Wow--here I am at the end of the journey of 23 Things. I've learned so much, but feel like I've just barely scratched the surface of most of these tools. I think I know just enough to be dangerous, and will be going back to revisit many of these tools in the coming school year. I've really appreciated the ability to complete the training on my own time, in my own home. With two young children of my own, being able to work from home has been a lifesaver this summer.
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Loved learning all about the free things there are out there, and really appreciate the people who are willing to share their expertise and innovativeness with the rest of us. I'm excited to have my own blog and our grade level wiki.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
In today's world, you have to keep up with technology or you fall behind. Even with training like 23 Things, my kids still come to third grade with more technical knowledge. I am happy that many of the things learned through this training can be taken into my classroom in six weeks and used immediately. There's nothing more frustrating than new learning you can't use.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I tend to be easily intimidated by the unknown, so this whole program was way out of my comfort zone. What was surprising is how much easier many of the things were than I thought they would be. I think this is because of clarity in the presentation of information. The Creative Commons videos made some of the more difficult concepts so easy to understand. As I looked at other SBISD teachers' blogs, I was excited to see the wealth of talent and creativity we have the the district.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
The only improvement I can think of is to double check links. There were some (not a lot) of non functioning links scattered throughout the things. It also seems like you've done some troubleshooting over the course of the last couple of years, so I'm sure it's just a matter of going through again.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Yes! A friend is completing 11 1/2 More Things right now...I'll probably do that next summer.
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?
23 Things is a must-complete training, not just for librarians, but for all educators who want to help children be lifelong, successful learners in the 21st century.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thing #22-Nings
So I've spent the morning surfing Nings. I looked at them all, but the one I enjoyed the most was Ning for Teachers, aka Teacher Lingo. I'm now following several blogs I found on the ning...like I have time to do that...
I think it would be interesting to make a ning for all third grade teachers in the district. With the change in curriculum this year, it would be an easy way to swap ideas and talk about what worked and what didn't. Since we'll all be teaching the same thing at the same time (relatively), the sharing of information could be invaluable.
I think it would be interesting to make a ning for all third grade teachers in the district. With the change in curriculum this year, it would be an easy way to swap ideas and talk about what worked and what didn't. Since we'll all be teaching the same thing at the same time (relatively), the sharing of information could be invaluable.
Thing #21-Videocasts
I was totally intimidated by Photostory. I had never used it, but kids at school had made them and they looked so complicated! In reality, it was quite simple to create the photostory of my last year's class. I would like to make one for my incoming kids and show it at open house. I love it when I accomplish something I didn't think I could do!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thing #20-YouTube and TeacherTube
I looked this afternoon at TeacherTube. We start the year off with place value in math, so I looked for a video that would go along with that skill. I found some really fun raps about place value, but they included decimals, which my third graders don't study. Still I may go back and download one or two because the kids would love watching them. Here is the one I liked the most:
Hopefully, the kids will like it, too!
On YouTube, I looked at videos about ActivBoard. I found a video by Angela McNeil, our resident ActivBoard expert, teaching her second grade class a math lesson on the board.
The best part about access to YouTube and TeacherTube is the variety of voices and strategies the kids see and hear. Sometimes, a video with a slightly different approach will help a child understand a concept they are struggling with.
Another plus is that there are so many creative people posting really neat stuff. That's just not my gift, but I'm grateful for the ability to access the great things others have done.
Hopefully, the kids will like it, too!
On YouTube, I looked at videos about ActivBoard. I found a video by Angela McNeil, our resident ActivBoard expert, teaching her second grade class a math lesson on the board.
The best part about access to YouTube and TeacherTube is the variety of voices and strategies the kids see and hear. Sometimes, a video with a slightly different approach will help a child understand a concept they are struggling with.
Another plus is that there are so many creative people posting really neat stuff. That's just not my gift, but I'm grateful for the ability to access the great things others have done.
Thing #19-Web 2.0 Award Winners
I explored digg, and I found I like it much better than Delicious, probably becasue it's less "newsy". There were a couple of language tools I think I might look into. We could download Spanish language lesson podcasts and have the kids listen to them on the itouches as a center. I could use the language podcasts for my own benefit, as well.
So many of the award winners were very business or tech oriented. I'm really not sure how I would incorporate them in my teaching. I need a whole lot more time to really look at these tools. I've learned so much doing these 23 things, but don't feel like I've got a real handle on any of them.
Some links weren't functional: Frappr, Omnidrive, Zango and Comiqs to name a few.
So many of the award winners were very business or tech oriented. I'm really not sure how I would incorporate them in my teaching. I need a whole lot more time to really look at these tools. I've learned so much doing these 23 things, but don't feel like I've got a real handle on any of them.
Some links weren't functional: Frappr, Omnidrive, Zango and Comiqs to name a few.
