I guess my frustration is how. There is so much emphasis at my school for assessment, that it leaves little time to think outside the box. It feels like we are always trying to pack 2 years worth of curriculum into 9 months. I would love to use technology to communicate with other teachers to share ideas about projects they might use to teach these skills.

I liked the quote about a literate person is someone who can relearn. I think many teachers and students are also in the rut of not wanting to try anything new. Working collaboratively involves working outside your comfort zone, and making yourself vulnerable to other people. This involves trust, honesty, and respect which are also important traits of a good work ethic.

I am motivated to find new ways to reach my students, and have them use technology on a daily basis. I really like the idea of reflection, using big ideas, and creating a supportive environment, so my students could learn to work in groups and collaborate on ideas.

Thing 3

I love the idea of blogging. I have followed many blogs from family members to friends, entertainers I like, and one from a friend with cancer to keep us updated with her treatments. I'm very intrigued with how I can use a blog professionally, and to reach my students.

Although I've commented on other blogs, I've never had one of my own, unless you could count the status updates on my Facebook account! One thing that I'll have to keep in mind is to keep my blog professional. I tend to be a little sarcastic or silly when I'm thinking and writing quickly. It will make me choose my words wisely.

I am very interested in sharing ideas with other teachers. I was in a new teaching situation this past year, and often asked other teachers for help and advice. Most were incredibly honest and willing to help me. I think our pride sometimes stops us from asking for help because we'd be feeling inept or incompetent. I think it's very positive to share ideas and brainstorm with other educators. A blog would give you one more opportunity for that to take place.

To use the blog as a teaching tool to interact with my students is also very appealing to me. I am always looking for new ways to connect with my students. I look forward to gaining new information and tools to make this happen.