Thing 21

Videos are a great tool to use in the classroom when I can find the time to fit them in. I use them as an extension to the topic being discussed. I have used our school library for videos to show in class and they are "limited" in physics vidoes. My kids loved watching Julius Sumner Miller, he is an eccentric and brilliant physics teacher who demonstrates many of the lessons we talk about.

I had never used YouTube videos, but since 23 Things, I have found many avenues in finding cool stuff! You tube is blocked in our school so zamzar, vixy and the others is great to know about. Viedos are are a great tool to use as an extension of a lesson however, some teachers may rely heavily on videos alone. And unfortunately, as most of us have heard some misuse videos, or may use "not so educational" videos in the classroom.

Video #1 - Michael Jackson's Billie Jean - I loved MJ's music from the "old days". He is historic for his glide and slide, the moonwalk, dancing was never so much fun as it was back in the 80's. Whew, I miss the 80's - the music, the hair and the laid back way of life.




Video #2 - Earthworm Dissection - What every biology student has to look forward to.

Thing 23

My "plan of attack" for the next school year is to incorporate what I am still learning about Web2.0 into my classroom. As we were shown in our journey through "23Things" our kids are born into a world of technological usage, and socialization. It is up to us (the old schoolers - born into penicl mechanization- lol) to make the changes that are needed to reach our pupils, even if it means WE need to self teach ourselves to use modern technologies. Thanks to "23 Thigns" I have learned some new computer/internet abilitiles. Thank-you Mr. Dornberg!

Let's answer some questions from our class:
1) How will you use what you've learned personally, professionally, and pedagogically??
Personally, it has been a small challenge in starting something I have been slightly frightened to do...learn to use the computer and the internet! Teacher's are life-long learners, and I feel it is my job to keep myself up-to-date in content as well as keeping up with current/modern technologies. I am looking forward to using the photo web-sites to enhance our photos, and to keep blogging - if only for myself.
Professionally, I look forward to creating lessons and activities that include using technology to help promote self-motivation in learning, interactive lessons on the web, blogs for my students to be invovled in, web-site to keep parents and students aware of what is going on in our classroom.
Pedagogically, I plan on enhancing my teaching style by incorporating Web2.0 lessons, to use the web as a study tool, and create collaborative on-line activites for my students.

2)How will you share what you've learned with the other teachers in your district? I hope that when I share what I have learned in our class, that my fellow colleagues are eager to check out what we have done. To share what we have done in this class would be to show them what I HAVE DONE, and tell them it is a lot easier than you think to use all of the tools that I have learned!

3) What do you still want to learn about teaching and learning in the 21st century and Web 2.0, and how will you acquire that knowledge? I have enjoyed learning the many "things". I want to continue as a 21st Century and Web 2.0 use. I hope that we can continue our blogs and keep each other up-to-date about someting new we have found and share with each other. Keep on keepin'on...searching the web for new tools, and keep in touch with the "moodle man"!!!

Thing 22

How is it that I have NOT heard of LearnPort??? As well as most of the other sites our "Moodle Prince" has set up for us? This class has been a HUGE eye opener! I am glad this was offered and will speak highly of this to my colleagues about it. It has helped me immensley, I was bascially inept at using the internet and what it can offer us. Now, Jim has taken us to places I did not know was there. I don't feel inept, I think I am at the novice level and hope to keep increasing my abilities using what is available to us.

AND, I did not know I could work on PD hours online...and that I could earn SB-CEU's!! Amazing! PD hours online...I like it! You can work at your own pace and earn the hours you need or want!

I have already registered for - Biology Resource Series: DNA, DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation V1.1 and Chemistry Resource Series: Acids and Bases, Acid/Base Equilibrium V1.1!! I am excited and will definitely use this way cool tool! Thanks moodle-man.

Thing 20

Q & A on Podcasting...
#1- Do you think your students would enjoy listening to podcasts? I think students would like to listen to podcasts if they were short and to the point of discussion. Our kids are growing up in a very technological world and any other avenue or chance to use their iPods, computers and such would be beneficial, even if it is for an eductional purpose -- hehe.