Thing #18-Online Productivity Tools
I've been playing around with Google Docs and Open Office for a couple of days, now. I had used Google Docs for a previous "thing" and was able to upload a grade level newsletter for my blog. I am a little disappointed that you can't upload a complete PDF file--just the text seems to transfer, but no images. I see that Google is working on an updated version of Docs, and that may be something they address. Perhaps it's a copyright issue.
Open Office was much less user friendly for me. I had to download it onto my personal computer, and ran into a few issues. I do like that I can save documents into different versions. We have a new home computer that runs a newer version of Office that what I have on my SBISD laptop, so that will be a nice feature. I've been wanting to make business card-sized magnets to give my parents, and was able to create those using Open Office. Could I have done it in MSOffice, yes, but now I can share the document with the rest of my team. They can use my template and modify it to fit their information.
Open Office was much less user friendly for me. I had to download it onto my personal computer, and ran into a few issues. I do like that I can save documents into different versions. We have a new home computer that runs a newer version of Office that what I have on my SBISD laptop, so that will be a nice feature. I've been wanting to make business card-sized magnets to give my parents, and was able to create those using Open Office. Could I have done it in MSOffice, yes, but now I can share the document with the rest of my team. They can use my template and modify it to fit their information.
Thing #17-Rollyo
Today I learned about Rollyo--and I LOVE it! I set up a search roll to help with our social studies research on the famous Americans we study in 3rd grade. I set up the search roll, typed in the name of the person, and a multitude of articles just on that one person popped up. I get to choose the sites that the kids look at, which means we won't get inappropriate sites.
Love this tool!
BTW-the video from the SBISD teacher was amazing! Clear, concise, and very informative. Thanks for including it the the lesson.
Love this tool!
BTW-the video from the SBISD teacher was amazing! Clear, concise, and very informative. Thanks for including it the the lesson.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thing #16-Wikis
Today's thing is about all things Wiki. Our third grade team is going to have a grade level wiki next year (shout out to KH for setting us up!). The wiki itself will have information that is germane to the entire grade level, then will have links to each individual teacher's page that will have things specific to that classroom. After playing in the sandbox today, I'm excited to use this tool.
I can also see classroom applications for a wiki. For example: we study famous Americans in social studies. I'd love to have my kids read about each person, then add info to a wiki. Groups of students could be researching/reading about different people (lessening the need for a class set of books on one person), reading the wiki to see what's already there and adding new info based upon what they've read. I can also foresee using a wiki for book club groups: writing reviews, responding to what they've read, sharing information on the author or recommending similar titles/authors.
The kids want to use wikipedia a lot when researching. I've always stressed to my students that wikipedia is not the best source due to the nature of wikis. I think once we create a few wikis in class they'll understand this a whole lot more.
I can also see classroom applications for a wiki. For example: we study famous Americans in social studies. I'd love to have my kids read about each person, then add info to a wiki. Groups of students could be researching/reading about different people (lessening the need for a class set of books on one person), reading the wiki to see what's already there and adding new info based upon what they've read. I can also foresee using a wiki for book club groups: writing reviews, responding to what they've read, sharing information on the author or recommending similar titles/authors.
The kids want to use wikipedia a lot when researching. I've always stressed to my students that wikipedia is not the best source due to the nature of wikis. I think once we create a few wikis in class they'll understand this a whole lot more.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thing #15-Library 2.0
I read a post from David Warlick, and I read the posts Away from Icebergs and Into a New World of Librarianship. The video from Kansas State held the most powerful message for me. As I watched the video, I realized just how much things have changed from the time I was a college student-and I'm not THAT old. We didn't have laptops, Macs were relatively new and I had to take a computer lit class as a requirement for graduation. I was really struck by the message about the student who would get a job upon graduation, but that the job didn't even exist yet. Most of those non-existent jobs will be in the technology field.
Library 2.0 is happening at my school. My librarian is always working to stay a step or two ahead of the kids--but is also willing to learn shortcuts and tricks from them. She has embraced the idea that the library and her role as librarian are, and will continue to be, evolving. We're luck to have someone who embraces change and wants to grow and learn, even though mistakes and problems will occur along the way. She inspires us as classroom teachers to be open minded and a little daring in incorporating new technology into our teaching.
As a lover of books, I've not yet purchased a Nook or Kindle, but for children born in this day and age, they may not have anything but electronic books as an option. That kind of makes me sad.
It also makes me realize that I must grow and change in my thinking as a teacher as well.
So much to think about from this thing.
Library 2.0 is happening at my school. My librarian is always working to stay a step or two ahead of the kids--but is also willing to learn shortcuts and tricks from them. She has embraced the idea that the library and her role as librarian are, and will continue to be, evolving. We're luck to have someone who embraces change and wants to grow and learn, even though mistakes and problems will occur along the way. She inspires us as classroom teachers to be open minded and a little daring in incorporating new technology into our teaching.
As a lover of books, I've not yet purchased a Nook or Kindle, but for children born in this day and age, they may not have anything but electronic books as an option. That kind of makes me sad.
It also makes me realize that I must grow and change in my thinking as a teacher as well.
