Reflection

This is not the end but the beginning....

Unbelievable!!! What a journey!! This journey has been amazing, challenging and even at times frustrating but always rewarding. I really think that 23 things can take me personally and professionally to a new level. I am so glad that I was not satisfied with the same old powerpoints, slideshow, email and microsoft word. That was the extent of my technology. There were so many tools available that I was not even aware of that can jazz up a powerpoint, things like voicethread. Online generator could add a punch to any visual. Podcasting and even slide shows that are created using sites like rockyou.com could not only be used to teach and reinforce concepts but could actually be incorporated into student projects. GoogleDocs is another great tool for students projects since students do not physically have to be in the same place at the same time. Each student could work on the project at home at at time that works best for them. Teachertube and the google reader can help keep material current and fresh. All the tools that can help get and keep you organize seem to be quick and user friendly.

Believe it or not ...blogging is actually one of the more difficult things for me to do. Not because of the technology (its actually one of the "things" that I can actually get around in pretty easily)...Blogging seems like journaling in your diary and leaving it in places where your little brother or sister could opened it and read it. It has gotten easier with practice!!

Of course the wiki page (not a surprise) was were I lost it and thought that there is absolutely no way that I can do this, But the folks at North didn't let me give up and they walked me through it even though their schedule was absolutely crazy!! Thanks Zack and Jill!! You are the best! Other folks (like Jessica and Mike) at North were always ready to answer any of my questions and constantly encouraged me!! I was definitely at the opposite end of technology compared to these guys - You could say that I am a 23 Thing overachiever! Hey, some day I want to be just like ya'll. You guys make North the BEST!!

Summer time is going to be a great time to spend not only quality time but quantity time incorporating these "things" into the classroom. Just in time for the BEGINNING of school. It's going to be great! Thanks 23 things!!

#23 - Beyond MySpace: other social networks

I really like having a alternative to My Space and Facebook. I think Ning would be a great alternative to keeping your personal life and professional life separated. MY Space and Facebook, I feel are little too personal for my current students. Facebook/My space could be used to stay in touch with our students as they leave high school and begin their "after high school" life - whether it be college, career, marriage or a combination of the three.
Classroom 2.0 was really cool even though it was somewhat overwelming for some one of my technological caliber. It was innovative to network teachers thus allowing teachers to use this as resource. With summer approaching and being exposed to some many amazing technological tools, I keep thinking I can't want till summer so that I have plenty of "play" time!

Thing #21 - Google Misc

I did not realize how many other options google has. I have always used google as a search engine. I investigated several of the google tools. The first one I looked at was Google Notebook - as always I am trying to find ways to get and stay organized. I was disappointed when the site was closed to new users and would only accomodate old users but... The next one I tried was Google Sketchup but once again disappointment. This site was blocked from school computors. Looked over Google calender and liked what was there. Thought it would be good to have a family calender that each family member has access to, even the one at Tech. Also checked out Google sites and thought that it would be neat to have a family/group website. Once summer is here and there is more time it will be alot of fun to implement some of this tools into my personal and professional life!

Thing #17 - Podcasting

Podcasting is a quick and easy way to relay information. I like that I can get a bit of science everyday. I enjoyed 60 seconds of science and Why for Kids. One is a quick science fix and the other is complex science broken down into easy terms. I particularly like the Why for kids because kids where submitting the questions. I do not currently have an IPOD but actively using my google reader. Podcasting could help make my morning commute interesting and informative if I had method of utilizing it. I would like to use this technology in class - a couple of weeks ago we had a faculty meeting and actually created our own podcast.

Things #16 - Library

Being an avid reader I found it hard to spend only a reasonable amount of time at this site. So I will be going back. This is a great site for book discussions and reviewing for purchase. I like how I can share my thoughts and opinions about the books I have read and get other input on book that I might read. After reading the
50 Book Challenge, I would like to try it but I do not know if I have the time. I definitly would recommend this site to my students - even those who do not read might enjoy the comic books.

Thing #15 - Delicious

Delicious is a great search engine because it narrows your results to useful information. I really like to see who and how many other individuals are utilizing the sites. Using a generic search engine like google takes forever to weed out useless infomation. This is something that I can use to find teaching resources for class and will recommend this to my students.

Thing #19 - Voicethread

Voicethread is really neat. I can see alot of ways that I could use it my class. I could add voice to powerpoints. These powerpoints could be used when it is a long teaching day. Students who are absent could come to tutoring and watch the powerepoint and learn the information that they missed. Could also be use in ISS or MIC. It would also be a great tool to use for student projects. Measuring Volume of Weird Objects was an example of using this technology for group projects. Creating a project helps the student really understand the concept and having other students watch and comment on their project only reinforces the concept.

