Thing #21

My Animoto Video

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.

THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! I am so going to be having my students use this. To go through and produce my own slide show was so easy. Sign up, add images, and then pick a song. Animoto produces all by itself and if you don't like the layout it will remix it for you. How easy is that? I will so be doing that again. Plus my students could do this themselves for any sort of projects. LOVE IT and FREE, awesome!!!!!!!

Thing #20

Mr Lee, All I Do Is Learn,

This has to be my most favorite blog post yet. I was looking for songs to use for my PowerPoint project covering the rock cycle and I had came across Mr. Lee--Rock Cycle. After listening to that song I had to check out all of Mr. Lee rap mixes and this is my new favorite song. My kids and their teachers have adopted this as their new theme songs for LIFE!!! Enjoy
Yes there are many great things about these sites, I love how if you have a problem just go to YouTube.com and you will generally find some sort of video that will walk you step by step on ways to fix it. I have used it myself on many task around the house as well as for homework help. There are some problems, mostly inappropriate material for children. Like with most things on the web, if you take your time and look at all the material you will find videos and sites that are kid friendly and would be great to you within a classroom.

Thing #18

 I have found that when it comes to these blog activities I always try to figure out how I could use this new technology in my classroom, or with my students. Well I am not sure I really like either one of these sites for classroom use, but at the same time I understand that many young people are actively on these sites and it would probably be the easiest way to keep in touch with them. 

Right now for my "class" I am teaching 3rd. I don't know to many 3rd graders that are on facebook or twitter, but their parents are. If I was require to use these two sites I would probably set up class accounts, "MrsT'speeps" this is a link to my facebook account http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo . I would keep updated activities and information about what we are covering in each subject. It would also allow the students to log-on and check their daily folders to make sure they are working on the right material. If a student is out it will help the parents see what was missed and they would be able to contact other students if they are not understanding the material that was missed/reviewed. 

One thing I really disliked is all the drama that goes along with social networking. If you accept a friend and they end up bring negative energy to a page then you are left with that all over your wall, plus you never know what kids may say.The biggest problem is how easy it is to put FALSE information or FAKE PROFILE information out there.  They haven't learned that when something is put onto the internet then it is up there forever, even after you remove it from your page it can still be out there. 

Another negative feedback with twitter is, you are only allowed 140 characters, not much can be said in such a small number. It does allow you to hyperlink to other pages but I would really like to know more about the topic before being moved to another page, but I guess it is enough to try and find keywords. 

Overall I guess both of these sites can be used in a classroom environment but personally I don't really want such young studnets (some without proper supervision) out on the social networking sites. TO MUCH CAN HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thing #17

 I have never used the Delicious bookmarking before but I have to say I really enjoyed it. I like that it is like a social-share site for people. This will really come in handy when I start teaching. There has been many times while working on my projects, papers, and blogs I have referred back to Diigo.com to use some of the shared/tagged sites for ideas, information and interactive sites. This would be really helpful site to give the parents of students as well. If the child was struggling with a concept you could refer the parents there and tag certain sites for added review. I think I may end up recommending this site to my own childrens teachers.

 

Thing #16

Discovery Exercise:

1. Look at the intro pages for each of the customized start page tools and choose one to create your own customized start page. Add, delete, and re-arrange the features and widgets on your new homepage.
I used Google to customize my start page. It was a lot easier than what I thought it would be, just a few simple questions, picking a background theme, and then interest and widgets, that was it. As simple as making a casserole. I think it is kinda neat that I will have access to my start page on any computer since it is actually on my Google account rather than my personal desktop. Plus being able to constantly update it I am able to change it to fit my new needs and delete things when I no longer have use for them. 

2. Create an online calendar or to do list using one of the tools above.

My online calendar is made from Hotmail Calendar. After remembering my username for my email I was able to add all sorts of new activities to my calendar. Birthdays, doctor appointments, and test are now uploaded and I will get updates when a new event is approaching. 