So much to think about from this thing.
Thing #14-Technorati
Technorati was a bit of a bust for me. I tried to do the search for School Library Learning 2.0 (as directed), but came up with nothing...no matter where I looked on Technorati. Couldn't access popular blogs, either. I may come back to this thing when I have more time and see if I have different results. On the positive side, I was able to claim my blog. Whoo-Hoo!
A big turn off was the multiple times I was told I had a message, only to find out it was a link to a "mind quiz" or a "crush" who was looking for me. I clicked on the message only because I'm a new user who had just claimed my blog, and thought it might be legitimate. I understand Technorati has advertisers. I don't like being tricked into an advertiser's site.
Generally speaking though, I love the IDEA of Technorati and tagging in general. What a time saver it would be to use the tags to search through the millions of posts/blogs in the blogosphere. I also liked the comment from the Technorati video about how paid writers/reviewers are starting to take a back seat to the average person who blogs about a movie or a band or any topic because they are truly interested, not because it's their job.
A big turn off was the multiple times I was told I had a message, only to find out it was a link to a "mind quiz" or a "crush" who was looking for me. I clicked on the message only because I'm a new user who had just claimed my blog, and thought it might be legitimate. I understand Technorati has advertisers. I don't like being tricked into an advertiser's site.
Generally speaking though, I love the IDEA of Technorati and tagging in general. What a time saver it would be to use the tags to search through the millions of posts/blogs in the blogosphere. I also liked the comment from the Technorati video about how paid writers/reviewers are starting to take a back seat to the average person who blogs about a movie or a band or any topic because they are truly interested, not because it's their job.
Thing #13-Delicious
Delicious is quite an interesting tool. I've created lists for math and science so far, and will add social studies as well. I can easily see my kids using this as a research tool. The math games could be used as a work station or as homework assignments. I'm interested to explore this site for reading, as well. We could make bookmarks of authors when we do an author study, and I saw a few sites with literature tags. Need more time to look through the possibilities.
I really want to learn how to link delicious to my blog or to the wiki our grade level is starting this year. Then, instead of listing all the sites as a list on the wiki or in our newsletter, the links would be available through delicious.
Again, I need more time to play around with this.
Day 2--I can't get the Delicious bookmarklet to load on my home computer toolbar. I downloaded it right onto my SBISD laptop, but can't do the desktop at all. Frustrating!
I really want to learn how to link delicious to my blog or to the wiki our grade level is starting this year. Then, instead of listing all the sites as a list on the wiki or in our newsletter, the links would be available through delicious.
Again, I need more time to play around with this.
Day 2--I can't get the Delicious bookmarklet to load on my home computer toolbar. I downloaded it right onto my SBISD laptop, but can't do the desktop at all. Frustrating!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thing #12-Commenting
I've always been a lurker on blogs...and facebook. Part of it comes from thinking that no one really cares what I have to say, and part of it is a privacy thing. Do I really want all of cyberspace to know my opinions?
I read the post on Blogger101 referencing using your real name vs. an alias. I've always used an alias, but it contains my real name. And because my first name is unusual, people who know me know that it is me who is posting.
I have to say that I disagree with Cool Cat. Sometimes, I leave a comment that is short and simple. Of course, my little blog has no followers yet, but I think I would want to know if someone wanted to encourage me with just a simple comment.
I've left my five comments on L2P blogs. I'm hoping that one or two of my comments will spark a discussion.
I found two parenting blogs to recommend: MomMaterial.com and i-get-to.blogspot.com. Both blogs are about families...one with advice and one just plain hilarious to read.
I read the post on Blogger101 referencing using your real name vs. an alias. I've always used an alias, but it contains my real name. And because my first name is unusual, people who know me know that it is me who is posting.
I have to say that I disagree with Cool Cat. Sometimes, I leave a comment that is short and simple. Of course, my little blog has no followers yet, but I think I would want to know if someone wanted to encourage me with just a simple comment.
I've left my five comments on L2P blogs. I'm hoping that one or two of my comments will spark a discussion.
I found two parenting blogs to recommend: MomMaterial.com and i-get-to.blogspot.com. Both blogs are about families...one with advice and one just plain hilarious to read.
Thing #11-Library Thing
Library Thing is really neat. I've entered in some of the books I've read this summer. I can see using this to make a catalog of books in my classroom library, a list of favorite books that my class reads over the course of the year, and even having them set up their own lists...I wonder if we can do that at school?
I checked out a couple of groups: 75 books in 2010, and What Are You Reading Now? I think I'm going to join the What Are... group. I love recommendations from others. I usually look at what's on the best seller list, but this would give me other options...and maybe I missed a really good book that wasn't on the best seller...
I checked out a couple of groups: 75 books in 2010, and What Are You Reading Now? I think I'm going to join the What Are... group. I love recommendations from others. I usually look at what's on the best seller list, but this would give me other options...and maybe I missed a really good book that wasn't on the best seller...
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