One more thing!

This is the second time I have taken this class, first time I had to withdraw because my mom passed away. It is amazing the changes I have noticed in myself in the last 2 years. Most all of the curriculum is the same, so not really challenging for me this time around, I did however change my preferences on some uses of technology. Our world is changing at a rapid pace and it will be hard not to incorporate some of this technology into our classrooms. The only think I would change is the 23 things, it seems a little tedious and a lot to complete in such a short summer session, due to all the other work being completed. I will use blogs in the future with my students. I will also use podcast in my classroom. Most all of the things in this class I already use, these are the two I have been hesitant on and I now have a different perspective on how to use them.

Thing #4

Commenting on other's blogs is a great feedback if completed with style! No one wants a "Debby Downer" so ensure your comments are worthy. Also, when commenting on other's blogs make sure to express why you agree or disagree. Commenting can give feedback to the blogger and offer a different perspective on the subject. It can also make you feel validated as well, and that you are not alone in your classroom. I chose to comment on Kyle Christmas' blog about Google. I am a Google girl and look for reason to only use it. I may be limiting myself by doing so, however when you find something so easy to use, you continue doing so. On Jordon Tupper's blog I commented about his live binders, he has been a helpful resource in finding my daughter a way to enhance her musical talents. I commented on Jennifer Watt's Blog about the final 23 things post, because I just assumed, (I know a horrible word for a teacher to use) :) everyone blogged, it is nice to see others coming into the blogosphere. The two outside blogs I follow are http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/ because I am always looking for ideas to use in my classroom, that are current and interesting for students to learn. The other is http://walkinginmathland.weebly.com/teaching-math-blog.html this blog offers some insights to middle school and high school students.

Thing #23

Creative commons are great tools in order to find things for your classroom, that are acceptable and that helps with copyright laws to know what we can copy and what we can't. It is also a great way for students to show off their work and be able to copyright it as well. I will use it when I make videos or upload my photos. This is a great tool and timesaver.

Thing #22

Live binders would be a great tool to use, as a teacher you can store your websites that are appropriate for students. Also students could save their favorite websites too. It is a great way to collaborate ideas between teachers as well. It is a very easy to navigate, the only downfall I found was the binders are deleted after 30 days. I would have to look more in depth to see if they could be permanently saved. The three binders I created are Elementary Math, Elementary Science and Language Arts for Elementary.

Math Elementary

Thing #21

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I usually use power direct for slide shows, when I acquire my Mac I will use iMovie. One down fall to this site is you have to pay for it, therefore I probably would not keep using it. It would be a good tool for students to use as part of our technology classes.

Thing #20

The reason I chose this video is, not only is it a fantastic song, but my cousin and her little girl are seen through out the video. This is one of the many perks of our travel business we belong to. You can use YouTube in a classroom as a teaching tool. Unfortunately, I know it blocked by our school systems, it really is a waste! There are good things on YouTube as well as bad things, I just think as teachers we need have access to several different types of material for our students to truly grasp the concepts.

Thing #19

I am a member of few online communities such as twitter, path, Facebook, photobucket, pintrest, and groveshark as well. Students could use these to do projects and and put together music with your photos for presentations using grooveshark.
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