Since I was also able to work on a TO-DO-LIST in Hotmail also, I went ahead and worked on that too. Simple is the only word I can think of. Click on TO-DO-LIST, then ADD, and type in whatever you have going on. I did my APA SPED Paper and when it is due, then I decide to input it as High Priority. This is really nice since most of us all have our emails setup to send notifications to our phones, I am constantly aware of upcoming activities and important events that as to be accomplished. 

• Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at the school or at home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?

Yes I think all of these tools will have uses for me at home and school. As a teacher you have to stay very organize and have all of your deadlines set. By using the online calendars I would be in constant contact with it anytime I would have to check to see when something is due or when an upcoming test is approaching. Also the TO-DO-LIST is nice to have that way I know when I have an extra little something that needs to be worked in before a certain date. Plus if I were to do one class calendar then I could print off additional copies, one for each student.Then there is one less reason for the students to use for why their research paper isn't done. Or why they didn't study properly for a test. By having all the test dates and paper dates on a calendar parents are also able to see what will be covered in case that student is out sick. Between wiki pages, blogs, calendars, and online TO-DO-LIST there are to many products available to teachers, parents, and students not to be able to communicate properly. 

Thing #15

I really enjoyed this activity. I liked being able to go on and add information to the wiki page and also to know that I could use it in the classroom to see how much the children are learning throughout the year. At the beginning of the year have the students write all the information they know about a topic without looking it up. Then throughout the year have the students update and edit any new information the learn about that topic. Then at the end of the year have them to go back and reread all the changes they have made and see all the information that they have learned. Or see all the misinformed information they had about that topic. It would also be good for a class research project. Have each student research a certain information for a project and then upload the information onto the wiki page and see what each other came up with. Then they could each load parts of the project and work to finish it as a group.

Thing #14

I found these to be very similar to the spiderwebs we did as kids for papers. Where you place your main idea in the center and then branch your different paragraph topics out to the side of the main idea. These are very helpful when you are trying to find ways of working your paper/project into a whole. I personally still find myself using these from time to time when it comes  time to come up with ideas for papers. I will do some basic research to see if I can come up with enough information on a topic to decide if that topic is worth writing about. There is nothing worse then to but in 5 hours of research and then discovering that there just isn't enough out there to write that 10 page paper you need. The new flowcharts and mind maps would be very useful in the classroom since so much is done on the computers now. A child is more likely to be willing to spend the time working on making a mind map to map out their research.

thing 12

Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to tell you what a great son/daughter you have. He/She is a great joy to have in my class. If you have any questions or concern you may reach me anytime. Thank you , 
your son/daughter teacher



Estimado señor o señora,
Me gustaría decirte lo que es un gran hijo / hija que tiene. El / Ella es una gran alegríade tener en mi clase. Si tiene cualquier pregunta o preocupación que usted puedeponerse en contacto conmigo en cualquier momento. Gracias,
su hijo / a docenteTeaching 


I found Google translate a very helpful tool. There are many times when teachers run into a cultural/ language barrier and unable to communicate with students parents. Well now they may be able to find ways around that with Google translate. All you simply have to do is type in English and chose the language you would like it translated to. Then just print you letter and send it home with the child. This is a great feature and best of all like all things on google it is FREE.
Another great feature I found was Google Alert. I am now keeping up with Teaching in Tennessee through my google reader account. I will be getting feed alerts anytime there is something new in the News about teaching in the state of TN. These are just two of the free tools found on google. There is much much more out there. You just have to take the time and see what you can find. Keep Googleing and enjoy!

#11 New Thing

1. Create a blog post about your experience that answers these questions:
   *Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use?I have to say the easiest for me was google blog search. It was easy to type in a general idea and it popped up all the blogs with my keywords in it.
   *Which was more confusing?The Topix search was kind of confusing for me. When it first came up it asked about my location, well then when I typed in my "future teacher" search it brought all sorts of weird feeds up. Nothing that really had to do with teaching or future teachers, and the most bizarre part was that there was nothing on there that was from my area.
   *What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels?I found some nice teaching blogs that I will be keeping up with. Some for future teachers, some more experienced teachers sites, and then I found a great one that has nothing to do with teaching. My other favorite hobby, cooking. The best part was it was all healthy foods-no sugar, which we have been trying to do.
   
