..........wait, there are no more "things".....Sure didn't think I'd make it!! Now it's time to put it all to use. I think the agenda will be to clean up my class webpage, then start to add and edit using the new tools I learned through the summer.
http://som.springbranchisd.com/faculty/lewise/default.htm - here is the official Edith Lewis 8th Grade webpage. It is years old and definitely needs a face lift. It is updated and added to all the time, but still could use an overhaul. I'll be adding the features we learned, and would welcome new ideas for making it more student motivating.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
THING 23 - Summarizing the Program
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I liked the BigHugeLab site and the other tools that were related to image creativity. My imagination works better in that regard and I find my interest maintained longer when using those types of activities.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? I am always searching for new things to bring into the classroom. While the content stays pretty much the same with each year - for the most part - how it is shared can change as our student's world changes. This can only help improve their understanding of the information and increase their desire to learn it.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? It was amazing to me just how much is available for teachers, librarians and students to use. The setup for most is easy and the modeled sites and links open doors that might need a little nudge otherwise.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I'm not sure there's much that shold be changed. The format was pretty straightforward and the concept is GREAT. I would suggest continuing to change and grow, updating activities as your research leads you to what will always be new and interesting tools.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Without a doubt!! But not with a second job going on - it does require time and dedication to get the most out of it.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities? Highly motivating
Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? You got it! Thanks for the great experience!!!!
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? I am always searching for new things to bring into the classroom. While the content stays pretty much the same with each year - for the most part - how it is shared can change as our student's world changes. This can only help improve their understanding of the information and increase their desire to learn it.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? It was amazing to me just how much is available for teachers, librarians and students to use. The setup for most is easy and the modeled sites and links open doors that might need a little nudge otherwise.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I'm not sure there's much that shold be changed. The format was pretty straightforward and the concept is GREAT. I would suggest continuing to change and grow, updating activities as your research leads you to what will always be new and interesting tools.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Without a doubt!! But not with a second job going on - it does require time and dedication to get the most out of it.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities? Highly motivating
Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? You got it! Thanks for the great experience!!!!
THING 22 - Nings
Social Networking - I guess the possibilities are open for as much or as little as one would want to explore. I set up a science teachers ning - says "congrats - that took you 65 seconds to complete". I have the Ning, but nothing relevant on it. I'm going to guess that will take longer than 65 seconds and a LOT more understanding than what I have at this moment.
I reviewed the Ning for Teachers and it reminded me of the old Marco Polo site used by many of us. The lesson tab is mostly where I see the similarities. I like this idea, but am quite certain at this late hour I am not fully considering the possibilities. I quickly scanned the lesson plans and am quite sure I could find useful, new things there as I begin to plan my instruction for another school year - will I remember I was ever here?? I got caught up on the teacher blog tab. It's addicting to click and read a stranger's thoughts and consider their perspective.
After 22 things, I was a bit frustrated with yet another "sign up - create a user - create a password" request. Not a big deal, really, just a thing I have about creating so many accounts on so many sites, and by the way, had I foreseen this I would definitely have continued with the same user and password for all. BUT I can fall back on GoogleTools, create a user name and password spreadsheet, and access that from any computer in the world if I forget how to get back into a site's resources. I'm not sure what I'll do to remember which sites I have access to, but that's another problem for another day.
I reviewed the Ning for Teachers and it reminded me of the old Marco Polo site used by many of us. The lesson tab is mostly where I see the similarities. I like this idea, but am quite certain at this late hour I am not fully considering the possibilities. I quickly scanned the lesson plans and am quite sure I could find useful, new things there as I begin to plan my instruction for another school year - will I remember I was ever here?? I got caught up on the teacher blog tab. It's addicting to click and read a stranger's thoughts and consider their perspective.
After 22 things, I was a bit frustrated with yet another "sign up - create a user - create a password" request. Not a big deal, really, just a thing I have about creating so many accounts on so many sites, and by the way, had I foreseen this I would definitely have continued with the same user and password for all. BUT I can fall back on GoogleTools, create a user name and password spreadsheet, and access that from any computer in the world if I forget how to get back into a site's resources. I'm not sure what I'll do to remember which sites I have access to, but that's another problem for another day.
THING 21 - Podcasts and Audio Books
Have I mentioned too many times that I have been working in Whitney for the summer, then took a quick trip to Oregon and have not been planted back in Houston since I left the first week of June?
The reason for this unimportant information - I was unable to load Photostory or do other functions that would fully explore this activity. I have Photostory on my school computer and have used it with success for creating and loading videos on my classroom webpage. Prior to learning of Photostory, I had used the old MovieMaker program with similar results. Each has it's own unique features not found in the other, so it would depend on the expected result and flexibility one was looking for when deciding which program to pursue. When I am back at a functioning, download-friendly computer, I will have to revisit this lesson and continue to play with the features available.
To complete this lesson, I pulled a handful of pictures from an old student that attending Spring Oaks. During an A&M travel program, he visited Spain and shared these and MANY more pictures. In a matter of minutes, the pictures were placed in a video, music and credits added and in the time it took to get a glass of water, the movie was ready to post on the blog. TOO easy and probably not worthy of credit for this lesson, but it really is that simple. Whether there are 10 or 50 pictures, whether you want one or two songs, and even if you want text clips or recorded voices added, it takes NO time at all other than the time needed for coming up with something creative.
At the end of each school year, we use this type of movie maker to create a video for out graduating 8th grade class. It shows pictures from their three year stay with us, complete with music and teacher goodbyes sure to cause a fear teary eyes in the audience.
THING 20 - YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar
Interesting views about the future of our libraries. The use of videos such as these can be powerful in the classroom. The informative, sharing aspect between peers is extremely helpful. There is also the ability to share with students things they would otherwise not experience in their learning environment. Whether it be a discussion or presentation, a visual, or a lab demo as modeled here....students' learning can be enhanced by watching first hand what is being talked about.
It goes without saying that the younger generation is a HUGE fan of the YouTube site. Bring that into your classroom and it can't help but create curiousity and interest in a student.
THING 19: Web 2.0 Awards List
I think the winner is Picasa - Flikr is great as well for picture storing and sharing. The ending comment on the activity page of "so many sites, so little time" is TOO true.
http://picasaweb.google.com/elewis5103/Puppy - Patsy, this is for you. The pug-pom puppies are too cute!
As each activity progresses, it's surprising how many things are becoming more familiar. The awards page has many things I would not have been aware of prior to Library2Play.
THING 18 - Online Productivity Tools
I feel I'll be repeating myself here - in activity 7, I discussed my recent experience with Google Tools. I work in the summer as a landman and our team uses google tools to communicate, share and update our work. Each of us comes from different parts of the state and work on various assignments that keep us from collaborating in person.
We use the spreadsheets to file daily reports and compare work completed. This allows us to plan our next day's assignments and not either repeat the other's work or move ahead before addressing a task necessary to complete before advancing. Important documents can be designed, reviewed and edited by us collectively. Another advantage is that work can be accessed from anywhere - no more flashdrives, forgetting where you saved something, leaving a CD on your desk at the office and needing access.....a document can be retrieved, worked with and printed from anywhere. GREAT convenience.
We use the spreadsheets to file daily reports and compare work completed. This allows us to plan our next day's assignments and not either repeat the other's work or move ahead before addressing a task necessary to complete before advancing. Important documents can be designed, reviewed and edited by us collectively. Another advantage is that work can be accessed from anywhere - no more flashdrives, forgetting where you saved something, leaving a CD on your desk at the office and needing access.....a document can be retrieved, worked with and printed from anywhere. GREAT convenience.