#2- Do you think your students would enjoy CREATING podcasts?
A Definitive yes! At the high school age kids love to hear themselves talk, right? Agian, they get to use technology, not the ancient tool we scribe with---the PENCIL! They may be embarrassed at first, but once they get the hang of and know they can easily change any corrections, I think they would love this kind of activity for most subjects, especially science and english. Part of learning is listening, they could use podcasts to read off their vocabulary, short stories, any content and listen to over and again for better understanding.

#3- What podcasts have you discovered that are of benefit to you personally or professionally?
Podcats are a challenge for me. Personally, if it is not music, then I lose interest quickly, unless it is short and to the point of interest. I listen to Nancy Grace (off the iTunes)-she is quick and to the "nasty" point of her topics! Professionally, I have been looking for and listening to things related to science of course, and our preacher has podcasts out, but again...I like to look at stuff, see what it is I am learning...

I'm angry today!

Actually, I am MORE than angry! I can not believe that the Scottish government has released the Pan-Am 103 bomber! I am outraged! They said they were doing a humanitarian act, because he is dying (of prostate cancer)....How's that? Come again? What about the INHUMANE act the bomber accomplished when he killed all those people??? I smell a suspicious foul play...

I wonder if the families and friends of those lost in that plane are thinking, "Why couldn't that man have thought the same thing as he placed the bombs on flight 103?"

My dear friend Kenneth Gibson (Army) was on that plane, coming home for a holiday vacation from his station in Germany, his seat was bumped...I am angry for him. I am angry at the inhumane act the Scotts have put these families through again.

Love you big guy!

My Podcast

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Thing 9

Raising the Profession

Raising the Profession…or Not

Posted using ShareThis

Thing 11

Slideshare - Thing 11 - This is a really cool tool to use!!! This can be used to upload labs, activities, and ppt's to help students see and better understand their lessons. They can upload their own ppt's and I could vview their work via blogging! Oh, the possibilities are endless with this. Yahoo.

Dynamic Earth

View more presentations from courts.

Thing 3

Blogging!! I have tried blogging before, it just seems sooo time consuming to keep up with. I guess I let the novelty of blogging wear off - or is it laziness? I am not worried about sharing thoughts publically...we have the freedom of speech, right? I do wonder what people look for in a blog and will they find ANYTHING I have to say worth their while. I sometimes find it hard to sit and read a blog that I may have searched for and it is NOT what I was intending to find. What I am interested in is - learning new ways to keep myself motivated in using the blog daily, weekly and to be able to use it in the classroom...I look forward to learning about these 23NEW Things.

Thing 19

Podcasts - this is an interesting concept. I wasn't sure I would enjoy trying this "thing" out. I am more of a visual, hands-on person. I listened to a few of the podcasts, some were way too long and lost my interest in it quickly.

I found one called science in 60 seconds--perfect for me, they offer quite interesting facts or issues in less than a minute. I added this to my iTunes. http://sciam.com/podcast/sciam_podcast_i_d.xml

I love to listen to Nancy Grace from CNN. I added her to my iTunes http://cnn.com/servicespodcastin/nancygrace/rss.xml

In the classroom for those that are audio learners, this would be a great idea to help supplement their learning. I could also plan to use some of the podcast as part of an on-line activity to search for certain speaker and their momentous speeches, a type of treasure hunt, listen to others on the issues we are talking about in class. Also, the "vidcasts" could be used for further visual aids. Kids today are all about electronic devices and I'm sure they would gladly be willing to be educated while using their ipods, mp3 players, etc.

Update - I have learned through this course many new "things" and the longer I am in this course, I am learning how valuable they really are!!! Podcasts would be great to produce a cast that reiterates a lesson and students could use it as an extra study help at home while "studying".

Thing 18 - FeedJit

Thing 17

How is a wiki different from a blog? The difference of a wiki compared to a blog is that you can edit (flat out change) something that was previously typed. In a blog, you can only leave comments, not change content.

I can see this would be a great tool for assignments that students are required to work collaboratively for a group porject. If needed they can work from their respective computers and add or rearrange their content at needed.