   

Thing 10

I really like the RSS feature of blogs and websites. It is very convenient to be able to access all the blogs I have subscribed to in one click. Then to be able to access other sites that I am interested to from that same site is really nice as well. As a teacher I would be able to get lots of help from this feature. By adding RSS feeds to my blog parents and students can get additional help or information from other sites. I could also have access to other teachers sites as well on my blog RSS feeds. The best part of all is that is is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you are a teacher or students, or better yet a parent free is always better.

Thing 9

Okay, so I have really enjoyed working on these activities up until this one. By the time I finally got this posted to my page I was ready to throw the computer across the floor. How come it doesn't tell you that you are not able to do the animated picture when loading it to your blog? Or if it did, how come I wasn't able to find it? It only took me 45minutes to figure that one out. Oh well, I guess it is part of learning. I did have fun typing in different text and seeing it written in flowers. I have always wanted to do that in my yard. Never had much luck with gardening though so I guess computer generated will just have to be sufficient.

http://www.imagechef.com/

http://www.imagechef.com/

This one was lots of fun to create and surprisingly simple.For this photo I used ImageChef-customized photo site and uploaded my art project photo, then all I had to do was pick the background that I wanted to use. I could have a lot of fun with this when it comes to the classroom. Students could make newspaper headlines, or cute street signs that coincided with their projects or subject they would be working on.

# 8 New Things

1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/21644167@N04/5150506428/">Blue</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/29468339@N02/5838193333/">Yellow drops</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/55868267@N03/5525876593/">Emerald Green - Graduated Colour Ear-Rings by Fiona Katherine McAllister</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/55155524@N08/5138659948/">Red Orange Pink Swirl Rose</a>

This mosaic was created using Mosaic Maker and the photos that were used came from flickr, Blue - IMG_8988-blue,Yellow drops, Emerald Green - Graduated Colour Ear-Rings by Fiona Katherine McAllister, and Red Orange Pink Swirl Rose at Anderton Therapeutic Gardens, by Courtenay.

I had lots of fun using Jigsaw to make this puzzle. This photo was taken last summer when the classic car show was down in Nashville. I went through many photos to find just the right one to turn into a puzzle. I really enjoyed this activity since we are puzzle freaks at my house.

 I really enjoyed using the mosaic maker since it is the added touch of color that you can put around your classroom as photos. Another great use of it would be for students when they are learning about the color specturm or during a project. As far as the classroom aspect of these programs I could have lots of fun coming up with different worksheets and activities to use for learning. Take a picture of the solor system and turn it into a puzzle, so all the kids would have a fun and interactive way to learn the planets. Plus I think the parents would think highly of a teacher for taking the extra time to individualize a mosaic of their childs work at the end of the year. I have another two years of schooling and already am super excited about all the new ideas I have for my classroom. Happy reading and have fun exploring.

 

7.2 of Thing 7

100_0652, a photo by violetflutter on Flickr.

Also at my house.
See post 7.1 of Thing #7 for thoughts today!

7.1 of Thing #7

Untitled, a photo by violetflutter on Flickr.

This was taken in my backyard.


Also the picture of Stormy Day was done from my backyard. I had never used Flickr or any photo hosting services before. I found it quiet enjoyable though. I did a few quick searches over the weekend and there were just to many photos for me to choose from. I think students in all grades would find great uses for Flickr. It allows them access to photos that can be used for various projects as long as they give credit to the artist. This is very important in this day and time. There are many different pictures that can be found on the internet but they are all copyrighted and if you are found using them, you are hit with a hefty fine. Yet Flickr tells you ahead of time that other people will have the opportunity to use your photos with you still receiving credit. Plus you can always add photos but leave the private and only seen by those you choose. That is great since you can add different groups or people to follow. 

