Take a few moments to reflect on your journey. You've covered a lot of material over the past ten weeks. What does it all mean? How has your thinking changed between Thing 1 and Thing 23? Has this program changed how you view the Internet or how you view education in the digital world? What plans have you made for using these tools in and out of the classroom? How will you continue to learn about Web 2.0 tools? What are your big "take aways" from this experience?
Well, yes, it has been quite a journey! I have learned a mind-boggling amount and will now need time to process it all. As a first year SmartBoard user I know that I will be able to use much of what I have learned here in my classroom. I am now using Diigo regularly to bookmark sites. I have customized my homepage and am using it to better advantage every day. I know that I will reserve time to organize my pictures on Flickr this summer. There may be more wikis in my future as well!
I have bookmarked the last website you sent us to and will use it to explore more Web 2.0 tools. I hope your course will continue to be posted so that I can go back and review the material as I decide to further explore some of the things that I didn't have sufficient time to really master.
My biggest "take away" is that I am not all that technology challenged after all. Thank you, Joan, for encouraging me to stick with it when I was feeling defeated back around Thing 2! I do feel that I will be a little more prepared and knowlegeable for at least the next 6 months maybe...until every changes again...Web 3.0???
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thing 22
In your blog post be sure to include the link to your wiki. Then discuss your feelings about using a wiki. How does a wiki differ from a blog? When is one more appropriate to use than the other?
I decided to create a wiki for my Helping Hands Helping Paws club. It was a bit of a challenge and a bit frustrating since the video I watched about how to include images and videos didn't have the same wikispaces icons as the ones that were actually on my page, and I had trouble navigating the ones that were there. I was able to create a couple of links, however, and I will fool around with the pages I created when I have more time. The link to my pages is http://www.helpinghandshelpingpawsnhs.wikispaces.com
I like the idea of a wiki for a class project or an extracurricular club where people can contribute ideas and edit the site. With a blog people can add ideas, but not necessarily edit other people's postings. This would be most appropriately used for a class when you want the unedited comments of participants.
I decided to create a wiki for my Helping Hands Helping Paws club. It was a bit of a challenge and a bit frustrating since the video I watched about how to include images and videos didn't have the same wikispaces icons as the ones that were actually on my page, and I had trouble navigating the ones that were there. I was able to create a couple of links, however, and I will fool around with the pages I created when I have more time. The link to my pages is http://www.helpinghandshelpingpawsnhs.wikispaces.com
I like the idea of a wiki for a class project or an extracurricular club where people can contribute ideas and edit the site. With a blog people can add ideas, but not necessarily edit other people's postings. This would be most appropriately used for a class when you want the unedited comments of participants.
Thing 21
Describe a wiki you found that inspires you to create one of your own. What hurdles might stand in the way of your using a wiki? What would it take to remove the hurdles?
That feeling of being somewhat overwhelmed is returning again! I have spent an inordinate amount of time exploring educational wikidom. I do understand the appeal and usefulness of a wiki, but I can't say that I found any particular wiki that inspired me. I am thinking about my after the AP exam end-of-year project with AP Spanish and am incubating an idea about using a wiki as a tool in the creative process. One barrier that might hinder jumping into the wiki world for me might be my own insecurity about what I am trying to do. The cure for that would be more wiki exploration until I could feel confident that this would be the best approach to achieve the objectives.
That feeling of being somewhat overwhelmed is returning again! I have spent an inordinate amount of time exploring educational wikidom. I do understand the appeal and usefulness of a wiki, but I can't say that I found any particular wiki that inspired me. I am thinking about my after the AP exam end-of-year project with AP Spanish and am incubating an idea about using a wiki as a tool in the creative process. One barrier that might hinder jumping into the wiki world for me might be my own insecurity about what I am trying to do. The cure for that would be more wiki exploration until I could feel confident that this would be the best approach to achieve the objectives.