Thing #18-YouTube

I explored youtube and found this biology rap about mitosis. It could be use to get the interest of students and possible reinforce cell division concepts. It would also be neat to assign students a video assignment over a biology concepts and videos like this could be used for examples. It was fun to look around and find videos of interest. I watched a how to video over how to be a gangsta - I thought I might get some insight on some of my students. I also went to a site that showed movies in 5 minutes - it was alot of fun to see the shorten version of Twilight.
Teachertube I think will be a safer site to find video for classroom. I will definitely be looking here for video to use in the classroom!!

Thing #7b - google reader

The softball acticles have been interesting because I have 2 daughters that play softball. I also have a husband who coaches HS Softball. We have both coached our daughters in youth and school softball so it it fun to see how others coach softball skills and get new sb drills for many differnet skills like softball throwing and hitting.

Thing #20 - google docs

This a great way to share and edit documents with other people. It is also a great place to store your documents and not clutter your computor. On a personal note I have used this because my computor at home is not compatible with some of the school's computor programs. I learned this the hard way!! This could be used in class by having students do group work and work history can be reviewed to monitor who has been actively in the assignment.

Thing #7a - Reader

Check out this article on childhood obsesity . This is a growing concern and affects all individuals due to economical health strains.

Thing # 12 - Create slideshow

This slideshow is about various body systems. Each student could be assigned a system and find 3 pictures to illustrate that system.

All photos shown are by aJ GAZMEN ツ GucciBeaR's photostream

Thing #14 - Web 2.0 tools

30boxes was the tool that I explored. I thought it would be a great way to personally get organized. I have tried to use other calenders and could not. This one was super easy or maybe I am becoming a better at technology because of 23 things!! I also thought that you could use a class calender to help students know when assignments are due. To do list and phone reminders are other things that this tool can do. This tool also had a share options which would be great if you are trying to organize with some one else (class).

Thing #13 - online image generator

 

Here are a couple of "things" that I did with the online image generator. This would be a great way to add interest to any powerpoints or written material hand out to the students. You could also use this to jazz up your class decor!!

 

Thing #22 - Facebook

Here's my facebook...yay!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1704550991&ref=profile

I think that it is important as educators to know our students not only in class as students but also as people.  Facebook and my space are big parts of our students' life and I think we can gain an insight on who they are if we understand and/or familiar with social networking.  As educators we could possibly use this technology to communicate with our students concerning class assigments and expectations.  Our students could also get to know us not only as teachers but people too.  My biggest concern about social networking is the people getting hold of personal information and using it in the wrong way.  Facebook was a better choice for me because it was simpler to use and it seems more people my age use it.  It will be alot of fun to use it to stay in touch with friends.

Thing #11 - Flickr

photo by: aJ GAZMEN ツ GucciBeaR

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guccibear2005/162546710/

 

Flickr was a fun and challenging activity.  Of  course they are all challenging to me.  As I use technology it does become easier but each new "thing" seems impossible to master.  Flickr can be used in the classroom in many ways.  One is to assign each student a body system and have them find pictures to illustrate it.  I think it would flickr is great for personal use. I really like the idea of keeping pictures safe and in an organized and findable way.  It would really be neat to share with family members and friends who live else where to view and enjoy your pictures.

Thing #9 - Wiki spaces

Wow!! I have finally finished my biojunkie wikispace. This has only been accomplished by a team effort!! Boy do I have a great team - thanks so much to my team. I enjoyed "playing in the sandbox" but it was very frustrating to actually created a wike page. Once it was created it did not seem as difficult as is seemed at the beginning. With practice this technology is something that I can use in my classes. Thanks, 23 things!!

Thing #10 - Creative Commons

Creative Commons is a great alternative to the traditional Copyright.  If you have any type of material whether it be written, drawn, musical and/or photos  and you would like to share than this is place to be.  You can choose restrictions of how you would like the material shared.  This is also a great option when you need material to complete your project or to get inspiration!  But if sharing is not  an option the there is always the big C.  This is taking collaboration to the next level!

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Thing #8 - What in the world is a wiki?

What in the world is a wiki? This is a very good question - I have spent a couple of weeks pondering on this question. I am still not sure I know enough to blog on the wiki concept but....
After exploring a few of the wikis I have have noticed that wikis can be very versatile. They can target any grade level, subject matter, geographical area, and can be used for different purposes. One purpose of the wiki is for class management. Dr. Reich's Chemistry Wiki provides resources to support his chemistry course and to showcase student projects. I really like the idea of using a wiki for this purpose, students could have easy access to class syllabus, notes, assignments and any other information that need to brought to the students' attention. Another example of using wikis for this purpose is FHS Wolves Den. This also had students list their top 5 history topics which is a great way to get students thinking about what they have learned this year and also allows you to get to know the students better. I really like the wikis that not only included students from one high school but students from high school in different cities and even countries like the Flat Classroom Project. I also saw wikis that had an entire curriculum for a project. This was an elementary project, Salute to Seuss, that celebrated Dr. Suess. Wikis like this could be a great resource for teachers. Exploring many different wikis has motivated me to use this technology in my class!!