#6 of the 23 Things

I have to say that so far this is the best "23 Thing" I have had to do. Dropbox is the coolest site I have ever seen. Yes I kinda already know a little about it, but that doesn't change the fact that I still LOVE it. Dropbox is similar to a digital portable filing cabinet. It allows its user to upload and store information/files to a digital storage account, and here is the best part IT IS FREE!!! That's right I said it, F R E E, FREE! The user can actually earn,by recommending the site, up to 2Gigs of storage. What is so nice about the site is that the user has access to the files they upload at any computer, or phone. This is handy for those of us that have a bad habit of not printing our papers out before we leave home. That's okay with Dropbox. I can run to the library and print a copy of the paper out there because I saved it to my Education Folder.You can also store pictures, music, and even share those files with other Dropbox users. This is a great feature for teachers, students, and parents. If a child is sick, their teacher can upload the assignment to a folder and share it with the parents and student. That way the child never falls behind. The only thing is a teacher may actual need more than 2 gigs of storage but the can pay for additional storage space. Or they just need to keep their files updated and change out the older ones and then they maybe able to stick with the free space. Either way you go, free or paid storage, Dropbox is a great tool and did I mention it is FREE!

Thing #5

One of the articles I read was the Web 2.0 is Not About Version Numbers or Betas. I have to say I understand where Richard MacManus is coming from. Web 2.0 is not a new version of the web but a name given to show all the new advances of the web. The web has become a place for great knowledge for all people. Even if you are a book loving rocket scientist, if you are surfing the web you will stumble upon some new morsel of information you did not know, only because of Web 2.0. The average person is able to upload, download, email, blog, twitter, facebook, chat, shop, research, and even receive a college degree because of the new exciting information found on Web 2.0. 

The second article I read was Web 2.0: A Guide for Educators by Susan McLester and boy did I learn new things. I like most people was aware, (0r so I thought)  how much the web influenced our everyday living . Blogs, social networks, emails, businesses, video conferences, and YouTube, these are just a few of the sites that are used on a daily bases for varies different tasks by individuals. Now schools are using these same features plus a few more to enhance teaching. I have to say that is wonderful. 

I have three children of my own and boy can they run circles around me when it comes to technology. Just the other day my youngest, she is 6,  told me how to bring up videos and games that they play on the computers at school. I remember at six years old learning how to write my name on the straight line and here 22 years later my daughter is learning how to use a computer. 

My middle daughter, whom is in the third-grade, had to do her first research project this past weekend. The note her teacher sent home informed the parents that the students were to research Space Shuttles and then build their own. Now that sounds normal enough right? Here's where things have changed, when I was in school we did all our research at the library with big thick books. Oh no, not now! Now the teachers expect the students to use the internet and conduct research on past shuttle. My daughters teacher explains that if they, the child, are not able to work on it at home that is fine, she will designate time for those individuals to work on the class computer. 

These are just a few ways that the schools are making an attempt to work with the changes society/the web have evolved. Technology is there we must find a way to embrace it. A way to use it to our advantage. Children, students are going to use these tools whether we like it or not so we should show them the proper ways to use them. We must find new ways to keep students involved with classwork and this, the WEB, is the way to do that. 

 

Thing #4

WORK IN PROGRESS, WILL BE COMPLETED BY END OF SEMESTER!!

• explain why commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction

Cool Cat Teacher explains that like any author a blogger wants to know that the are being heard. Commenting allows people from all around the world to take part in a conversation. It allows people with similar interest to be brought together even though thousands of miles may be between each person. Blogging and commenting brings new ideas or perspective to our own opinions. Some may call it a conversation or a debate, but I call it learning and life. At any point and time someone can enlighten someone else and what better way then 24/7 on a blog. 

• discuss two other points from the readings about commenting that you found important

When reading through 10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog I was really surprised to see #5. Set Boundaries. Personally I thought it would discourage readers from commenting, but according to Darren Rowse it encouraged many people to respond to his blog. He thought it may be due to people knowing exactly what was excepted from their comments. I will have to think about that when and if I set a class blog when I am teaching. 