Some problems might arise if someone has deliberately changed information that may not be correct or add something disparaging, or maybe someone may end up doing all the work (usually happens with most group work).

Idol

I was sad to see Anoop leave American Idol last night! Who's next...could it be Chris? Until next week!

Thing 13

Wow...I really liked using FlickR and Dumpr. As usual I am unaware of what is actually available for free to dress up or to add some funky designs to photos. I will definitely use these new features in the future. I also shared this with my husband and will show my DOD (dear ol'dad)how to use this also. Oh the things you can do! I can see my students using this feature for poster projects to dress up or "finish" pictures to add to a presentation, etc.

Thing 12

As with all of these cool tools I am introduced to, this has been the most interesting and easiest feat! I really like flickr and will implement it in my personal sharing of photos. In the classroom I could use this feature to illustrate pictures of each of the topics we cover in the classroom, extra help for students to viusalize content during study time or to use at home to better understand the content being studied. The best part is the ability to show off only what you want others to see! This would be a great tool to use for students to take pictures of in-class, labs, and activities and post them so that each student (their parents, other teacher can view what we have done too) to view to check out what they did in class -- great idea to share their work.

Thing 10

Again here is another modern technological advancement (Google Docs) I have never heard of let alone have used! I am very interested in learning how to create lessons, papers, business, personal projects on line...It seems it would be easier to use rather than work at home and remember to email my self the documents, I could just as easily create what I need on Google docs and have easy access at work. The only disadvantage I could forsee is the net being down at work or at home, or there may be a size compatibility, or someone may not have the office suite on their computers. I think I am going to enjoy using this feature~ I seem to still have a virus on my lap-top because Google will not let me use google docs, when I try to go to docs, a warning comes up and says I need to run spyware or a virus scan. hmmm...I will do this at work tomooorroow

Update...I did have a nasty little virus on my lap-top...from facebook...SO, i could not use the computer at all! All better now, our techie Dr's fixed it!!

Thing 8`

Thing 8 - Social Bookmarking. I have never even heard of Delicious until this class. AND, I have often wondered exactly what bookmarking actually was!!

I really like the idea that I can access any of my favorites from home, school or a library so that it cuts down on my searching after I have already spent the time to find what I need or am interested in. I have in the past either emailed myself a cool site or wrote it down and carried to or from work to home.

I guess I can also find other teachers or friends with similar interests and share any or all websites that we may find! cool concept.

American Idol 4.1.09

AI is getting exciting! The heat is on...I'm afraid for Megan tonight, she did not do so well with the Bob Marley song last night. Go go Gokey was good and ADAM (love him) was great! We are only minutes away...however, I am DVR'ing it, so I will watch it a bit late. I still am not crazy about Kara - can we boot her off :)

Thing 5

Ahh the wonderful world of on-line living! The Web 2.0 videos indicate where our futures in technology is taking us. As I have said, I am a novice user of the internet, no where near a techie. When I was in high school we used typewriters, and had just started writing flowcharts!!! My world was still pen and paper to scribe thoughts, homework, etc. As our kids are growing up in this modern techonological world, I feel like I am from the dark ages. I have had to teach myself to use the computer and my students seem to come out of the womb knowing how to navigate and communicate through them. I just recently decided to learn Facebook, whew that is time consuming. Why can't I just pick up the phone and call one or all of the people that are connecting!!! You tell everything on Facebook and then see someone face to face and what else can you say to them that you haven't said online.

I realize this is the way of the future or should I say the way of the NOW...I am jumping on this train and trying to learn what I can to be able to communicate to my students. When this class started a friend of mine had told me about www.weebly.com She uses it for her science classes to post homework, notes, ideas, thoughts, etc. I had started my own weebly site, then started this class and my how time-consuming it is. Her students and parents have access to view, read, print, and copy if needed any of the current days works or to see things from days gone be. Web 2.0 has quite abit broader scope than your own website; there's room for connecting, receiving, reading, reflecting and research.