Thing 20
Talk about what you found in your exploration of eBooks, the sites you visited and what each had to offer. Similarities? Differences? Share your experience with the NHS eBook collection. How could you use eBooks with your students?
The eBooks exploration was amazing. While it may still be in its early stages, this technology has potential. I was impressed with the types of resources available. While there are a number of free offerings, there were also many items for purchase. I found a wonderful Spanish resource in the World Book Online Specialty books called Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos. I will be able to use various pages from this resource with my lower level Spanish classes for vocabulary expansion. Textbooks could be offered as eBooks eliminating the need for students to carry their books home. This is another area that I plan to spend much more time exploring during the summer.
The eBooks exploration was amazing. While it may still be in its early stages, this technology has potential. I was impressed with the types of resources available. While there are a number of free offerings, there were also many items for purchase. I found a wonderful Spanish resource in the World Book Online Specialty books called Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos. I will be able to use various pages from this resource with my lower level Spanish classes for vocabulary expansion. Textbooks could be offered as eBooks eliminating the need for students to carry their books home. This is another area that I plan to spend much more time exploring during the summer.
Thing 19
Post a link to your screencast on your blog. Describe your experience creating the screencast. What applications do you see for this in your classroom?
I left this task for next-to-last because it required a bit of logistics. I managed to acquire a headset with a microphone, but, despite my best efforts, I don't think the audio came out this time. Here is the screencast:
I would definitely try this again and even get the audio to work this time. This could be very useful for brief grammar explanations in class now that I have a Smart Board and would give the students another resource that they could perhaps access from home.
I left this task for next-to-last because it required a bit of logistics. I managed to acquire a headset with a microphone, but, despite my best efforts, I don't think the audio came out this time. Here is the screencast:
I would definitely try this again and even get the audio to work this time. This could be very useful for brief grammar explanations in class now that I have a Smart Board and would give the students another resource that they could perhaps access from home.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thing 18
Which podcasts did you find interesting? Identify one or two podcasts and describe how you would use them in your work. (Be sure to include links in your blog entry to the podcasts mentioned.)
I was already somewhat familiar with the concept of podcasting and have been using a particular site in the language lab for a couple of years now. The site is www.notesinspanish.com and it has proven very useful for students of all levels. I also discovered another interesting podcast site through the link to the site for educators. The link is www.spanishpodcast.org which I will definitely use with my students. These could either be used in the language lab or assigned for extra listening practice. I am a faithful NPR listener and was gratified to find a number of podcasts offered on their site.
I was already somewhat familiar with the concept of podcasting and have been using a particular site in the language lab for a couple of years now. The site is www.notesinspanish.com and it has proven very useful for students of all levels. I also discovered another interesting podcast site through the link to the site for educators. The link is www.spanishpodcast.org which I will definitely use with my students. These could either be used in the language lab or assigned for extra listening practice. I am a faithful NPR listener and was gratified to find a number of podcasts offered on their site.
Thing 17
What did you like about the presentation you embedded? How might Slideshare be useful in the classroom? out of the classroom?
This is a beautiful slide presentation that I would use in my classroom from Slideshare. I might also use it on Open House night as a background display on my SmartBoard so the parents would have something to look at besides me! The presentation does indicate that there is music to accompany the slide show, but it doesn't seem to play. Could I add music to it myself? Outside of the classroom I could use it at my next gathering to show pictures of family, friends, travel, events, pets, etc. that I have put together from Flickr.
Thing 16
Give a review of the tool you explored - what worked, what didn't work, how might it be used in your personal or professional life?
I explored Google Templates and was a little disappointed. There are so many entries to wade through to find something useful that unless I could find a template to suit my needs right away I probably wouldn't use this very much professionally. I searched for a classroom seating chart template, but even something that basic and simple did not apparently exist in this collection. In the student and teacher section there were a lot of templates specific to a particular user's needs that wouldn't really be all that useful to others. However, on a personal level there seemed to be a plethora of templates for personal finance and household budgets which I would definitely use.