Thing # 7 - Commenting

I can honestly say that I have never blogged to get a reader or a comment. After reading the 10 Commandments of Commenting and Commenting Etiquette that there was so much more to blogs than just personal reflections. These reflections are also suppose to stimulate a response in the form of a comment. I guess that goes along with how technology now is a 2 way street. Commenting and receiving comments can help "tweak" areas of the topic being blogged and this in return helps to improve the topic!! The tips on how to comment, why to comment and the right way to comment gave me ideas and the "courage" to try commenting. I guess time will tell if I ever blog to get a reader or a comment!!!

Thing #6 - Cell Phones in the Classroom?!?

Using cell phones in the classroom is an interesting concept. Reading the title made me curious of how this technology could be used in class. I had some of my own ideas about using cell phones in the classroom but this article really broaden my imagination. This technology can not only be used in the class but also outside of class. Some ideas were using the cell phone to collect data like pictures and videos. It could also be used for assessment like oral quizzes and texting an assignment. Text messaging could also be used as "assistive technology" for the hearing impaired. Some of the obstacles of using this technology in class are all students may not have a phone, some of the phones may not have all the upgrades needed to accomplish the assignment, keeping students on task while using the phone and getting support of parents and adminstration. On the personal end do you really want 100 homework assignment text messages?!!

Thing #4 - "Exploring Blogs"

Through the exploratory blog reading, I noticed some where written more in a conversational tone while others used a more serious tone. I personally liked the ones that were brief & conversational because it seemed easier to grasp the information.

I found of personal interest was the blog concerning homework. Homework is a challenging issue for all teachers. I agree that those who do not need the grade (A & B student and already know the concept) do the homework and those who need the grade (failing and do not know the concept) do not do the homework. Homework should not be something to do just to fill in class time. Because of the block schedule, I usually assign a short homework assignment so students at least have to look at biology on the days the are not in class. Of course you know which students do the homework!!

Thing #5 - "cyberbullying"

This article is about a student who wrote in facebook about one of her teachers. The school suspended her for 3 days. The student who is now a freshman at the University of Florida is sueing the principal to have the suspension removed from her record. She states this could possibly keep her from getting into graduate school or landing her dream job. Her lawyer feels that she has the right to freedom of speech. The school feels that once she use the word hatred that it was verbal harrassment and warranted the suspension. All of this raises important questions since this is our new way of getting "news".

Thing # 2 - A Day in the Life of WeB 2.0

Using Web 2.0 in the classroom is an opportunity to enhance traditional teaching strategies. Podcast, Blog and computers are wonderful tools to add to your educational "toolbox". Podcast is an exciting way to bring updated information to you class curriculum. Of course you would not only need to have the resources (knowledge and skills) to use them but possibly other tools ...MP3 player. A blog is a wonderful resource in helping with communication. Students, parents, administrators and other teacher can know what is going on in class by viewing posted assignments, resources and activities. The ability to respond to what is posted can help "tweak" assignment/activities. The challenge of using Web 2.0 in the class not only includes gaining the knowledge and skills but also ensuring that students are using the technology academically and not socially.

Thing #1 - Life Long Learners

This is a little more difficult than I thought. The thought that any random person might be reading what I am thinking makes me a little nervous ( It probably has something to do with age or generation thing -I was probably the last generation of "children are seen not heard") With that said I will do my best to let go and......BLOG!!



These are a few thoughts that I received from the 7.5 Habits video that I thought were important. (It's my blog so I know that there is no right or wrong to this. RIGHT??)

Some of the habits, like goal planning & taking responsibility for your own learning are habits that I am familiar with. As I move along in time (there's that age thing again) these things become more a part of who I am. In other words, I do them without knowing that I am doing them (I guess that is why it is called a habit). Some of these habits are associated with attitude. And we all know what a difference attitudes can make! These are - look at problems as challenges and have confidence!! I don't know why a challenge is better than a problem but it does makes IT easier to deal with. Confidence is about knowing and believing in yourself (Dream, Believe, Achieve... that's what the people at North say!!) The Learning Toolbox was a great visual for the tools that you would need to accomplish anything. Some of the tools you would need to be a lifelong learner are mentors and technology (which is actually one of the 7.5 habits - Remember that technology is your friend not your enemy!!) . Also from experience I know the best way to really know the ins and outs of something is to teach it to some else. It's always been said if its fun (play) you will continue to learn!