The videos help to put my thoughts about blogging, reaching out, sharing, etc into perspective and understanding that this is the way to connect, communicate and create.

American Idol 3.25.09

Yahoo...let's see who does what tonight! I still not so sure about Kara's presence on the show. Two hours of Idol...oh the agony of anticipation. I look forward to sharing our opinions! SOOO not happy about Michael Sarver getting kicked off -- the blind guy should have been tossed off.

Dancing With the Stars

Yep, that's right...I am also a Stars junky again this year! I told myself I would not get tied up in this again....but as Mr. Dornberg stated, it can be very addictive! Anyone a fan of "Stars" and the Apple computer geek. He is such a jolly fellow yet can't dance a lick and yet he is still on the show! This means maybe I could have a chance!!

Whew!!! I just got my computer back from the tech guys (or should I call them the "haz-mat" team) today 3.25.09 I had a few bugs and it was in the shop twice! It seems to be functioning perfectly now. I hope to be up to speed quickly and swiftly. Take care all.

Idol

Well, only one of my possibilities made it tonight....the puerto rican George made it. I'm not sure I agree that the blind guy should be in the top three tonight...even when he sang again tonight...he popped and cracked...still not his fan. I'm sad the country girl and the other blonde did not make it and happy to see that the crazy, unstable "head-band" guy did not make it...The wild card picks were chosen by the panel....is that fair?

Tuesday Night 3/3/09

Well American Idol is under way...Let's see what "creative injustices" happen tonight. The first three have been not what we have seen in the past at this point!!!! Good night and let's see what happens tomorrow!

Monday Night

Today has been an exhausting day! Finishing the last chapter and getting ready for final exams. As I settle in for the night, my day is finished by typing up a vocab quiz for biology, and checking in on my new blog! I feel as if I am rehearsing an improvisation skit with myself LOL. My cat insists I play fetch from sun-up to sun-down!!! Her name is Annabelle, and she tires me out having to constantly throw a milk ring and she retrieves it, she brings it right back to me and puts it in my hand. Well, good night all...God bless and sweet dreams! PS........American Idol tomorrow night!!!

Thing 4

Reflections of Living in the 21st Century...With Technology. After viewing ALL of the videos and commetaries, I STILL see the need to carry on education the way it has been done for the last century! 21st Century learners have something we didn't have when we were young learners and playful youths. They have the wonderful world wide web. This new communication tool has been and is still improving the way we can search for something, play video games, listen to music, learn, and communicate in a way never before thought was capable. Although I like to surf the web, play games, listen to music, and best of all the ability to keep up with and communicate with family and long lost friends, I think our kids are suffering because we are putting too much into getting them web ready and not academically ready...recall the first video we watched...where did we fall in education? who was the #1 speaking english country. We can still TEACH our kids the importance of our history and the history of the world, teach them the chemistries of life, the biological balances of the world, and most importantly how to STILL communicate verbally with each other and not degenerate our english language into text talk with each other! Balance is the key and I am all for learning this new tool and proud to help my parents learn how to use a computer and navigate through the web! It is a part of our lives, be a part or be left behind. Let's Educate wisely. More thoughts to come.....not done with this yet.

Reflections -
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

Thing 3

Ah blogging...I am new to blogging. I try to keep up with my pastor's blog. I also started a "get healthy" blog a few months back to share my wins and loses, I lost-lol. The new school year started and I had a new prep and have been busy since! So, needless to say, I did not keep up with my blog, nor did I lose much :( So, here I am learning how to blog and I find that the world is changing before my eyes and yet I don't see it. Most everyone around us is involved on the wonderful web somehow...and blogging seems to be the new way to communicate. My fear is to publicly share my thoughts and opinions...but, I am here AND a willing participant!

Good evening,

American Idol watchers!!!! What do you think about the new order of eliminations? I have my eye on two fellas so far...looking for more talent! This is going to be an exciting season.

The Good Life is Inspired by Love and Guided by Knowledge --- Bertrand Russell

Welcome to my blog, my name is Tina. The purpose of my blog is to connect with family and friends to share and reflect on personal and professional issues.