I explored Google Templates and was a little disappointed. There are so many entries to wade through to find something useful that unless I could find a template to suit my needs right away I probably wouldn't use this very much professionally. I searched for a classroom seating chart template, but even something that basic and simple did not apparently exist in this collection. In the student and teacher section there were a lot of templates specific to a particular user's needs that wouldn't really be all that useful to others. However, on a personal level there seemed to be a plethora of templates for personal finance and household budgets which I would definitely use.
Thing 15
How might you use this tool in your personal and professional life? What issues come to mind about using this tool with students (ie, they need email addresses to log-in)?
I LOVE Google Docs! This is exactly what I need to be able to move files from school to home or vice versa. Now that I can get favorite websites from any computer with my homepage or Diigo account, the next step was to have file access. Of course, carrying around my jump drive (thumb drive, memory stick, etc.) works pretty well, but this gives me another option. In my department we have been creating our CFA's and uploading them to a Google Docs account which proves very handy. To use this tool with students, however, would require e-mail addresses, so I think it might be better to choose a different file sharing platform. This week, my AP Spanish V students turned in projects. Four of them were videos. Of the four, one was uploaded to youtube, one was on a DVD, and two were on flash drives that I copied to my school computer and my own flash drive. I am now mulling over how to make this process more efficient and accessible using one of the tools we have experimented with in this course. Suggestions?
I LOVE Google Docs! This is exactly what I need to be able to move files from school to home or vice versa. Now that I can get favorite websites from any computer with my homepage or Diigo account, the next step was to have file access. Of course, carrying around my jump drive (thumb drive, memory stick, etc.) works pretty well, but this gives me another option. In my department we have been creating our CFA's and uploading them to a Google Docs account which proves very handy. To use this tool with students, however, would require e-mail addresses, so I think it might be better to choose a different file sharing platform. This week, my AP Spanish V students turned in projects. Four of them were videos. Of the four, one was uploaded to youtube, one was on a DVD, and two were on flash drives that I copied to my school computer and my own flash drive. I am now mulling over how to make this process more efficient and accessible using one of the tools we have experimented with in this course. Suggestions?
Thing 14
What did you join? Why? Has your opinion about social networking changed since working on this Thing? What do you see as the educational possibilities (if any) for social networking?
This year I had the experience of a former student creating a Facebook fan page with a picture of me (taken without my consent or knowledge) and making comments attributed to me. Even though from what I could see at a glance the comments were not derrogatory or defaming in any way, I have tried various means to have this page removed (or at least the postings made in my name) since posing as another person constitutes fraud in my book, but I have been powerless to do so thus far. This has set the scene for my opinion about social networking. I read all of the articles for Thing 14 and from these I have learned that it is possible to have some control over who sees your information. However, forgetting to modify even one of the privacy settings could leave one open to an onslaught of unwanted "friends" or worse. As a very private person, I am not convinced that this is an area that I wish to explore at this time. Consequently, I have decided not to join any of the social networking sites. As far as the educational possibilities for social networking, one could join a site like Ning or a special interest group on another site to share with other educators. Also, as a Spanish teacher, it might be possible to make contacts with teachers or other people in Spanish speaking countries which could be beneficial in the professional arena as well. But, from what I have learned through the Newington 23 Things, there are safer and more appropriate ways of achieving the same objectives.
This year I had the experience of a former student creating a Facebook fan page with a picture of me (taken without my consent or knowledge) and making comments attributed to me. Even though from what I could see at a glance the comments were not derrogatory or defaming in any way, I have tried various means to have this page removed (or at least the postings made in my name) since posing as another person constitutes fraud in my book, but I have been powerless to do so thus far. This has set the scene for my opinion about social networking. I read all of the articles for Thing 14 and from these I have learned that it is possible to have some control over who sees your information. However, forgetting to modify even one of the privacy settings could leave one open to an onslaught of unwanted "friends" or worse. As a very private person, I am not convinced that this is an area that I wish to explore at this time. Consequently, I have decided not to join any of the social networking sites. As far as the educational possibilities for social networking, one could join a site like Ning or a special interest group on another site to share with other educators. Also, as a Spanish teacher, it might be possible to make contacts with teachers or other people in Spanish speaking countries which could be beneficial in the professional arena as well. But, from what I have learned through the Newington 23 Things, there are safer and more appropriate ways of achieving the same objectives.