I was not really surprised but intrigued that one of the things that he recommended was #9 Rewarding Comments. I was already aware that we as bloggers should take the time to acknowledge our readers and let them know that we appreciate the time they took to read our blogs/post. I enjoyed the way he recommended to "highlight" a reader that left a great comment. I believe that will be a great technique to use with students since children are always in competition with each other. It would require them to take their time and make relevant comments and not just through random thoughts around. 

• give the names of the seven blogs (5 from our group + 2 others of your choice) you selected to read and comment on and tell why you selected them:
• WORK IN PROGRESS, WILL BE COMPLETED BY END OF SEMESTER!!

• discuss the comments that you chose to make and why you made them
• WORK IN PROGRESS, WILL BE COMPLETED BY END OF SEMESTER!!

Things#3

2. For your Thing #3 post, write about ways that you might use a blog in your teacher education program or your 

future classroom.

Since creating my own page I believe it would be a nice class project for older children. Most children in grades 4 and up would be able to setup a blog and record a weekly post. Whether about a current event, a general class discussion, or to ask lesson questions. 

Plus I believe it would be a great tool for teacher/parent communications for all grades. As a teacher I could post a weekly agenda blog, as to activities and lessons that would be covered in class. Parents would then have access to my blog page and could keep up with what their child would be covering. Parents would also have the ability to ask questions and be actively involved with the child's schooling.  

Thing #2

• How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?

         My blog title is just what it says, Tucker's23Things. It is a collection of my thoughts on 23 different ideas. As far as my display name goes, it is how I am referred to for school activities. It is not personal or silly, but refined and straight to the point. 

• What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?

          When I heard I would have to start a blog, agony is the only word that came to mind. I was sure this would not go as planned,so I began preparing myself to battle one or two of the same challenges Hercules himself had to endure. I was sure I would have my very own nine-headed hydra to take down, called the cyber world. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I began the process of registering and designing my blog. With each step written out, in detail, I was zipping through it like an old pro. Picking templates for the layouts and adding an avatar of myself, you would have thought I did these things everyday. 

• How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?

          Now lets get one thing straight, I won't say there wasn't a few bumps in the process. Have you ever tried to make an animated character of yourself? Not always the easiest thing to do. Then there was the copy and pasting. Sounds easy enough right, yeah except if you are not able to find the "add a gadget" space that is hidden with in other sidewalks(tabs). But, as you see I was able to come up with a mini me. I have always been told that "I am the bubbly one", so of course I gave her a big cheesy grin. Plus my "Hallie Berry" cut was best suited with the bejeweled headband. Then came my books!! I love to read! I can not say enough how there is nothing better then to open a brand new paperback book and to get the smell of the fresh ink on paper. I made my avatar as close to me as possible. I like me, just the way I am. I believe that for you (the reader) to best understand me, you have to know. Even if it is just a animated character it is me. My style, my outlook on life, and most importantly my thoughts.

Thing #1

Once I finished watching the tutorial 7 1/2 Habit of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners I began to realize that like most college students, myself included, need new techniques to better understand material. This tutorial was able to highlight some of those new techniques.

Personally I found that the easiest habit to implemented would be #1, begin with a goal in mind. Like most students, I start each new semester with the same goal in mind. A's in all my classes, and just like an alarm there is always a bump in the road. Some how I am always find my way back on target and keep trucking through the semester. I have found that the best way for me to work through a problem is to teach someone else, habit #7. By talking another person through the same problem I am most generally able to figure out where I went wrong.

The hardest habit for me would be to learn how to play. Ever semester I seem to become a big grump and no fun, according to my family. I stress and stress over keeping on task and not falling behind, that I tend to forget to enjoy the experience of college.

Hopefully as this semester progresses I will learn more about Web 2.0 since in all honesty I don't have a clue as to what it is. When it comes to technology I like it, but it doesn't always seem to like me. Then for some reason one of us usually ends up with our feelings hurt and laying in a hep on the floor(me). Hopefully since this first blog hasn't turned out to awful, things are looking up. Only time can tell!