Thing 13
Where did you create your account - Diigo or Delicious? Why? Reflect on how you think social bookmarking can be used in your teaching.
I ended up using Diigo. Our department had a professional development session earlier in the year which had introduced me to Diigo. I was intrigued by its potential and had already created an account, but had not used it much after that. This course provided me with the motivation to go back to that account and explore it in greater detail. It seems to me that Diigo does everything that Delicious does and more, so I guess I'll be sticking with Diigo. As far as how this could be used in teaching is concerned, I think you covered a lot of the possibilities in your Curriculum Connections section. My first thought was to use Diigo when writing curriculum with other people since it would allow access by everyone and the ability to leave notes, highlight, edit, and add additional text. I also see the potential in using Diigo on student assignments. My plan is to put my whole favorites list from school and from home on Diigo this summer so that I can better organize these sites and access them.
I ended up using Diigo. Our department had a professional development session earlier in the year which had introduced me to Diigo. I was intrigued by its potential and had already created an account, but had not used it much after that. This course provided me with the motivation to go back to that account and explore it in greater detail. It seems to me that Diigo does everything that Delicious does and more, so I guess I'll be sticking with Diigo. As far as how this could be used in teaching is concerned, I think you covered a lot of the possibilities in your Curriculum Connections section. My first thought was to use Diigo when writing curriculum with other people since it would allow access by everyone and the ability to leave notes, highlight, edit, and add additional text. I also see the potential in using Diigo on student assignments. My plan is to put my whole favorites list from school and from home on Diigo this summer so that I can better organize these sites and access them.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thing 12
Share your thoughts about tagging. Is tagging a useful way to organize your digital resources and why? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages? What is important to think about before assigning tags to bookmarks or other Internet content?
Social bookmarking is an area in which I have a strong interest. Consequently, tagging is critical. I am excited about organizing my favorties on a social bookmarking website so that I can find what I need when I need it, and so that I can share resources with others. Of course, tagging is the key to accessing and sharing, so it is of the utmost importance. I was glad to read in the article that tags can be changed, because I'm sure that with experience I will discover better ways to tag my resources. It will also be very handy to be able to access my favorites from home and school.
Social bookmarking is an area in which I have a strong interest. Consequently, tagging is critical. I am excited about organizing my favorties on a social bookmarking website so that I can find what I need when I need it, and so that I can share resources with others. Of course, tagging is the key to accessing and sharing, so it is of the utmost importance. I was glad to read in the article that tags can be changed, because I'm sure that with experience I will discover better ways to tag my resources. It will also be very handy to be able to access my favorites from home and school.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thing 11
Review the widget you selected. Are you getting comfortable with embedding code? How can widgets enhance your instructional practices?
Exploring the widgets was really a lot of fun! Of course, I spent way too much time looking at all of the fun things especially in Google gadgets and Widgetbox and changed my widget several times before settling on the fishtank. These can really be used on a webpage to generate interest and grab attention much as the different sounds, entrances, and exits on PowerPoint slides do, but in a more sophisticated way. Copying the code and embedding the widgets on the blog is really easy. Even I can do it!
Exploring the widgets was really a lot of fun! Of course, I spent way too much time looking at all of the fun things especially in Google gadgets and Widgetbox and changed my widget several times before settling on the fishtank. These can really be used on a webpage to generate interest and grab attention much as the different sounds, entrances, and exits on PowerPoint slides do, but in a more sophisticated way. Copying the code and embedding the widgets on the blog is really easy. Even I can do it!
Thing 10
What is the value of Twitter?
Select one of the sites that you explored from The Best of the Web 2008. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any educational applications for it?
For my personal life I think Twitter will be of limited value. I really am not into working in the garden and tweeting what I am doing. Educationally, I really don't see an application for Twitter at this point. Students may tweet among themselves about their homework or classes at the end of the school day, but I do not see myself joining these mini-conversations.
I really liked the Best of the Web 2008 site. I did explore SpanishPod and Mango Languages in a cursory way. These could be suggested to students for extra practice or possibly used in the language lab. From a personal standpoint, I also explored the My Heritage site a bit...quite interesting! I plan to go back to the list and do some more exploring when I have more time.
Select one of the sites that you explored from The Best of the Web 2008. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any educational applications for it?
For my personal life I think Twitter will be of limited value. I really am not into working in the garden and tweeting what I am doing. Educationally, I really don't see an application for Twitter at this point. Students may tweet among themselves about their homework or classes at the end of the school day, but I do not see myself joining these mini-conversations.
I really liked the Best of the Web 2008 site. I did explore SpanishPod and Mango Languages in a cursory way. These could be suggested to students for extra practice or possibly used in the language lab. From a personal standpoint, I also explored the My Heritage site a bit...quite interesting! I plan to go back to the list and do some more exploring when I have more time.
Thing 9
How do you see teaching and learning changing as a result of Web 2.0? What opportunities do you see emerging? What can educators do to practice and teach ethical use of these interactive resources?
Looking at Creative Commons and all of the copyright issues was a real eye-opener. It will be a real challenge to use materials from the Web without getting into the area of copyright infringement. As I am learning from an emerging issue with Facebook, it is critically important to teach students ethical use of these resources. But, first, we, ourselves, must understand them and practice ethical use of the material. We are modeling ethical use for our students, and must be aware of what is permitted, and what is not, and put that knowledge into practice. This is definitely a thorny issue.
Looking at Creative Commons and all of the copyright issues was a real eye-opener. It will be a real challenge to use materials from the Web without getting into the area of copyright infringement. As I am learning from an emerging issue with Facebook, it is critically important to teach students ethical use of these resources. But, first, we, ourselves, must understand them and practice ethical use of the material. We are modeling ethical use for our students, and must be aware of what is permitted, and what is not, and put that knowledge into practice. This is definitely a thorny issue.
Thing 8
Add comments to the video you embedded. Why did you select it?
This video shows a performance in Paris by a Mexican couple now living in Ireland. A truly international experience! Their guitar work is amazing!
Embedding a video proved to be quite easy! Is it possible that I may be getting the hang of this?
This video shows a performance in Paris by a Mexican couple now living in Ireland. A truly international experience! Their guitar work is amazing!
Embedding a video proved to be quite easy! Is it possible that I may be getting the hang of this?
Thing 7
What do you like or dislike about YouTube? Did you find videos that would be useful for teaching and learning? Is YouTube restricted in your building?
YouTube has a wealth of short clips that can be shown to students. I recall the "One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song" which amused my students and showed them what could be done with minimal Spanish skills! I have also used YouTube clips to show cultural celebrations such as the Tomatina in Spain and the Day of the Dead in Mexico as well as clips of music and dance to bring these to life rather than just reading about them. I have never joined YouTube, but did so for this exercise and commented on a cute ticklish kitten video that one of my students suggested that I watch. I am glad that YouTube is now accessible at my school, and will continue to use it in the classroom.
YouTube has a wealth of short clips that can be shown to students. I recall the "One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song" which amused my students and showed them what could be done with minimal Spanish skills! I have also used YouTube clips to show cultural celebrations such as the Tomatina in Spain and the Day of the Dead in Mexico as well as clips of music and dance to bring these to life rather than just reading about them. I have never joined YouTube, but did so for this exercise and commented on a cute ticklish kitten video that one of my students suggested that I watch. I am glad that YouTube is now accessible at my school, and will continue to use it in the classroom.
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